by A. L. Knorr
Isaia ran into the kitchen for a hug and kiss from his dad. I followed him, smiling as I watched the two snuggle. I was reminded every time I saw the blond, ebony-eyed boy and the dark-haired, blue-eyed father together that Pietro was not Isaia's biological father. Pietro would never find out if Elda had anything to say about it. I wondered whether it had ever crossed Pietro's mind. Probably not, because Isaia looked more like Elda anyway. It was just the black eyes and the set of the mouth and jaw that didn't seem to fit anywhere between the two parents.
"Buonasera, Saxony," said Pietro from over Isaia's head. His mouth was tight and he had dark smudges under his eyes.
“Sera Pietro, nice to see you." I didn't like the look of the deep lines between his brows.
He kissed Isaia and sent him to bed. Isaia came to me for a hug and a kiss, too.
"I'll be in to read you a story,” I told him. “Get into bed, okay?"
"Okay," he said and scampered down the hall, way too energetic to sleep. I didn't have the heart to tell him to slow down. The kid had been slow his whole life. Let him enjoy running for a change.
I turned to Pietro. "Everything okay?"
"One of my clients had a break-in last night. It’s been a very long day." He handed Elda a plastic lunch container. She put it in the dishwasher. I realized that she looked even more stressed than Pietro did.
"That's awful. Was anything stolen? Are you allowed to say which client?"
He shook his head. "I can't say. And yes, some small items were stolen, but overall it could have been a lot worse."
Pietro and Elda conversed in Italian while I boiled water for tea. It felt like they needed some privacy. When there was a break in the conversation, I said, "I'll say buona notte and arrivederci tonight then. It sounds like you two need to talk."
"Thanks for all your help this week, Saxony. You've been a Godsend," Elda said, kissing my cheeks and giving me a hug goodnight.
"Buona notte, Saxony. We'll miss you in Puglia," said Pietro.
"Text me when you arrive, okay?" I asked.
They nodded, but it was obvious they were both distracted. I left them to their conversation.
I poked my head into Isaia's room. He was on the floor with books spread out in front of him. He looked up and smiled when I came in.
"Did you choose a story?" I scanned the books, noting the fairy tale book with the firebird story. I watched as he deliberated, and finally reached for a story with dinosaurs on the cover. I smiled. "Into bed with you, maestro."
We snuggled together and I read the story to him, feeling him relax and grow sleepy.
I closed the book and said, "I won't see you in the morning, Isaia. You're going to get up really early and you'll be gone before I wake up."
“Can't you come?" he asked, tilting his head back against my shoulder.
"I think it's better if I stay here. But I'll be here when you get back."
"But why?"
I thought for a moment. If anyone could understand my reason, it would be this little boy. "It's really hot in Gallipoli right now, Isaia. As much as I would like to see the south of Italy, I'm afraid it would be uncomfortable for me."
He nodded before I was even finished. "Too hot," he said, his dark eyes serious.
"Yes. So give me a hug and a kiss goodnight and I'll see you in a couple of weeks, okay?"
"Okay." He put his arms around me.
"I love you, kiddo."
"Love you, too."
My throat constricted as I watched him snuggle down into his sheets. I went to the door and looked back to see he was still watching me, his black eyes gleamed in the dark, eyelids at half-mast. I blew him a kiss and closed the door.
Pietro and Elda were still deep in conversation as I slipped down the hall. Whatever had happened, I hoped it wouldn't ruin their holiday.
They left at five in the morning to catch a flight to Gallipoli. Elda had kindly told me to sleep in, so that's what I did. When I rolled over and checked the clock the next morning, it was almost nine.
When I got out of the shower and checked my phone, there was a text from Raf.
So you're a free woman now? How about that movie date?
I smiled. He didn't waste any time.
Me: Come over Saturday night? Pietro and Elda told me we could use their theatre room.
Raf: Brava! What time?
Me: Why don't you come at seven and we can make dinner together and then watch after?
Raf: