“Yeah, she did. She’s a boss babe,” Corinna said with confidence.
Chuckling, I told her, “Ren calls me that, too.”
“Proud of you, little sister. Uff,” Enzo said, unable to hide the pinch to his arm from his wife, who was now scowling at him. “Sorry, sorry. Proud of you, Victoria.”
I rolled my eyes at his attempt to make me, for once, not sound like a child.
“Thanks, Enzo. I’m very excited. I can’t believe it’s happening, though.”
“You just needed someone to see you, daughter. I’m glad your boss recognized what we have all seen in you,” Mama said warmly.
Her words landed like a bomb inside me, affecting me twofold. The person I thought of when she mentioned someone seeing me was Miles, and my heart twisted at the reality of leaving him and MJ. However, it was the second that prompted me to ask my next question.
“What do you mean, Mama? The way you all see me?” I asked as I walked over to the window that faced downtown.
“I’m surprised you have to ask, Vicky. We see you. All the good that is in you. What you’ve allowed God to do in your life. You’ve always had a cuore di compassione. How do you say that in English?” I loved that she’d kept up with her language practice.
I smiled and answered, “A heart of compassion.”
“Si, this. You observe the world around you in a unique way. Have I not let that be obvious, daughter?” she asked, her eyes looking through me.
Did I miss this, God? Miss that the rest of my family actually saw what Papa did?
“Not the way we should have, Mama,” Enzo said. “And that’s on me. Vicky, I know what you had with Papa. Was often jealous of it because he’d never say those things to me, but I was always glad he did with you.” I could see Corinna soften from her earlier irritation and was rubbing his back.
“I’m so sorry I tried to take his place. Tried to put you in a bubble of protection. I wanted to fill that void I knew you needed.”
“Enzo,” I said softly, my heart breaking watching my bulldog brother with tears in his eyes.
“Tell her, my love,” Corinna said, making Enzo take a deep, shaky breath in.
“Vicky, I don’t want to try to do that anymore. Can I…do you think I can just be your big, irritating brother again?” he asked. My head moved up and down rapidly.
“Yes, yes, Enzo. It’s all I’ve ever wanted,” I said in between sobs.
“Then come home, tesoro. You’ve proven your worth to Elena, not that you needed her approval, but I guess she does sign your paychecks,” Mama said with a laugh.
“That is very true. Actually, she’s paying my way back home and has offered me a salary that will allow me to finally move out,” I said, my voice getting lower on the last few words. I could see Enzo’s face flame red, but he said nothing.
“Vicky, you don’t have to do that unless you really want to, you know. I love having you with me,” Mama said lovingly. It was really not unusual for families in our Italian culture to live together well past the norm of American families.
“I think I might like to try, Mama.”
“It’s a wonderful idea. You’ve had a great adventure there in California, my girl. It’s hard to let go of that kind of freedom,” Corinna said, obviously trying to tame her beast of a husband.
“When do you leave?” he asked.
“Two days. There’s a project in Tuscany she wants me to lead. I’d be able to stay with Ren,” I said excitedly. She was my next phone call.
“Then send us your flight information when you have it. We’ll be waiting,” Mama said. A few minutes later, we ended the call.
Just as we were hanging up, I received a text from Miles asking me to come over and talk, so I delayed calling Ren a little longer.
Standing here in his backyard, everything felt very different, and I began to question whether I should leave San Diego. I had fallen in love with the city, and there was so much more I wanted to explore. His pained expression reflected my feelings just by being near him again.
“I was so excited earlier. Couldn’t believe I was being given this opportunity. But now, I’m confused,” I said, wringing my hands.
I saw his pleading and hurt expression change instantly at those words. He shook his head and took my hand again.
