On the other hand, if somehow Ramin was here, too, then Noah wouldn’t mind coming back.
They waved as Nonno and Nonna drove off, then joined the line for the ferry, which snaked back and forth across a wide piazza before extending down the street.
“We can still make it,” Angela said, though Noah recognized the barest hint of anxiety in her voice, the little wobble that she fought so hard to hide from everyone.
And maybe they could have made it, if they’d been let onto the first ferry that came. Or the second. Or the third.
“They said they’ll get everyone back to Como who wants to go,” Angela said when she bustled back into line, her lips pressed flat. “As many ferries as it takes. But no guarantee on arrival time.”
“We’ll be okay.” Noah played with Jake’s hair while Jake peppered Ramin with questions about whether he had pets, and whether hewantedpets, and what kind of dog he would get.
“We will,” Angela agreed, though she bit her lip. “We’ll figure something out.”
They were halfway to Como when the rain began again.
They had finally made it onto the sixth (or was it the seventh?) ferry. It was much smaller and much faster than the one they’d caught that morning. They’d found seats inside, so they managed to stay dry, though Noah could still hear the rain pounding the deck above.
Angela spent the ride on her phone, trying to figure out how to get back to Milan. They’d already missed their bus, but hopefully there would be more. Or the train, maybe, though it would be a miserable ride in rain-soaked clothes.
Jake had fallen asleep against Ramin’s side. He was going to ask Ramin if it was okay, but one look at Ramin’s face kept him quiet. Ramin smiled down at Jake with such fondness, Noah wanted to cry.
How could he live with his son halfway across the world? How could he endure it?
Finally the ferry docked in Como. The cold rain smacked Noah in the face as soon as he stepped onto the boardwalk. Big, fat droplets slid down his collar. Ramin stifled a curse as he stepped into a huge puddle and nearly tripped, but Noah caught him.
“Thank you.” Ramin wiped at his face. “Where are you all headed?”
“The train station.” Noah nodded ahead, where Angela was waiting for the walk signal at the crosswalk, huddled against the rain. Jake was awake again, already wet and shivering.
A silent war raged across Ramin’s face. Noah had the unreasonableurge to smooth out the little furrow in his brow. But then Ramin nodded to himself and ran after Angela. Noah jogged to keep up.
“I’ve got a hotel for the night,” Ramin said, raising his voice above the rain. “It’s only a couple blocks away. We can see if they have more rooms.”
Noah was surprised—shocked, really—when Angela actually agreed. Her voice was resigned as she said, “We missed the last train. Which way?”
Ramin gestured down the lakefront. The streetlights were on, bluish haloes marking the rain-darkened streets. Noah scooped up Jake as they made a run for it, ignoring the twinge in his lower back. Carrying Jake after that Vespa ride didn’t feel great.
The rain was so heavy, it felt like blows against his neck and face as they hurried down the street. The lake rippled in silver swirls. He started once, when a car cut the curb right in front of them—without its headlights on—but they finally made it. A lit sign above the hotel doors, blurry in the rain, spelled outPALAZZO DEL COMO.
A bright and cheerful lobby greeted them, though the sodden black rain mats covered half the coral-colored marble tiles. Noah tried to dry his soles, but he just squeezed out more water onto the floor instead. Jake shivered in his arms, looking around the lobby with wide eyes, while they all followed Ramin to the receptionist’s desk.
“Welcome back, Mr. Yazdani,” the receptionist said. “Sorry you got caught in this weather!”
“It’s okay. Um, these are my friends. Do you have any rooms available for them? Our ferry from Bellagio was late and they missed their bus.”
“Just a moment, Mr. Yazdani…” They clicked away on their computer. “I’m sorry, Mr. Yazdani, it’s not looking good…”
“Are you sure there’s nothing?” Ramin leaned closer over the desk. Noah didn’t see what he pulled out of his wallet, but the receptionist’s eyebrows lifted.
“Ah, of course. It looks like we do have one room available.”
“Just one?” Angela asked.
“Yes, I’m sorry, just the one. Queen bed.”
Angela turned back to him. A queen bed would be tight with the three of them, but it was better than sleeping in the train station in their wet clothes. Or heading back into the rain to try to find a room somewhere else.
He could sleep on the floor. Or maybe they had a sofa. His back wouldn’t like it, but as long as Jake and Angela were comfortable—
