The biggest problem with Isola Maggiore is that the pier feeds right into Via Guglielmi, the island’s main street. On those narrow blocks, stuck inside a slow-moving crowd, Dario would end up gasping for air, red in the face and ready to faint. If he caught a glimpse of the church where his grandfather’s funeral was held, he might even break down. That is not the early impression he wants to make on his future spouse.
As the others disembark, Dario pops open an umbrella and affixes it to the rail to provide him shade and solace. Beneath the polyester shell, he will be able to breathe. He cracks open a book, in which he’s using Cosimo Sr.’s latest, unread letter as a bookmark.
“You’re not coming with us?” Charlie asks. The others trot ahead.
“No. I have seen it all before,” Dario says, trying to hide his wheezing. Anxiety has a way of stopping up his words like he’s swallowed a handful of coarse sand from the beach.
“Are you sure?” Charlie asks, appearing concerned.
“Quite,” Dario croaks. “I am comfortable here.”
Charlie glances over his shoulder. Only Michelle has hung back to wait. “Would you like me to keep you company?” he asks.
Far be it from Dario to stand in the way of Charlie seeing the famous bronze statue of Saint Francis, shopping for scarves and souvenirs along the strip, and smelling all the fragrant, flowering wisteria that is certainly in bloom right now.
“No, grazie. Go and enjoy,” Dario says, heartened by the gesture but unwilling to accept.
Charlie hesitates for another moment before relenting with a quick goodbye, jogging after Michelle.
A loneliness creeps off the beach and into his boat, which he combats by opening the latest letter. He imagines his nonno there beside him, like he had been many times before. Out on Lake Trasimeno was the only time Cosimo Sr. refused to talk business.
Caro Tesorino,
You excel at command.
Whether on the factory floor or behind the helm of La Anima sailing Lake Trasimeno, you shine brightest when you are in control.
I take it, however, that this excursion will have a detour or two. Such is the way when a group of strangers converge in a new, exciting place. How will you handle the changing winds—the whims and wants of others? How will you adapt to what’s outside your grasp?
My nonna and nonno always said there was a third person in their marriage—the work. Their love of chocolate and Amorina elevated the brand to new echelons. This came with its own challenges. Juggling two great loves takes a lot of energy, faith and trust.
There is no one in the world I trust Amorina to more than you, Tesorino, but I worry you do not trust yourself.
The world is an uncertain place. People can be dishonest. But being the head and, by virtue, the face of a global chocolate brand, you cannot live in fear of the unknown.
Go forth and surprise yourself today.
Overcome and reap the reward.
Unlike with the other letters, a surging sense of sentimentality does not flourish through him. Instead,resentment clunks down in his gut like he swallowed a monstrous, rotten piece of fruit whole.
Overcoming is not that simple.
Mental illnesses don’t just go away because you wish them to.
Sometimes, he wishes he grew up in a country where talk of anxiety wasn’t so taboo. Maybe in a different place, born into a less visible family, he could reach out for support and find strength in community. Instead, he battles silently and alone, sitting on a bobbing boat on a lake beside an island where beautiful people who want to marry him frolic and drink and take photos.
He would love to reap the reward.
But he fears the greatest one of all—inheriting Amorina Chocolates—is slowly slipping from his grasp with each passing minute that agoraphobia claims the better of him.
THIRTEEN
CHARLIE
The vibrant red sunset over Lake Trasimeno caresses the top of the rolling Umbrian landscape. It is the most spectacular sight Charlie’s ever seen.
The second most spectacular sight is Dario’s face lit up with the proximal glow.
