“Ciao, Ross.”

“Ciao, Francesca.” They kissed cheeks.

“Can you fit in another group this afternoon?”

“No problem, I’m free until my five o’clock tour.”

“Benissimo. I’ll call the hotel.” She took out her cell phone. “You’ll be pleased with this group.”

“Why is that?”

“You might know some of the people.”

Ross looked at her. “What do you mean?”

“The hotel concierge said it’s an advertising incentive trip from one of the television stations in Minneapolis. Didn’t you say you were in advertising in Minneapolis?”

For a moment he was speechless, as if he’d just been delivered tragic news. “I’m sorry, I can’t do it, Francesca.”

“Perché?”

“I’m sorry, I just can’t. You’ll have to find somebody else. I’ve got to go. I’ll be back at five for my tour.”

Without further explanation he walked briskly down the corridor, disappearing around the corner into the Piazza della Signoria. Baffled, Francesca watched him go then put her cell phone back in her bag.

It was a few minutes before eight o’clock when Ross pressed Eliana’s doorbell, igniting a small commotion. The electronic buzz of the doorbell was followed by a short, high-pitched scream then the sound of running feet across the tile floor. The door flung open to Alessio, looking up at him, panting from his sprint across the house. “Hi,” he said breathlessly. He was dressed for bed, in baggy sky blue shorts with a brown stripe down the side and a matching top. He was small and wiry, his hair curly with a tint of amber. His eyes, hazel like his mother’s, were wide with excitement. The last time Ross had seen Alessio was as he carried him into the emergency room. He didn’t look like the same boy.

“You must be Alessio.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you remember me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is your mother here?”

“Yes, sir.”

He stood staring up at Ross, his hands clenched, his mouth partially open, as if he was about to say something.

After a moment Ross said, “May I come in?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you.” Ross stepped across the threshold.

“Guess what,” Alessio said.

Ross crouched down to Alessio’s height. “What?”

“I found a scorpion today. It was in my closet.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “He was black. They have a stinger. The really big ones can kill you, you know.”

“Was it big?”

He held his fingers about an inch apart. “This big.”

“Did you put it in a bottle?”

“My mom hit it with a shoe.”

Ross tried not to smile. “I’m just glad you found it before it got both of you.”

Alessio nodded seriously. “Me too.”

Just then Eliana called out, “I’m in the kitchen, Ross. Come on in.”

Ross put his hand on Alessio’s shoulder. “I’ll keep my eyes open for any more. Maybe we can find one sometime and put it in a bottle to look at.”

“Okay.”

Ross found Eliana finishing up the dinner dishes. She smiled when she saw him. “Ciao.”

“Ciao.”

“I just need to finish these up, if you don’t mind.”