Page 154 of Empire of Temptation

I didn’t comment, though it took all my self-control not to bring up Mercury again.

We stopped in front of a row of familiar photographs. Each one was of the Leaning Tower of Pisa from a different angle. I knew them well.

“Your mother took these photos for me,” Bev said. “When she was studying over there and met your father.”

“Yes, I remember. I love them.” After her death I spent a long time looking at these photos, imagining her standing in front of the famous landmark.

Bev reached to take a frame off the wall. “Have you ever read what she wrote on the back?”

My muscles locked in surprise. “She wrote on the photos?”

“Just this one. And I think it might help you to see it.”

The photo was clipped into the frame. It took Bev some maneuvering but she finally got it out. “Here.” She handed me the large photo and I flipped it over.

Sure enough, there was my mother’s elegant script.

Bev,

What a time this was! I wish you had been able to visit.

Next time, no excuses! Life is short and there is too much joy to experience in the world. We shouldn’t let anything hold us back. Enjoy the pictures.

Love,

Abby

I couldn’t speak, my heartbeat rushing in my ears.Life is tooshort.If she’d only known. There weren’t any more trips because I’d been born eight months later. Then she died sixteen years after that.

We shouldn’t let anything hold us back.

Tears stung my eyelids. She’d been so determined, so fierce. Independent and strong. And she’d raised me to be the same. So what happened? Why was I afraid of leaving this town?

“Every day I regret not taking that trip,” Bev said gently. “But I convinced myself the café wouldn’t survive if I closed down or let someone else run it for two weeks. I was more worried about money than happiness. And that’s part of what’s wrong with our culture. We value all the wrong things.”

“It’s not money,” I whispered. “The trattoria is her legacy, just like her house and garden. The peeling wallpaper and expired boxes of pudding I can’t stand to throw away. She’s still here and I’m afraid to let her go.”

Bev pulled me into her warm body. She smelled like vanilla. “Honey, you aren’t letting your mother go. Those are justthings. Your mother will always be with you, no matter where you are.”

I knew this in theory, but it was still hard to accept. “You think I should move to Italy.”

“I think you should put yourself first for a change. Do what makes you happy.”

Taking in a deep breath, I pulled away and dabbed at my eyes with my fingertips. I didn’t want to ruin my mascara. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good. Now, go get your drink before it melts and Sam starts yelling.”

We both knew Sam was pretty chill, but I returned the photo to Bev and went to the counter. Chuck, the only realtor in town, was paying for his coffee as I gathered my keys, wallet and drink. We knew each other from high school. “Hey, Val,” he said.

“Hi, Chuck. How are you?”

“Never better.” He slipped two dollars into the cafe’s tip jar.

Sam leaned against the counter. “Chuck was saying the Portofino mansion has sold.”

I nearly dropped my iced coffee. Images of espressos on the terrace and long showers assaulted me. Picking out ties and cuddling and purses and sex. Lots and lots of sex.

Luca’s former house . . . sold? Now someone else bought that tacky house.

---