Eliana pulled her cloak tightly around herself even though her coldness was more than an autumn chill. She had suffered enough in the last week, but somehow this loss hurt most of all. For this hurt would haunt her the rest of her life. The one man she loved—the man who had taught her how to be loved—had disappeared like a drop of rain in the ocean. And the last promise she had asked him to make was to never find her again.

CHAPTER 39

“Non si conosce il bene se non quando s’è perso.” You don’t know the worth of something until it is gone.

—Italian Proverb

Anna sat on the large roller suitcase in the center of the Florence train station, like a rock in the middle of a stream, a torrent of travelers flowing around her. Alessio played within the reach of her voice, energized by the motion of the station. Each time the train departure board changed, the letters flipping like decks of cards, he would shout and point. Eliana suddenly emerged from the bustle holding a ticket in her hand.

“The next train to Rome is in fifteen minutes. We’re on track nine.” She choked on the words. Fifteen minutes was not enough time to say all she felt for Anna. Anna stood and hugged her.

“Allora. I hate goodbyes. Don’t I always say I don’t say goodbye?”

“You always say that,” Eliana said. She hugged her again. “Can you believe it’s been six years, Anna? Where did it go?”

Anna looked at Alessio and her eyes watered. “It went to him.”

Eliana smiled and did not look at Anna because she did not want to cry. At least not yet.

“He was just a baby when we came.”

“My little Alessio. How will I live without him? Rendola will not be the same.” She lifted a handkerchief. “I hate goodbyes,” she said again.

“How will we live without you?” Eliana said. “I could not have made it without you. You have been with me through all the hard times. You’re my best friend. I will miss you every day.”

A lump rose in Anna’s throat and she changed the subject. “Did Maurizio call?”

“Last night. He wanted to say goodbye to us. He talked to Alessio for nearly a half hour.”

“God works in mysterious ways.”

“He does, Anna.”

“Have you heard from Ross?”

Eliana shook her head.

“I’m sorry.” She touched her arm. “Have hope, sister. No one can leave Rendola forever.”

Eliana smiled. “And I’ll be back for your wedding.”

“If any of us live that long,” Anna said.

Eliana waved to Alessio, who was staring at a rack of magazines. “Alessio, come now.”

He sauntered up to them, and Anna crouched down and put her arms around him and kissed his head. “Don’t grow up too fast. Promise?”

“I can’t help it, Aunt Anna.” He looked to his mother. “Can we get an ice cream cone at McDonald’s?”