by Laurie Ames
“I want to reveal something to you, something that you may find very shocking.” said Theresa. I need to tell you that there is a good reason why your Uncle Antonio left me money and furnishings in his will. The truth is Antonio and I have been lovers for many years. The man that I had originally married, Lorenzo Chenzo, was a good man. But back then, it was very much an arranged marriage. My father thought he would be a good match for me in marriage as he had a trade as a watchmaker. I married Lorenzo when I had just turned eighteen. Later when I was twenty-three, I went to work as Antonio's housekeeper. We immediately fell in love and that was the start of our ongoing affair. We have shared our love for one another right up until Antonio's death”.
“My husband Lorenzo and I had tried to have children for years, but it never happened. But when I one day became pregnant, I knew that child was not Lorenzo’s, it was Antonio's. That child was of course ‘Frederica’. I sensed that deep down my husband knew that the child was not his, but he was a good man, he never questioned whether the child was truly his own. Lorenzo was a good father to Frederica, he loved her dearly, raising her like he was his biological daughter. I told Antonio that I would raise Frederica as Lorenzo's child. I did not want to make any commotion for Antonio or myself. This was a small village and these things were not well tolerated. I also knew that Antonio was not prepared to take on the role of being a father, so he agreed with my wishes. I thought best for all that it be kept hidden from my husband and eventually my daughter. I told Antonio not to question me anymore about Frederica—as far as I was concerned Lorenzo was Frederica's father. I thought at the time I was making the right decision, because I did not want to hurt poor Lorenzo. I wanted to keep our marriage together and knew that Lorenzo was much more of a family man than Antonio. Even though I loved your uncle dearly, I knew that he was not the kind of man that wanted to be tied down with a family. He was too much of a social butterfly, enjoying having guests come to stay, and weekend parties that he loved to throw. Travelling was also another passion of his. But he would always come back to me eventually, and we would be back in each other’s arms once again, even though those times were painfully brief. We both cherished those special moments together. To this day, I have never told Frederica the truth about who her real father is”.
“Over the years I have taken Frederica with me many times to Antonio's house while working there. He loved it when I brought Frederica because Antonio secretly adored her so much”.
“So now the majority of the money Antonio left for me, is really meant to be for Frederica. He wanted me to give it to her in a way that is not suspicious. There was also a letter accompanying the inheritance money from Antonio. In the letter he suggested giving the money to Frederica but had added it to my inheritance. This way she would not know the money was actually from him. But now I am feeling torn on how to handle this with my daughter. We Italians often have many secrets that we bring to the grave. Instead of talking about things we tend to bury them deep within us. I have much regret in not being truthful with my daughter and late husband. At the time I made a decision and being a stubborn person, I stuck with it—for better or worse”.
Giorgia was deeply touched by this story. Now she realized the reason for having Theresa in his will. She always knew her uncle was a wonderful generous man.
The two women strolled through the house, while Theresa told stories about many different items and what they meant to her uncle. When they reached the master bedroom Theresa walked in and gently felt the post of the big oak bed, with a far-away look in her face as she looked down on the bed.
“This is the bed that Frederica was conceived on. This is the room where much of our passion and love for one another was revealed. The reason Antonio wanted me to have the bedroom furniture is because we shared many pleasant memories in this room together.”
“It’s beautiful, I’m so glad he left these furnishings for you” replied Giorgia. That oil-painting on the wall looks really interesting. Is that the Tuscany countryside?”
“Yes” replied Theresa. “It has a special story behind it. It was purchased on a day when we both went to Pisa, on a romantic trip together. It was one of the most precious and special times that we have shared together. My husband was gone to Switzerland for five days where he was attending a watchmaking convention. He had travelled on this trip with another watchmaker and friend from a nearby village. That meant Antonio and I had five precious days to spend in each other's arms. It was the only time that we were ever able to spend four full nights together, two of which were spent in Pisa. While we in Pisa on our little trip, we were walking through the market hand in hand. That’s when I laid eyes upon this lovely oil-painting. Antonio could tell by the way my face lit-up that I really loved the painting. He said he would purchase the painting for me but thought it best to keep it at his house. This was because suspicions would quickly arise if I came home with an expensive oil-painting from my employer. When I saw the price, I was embarrassed and told him not to be silly, that it was far too expensive. But Antonio had already made his mind up. So now the painting is another symbol of the love we have shared together.”
“Please tell me more” asked Giorgia as she sat down in a big comfy chair. She was delighted to be learning so much about the secret life of her uncle Antonio.
“Well, the trip to Pisa was a very special time in my life. It felt so nice to be out with the man I loved and just enjoy his company. Then spending two nights of heated passion in the lovely hotel room that we shared in Pisa was unbelievable. This indeed was a treasured time for both of us that we never forgot, and fondly thought about often. As most of our relationship was hidden behind the doors of Antonio's estate, we had to keep our love for one another a secret until death. Now I am having feelings of extreme guilt, I feel that perhaps the time has come to reveal the truth to my daughter”.
Giorgia loved listening about Theresa’s romance with her uncle Antonio, but secretly felt crushed when she heard the woman, she hoped to be her “golden girl” was in fact her biological cousin. She sat listening to Theresa's stories, all the while in the back of her mind she was feeling broken hearted to hear the truth. Little did Theresa realize the pain she was causing Giorgia by revealing these truths about Frederica.
“I have something I really need to get off my chest as well.” Said Giorgia with a deep grimace on her face. “You have been so very open with me, and I need to be honest with you. There are some things you need to share with your daughter, and your daughter has some hidden truths she needs to share with you. The fact is I have only known your daughter for a very short time, but I have deep feelings for her. I want to get to know her more intimately and I know she feels the same way about me. I suggest that you both need to tell each other the truth about yourselves. You would both feel better for it in the long run.”
“Yes, I agree. It’s the right thing to do. And to tell the truth, I have always sensed that Frederica was never drawn to men in a sexual way, even from a very young age. She always seemed to love looking at other females,” replied Theresa. “I often wondered about my daughter because she is a beautiful girl that never had a boyfriend, that is, until Bruno came along. This was despite half the village's handsome young men trying to date her. I did have a sense that she might be attracted to women, but then all of a sudden, she started to see that husband of hers, Bruno—I never understood why she picked him of all the men. She could have had her pick. I never liked Frederica's husband at all. He has always treated her so poorly. She seems to be at her happiest when he is off on his ship, sailing around the world. From day one, I never believed my daughter loved that man. I think they had sex, she got pregnant and they married very quickly. Frederica never told me that she was pregnant—but six months after her marriage to Bruno she had my first grandson, Veto. The strange thing about that child, I could never see whose side of the family he looked like. But you just never know with these things. Like I said before, we Italians carry many deep secrets.
”
Chapter 5. What Will Become of the 'Golden Girl'
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“I knew you were a lesbian because your uncle told me, he was often worried that you would be left alone in life. Now you have confessed to me that you have fallen in love with my daughter” said Theresa softly. “What am I to think?
Giorgia nodded back at Theresa.
“Yes, I understand your concern, but we have both shared some shocking revelations. But for now, I want you to know I was planning to take Frederica out for lunch to the town of Certaldo tomorrow. But now I am so confused about what to do, I have just learned that the woman I am in love with is none-other than my own cousin!” A tear fell silently down her face, she was incredibly heartbroken. “Theresa, I have felt drawn to Frederica from the first moment I laid eyes on her, when she first came walking up the road toward the estate. I have never seen such a vision of loveliness in my life. Maybe I am only dreaming, but I am hoping to convince Frederica to leave Bruno and come to America, to live with me.”
Theresa sat quietly, listening with intense interest. Her facial expression was one of both concern and approval.
“We could have had a wonderful life together running my four restaurants. I have had visions of spending the rest of my life with Frederica. But, now hearing this news today has changed all of that. Even if I cannot have her as my partner in life, I would still love to see her break free from the unhappy marriage she is in. Her sons are grown, she should move on, she deserves to spend her life being happy. I cannot deny that I am totally heartbroken that she will not be spending it with me as my soulmate.” Cried Giorgia.
Theresa was speechless as she sat taking all this in. Deep inside she knew that Giorgia could be the key to her daughter’s happiness.
“I would still love to help Frederica, any way that I can. If she ever wanted to come to America, I would be more than glad to help her set up a new life, I would give her work. She could stay at my home until she was settled. Whatever it takes, I want to see Frederica happy. The poor woman has spent the first part of her life in a marriage that was not based on love and respect. If I can only have her in my life as a cousin, then so be it.”
“Giorgia, it has saddened me for many years knowing that my daughter was in a loveless marriage. I knew in my heart that my dear daughter did not care for men in a sexual way. But it was one of those many things in life we never talked about with one another, and perhaps we should have before she became married. I believe at that time in Frederica's life she just wanted to be accepted and loved by those around her. Perhaps she thought that by marrying a man it would change her somehow—would help her deny her true feelings. But now I see that you and my daughter have found one another and should have the chance to be together to enjoy your lives with each other. I really do not want to see my daughter move to America, but in my heart, I know it is where she needs to go to find happiness in life. And she needs to be as far away from Bruno as possible!”
“I am going to tell you something about your own family history that was not revealed and was decided many years ago to be kept hidden. Your uncle once told me that your mother was actually adopted when she was a baby from the Abbey in Monte Cassino, Italy. Come, I will show you where he kept the paperwork for the adoption of your mother.”
Theresa went into a desk drawer in Antonio's study and pulled out an old file. Within the file was the adoption information of Giorgia's mother.
“Your mother's birth mother was a young woman by the name Mila Ritio. Mila had given birth at the Abbey and left your mother for adoption with the nuns. Your uncle told me that after Antonio's birth, his parents decided to adopt a child when they learned they could no longer have more children of their own. Your grandmother desperately wanted another child, so they adopted your mother from the nuns.”
Giorgia was extremely shocked to hear about her own mother’s adoption. Then the implications of this news began to slowly sink in. This meant that she and Frederica were not blood related. They could be together without any worries about being cousins. She wrapped her arms around Theresa and gave her a big squeeze.
“Oh Theresa, you have just made my life so much brighter. Thank you for sharing this precious news with me.”
Theresa decided that it was time for the truth be revealed, especially if it meant her daughter could finally find true love in life. “I am going to head over to Frederica's to tell her about her real birth father and make arrangements to give her the inheritance money that he has left for her. I hope Frederica can forgive me for withholding this from her for so many years.” With that Theresa gave Giorgia a big hug while saying her goodbye and wished her much happiness in life.
Theresa headed off to Frederica's to finally reveal the truth once and for all. Her mind was racing but she knew it was time to face her and ask for forgiveness. Theresa paused in front of her daughter’s door. She sighed, then took a deep breath before she lightly knocked.
Chapter 6. Giorgia Meets Bruno With a Smash!
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Giorgia sat at her uncle's desk thinking about all that was revealed yesterday by Theresa. She was so very grateful to her for coming and sharing the truth. She thought about the dreadful moment when she heard her ‘precious’ Frederica could actually be her first cousin. Her world was starting to crumble when she heard those words. What began as a painful discovery of the truth somehow ended up turning a bad situation into a wonderful ending. She respected Theresa immensely for coming forward and being honest with her. She realized that this would have been very difficult for her. She was raised in such a way that people did not talk about certain things, and many deep dark secrets were long buried in her family’s history. But now Theresa has taken the brave steps of revealing the truth to both Giorgia and Frederica, mainly because she wanted to see her daughter happy in life. Frederica has raised her own two sons and they are fine grown men with their own families. It was now time for Frederica to turn her attention to her own needs in life. She needs to end the loveless marriage to Bruno, so they both can be free to find happiness.
*****
Today Giorgia decided to phone and ask Frederica if she would be okay with going to the Monte Cassino Abbey, instead of Certaldo. Giorgia desperately wanted to see the home where her mother was once adopted as a baby. Afterwards, they could find an intimate place for lunch, somewhere in the immediate area. Frederica was happy to agree and said, ‘see you soon.’
Giorgia knocked on Frederica's door. When the door opened, she saw Frederica standing in a long red robe that looked absolutely stunning. Giorgia walked in and was surprised that Frederica was not dressed and ready to go to the Abbey. Her nipples were piercing through her skimpy silk robe like lovely little mountains. Giorgia could not take her eyes away as Frederica strutted over to the kitchen. Her robe was partially open, and the cleavage of her breasts were open for all to see. Her skimpy thong revealed a neatly shaved pubic area.
“Can I offer you some tea or wine? asked Frederica. “I have much to tell you.”
“Yes, I would love a small glass of wine.”
Frederica started to pour some wine into a couple of glasses and then handed Giorgia her glass. They clicked their glasses together in unison.
“I am so happy to tell you that my mother stopped by the night before and we had a long and honest talk that revealed many truths. It was one of the best conversations I have ever had with her. We now have a new and strengthened bond that has opened our hearts to one another. All is good between us and our relationship is now closer than it has ever been. It feels like a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulder. I just know that finally good things are coming in my life.”
Frederica starts to spin around the room with her robe wide open, while laughing out loud. “I can’t believe how good it feels now that all is revealed between mother and myself. I feel like an angel floating on a cloud. I will soon be free.” She then stops and looks Georgia
straight in the eyes, “But there is still much to be done, one of those things will be to ask my son of a bitch husband for a divorce!”
She turned and picked up Giorgia's hands in her own. “I want to go to America and share my life with you Giorgia. I asked mother for her blessing and she wants me to go to America with you and build a new happy life. She of course said she will be coming to visit us often, if that’s okay with you?” she chuckled. “I have never been happier in my life and I can't wait to start our new life together” she said while hugging Giorgia. They looked closely into each other's eyes and began to kiss passionately. They held each other in their arms, then as Frederica tilted her head back, Giorgia began to lovingly kiss up and down Frederica's neck. Her hand started to slip under Frederica’s thong, and she began massaging her beautiful bottom.
“This is the way it was always meant to be, all is so beautifully passionate with you” sighed Frederica — When all of a sudden there was a crash, the door swung wide open and in marched Bruno.
He was furious to see his wife in the arms of a woman’s passionate embrace! He began swearing at the top of his lungs, with Italian words that Giorgia had ever heard before. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He lunged at Giorgia as she was closely holding Frederica, trying to protect her. He was a giant intimidating man and when he pulled Giorgia’s arm, it felt like it would snap in two. He easily tossed her across the room in a fit of anger. She crashed into the wall and landed with a thud on the floor. He then grabbed at Frederica and started shaking her arms like an old rag doll. He continued swearing and cussing at Frederica and looked like he was going to kill her.