He glances ahead to where our driver is coming up to a massive concrete building.
“Looks like we’re here,” he says.
“Looks like it,” I mutter, gazing out the window.
When we come to a stop, Gui says, “Alright, you ready?”
I glance back at him with a smile on my face. “I am.”
37
MASSIMO
As we pull up to Ignazio’s, I take in the old Sicilian castle-looking fortress that’s hidden away, nestled behind a sea of trees on a cliff that overlooks the ocean.
“We’re here,signore,” the driver says.
Before I’m able to make my way up the steps to the large front door, it opens and an older gentleman wearing a black suit and tie with a white button-up is standing there, ready to greet me.
“Bon jornu, Signor Bonetti,”he greets.
“Bon jornu …”
He holds his hand up to his chest and says, “I’m Gaspare. Welcome to the Faraci home.” He extends his arm for me to walk in.
I step into the grand foyer that has high ceilings and opens to a sweeping double staircase. The architecture in the home is intricate, homing in on both Arab and Norman styles, coming together to make a beautiful masterpiece.
“Your parents are right this way. Please, follow me,” Gaspare says.
We make our way down the hall, our shoes clicking on the ceramic tile floors. I follow him to what feels like the opposite side of this place, until we walk into a brightly lit room—thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows—that appears to be the living room.
I see my mom first, and her eyes widen when she sees me. “Massimo, sweetheart, you’re here.” She brings herself to a stand while I walk around the couch to give her a hug.
“It’s good to see you, Mom. Did Dad not tell you I was coming?”
“Oh, no, he did, I was just so surprised to hear you were here in Sicily.”
She sits back down while my dad stands, opening his arms to give me a hug. “This was quite the surprise, son.”
“Hopefully, a good one,” I say as I pull back.
My dad is smiling and says, “Yes,” then gestures to the man sitting in the chair across from them. “This is a dear friend of mine, Ignazio. Ignazio, I’m proud to introduce you to my eldest son, Massimo. He recently took over for me, allowing us the opportunity to travel more.”
The older man stands up, looking me over with a blank expression on his face. Then he extends his hand out to shake, and a grin forms on his face. “It’s good to finally meet you, Massimo. I haven’t seen pictures of you since you were younger.”
I shake his hand. “My parents have sent you photos of me?”
“They used to often, but as you’ve gotten older, those family pictures have tapered off.”
That’s true. We haven’t taken a family photo since high school.
“Well, it’s great to meet you as well, sir.”
“Why don’t you take a seat. We were just discussing some things for the ball tomorrow evening.”
“Ahh, yes,” I say, sitting in the open chair next to the couch my parents are sitting on. I direct my attention to Ignazio. “I hope it’s okay that me, my wife, and my brother attend?”
“Of course, the more the merrier. I hold this ball once a year for all the families in Sicily to attend, so it’s great you’re here to meet all of the dons.”
