“Volare, oh, oh,” the lead singer belted out.
“I know this song.” Joy clapped along. “Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh.”
The spicy aroma of the food caught Joy’s attention. The table, adorned with various platters of food and baskets of bread, called to her and her empty belly. The maple wood table, reached over fourteen feet long, was placed underneath the patio draped with white lights for when the sun went down.
A few minutes later, the entire group sat at the table, eating, laughing, and telling stories about Gianna and Matteo. Joy heard a few Italian words and phrases she understood, but mostly she watched the faces and gestures of Alessandro’s family and friends as they shared tales.
“Manga,” Dina ordered as she passed Joy a plate of pasta.
Platters of Spaghetti Bolognese, mussels, clams, and prawns, made it around the table. Joy inhaled each one, then served herself small portions.
Her glass of wine never emptied, Dina made sure of that. Joy suspected Dina wanted her to relax. The delicious sparkling wine worked its magic.
“More food?” Dina asked Joy.
“No, thank you. I am stuffed.” She laughed.
“It’s good to see you again, Joy.” Angelina sat by her and hugged her shoulders.
“It’s good to see you too.” She looked her over. “Stunning as usual. Chanel? Armani? Or Versace?”
“Prada. Mille grazie.” Angelina scooted her chair closer. “And I never wear Chanel. I prefer Italian designers. So because you are here, does this mean you are staying for a while to be with . . .” She nodded toward Alessandro.
“Uh, well, not exactly.” Joy frowned. “I need to return to New York. My flight out is tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Angelina jerked back. “So soon?”
“I’ve been here for a month. I need to get back and help with my daughter’s wedding. It’s in a few weeks.”
“I understand.” Angelina’s downturned mouth revealed her heart and her thoughts about Joy’s leaving.
“I wish I could stay, believe me.” Joy sighed and squeezed Angelina’s hand. “I love it here. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around a large family.” She blinked back tears. “Too long.”
Gianna and her fiancé, Matteo, stood in the middle of the grassy area in the backyard with Alessandro waving them over.
“To Gianna and Matteo.” Alessandro raised his glass, and everyone followed suit, toasting the young couple.
Joy studied Gianna’s lovely face. So young, so beautiful. Glancing down at her own empty ring finger, Joy sighed. So at peace with her decision to marry.
As Alessandro spoke, Angelina translated for Joy.
“He’s saying that he is so proud of his beautiful daughter. She reminds him of her mother, Anna, every day, and he knows Anna is looking down at them from heaven and smiling.”
Joy swiped away a tear from her eye as everyone clapped.
“He is telling Matteo how proud he is to have him as a son, and he wants him and Gianna to have a blessed life together.” Angelina sniffled. “So beautiful.”
“How special.” Joy wept quietly into her napkin. “Excuse me.”
She stood and made her way through the busy kitchen and into the foyer of the house. Grabbing her purse, she headed out the front door.
“Joy? Where are you going?” Angelina followed her.
“I, um. I need to head back to Venice now. I’m seeing Tony soon for dinner and I—” She shook her hands. “I’ll be late.”
“All right. But how are you going to get there?” Angelina laughed.
“Charlie. Alex said he’d give me a ride on the boat back to Venice.” Joy turned to leave, but Angelina stopped her.
“I’ll go find him. But, Joy . . .” Angelina began. “What is the real reason why are you leaving?”
“I told you. I have to meet Tony tonight and—”
“I mean, why are you not staying? I can see how you love Alessandro.” Angelina took hold of her shoulders. “There’s no denying it any longer.”
“No. I care for him, that’s true. I didn’t come to Venice for romance. Don’t you understand? Romantic love is part of my past. I’m too old for that nonsense. Romance and love and—all that.”
Angelina smirked.
“Tony and I and Jaime are a family.” Joy pointed to the family out back. “Family is everything, right?”
Angelina lowered her hands and crossed them. “You are right. Family is everything. I’m sorry if I upset you. I didn’t mean to.”
“You didn’t.” Joy blinked away a tear.
Angelina hugged Joy tightly to her, taking her breath away. “Arrivederci, my friend. I hope we meet again.”
“Arrivederci.” Joy smiled through her tears.
