~~~
Over the next few weeks, arrangements were made for the American voyage. Liam spoke to his closest neighbors about looking in on his family home while he was away. Additionally, he tended to newer endeavors. By then, he was responsible for two other merchants in addition to Carlos DiCenzo.
Liam’s shipments for the other merchants; one a spice dealer, the other a supplier of grains, were focused on Italian destinations. Nevertheless, Liam had plans to bring all his clients to American shores. For the present, those shipments would be restricted to Italy’s borders with profits sent quarterly to Liam in his new country.
~~~
Athena was proving herself something of a visionary as well. She had accepted Liam’s proposal... to join him in America, that is. With her garden in danger of being abandoned once they set sail, she made a deal with the proprietor of the town market for him to oversee the spot and sell its produce. A percentage of the sales would be forwarded to her as well.
Securing the deal had a strange effect on Athena. She began to see why Liam enjoyed what he did so much. It felt good to have a real say in matters of importance on a larger scale. She thought of his offer to bring her to America and make her part of his business. Would a business relationship parlay into a personal one? Didn’t they already have a personal one? Or had the careless manner in which she’d lived her life finally cost her the one thing she might ever give a damn about?
The sudden knock at the door didn’t cause her to flinch. She had changed during her time with Liam Tesano when the slightest sound caused her to shudder. Liam knew two of her biggest secrets and still, he trusted her. She wouldn’t let anyone threaten that. Not even herself.
The visitor knocked again. She went to fling open the door and bristled when she found her brother Domenico on the other side.
“Dom,” she greeted him tensely.
“Athi,” he responded just as tensely. “I’ve come with your things.”
Athena noticed the large trunk being taken from the back of her father’s truck. Her twin cousins Antoni and Angelo handled the back breaking chore.
“You didn’t have to put yourselves to such trouble,” Athena noted.
It was Domenico Cavalese’s turn to bristle. “We know your man already offered to send for it, but-”
“He’s not my man.”
“Does it ever matter, Athi?”
Athena raised her chin in challenge. “Is that all? Because I’m busy-”
“No.” Domenico pulled an envelope from the gray linen coat he wore and presented it to his sister.
“It’s from Papa,” he said.
Athena took the envelope after some hesitation. She stepped aside to admit the twins when they approached with the trunk. She didn’t meet their eyes, but focused on the sitting room hearth that held a low fire.
“Thank you both,” Domenico said, clapping his cousins’ shoulders once they’d set down the trunk and were moving past him on their way out the door. He turned to follow, but stopped and looked back at his sister. His rich maple stare set briefly to the envelope he had given her.
“Read it before you burn it, uh?”
Athena stiffened, yet couldn’t resist smiling. “You still see more than you should.”
“A necessary talent when dealing with a woman like yourself,” there was no heat in the statement. Favoring her with a smile then, Domenico inclined his head. “Take care of yourself, sister.”
Athena watched the men go and then she fixed on the envelope. She had been thinking of burning it while her cousins brought in the trunk.
“Bastardo,” she murmured and wasn’t sure if she was referring to her brother, her father or all the men in her family. All the men she knew. She ripped into the envelope surveying the page as she walked into the sitting room.
If any part of your mother remains inside you, use it to become the lady she wanted you to be.
If you can’t do that, show enough respect to that young man to walk away.
Live whatever life that suits you and never darken the Cavalese doorway again.
Athena dropped the page into the hearth without giving it the benefit of a second reading. “Just the way I want it too, Papa,” she said, watching the low flames burst to new life around the added kindling.
~18~
Port of Venice~ 1937
“Uncertain?” Athena smiled when Liam half turned at the sound of her voice. Their travel group had arrived well over two hours before their ship The Venetian Sword, was to set sail.
“Not yet,” Liam sighed, “but do you think it’d be possible to convince the captain to set sail sooner?”
Athena laughed and sent an unsavory look across her shoulder. “It’s doubtful since that would mean cutting into his drinking time. From what I’ve seen, we could’ve saved ourselves a few dollari and paid the louse in whisky.”
Liam’s laughter carried out toward the sea beyond where they stood near the rails on deck. “Thank you for joining me, Athena.”
Her smile was still fixed and bright. She moved closer to lean against the rail overlooking the sun-drenched port. Wide planks, glossy with sea water, were strewn with travelers, crew men and carts. Watching it all from above, the chaos was entertaining instead of smothering.
“Never let it be said that I don’t like an adventure,” she raved.
“My parents met in Venice,” Liam said. “They began their adventure here, but Italy called them back. I don’t think I want to come back, Athena. I believe my life is in America.”
“Well I’ve been told not to come back, so...” she sighed as if refreshed. “It would seem we’re both on the right boat, Mr. Tesano.”
Laughter stirred between the young couple. They embraced while enjoying the view.
