Eliana let Anna’s remark dissipate with the breeze that swept over them. Then she said, “I think Alessio’s coming down with something.”

“In the summer?”

“Penso di sì.” I think so.

“Where’s Manuela? Isn’t she supposed to be watching Alessio today?”

“She’s still sick. She’s had the influenza.”

“She probably gave it to Alessio.”

“I hope he doesn’t have it.” She looked over at her son. He still hadn’t climbed into the water, which in itself she found peculiar. She looked back at Anna. “Are you still leaving for the sea Friday?”

“Yes. Are you still decided not to join me?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not as sorry as I am. It means I’ll be alone with my boring cousin Claudia.” She sighed. “Can I do anything for you before I go? I could shop for groceries for you.”

“No, grazie. I have enough food for the week. When Manuela comes I will go shopping. Besides I need to get out of the house. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

“Sì, you need to get out more. I will watch Alessio this afternoon and you can go out. Go into Florence and buy yourself something pretty. I will give you the money from your paintings.”

“No, Anna. You keep the money for your vacation. Besides, you have much to do before you leave. You have a new tenant coming.”

Anna sighed. “Vero, vero.” True. Anna would be gone on holiday for three weeks and she still hadn’t finished packing. Now she also needed to see the apartment cleaned and purchase new linens for the bed.

“I will hang the paintings after Alessio naps,” Eliana said. “Just leave the door unlocked.”

“Grazie. When does il cretino return?”

“You shouldn’t call him that. I don’t know. He said tomorrow, but I doubt it.”

Anna shook her head. “Che cretino.”

The women seldom spoke of Maurizio. His neglect of his family and his numerous infidelities were too unpleasant a subject. Even though he was her brother, Maurizio was an embarrassment to Anna, and the two of them had argued on more occasions than Eliana could number. Now they spoke only as necessitated by the family business. Though Anna managed the villa, as the oldest son Maurizio ultimately controlled the estate.

Anna sided with Eliana not just because they were best friends, but because she understood, in part, what Eliana was going through. Anna’s own husband had left her for a young Swiss woman she discovered he had been having an affair with for more than seven years. Eliana had been her support during the time of their divorce.

Anna sighed. “Devo andare.” I must go. “I’ve still much to do.” She pushed herself up from the chair.

“Anna, do not leave for the sea without saying goodbye.”

“You know I don’t say goodbye.” She smiled.

“We’ll take coffee tomorrow morning.”

“Ciao, Anna.”

Anna leaned over and kissed Eliana’s cheeks. “Ciao, bella.” Then she waved to Alessio.

“Ciao, bello.”

“Ciao, zia,” he replied.

She walked to the end of the pool, stopped and picked a handful of sage leaves, then disappeared into the villa.