“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?”

“No, honey. We haven’t time. We’ll get one in Rome.”

“Sure you have time,” Anna said, digging out her change purse. “I’ll be right back.”

“No, Anna.”

She ran off to the McDonald’s in the station. Eliana sat down on the suitcase to wait. A gypsy woman walked by and stood before them holding out a paper cup. Eliana surrendered the last of her Italian coins and the woman blessed her and walked away. She glanced down at her watch.

“Oh my, there’s only three minutes.” She lifted her bag and took Alessio by the hand. “We need to go, Alessio.”

“But Aunt Anna went to get me a cone.”

“I know, sweetheart, but we can’t miss our train.”

She quickly validated their tickets, then walked down the boarding platform, pulling Alessio by one hand and the suitcase with the other, while she kept glancing back. Come on, Anna. When they got to their car, Eliana stowed her suitcase on the entryway rack then helped Alessio up into the train.

“But Aunt Anna . . .”

“I know, sweetie.”