I send a look in Benito’s direction. “I don’t think we need La Musa to change at all,” I say.
“Papà,” Benito says, “Izzy’s actually been working with the women business owners in town to find more ethical solutions.” I look up at him, surprised.
Raffaello waves his arm. “And that’s all well and good, but it is not sustainable. You know this.”
“We have the opportunity to find a solution that benefits our history and our future.” Benito looks in my direction. My chest warms.
Raffaello laughs. “We shall see about that. Do not think my temporary absence from this place means I’ve abandoned my plans for it.”
Benito’s eyes flit to him like daggers. “I did not think your absence was temporary.”
Anita slams her hand on the table and glares at Benito. Lucia gently shakes her head while Sutton and Lucia’s husband look down. Raffaello, for his part, seems unfazed, instead letting another reptilian grinstretch across his face. “Even you have the capacity to be wrong, my son.”
Benito breathes in, ready to fire back, but it’s Sutton who interjects. “I think Ben’s only surprised by your sudden return, Raffaello.”Ben. “We did spring onto him a rather sudden visit, and he’s never been one for surprises.” She taps her hand on top of Benito’s. Whether out of habit or commitment to the lie, it seems to assuage him.
“Pardon the interruption, Isabella—” Raffaello continues.
“You can call me Izzy.”
“Isabella, you’ll have to come back to relish the new La Musa once it’s complete. If all goes well, we should have a five-star resort that I’m sure someone of your stature will find suitable.”
I struggle to find the words to respond, but to my relief, Benito steps in. “Papà, she’s not visiting, she’s moved here.”
Raffaello waves him off dismissively again. “American women have been taking a break from their lives in Italy for centuries. It’s no secret that they all go home eventually. Our provincial life here can never be enough.”
It’s unsettling to know Benito inherited that particular point of view. “Actually, it’s been refreshing. I’ve been hustling my whole life,” I say.
“Yes.” Benito’s eyebrows furrow as he looks at his father pointedly. “Not everyone has to look elsewhere when they don’t get everything they need here.”
Anita sets her wine glass down with a clank. “Basta.” She gets up from the table and walks inside.
A pang of guilt flashes across Benito’s face. Raffaello shakes his head. “Now you’ve upset your mother. Are you proud of yourself?”
Benito pushes his chair back. “I cannot sit here and pretend that everything is alright after everything you’ve done. If she won’t acknowledge it, I will.” He stands so he towers over Raffaello, who’s still remarkably unmoved. “What you’ve done to this family is unforgivable, and I do not accept you as part of it any longer.” Benito storms off into the house, slamming the door behind him.
Raffaello lets out an amused chuckle and finishes off his glass of wine. “Lucia, my darling, how goes business in Siena?” Lucia looks at him, her wide eyes filling with tears. She gently shakes her head and gets up from the table, following Benito inside. Her husband quietly follows a moment later.
It’s me, Sutton, and Raffaello left, and my insides feel like a slithering army of worms. Sutton and Raffaello exchange a look I can’t quite discern, but it causes Raffaello to let out a huff before walking inside himself.
“Should we stay here?” I ask, though I can’t quite imagine leaving without any resolution.
Sutton laughs. “They’ll calm down after a few minutes and the meal will continue. It always does.” As if to hammer in the sentiment, she leans back in her chair and takes a luxurious sip of wine.
“This happens a lot?” I ask.
“Nearly every family meal, especially when the two Farentino men are at odds. Which is quite frequently.” Sutton may have been more integrated into the family than I thought. She takes another sip of wine. “You’re no stranger to debate. You must feel right at home.” She looks at me knowingly.
I swirl the wine in my glass. “It’s something I thought I left behind.”
Sutton laughs again. “Is that really something you can leave behind, though? Isn’t it a part of who you are? Personally, I find La Musa to be dreadfully boring, but with moments like today I’m certain you can get your fill of drama.” She twirls a lock of her annoyingly shiny hair.
I look back at the house, hoping a member of the Farentino family will return, but no one comes. Sutton and Raffaello have made it clear they know who I am. Might as well address the elephant in the room. “I didn’t get into politics for the dramatics, if that’s what you’re implying. I wanted to change the world.” It sounds silly in retrospect, a childish dream even, but it’s the crux of what drove me all those years. I wanted to make people’s lives better.
Sutton adjusts, sitting up in her chair like what I’ve said energized her. “Well then, maybe you should settle for changing La Musa.”
“I do not want to change La Musa.”
She holds up her hand. “I appreciate what you see in it; it has its charms, no doubt, to some, but this place has been going downhill for years—decades,really. Think about it. You could have a hand in saving it. If you convince the women business owners to get on board, the revitalized La Musa could be your legacy.”
