Page 31 of Mia Amata

I laughed. “So you have tried every Italian restaurant in the state of Minnesota?”

“No.There was no reason to look any further than this one.” He smiled.

I smiled back, “Uncle Sal and Aunt Louisa. You don’t look Italian to me.”

“We aren’t actually related. Dad and Sal served in the Army together. They have been through a lot together and refer to each other as brothers. He has always been Uncle Sal to us kids,” he explained. “He was the best man at Dad’s wedding to Mom and was there the night they met. Dad was there when Sal met Louisa and best man at their wedding.”

“That explains a lot. Sal and Louisa definitely look Italian, but you don’t.”

“What about you? Do you have any siblings? Are your parents still alive?” he asked.

This was something I didn’t have to lie about; I just wouldn’t tell him about the exact names from my past. “I don’t know who my parents are, or if I even have siblings.”

“You don’t?”

“No.I was abandoned in a trash bin when I was a newborn. A policeman walking by heard my cry and took me to a local hospital.”

“Oh, Mattie,” he said, “I am so sorry.”

“It’s OK, I came to terms with it a long time ago.” I smiled at him.

“Mattie?” Jacob said.

I looked at him, “Yes?”

“Why are you here?” he asked.

I smiled sadly at him. “I needed a new start.”

“From what? Am I prying? Did I overstep?” he asked.

“No,” I sighed. “It’s fine. I made the mistake of getting involved with the wrong man.”

“Wrong how?” Jacob frowned.

“He was charming and told me all the right things. There were signs that something was wrong from the beginning, but he lured me in. I was naive and young. I believed I was in love with him. Then suddenly, he didn’t want anything to do with me. Turns out he was already married with two kids. I was so stupid.” I felt terrible telling him the lie, but I still had to protect myself, the baby. I glanced at Jacob who seemed angry.

“You made a mistake, that doesn’t mean you were stupid. Men like that are pigs. Did you tell his wife?” he asked.

“No, I thought I would, but decided against it. I didn’t want to destroy his kids’ home life. I decided to start over some place new so that we wouldn’t risk running into each other ever again. That is why I am here,” I replied.

“You were used by a man who didn’t deserve someone like you. I admire you for not ruining the jerk’s marriage when you could. That says a lot for your character.”

We finished our meal in silence. Louisa came back, asking if we would like dessert. I told her no; I was too full. The meal was fantastic. I told her I was ready for my bill, I needed to get going.

“Your meal is on the house!” Louisa declared. I tried to protest, trying to talk her into letting me pay for my meal. “You make our Jacob smile. He is falling for you. Anyone who makes Jacob happy, we welcome any time. Just like your mama and papa eh Jacob? Love at first sight!” She took our plates and walked off, again leaving me speechless. She was good at that. I looked at Jacob.

“Don’t try to argue with her,” he stated, “full-blooded Italians always win.” Standing up, he walked me out to my car.

Hesitantly, I said, “Thank you for walking me to my car. I had a nice time.”

He smiled, “Even though we were rather forced together?”

“Yes, even though it wasn’t up to us.”

“I had a good time too Mia Amata,” Jacob said. He watched me climb in my car, then turned and went to his truck.

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