“Ironically, it is on the Isola di San Michele, not far from Murano.” Alessandro shrugged. “You can take a boat to Murano from there.”
Joy nodded. “One thing at a time. Where’s Dina?” Her heart ached for her new friends.
Vito pointed behind him. Together they walked to the speedboat loaded with boxes of flowers and the cart.
Loading and unloading boxes and supplies from boats all day long. Joy shook her head. How do they do it?
Dina sat in the boat, holding a handkerchief to her nose and weeping. Her shoulders jiggled with each sob.
Alessandro helped Joy into the boat, and she sat next to Dina.
“I’m so sorry, Dina.” She hugged her shoulder.
“Grazie. And for your help. We need the help.” Dina sniffled. “Marcello and Vito were close friends. This is so hard.”
“I know. I’m here for you.” Joy’s heart swelled with love. Helping people always made her feel wanted. She leaned forward and peeked into a box. “What kind of flowers are we bringing?”
“Lilies, roses, orchids, and carnations,” Dina replied as she dabbed her eyes. “Christiana’s favorite.”
Joy tilted her head. “What a beautiful name.”
“His wife,” Alessandro explained. “She is Dina’s close friend.”
“Ah.” Joy nodded.
The boat took off from the water taxi port near the Giardini Reali, the Royal Gardens of Venice.
The boat raced through the lagoon toward Isola di San Michele, the cemetery island of Venice. As it passed famous churches and gardens along the way, Joy took mental snapshots of the area.
“All this beauty around us. I hope it helps mend your heart as it does mine.” Joy squeezed Dina’s shoulder.
She nodded and wept.
Joy turned to Alessandro. “I’m taking in all the sights and sounds, making mental notes of places to visit.”
“Good. Let me know how I can assist you with suggestions and the history.”
Her face flushed from excitement. “That would be nice. Thank you.”
His eyes twinkled as he smiled at her, sending waves of comfort over her like those of the sea surrounding them.
The boat arrived at the wrought iron gates of the cemetery island.
The former monastery building rose into the dusty blue sky. Tall dark green cypress trees framed the structure. As they disembarked the boat, Joy grabbed a box of supplies and made her way through the structure. A cemetery guide pointed her toward a grassy area where chairs had been set up for afterwards. A few people sat on the chairs, consoling each other.
“What a beautiful final resting place,” Joy said as she glanced around.
“Stravinsky is buried here,” Alessandro replied. “Many famous people are here.”
“I had no idea.” Her eyes darted left and right.
“The family will be in the church first for the ceremony and then sit out here to reflect.” Alessandro waved. “Come this way.”
He and Joy helped unload boxes from the boat onto the metal carts.
When she pushed one cart into the foyer of the church, Joy’s mouth dropped open.
Red and white-checked floors made from Carrara and Statuario marble glistened in the sunlight streaming into the space through many oval-shaped windows above them. Stone walls formed marble arches that greeted them inside the church. The bright sunlight contrasted with the dark sadness that permeated the event.
Dina hugged her friend, Christiana, who met her in the nave of the church with open arms. A plain casket rested in the center of the nave. They conversed in Italian for a few minutes.
When Dina waved her over, Joy brought a box of flowers and set it onto a wooden pew. As she removed the various flowers inside, she inhaled each bouquet. Older Italian women assisted, speaking Italian. Joy simply smiled and nodded.
“Grazie,” she said to each one, making them giggle and whisper to one another as they walked away.
Soon the casket was surrounded with fresh flowers that brightened the space. Dina sat next to Christiana, holding her hand.
Joy stepped in front of her and bowed her head. Clearing her throat, she said, “I hope these flowers are helping you heal today.”
Dina translated, and Christiana stood, reaching out for Joy’s shoulders. She embraced her and thanked her in Italian.
“My deepest condolences.” Joy sniffled and made her way to an empty pew.
“So good to see you again,” a familiar voice said.
Looking up, Joy’s eyes met Angelina’s.
“Oh, hello.” She mustered a smile. “Nice to see you again.”
