Maria distributed the baked potatoes and sour cream, and passed around the salad bowl.
“Nothing wrong with a juicy steak,” Angelo said. He inhaled the scent of grilled meat and a smile spread across his face. It was good to be back.
After dinner, they sat on the patio. It had been a hot day, and the warmth lingered into the evening. It smelled of sagebrush mixed with whiffs from the fire in the barbecue. Angelo took a deep breath and glanced at Sofia.
“I forgot to tell you Miriam says hello.”
“Ah, the mysterious Miriam. You have to tell us about her,” Maria said. “Wait, until I get the cake. It’s easier to talk over dessert.”
Sofia and Maria brought back a homemade chocolate cake and a pot of coffee. While they ate, Angelo told them about Miriam, how he met her and that he left her behind because he was afraid his presence might endanger her life.
“And now?” Maria asked, after Angelo finished his story.
“I hope she has forgiven me for abandoning her,” Angelo said.
“Well, and?” Maria sounded impatient. “Is there the possibility of a romance?”
“I know Miriam still loves him,” Sofia said.
Angelo shook his head and grinned. “You’re a bunch of hopeless romantics. I’m sixty-five years old. I have nothing to offer a woman. I don’t even know what I’m going to live on when I get even older. I have some savings, but that won’t get me very far. I can’t expect a woman to share her life with me.”
“Oh, fiddlesticks. If you love each other, you’ll find ways,” Maria said.
“Well, Angelo, you will have options if you decide to live here,” Martin said. “We are family and we support each other.”
“No, Martin, you’ve supported me enough and look how I paid you back.” Angelo said gruffly.
“That’s in the past. You’ve become a different person. It’s obvious.” Martin coughed. “And I say this also for selfish reasons. I’d like to have you around in my old age. We missed so much of each other’s lives. And it wasn’t only your fault. I didn’t try very hard to find you when you disappeared. I was angry and resentful and judged you too harshly.”
“No, you didn’t. I deserved your contempt. I’ve disappointed you many times over the years when you tried to help me get out of the mess I put myself in,” Angelo protested.
“All right, you two. You have admitted and regretted your faults and now it’s time to put it all behind you. End of confessions,” Maria said with a stern voice, then tittered.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Angelo and Martin said in unison.
Chapter 46
Martin accompanied Angelo to George Silver’s office. Angelo made and signed a statement so the police could officially close the case against Anton Leonardi. It was mainly a formality, but for Angelo, it meant an end to a life of hiding and running. A burden lifted off his shoulders and his heart felt lighter.
No mention was made of Angelo and Fred’s illegal work twenty years before. Silver returned his passport and wished him a good trip back. There was a tense moment when the investigator handed Angelo Elvira’s diary. Angelo’s hand trembled when he took it.
“Are you going to read it?” Martin asked him as they were driving home.
“I don’t know.” Angelo glanced at the notebook he held tenderly in his hands, as if it was part of his wife. “A diary is something private, isn’t it? It’s really just for the person who writes it.” He paused. “Or is this just an excuse because I’m afraid to read it?”
“You don’t need to read it. Those are Elvira’s personal thoughts. I felt guilty reading it, but we had no choice. But just to put your mind at rest. Elvira was worried about you, but she didn’t hate you. She loved you. And if reading it would just awaken your regret and guilt again, let it be. She is at peace and you’ve started a new life. Why dig in old stuff?”
Angelo nodded. “You’re right.”
Two weeks later, the family took Angelo to the airport for his flight back to Italy. Martin wished to have his younger brother around for a longer time. Angelo promised to keep in touch and to come back at least for a visit soon. And Maria and Martin were planning a trip to Italy as well. The sadness of seeing Angelo leave was somewhat tempered by the knowledge that he was alive and well.
Now, they were at the airport and Martin tried to think positive thoughts. He’d see his brother again one way or the other. They would keep in touch by phone or email. Of course, he hoped that Angelo would decide to move back to the United States. He had even checked with Medicare and Social Security and found out that Angelo had just enough credits from the years he worked here to qualify for some social security benefits and, what was even more important, he was eligible to join Medicare.
“I’ll think about it,” Angelo had said. Martin knew that he had to accept his brother’s decision. But when they hugged goodbye and he saw him walk through customs waving at them, Martin felt a knot in his throat.
“Are you okay, honey?” Maria put her arm around him. “He’ll be back.”
Martin nodded. “I know.” He blinked the rising tears away. “And if not, we’re going to track him down. After all, we have a private investigator in the family now.”
Sofia chuckled. “Don’t you worry. Miriam and I will find him again. Promise.”
“Excuse me?” Nicholas glared at her and raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, sorry.” Sofia grinned. “Nicholas, Miriam and I, of course.”
“That’s better,” Nicholas grumbled.
Back home, Sofia and Nicholas focused again on the work at the vineyard. They had taken time out to be with their great-uncle and now had to get back to racking the aging wine from former harvests and checking the vines and ripening grapes in preparation for the next one. Martin worked together with them, although Nicholas said, it wasn’t necessary.
“Helps me keep my mind on the vineyards and not feel homesick for my brother,” he said.
“Wasn’t it wonderful how it turned out though?” Nicholas touched Martin’s arm. “He’s alive and well and you are in touch again.”
“Yes, of course,” Martin said. “I still can’t believe it. I almost got used to the thought that I’d never see him again. Even now, there are moments when I worry that somehow the same thing or something similar will happen again.”
“How do you mean?” Sofia asked. She lifted one of the grape vine leaves to check on a cluster of grapes.
“I’ve been so used to my younger brother being involved in illegal and questionable activities that there is still this slight feeling of distrust. I know it’s unfair and it’s my problem not his.”
“I think he’s on the right path now though,” Sofia said. “During the time I spent with him, I experienced him as a truly good person. And even Miriam who had known him for a few years didn’t say anything to the contrary. She was upset with him for leaving her, but we know now why he did it.”
Martin nodded. “You’re right. You met the changed Angelo, whereas I still carry the baggage of his past. I need to let go of it.”
Chapter 47
“Thanksgiving.” Sofia smiled, as she opened the window, inhaling the nippy late fall air. The fog still hovered over the fields, but a few sun rays penetrated the fading mist. It was a cool but sunny day. She sniffed. No, it wasn’t the smell of the turkey sizzling in the oven yet. It was the scent of moist grass and soil soaked by the mist and dew, an earthy fall smell.
Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday. She even liked it better than Christmas. It was a family get-together without the pressure of trying to decide what gifts to give to people who already had everything. It was also a time to give thanks. And in the Segantino family, there was plenty to be thankful for this year: the reunion of Angelo with his family, and, of course, having her sister Julietta with her, and important other news.
Sofia and Nicholas had picked Julietta up at the airport two weeks before. Julietta would spend the holidays with them and then start her studies at Cal Pol
y in the spring.
The Thanksgiving meal took place at the grandparents. Martin and Maria and Nicholas’s parents usually took turns inviting people for the feast. This year, however, Robert, Janice, and Nicholas’s brother and sister spent Thanksgiving with Janice’s family. To Sofia’s disappointment, Emma, her aunt who lived in Santa Monica and had spent last Thanksgiving with them, was celebrating with Sofia’s grandparents in Vermont. But she would be back for Christmas.
In the kitchen, Sofia poured herself a cup of coffee. Nicholas had already left to do some last-minute grocery shopping with Martin. Sofia and Julietta were going to help Maria prepare dinner.
“Ah, coffee,” Julietta said, as she came out of her room. She picked up a cup and put it under the spout of the espresso machine.
Sofia and Julietta had been to Cal Poly a few times to get Julietta ready for her classes in the spring. She had met with the counselor who had helped her select her courses. During an informal meeting with other students, she had met a few young men and women, also from Europe. Now, she felt more relaxed and was looking forward to her studies.
“Thank God, help is here,” Maria said when Sofia and Julietta entered the kitchen. She pulled a handkerchief out of her apron pocket and wiped her sweaty face. “I think I’m getting too old for preparing such a feast.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Sofia said. She and Julietta took over at the stove, stirring the green beans and the gravy, and mashing the potatoes.
Martin and Maria pulled the heavy turkey out of the oven. Nicholas volunteered to slice the bird. Maria, Julietta, and Sofia carried the green beans, yams, mashed potatoes, and cranberries into the living room. Delicious smells permeated the home.
When everything was ready, they all sat around the table in the dining area. Martin and Nicholas poured glasses of Sangiovese from their estate. After saying thanks, Martin lifted his glass and everybody wished each other a happy Thanksgiving. Sofia took a little sip of her wine, then put the glass down and smiled at Nicholas.
Everybody was in good spirits. Sofia noticed that Martin was in a particularly animated mood. The normally quiet and somewhat serious man was outright chatty. He told Julietta a few funny stories about his time at the university.
They also discussed plans for the following year. Now that the problems with the new field were resolved, Nicholas and Sofia looked forward to planting their Zinfandel vines in spring.
After a plentiful and satisfying meal, they sat in the living room next to a roaring fire in the fireplace, enjoying the traditional pumpkin pie with whipped cream and sipping coffee. Martin got up and reached for a large envelope on the buffet.
“I have news for you,” he said, a smile spreading across his face. He pulled some papers out of the envelope and a couple of photos.
“What is it?” Nicholas asked.
“You’ll see,” Maria smiled as well.
Martin handed Sofia and Nicholas the photos. Sofia glanced at one of the picture, then exclaimed, “Miriam and Angelo … all dressed up. This looks like a special occasion … is this what I think it is?” She handed the photo to Nicholas.
Maria laughed. “Yes, they got married.”
“Oh, how wonderful,” Sofia said. “I was really hoping they’d get together again, but getting married. That’s even better.”
“Look at them.” Nicholas showed Sofia the other picture. “She must be quite a bit younger than he is.”
“Yes, that’s true,” Sofia said.
“He’s robbing the cradle, the devil.” Nicholas laughed.
“Well, there’s more,” Martin said and handed Nicholas a piece of paper. It was a letter. Sofia and Nicholas read it together.
Dear Maria and Martin, dear family,
As you can see from the photos, Miriam and I embarked on a special adventure. We tied the knot. When I got back, I went to her and asked her to marry me. I don’t know what drove me to be so bold, considering I’d treated her quite badly in the past. And I still can’t believe she actually agreed! But she did. That’s the first piece of good news.
The second one: we are planning to move back to the United States next year, most likely in spring sometime. I received an offer (well, more like an order) from Abbot Francesco of the Novalesa Abbey to work together with its sister abbey in Oceanside, California. I’m going to be in charge of a similar program for young people as we have here. And Miriam has the possibility to work at a day care center in the same town.
We’re looking forward to the move, although it won’t be easy to say goodbye to Italy and our friends. But we’ll be in touch with the abbey here, and I’ll be traveling back and forth at least for a while.
I hope this is good news and won’t shock you too much. We’ll talk on the phone in a couple of days and I’ll explain everything.
In the meantime, we’re wishing you and the whole family a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyful Holiday Season. Next year, we’ll be able to celebrate together.
Thinking of you with love and gratitude,
Angelo and Miriam
“Wow, no wonder you’re in such a good mood, Grandpa,” Nicholas said.
“Yes, we’re very happy about it.” Martin’s face gleamed with joy.
It was quiet for a while, with everybody digesting the news. Then, Nicholas took a sip of espresso and cleared his throat.
“Well, now, what about a third piece of good news?” He put his arm around Sofia. “Do you want to tell them?”
Sofia nodded. “Yes. You may have wondered why I’m not drinking much wine tonight.” Sofia raised her glass of lemonade. “Well, in seven months, if everything goes well, there will be a new family member. I’m two months pregnant.”
There was an explosion of jubilation and laughter. Maria and Martin hugged Sofia and Nicholas.
“This will be my first niece or nephew,” Julietta said, beaming with joy.
“Wait,” Martin scrunched his forehead. “Does this mean, what I think it means? I’m going to be a great-grandfather? This sounds quite old. Oh, my.”
Maria laughed. “You’ll get used to it, Grandpa.”
Later that night, after clearing away the dishes and helping Maria clean up, they sat in the living room, enjoying the last of the fire in the fireplace.
“This is a true Thanksgiving,” Maria said. “So much to be thankful for.”
“A lot of wonderful things have happened this year, that’s for sure.” Martin put his arm around Maria. “Finding Angelo is one of them. Sometimes, I still can’t believe it.”
“I know what you mean,” Maria said. “But I think even more important is that Angelo found himself. His true self. He’s come a long long way.”
The End
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Heartfelt thanks to the many people who have in one way or the other contributed to this book. It would be impossible to list them all. But here are a few I am especially grateful to. I truly appreciate my precious beta readers and their helpful suggestions. Thank you Silvia Delorenzi for correcting my faulty Italian and for the careful observations. Thank you to my family in Switzerland, who accompanied me on my travels to the beautiful Piedmont in Italy. I am deeply grateful to Linda Cassidy Lewis, my editor, for her keen eye and excellent feedback and to Lisette Brodey, who spotted those blunders we all missed. And last, but not least, thank you, Diane Busch, for another lovely cover.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christa Polkinhorn, originally from Switzerland, lives and works as writer and translator in the Los Angeles area in California. She divides her time between the United States and Switzerland and has strong ties to both countries. She is the author of five novels and a collection of poems. Her travels and her interest in foreign cultures inform her work and her novels take place in several countries. Aside from writing and traveling, she is an avid reader and a lover of the arts, dark chocolate, and red wine.
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Finding Angelo (The Wine Lover's Daughter, Book 2) Page 19