“Good night, Joy.”

When the call ended, she stared at the blank screen in a bewildered trance. Laughter from people eating at a restaurant across the piazza startled her out of her trance.

She sat there in the piazza alone, breathing in and slowly breathing out, listening to the seagulls and the conversations of people passing by.

Lowering her head, she spied the amethyst ring on her finger glaring at her, almost mocking her. When she removed it, she thought of tossing it into the Grand Canal but changed her mind. I’ll give it to Jaime. She put it in her purse.

And then Joy did something she hadn’t done in many years. She headed to church to talk with God.

Walking across the piazza, she entered the doors of Saint Mark’s Basilica. When she entered, the elaborate details of the massive space took her breath away. Marble walls, floors, and statues surrounded her. Stained glass and gilt candelabras only added to the ornateness of the basilica. In the reverent space, peace flowed over Joy.

An evening mass was in process in the center section of the church, so Joy quietly slid into the pews in the corner near an altar for Christ.

She bowed her head and prayed to the God who so lovingly responded to her by sending her Edith, a dear friend, when she needed one most.

Oh, Lord. Please forgive me for not talking to You sooner. She exhaled. I stupidly thought I could do all this on my own. What an idiot, huh? Shaking her head, Joy continued to rub her aching head. Thank You for giving me friends like Edith and Millie. They’ve helped me in so many ways.

She covered her eyes. Please help me, Lord. I don’t know what to do anymore. For some reason, You brought Tony here, and I—Oh, heck. I know why You brought him here. And I failed that test, didn’t I? She laughed. So I’m heading home now. Home to our daughter and home to our house. The house I shared with Tony, but now I’m alone and I don’t know what to do. I’m scared. She looked up at the altar. I’m scared but I know I shouldn’t be. I trust You because You have never failed me. In all my life, I can look back at difficult times and see how You sustained me and held me.

Her father’s funeral came to her mind. The image of her ten-year-old hand intertwined within her mother’s hand comforted her.

Oh Lord, something died in Mom when Dad died. Her desire for love—true love—went into the ground along with that coffin, didn’t it? Joy shook her head. I don’t want to be that way, Lord. I don’t want to give up on true love, but I’m feeling hopeless at this point. Please guide me in the way I should go.

She wept again, but hot tears of fear and frustration.

A quiet voice stopped her weeping.

Look up.

Wiping her eyes, she glanced left, then right.

In the stillness, it repeated.

Look up.

Joy looked up at the altar before her and the rows of candles burning.

You’re never alone. I am with you, the voice reminded her.

I know. She smiled and stared at the altar marble glistening in the candlelight. Thank You, Lord. Thank You for never leaving me alone.

She remembered the night Tony left her. Not since her father’s death had abandonment and loneliness overcome her.

Yet God. He was there then, and she knew He would be with her now.

A tug in her chest pulled her to the candles. An older woman slid out of the pew in front of Joy. The woman stepped toward the candles, lit one, then knelt to pray. Not a Catholic in faith, Joy wasn’t sure what to do, but something inside her pulled her to the candles. She slid out of her pew and stepped to the candles. Joy selected one, lit it, then knelt to pray. Father, help me know what it is You want me to do. I need Your wisdom if I’m going to counsel Jaime as she begins her life with Michael. You know how much wisdom I need. Please give it to me liberally. Amen.

When she returned to the pew, a revitalized faith surged through her along with newfound courage and strength.

Joy left the church and strolled across the piazza, leaving her past behind on that altar, giving it to Jesus. As she headed into her future a changed woman, there was a lightness in her stride.

Joy had become the woman who had found the adventure she longed for when she stepped off that train and onto the sidewalks of Venice. She explored strange new territory—unknown territory of Venice, and also the unknown territory of resisting Tony.

On her way back to the hotel, she thought of only one thing. One thing that would make her feel better.

It was time for yet another hot bath.

CHAPTER 14

The plane rose over the turquoise water surrounding Venice with the bright morning sunlight bouncing along the water’s surface. Joy’s thoughts returned to when she checked out of the hotel with credit card in hand.

“Madam, your hotel bill has been paid in full,” the concierge told her.

“What?” She cocked her head. “No, I extended my stay, remember?”

“I understand, Madam, but your friend came into the hotel this morning and paid it in full.” The concierge smiled.

“My friend? What friend?” Joy squinted and then lifted her chin. “Ah. I see.”

Tony.

Sitting on the plane, she shook her head. He didn’t have to do that, but she appreciated his thoughtfulness.

Or was it guilt?

She chuckled.

As the plane turned, Joy silently said goodbye to Venice, Dina and Vito, Alessandro . . . and the Joy she used to be.

Joy knew her heart would always remain in Venice, and she imagined a frantic Dina working in the flower shop at that exact moment. Perhaps she was preparing for a reception or a party or, heaven forbid, a funeral service.

But whatever Dina was doing back at the flower shop, she was doing it without Joy’s help, and that made her heart hurt.

Heading back to New York didn’t feel as exciting as Joy thought it would, since she was as alone going home as she had been on the train to Venice.

Such was life. Joy sighed and stared out the window, wondering what Alessandro was doing. Her heart sank as she missed him.

Then her mind switched to Jaime and the upcoming wedding. That thought brought a wide smile to her face.

But then Alessandro came back to her mind.

Removing her journal from her bag, Joy thought more about her time with him.

With Alex, I felt at home. Talking with him, walking with him brought me so much peace and rest…rest for my mind and heart. It’s easy to be around him. Not like with Tony.

Being with Alex is definitely like coming home.

But how can that be? We only just met.