“So what?”
He laughed, grabbing for his beer, taking a long pull. His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “It is fun to rile you up,Bella. You are feisty.” He grinned. “That is not why. You know why. I would have married you first.Mio fratello è un uomo fortunato. Ma non lo vede.”My brother is a lucky man. He does not see this.
“He does,” I said, giving him a level look. “He just has a hard time letting go. Especially when it means we have to separate. I hate it too. The separation. But I know this trip will be worth it. For you too. You can get to know him outside of this place. Where there are no lines—everyone is on level ground.”
He knew what I meant. I hoped he took the advice. Rocco had been the oldest of the Fausti brothers all of his life, having no idea Brando even existed. He was the one who was next in line for—what summed up to be everything.
There was a certain code the Faustifamigliastuck to: blood and lineage. If you were next in line, you were next in line, unless someone challenged you to your position.
Which meant that if Brando wanted it, Rocco would have to listen to him. Still did, if birthdays dictated anything. Brando was the oldest. He had never demanded that any of them obey him, only offered advice when asked. He didn’t want to be their superior, only their brother. That was what the trip would accomplish.
If the stubborn man would agree to go!
I sighed and took another drink of beer. Rocco still eyed me. I was just about to get up when the door opened, Uncle Tito and Aunt Lola singing their way through. Seeing us, they stopped.
“Where is Brando?” Uncle Tito looked between Rocco and me.
“Went on a joy ride,” I said, wiping at my eyes.
I explained what had happened, giving him the shortened version, and he lifted his spectacles, nodding thoughtfully. Aunt Lola gave me, then Rocco, a kiss on the cheek.
“Behave, nephew,” she whispered in his ear and then slapped at his chin. She kissed him again.
“When do I never?” he replied, a sheepish grin on his face.
She laughed and waved a hand, bidding us all goodnight.
“Get to bed, Rocco,” Uncle Tito said, giving his nephew a pointed look.
“I am not sleepy,” he said, about to protest.
I put a hand up. “I have some work to do. I’m going to keep myself busy while I wait for Brando.”
Uncle Tito nodded, like this was a brilliant idea. I took my beer with me and made it to the room that Maggie Beautiful used for her pottery. My mother had set up a desk there to draw her designs. I got to work.
She had asked me to design another line for her. I had agreed. It was mindless fun. Or had been. I wasn’t as talented as my mother, but I could draw a decent dress and accents.
Uncle Tito knocked before putting his head in. “A word,piccola colomba?”
I pointed to a seat and he took it, sighing as he sat. He adjusted his glasses.
“They got into an argument at the wedding,” he said, peering over to see the sketches I worked on.
“Must be in the air,” I mumbled, putting the pencil down. I wasn’t really drawing anyway, mostly getting up every five seconds to look out the window in case I missed Brando’s homecoming. Then I realized I didn’t know what Uncle Tito was talking about. “Who?”
“Ah.” He pointed at a dress. “I like that one. That would be Rocco and Rosaria.”
“Oh. About Africa?”
He smiled, but a bit sadly. “No, ah, they are not overly concerned with each other’s whereabouts, usually. I believe they fight because one wants the other to make the first move, but neither will budge. I do not understand their relationship, but,” he shrugged. “Who am I to judge? I pray they make it work.”
“I do too,” I said.
He nodded, thoughtful. “Your husband is afraid to let you go, niece.”
“Terrorizzato,” I sighed, and my bottom lip trembled.
“Ah.” He patted my hand. “It is not always easy when the love we feel is so great. I know your intentions are in the right place. He does need this. So do his brothers. It does not escape me the reasons why. Rocco was raised to believe he was the oldest. Brando comes along and…” He waved his hand. “They must see each other as equals. Things are not as they used to be.However,if you will allow me to remind you, you were not the only soul close to death. He almost lost his life as well, ah?”
