by Rimmy London
“I don’t think he slept much last night. He was pretty upset about Givanni.” Adriano had a kind and relaxed way of speaking, so the subject didn’t bother me. The thought of Emilio staying up because he was worried about me was endearing, and I glanced back at his sleeping face again. “You need not worry about Emilio. He is a passionate man, but his passion comes from a kind heart. If Givanni is good to you, he will support it.” His hand covered mine, squeezing lightly, but somehow I didn’t feel nervous. “And so will I.” His eyes rested on me for a moment before he turned his attention to driving, both of us content to sit in silence for the last few minutes.
When the three of us walked in the front door with Emilio stretching and yawning loudly, it was obvious that Oriana had made plans for dinner. The smell wafted from the kitchen, something savory and slow-roasted. “Buona notte,” Emilio mumbled. “I’m going to get some sleep, Loriel.” He wrapped one arm around me, giving me a sideways hug before heading toward the hallway. I patted his retreating back, feeling less offended at his forwardness after the conversation I’d had with his brother. Adriano reached for a book and sat near the fireplace. Everyone seemed to be relaxing.
I wished I could do the same, but my heart drummed as I headed upstairs. I worried suddenly if Givanni was really okay. My mind wandered erratically, and by the time I had the door open, I was almost hyperventilating, sure that it was a mistake to leave him alone. “Givanni?” I whispered, scanning the already made bed and seemingly empty room. Racing through the room I caught sight of him and stopped, the nervousness in my heart still pounding. Although he stood in jeans, a feat that I would bet took some time, his back was bare. With a button-down shirt in one hand, he gripped the sink tightly. His head was lowered so that dark strands of hair blocked my view of his face. “Salve, Loriel.” It was hard to rip my stare off of his bruised back, but when his head finally rose I made sure I was looking into his eyes. “I suppose I should be over my headache by now?” I stepped forward, putting one hand on an unbruised portion of his shoulder.
“Givanni, you can’t be serious.” I ran my hand down his back lightly, watching as he flinched. Dropping my arm, I couldn’t keep the concern from filling my face. “I could tell them something,” I said quietly, hating the thought of watching him force a smile on his face. He stood upright, the muscles in his back tightening with the effort, and slid one hand into the arm of his shirt. Snatching it from him I waited until he faced me. “At least you could let me help,” I said softly, lifting his shirt up in front of me until I had it right.
Without saying a word he held his hand out, his face looking irritated. I didn’t care, it was better than having to watch him grimace through it. Pulling the light cotton over his shoulder I walked around his back, coming to a stop in front of him and waiting for his other hand to slide through the open sleeve. Pulling the collar up around his neck, I buttoned the second button, continuing down until I let the last button fall from my hands. One side of his mouth was curved up in a smile. “There,” I said, smiling back. “Sometimes it’s not such a bad idea to let someone help you.” He shrugged.
“Grazie,” he said quietly. “I’m surprised you still want to help me.” He paced the room, looking like he was testing the waters.
“Do you plan on going downstairs and pretending to be all normal?” I asked, seeing some obvious differences in the way he moved. If I could tell, I doubted it would escape the notice of his family, especially Oriana. He swung his arms around, twisting and stretching.
“I’ll have to get used to the tightness. Tonight could be interesting.” Something about the way he said that had me nervous again.
“You’re not going back out, are you?” I couldn’t imagine that he would say yes, but to my astonishment, I watched his head nod a few times while he began to stretch his legs.
“Tomorrow’s Wednesday, we don’t have a lot of time left. And there really hasn’t been much to go on, just crossing things off our list, not finding anything relevant.” As a knock sounded on the door, Givanni strode across the room. I had to admit it looked close to normal. Joining him at the doorway, Adriano smiled back at us. Givanni stepped aside. “We were just coming.” He rested his hand on my back and followed me into the hall. I couldn’t hear anything behind me but once we reached the ground level I turned around, watching Givanni lower himself down the last stair. Winking he took my hand, his grip a little stiffer than I remembered.
“Easy as anything,” he said quietly. A group of happily chatting voices had me jerking to a stop. Lounging on the couch with Zoe and Gaio was Enrica. Givanni’s thumb ran across the top of my hand and I replaced my surprised expression with a blank one. It was the best I could do.
Chapter 13
“Ah, Givanni! Loriel!” Zoe jumped up from the couch, her expression gratefully carefree. “I already feel it has been ages.” She swept both of us up in a tight hug, and I squeezed Givanni’s hand as I heard him gasp. Asking Zoe quickly about wedding plans she began before I finished the question, taking the stage easily. Her optimism was hard to resist, and the family smiled with her as they listened.
Givanni pulled me in the direction of the kitchen, where Dario and Oriana were busy preparing the meal. Standing at the tall bar, he crossed his arms on top of it. I watched his aunt and uncle in constant motion, moving from one side to the other almost in unison. Emilio and Adriano wandered in, throwing off the synchronized act like a hammer thrust into a fan. The frustration on Oriana and Dario’s faces was instantaneous as they bumped and scooted around the new obstacles. Both brothers retreated quickly with a drink shoved into their hands by a distracted mother. Though they threw exasperated glances at each other, both were smart enough to stay silent. Emilio stood next to Givanni, glancing sideways at him, his face a little stiff. “Any plans for the next few days?” he asked.
Givanni smiled, seeming oblivious to the tension of his cousin. “I think Zoe has our free time scheduled already, and I don’t know if any plans of mine would outdo hers.”
“You’re right about that.” Emilio chuckled, abandoning his callousness.
“That’s how it should be,” said Adriano, a little softer. “She deserves it, the way she has put up with us over the years.” Givanni nodded, tilting his head at the two brothers and grinning. Emilio finished his drink in one swig.
“Glad you decided to join us,” he mocked, punching Givanni in the back playfully before walking into the other room. Adriano’s eyes widened as Givanni arched, sucking in a ragged breath. Relaxing again, he kept his eyes on the granite countertop, ignoring stares from both sides. My eyes met Adriano’s shocked face and I shook my head, hoping he would drop it. He stepped closer to Givanni, looking more serious than I had ever seen him.
“What happened?” he demanded. Surprised by the power in his voice, my appraisal of the quiet brother took on a new dimension. Givanni dropped his head, speaking so low that his voice ground in his chest.
“Drop it, Adriano I mean it.” Watching his cousin for a moment longer, Adriano finally returned his attention to his drink. I glanced at the group behind us, relieved that they all seemed completely unaware of what had just happened. Emilio was standing in front of the rest, moving his arms in every direction as he told an animated story in Italian. Dario and Oriana walked past us, both of them carrying heavy, steaming platters. I jumped up, following.
“Is there anything I could help with?” I asked, feeling guilty for not offering earlier. Oriana smiled, shaking her head.
“No, dear. The others know not to ask, but when you are here visiting, you are not to touch… well, anything in the kitchen.” She laughed, but Emilio nodded drastically in agreement.
“That’s very serious,” he said, although the smile on his face made it hard to believe him.
“Isn’t there anything I could do?” I repeated. Dario shook his head before nodding at his wife.
“Sorry, I’m not in charge in this part of the house,” he answered. Oriana smiled tri
umphantly.
“Or anywhere else,” Adriano whispered before retreating to the family room. I leaned close to Givanni, my face practically resting on his arm.
“Please tell me the truth. Are you okay?” His eyes flickered to the kitchen before he answered.
“I promise I’m okay,” he whispered back. “I’ve had it worse than this, that’s for sure. But my mood today isn’t what it should be for wedding parties. I’m sorry.” His apology was confusing, but he continued before I had the chance to contradict. “I’m sorry I’ve practically abandoned you with my family from the moment we arrived. It can’t be as easy as you make it seem.” I thought over all the strange conversations I’d had during the last couple of days, especially at the beach.
“It has been a little... uncomfortable at times, but of the two of us, I don’t think I’m the one we have to be worried about.” We leaned away from each other, just in time for Emilio’s boisterous voice to reach us.
“And Givanni! How is it that we have not yet heard you sing? Are you afraid it wouldn’t compare to my talent?” There were giggles from around the room, Enrica’s voice seeming the most noticeable to me. Givanni pushed off the counter, striding into the room.
“Unlike you, Emilio, I don’t feel the need to prove myself every chance I get.” The heavy teasing in his voice was enough to make the whole room erupt, and I saw Emilio step closer to his cousin. Worried that he might be thinking of another punch I skipped to his side, filling the gap between them. Givanni laid his arm across my shoulder and without thinking I wrapped mine around his waist. He hunched forward and I dropped my hands, shoving them into my pockets. Only Adriano’s eyes were on me when I looked up. Emilio had claimed the attention of all the others.
“But I am sure Loriel would not want her man to lose to such talent as you see here.” One arm swept across his puffed chest. “Perhaps you are right, it is better that we don’t compete.”
Givanni grinned. “Let’s get some food in that mouth first. We know well enough not to be late for dinner here.” He nodded at the table where Oriana was smiling back.
“Well thank you, Givanni. I was beginning to wonder if I would have to interrupt the party.” The group broke into scattered conversation, everyone making their way to the table set with deep earth tones and platters of goodness. Zoe asked Gaio what he thought about the buffet for one of their parties, Emilio directed a question in Italian to Adriano, while Dario and Oriana chatted quietly.
“Givanni, I heard you were not feeling well last night. Are you recovered?” Enrica’s comment seemed to cause an abrupt break in conversation, everyone shooting glances between them. Givanni looked at me before answering, making my cheeks turn pink.
“I am, thank you,” he said politely, not offering any other explanation.
“Grande! It would be a shame to waste the small amount of time you have here.” Givanni nodded, stabbing a large piece of meat and shoving it into his mouth. She turned her attention to her plate as well, and quiet conversations started up again. I had hardly eaten half the food on my plate before I felt I couldn’t take another bite. Reaching for my glass I sipped it, smiling at the way Zoe and Gaio stared at each other.
“So, Zoe, where will you two live after you’re married?” I asked.
She smiled radiantly. “Gaio has rented a house in town. It is small but perfect for us.” Looking back at Gaio, her attention was absorbed again. Dario tapped my arm.
“Their attention span is not what it used to be. I assume it will return in a year or two.” He smiled at them affectionately.
“Loriel, does Givanni have plans to take you anywhere during your stay?” I looked back at Enrica, wondering at her persistence in knowing every detail of our plans.
“I have, Enrica.” Givanni’s voice sounded pleasant, but not the way he cut into our conversation. This time instead of conversations cutting off completely they just became hushed, with everyone’s attention obviously distracted. “We are going to visit Agrigento. I think Loriel would love to see the Greek Valley of Temples.” There were murmurs of excitement around the table. I looked back and forth between comments, nodding and trying to appear appropriately excited. But my eyes eventually came back to Enrica and the way her intense face stared back at Givanni. Standing suddenly he took my plate, stacked it on top of his and added a few more to the pile before turning around.
“Oh no, dear, leave those.” Oriana’s request was shrugged off with a wink, and Dario stood as well, gathering the rest of the plates before following his nephew into the kitchen. Emilio stretched loudly, standing and pushing his chair to the table.
“Well, Loriel, I think I’ve got a commitment in the great room. Would you like to accompany me?” Grateful for the escape, I followed him. Once we were alone, Emilio’s face was cleared of his previous acting.
“Thank you, Emilio,” I said sincerely.
“I don’t think I could take much more of that myself. I can’t imagine what you must have been going through in there.” He winked. “But you owe me.” Hearing a scatter of voices, I wandered to a comfortable chair and hoped to dodge any further spotlights. The family filed in and I was shocked to see Enrica in stride with Givanni. Not able to take my eyes off of them, I tried to keep from glaring as she leaned next to him, whispering. Givanni’s eyes were cold and he shook his head, abandoning the conversation. He joined me and I scooted over as much as I could but doubted the wide chair was made for more than one.
Emilio held up a microphone, smiling at Givanni. Or at least I thought he was smiling at Givanni, it could have been me. Scooting back, I tried to create more space when I heard Givanni catch his breath. My head swung around, a wall of hair burying his face. Giggling, I pulled strands away, relieved when I heard him laughing with me. “That hair of yours,” he said after his face was free again. “If it wasn’t so devastatingly beautiful, I’d suggest cutting it all off.” My laughter died away. “Well, not really,” he said, catching the look on my face. “I was only teasing.” I grinned, gathering my hair and pulling it around one side.
“I’m not offended, Givanni. That was probably the best compliment I’ve ever been given.”
“That’s hard to imagine,” he mumbled, making me turn and study his face again. It was difficult at such a close angle. Emilio tapped loudly on the now-active microphone.
“Ciao?” he boomed, a loud whistle had Oriana adjusting some switches before nodding back at him. “Okay.” He looked around the room, pleased that no one had reached for their ears. “We’re ready,” he announced with a flourish. His confidence was a relief after the awkwardness at dinner. “I think it’s only fair that the best go first. So if there’s no one else, I will start.” Dario walked forward, taking the microphone from his son.
“Actually, I have something prepared that I would like to share with all of you. I apologize that this will not be intelligible to everyone, but I had written it before I knew one member of our family.” He winked at me with a smile and I stared back with wide eyes, feeling a little sick from the sudden guilt. Givanni squeezed my arm. “They love you no matter what we are,” he whispered, guessing the reason for my reaction perfectly. I wasn’t sure if I agreed.
Dario began to sing with surprising strength in his baritone voice, and affection for his niece rang out with every word. Givanni’s hand came to my hair and he whispered the lyrics. “He talks about a little girl with freckles that spent all her days in bare feet playing in the sand and waves.” I looked at Dario’s face first as Givanni translated, and then at Zoe’s whose eyes were quickly filling with tears. “The little girl grew and developed strength and knowledge, as well as elegant beauty.”
Gaio leaned toward Zoe, kissing her cheek as a tear rolled down. “She was stubborn and sweet, timid and outspoken, accepting and distant. She was so much of everything that she was hardly real.” Givanni’s voice cracked, and I glanced over at him, seeing how he smiled radiantly at Zoe, winking when her eyes met his. He cleared his throat, c
ontinuing slowly. “But she was real, and she was everything to her family. She will always be his little girl… his little girl with freckles and scraped knees. His little girl, who he hopes will always need him because he will always need her.”
The music softened until the room was silent, everyone’s eyes on Zoe as she wiped her cheeks. She hugged her uncle, holding on tightly as the minutes passed. Finally letting go, she curled back into Gaio’s arms, the smile looking like it would never leave her face.
Emilio looked a little deflated, the arrogance of his previous introduction now gone. He cleared his throat loudly in the microphone. “Well, thank you, Dad. Thank you for making it absolutely impossible to top that.” We all laughed, Dario shaking his head. “But I guess the second best will have to go now, so I’ll let Oriana start my music.” He glanced at Givanni, chuckling. Givanni swung one hand out, gesturing for him to begin. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t write this like my dad. It’s really not even meaningful. I just sound really good singing it.”
Laughter built solidly throughout the room, and Emilio steadied the microphone at his lips. Once his music started, the beat was steadily pounding in our ears. I tried to keep the smirk off my face, but it was impossible. His lips stuck out like he was grimacing and his voice was so loud I could hardly catch the notes. Givanni’s shoulders bounced behind me, and I looked over to see his face red from laughter. Letting my eyes wander out across the room, everyone seemed to have the same reaction, although you could hardly tell without looking at them, the way the music so completely drowned anything else out. I looked over to see Enrica’s face focused on me and concentrating like I was some kind of perplexing puzzle. She turned away, but I kept my eyes on her for the rest of the song, daring her to look back. Finally tearing my gaze away as everyone began to cheer, I joined in, appreciating Emilio’s talent for entertainment. After a low bow, he walked toward us, holding the microphone out to Givanni. I jumped up, wondering if Givanni would be able to get up without grimacing.
