“Oh.” I couldn’t hide my shock, so I quickly reached for my water, taking a moment to recover. “That’s really quick.”
“Love knows no starting point, and we are in love.” Noemi sighed and looked adoringly at Angelo.
I blinked as I digested what Noemi had said. Love did have a starting point. It was after you spent a little time together. It was when you realized your heart beat faster and expanded whenever you caught sight of each other.
“I know, it’s only been three weeks—”
“But when you know, you know.” Noemi cut Angelo off as she prattled their order to the waitress. I forced a smile at my brother as I pushed down the thought that Noemi was a tad overbearing.
Dinner consisted of Noemi talking mostly about herself and her dreams of the future. I realized as she spoke her dream required a lot of money. I wondered how my brother would keep up as he ran his side of the family business. The few times I asked about her family, she sidestepped and acted like they didn’t matter. Finally, when she paused for a breath, I took the opportunity to take a restroom break. As I headed to the back of the restaurant, I saw an old lady watching me. She sat contentedly while her white rosary beads slid through her fingers. A man stood tall behind her. I dismissed the strange woman’s curious interest in me and carried on with my night.
“It was lovely getting to know you, Elenora.” Noemi tugged on her sweater and excused herself. My brother and I sat quietly for a moment.
“I know,” he laughed, “she’s a lot at first, but once she calms down, she’s really wonderful and funny.”
“Who am I to judge? If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“But?” He eyed me.
“All I’m going to say is just make sure she’s with you for the right reasons.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning she seems a little controlling. It’s only been three weeks, and she’s already working out your future and, forgive me, but a lot of what she said puts you behind a desk working, while she plays out her dreams.”
“I love her, Elenora.”
Love? Yikes.
“Then, of course, I stand behind any decision you make.”
We switched topics when Noemi returned to the table, and we gathered our things to leave. Just as I said my goodbyes and was heading to the parking lot, I spotted the old lady again. She stood next to a lovely old classic car. Her white beads hung from her fingers, and her cold, dark gaze made sure I knew she was looking at me.
I wanted to call out and ask what her problem was, but she slipped into the car and was swallowed up within its shaded windows.
I flipped onto my back and stared at the ceiling, trying to decide if I should share the news about tonight’s visitor with Francesco. I never mentioned my encounter with Greta Capri all those years ago either. Mainly because when I finally decided to, it was too late, and the damage had been done.
My hand shook as I reached for the doorhandle. The last time I was here, I had come face to face with psycho Nonna, but I had made a promise to Noemi before I ever met Nonna, and I took pride in keeping my promises. Even if it terrified me to my very core.
“Good afternoon.” Noemi waved me inside. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this. I just feel so terrible for the young girl having no one to talk to.”
“I understand the feeling and don’t mind at all.”
“Good.” She pointed to the back yard. “She spends a lot of time in the garden. She enjoys the butterflies.” She looked over her shoulder as though someone was watching. “I’ll leave you two alone, then.”
Okay…I felt incredibly awkward, but I was starting to realize this might be the norm for this house. I headed down, deep into the garden, and spotted the girl. She stood very still as I approached.
“Hello,” I said gently, so as not to scare her, “I’m Sienna.”
“Hi,” she said quickly as she nervously tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
“Do you mind if I join you?” I had no idea if she understood any of what I was saying, but to my surprise, she nodded. “I used to live on the streets. I had no home, no friends.”
I figured I should just jump in. She might connect with me if she understood that I wasn’t a Capri. I was just someone she might be able to relate to.
“I was really lonely and felt like I didn’t belong.” When she didn’t react, I dug deep, trying to find something in my life that might spark a conversation. “I remember one time eating out of a trash can, I was so hungry. I’d say that was my lowest point, but it wasn’t. I was so hungry once I stole money from a mother on a bus. She had three kids to feed, and I stole from her.” I rubbed my head at the guilty feeling in the pit in my stomach. “I told myself that when I got money, I would pay her back. Of course, I didn’t.”
“Stomach can control head,” she said in broken Italian. “I have many regrets.”