“D’amor nel regno non v’è contento, che del tormento non, sia minor.”

Love is not content to merely reign, but it must torment.
Nothing else satisfies.

—Metastasio

“So what’s the matter with you?” Anna asked. Eliana was preparing dinner as Anna sat on a nearby stool watching her.

“Nothing’s the matter.”

“You walk around like a ghost. Where’s the American?”

“Why do you call him that? You know his name.”

“I like the sound of it,” she said. “Where is he? I haven’t seen him for a while.”

“He’s gone.”

“So you’re acting differently because he is gone.” Then she raised her finger. “No, actually you are not different, you are the way you used to be.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“It is. Where did he go?”

Eliana looked back at her. “I sent him away.”

Anna looked surprised. “For good?”

“No. Just until I figure things out.”

“And what have you figured out?”

Eliana sighed. “Only that I miss him. I miss him terribly.” She turned off the stove and came around the counter. “I’ve never met a man like him before. He hasn’t asked a thing of me, yet he gives me a whole new world. I feel love and hope again. Even Alessio is happier.” She sat down. She frowned. “You should have seen him when I asked him to go. It broke my heart.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I honestly don’t have any idea. I wish he would tell me what to do. I’d do it. I don’t think I could deny him anything.”

“Well, one of you better figure something out.” She went to the refrigerator for a drink. “Is Maurizio home?”

“Yes.”

Anna made a face. Eliana went back to her cooking. “As soon as I finish making dinner, I’m taking Alessio out shopping for school clothes.”

“Mamma mia, is it time for school again already?”

“Sì. Next week.”

“Have you forgotten I’m leaving this evening to see Andrea?”

“I’m sorry. I forgot. How long will you be gone this time?”

“I don’t know, a week or two. Until I get tired of him.” She smiled. “Why don’t I go shopping with you and afterwards you can drop me off at the train station? My train doesn’t leave until the nineteenth hour.”

Eliana smiled. “I’m so pleased that you have someone.”

Anna walked to the door. “I’ll finish packing. And I hope to say the same about you someday.”

CHAPTER 24

“Una piccola scintilla può bruciare una villa.” A little spark kindles a great fire.

—Italian Proverb

Maurizio sat alone in his den, his legs crossed at his ankles, newspaper in his hands, La Nazione. The lights were off and the drapes were drawn, leaving the room lit by what light illuminated the silk curtains. The smoke of a cigarette rose from a glass ashtray within arm’s reach. Eliana walked in on him.

“I’m going now.”

“Where?” he asked without taking his eyes from the paper.