“OK. One more question.” She turned to him, sunlight playing with the honey tones in her hair. “How do I thank everyone else? They don’t even know me, yet they’re bringing me dishes.”
“Just be yourself. You’ll get it. Fifty percent of you is Italian,Loretta.”
“Maybe, but I only have a vague idea of what that means from movies. You know why my mom named me that?”
“I assumed because it’s a beautiful Italian name and maybe she had discussed it with Ivo?”
“Nope. She named me for Cher’s character in the movieMoonstruck. Her name was Loretta Castorini in the film. It was my mom’s favorite movie. She knew every line and could act out all the parts. Have you seen it?”
“I have. I always liked movies about American Italians. They are two completely different cultures, but the places they overlap are pretty fascinating.”
“Thanks to that movie, I thought that Italians put sugar cubes in their champagne and cried when they heard Puccini. So, I don’t know much.” She laughed. “My mom’s favorite scene was when Cher steps out of the cab at Lincoln Center and Nic Cage turns around to see her—like she’s the most incredible thing he’s ever laid eyes on. You know the one Iam talking about? He begs her to go to the opera! It’s so wild to me.”
“Yes, I do. I remember him turning to her as she’s walking out the door of his apartment and saying—”
“‘Meet me at the Met,’” they said simultaneously.
“Yes!” Lora said. “I love how she shows up thinking it’s going to be a kind of throwaway evening. She thinks she’s only doing it to shut him up, but in the meantime, she goes through this beautiful transformation to get there. You know that part where she looks in the mirror to put on some lipstick, and it’s like her true self is looking back. It’s so empowering. I love it. Anyway, that’s the Loretta I am named for. So, the rest of this stuff is new to me.”
“First, no one here does anything with the intention of being thanked. That means you don’t have to do anything. Second, I hate opera and would only cry if you put on Puccini because it makes my head hurt. And third, you’re not a stranger, Lora. People may not know you, but they did know Ivo, and that counts for something to them.”
“I guess they all know I’m Ivo’s daughter now.”
“Yes. It’s a small town, remember? Look, all you have to do is look around you and see friends. They’re good people, and it doesn’t take much to make them happy. I know you don’t know how long you’re here, but for now, you will be one of us.”
Chapter 9
Lora:
How did interview go?
Andrea is letting me move into his house
Vilmari:
With him??
Lora:
No. Alone. I’ll give you details later.
Interview??
Ms. President??
Vilmari:
She is a pillar of feminism
Wore a dress made by indigenous weavers
Iconic
Lora:
Amazing
Send pics
