Page 50 of To Have and To Hold

I’d been staring at a grant application for most of the afternoon. The process was more complicated and exhausting than I’d anticipated. I made a mental note to talk to Mia about it tonight or in the morning. I couldn’t stop my smile from growing as I thought about spending time with Em away from here or even Mia’s.

As if tipped off about my plans by an angel or the devil himself, my mother’s name appeared on my phone. We’d only spoken twice since my arrival. With my newfound knowledge about Papà and well, everyone, I wasn’t certain what to say. I answered on the second ring. “Mom.”

“I miss you, Izzy.”

“I miss you too, Mom. How are Noemi and Tony?”

“We’re all well, but the house seems empty without you. I’m so worried about you out there all alone.”

“I’m not alone.”

“Are you safe? Are you well? Is Mia helping you? What are the whores like?”

“I’m safe and Mia has been great. As for the residents, they’re women, Mom. Just like you and me. They simply chose another profession.”

“They use their bodies to please men and make money.”

A thought occurred to me. “How do you make money?”

“What?” she asked, aghast.

“You, Aunt Giulia, Mia, and Aunt Arianna. Your work is to please your husbands and that includes sex.”

“Isabella Louisa. What has happened to you? How dare you speak that way to me.”

“It was a question.” I stood and walked to the window. Traffic was almost nonexistent on the street beyond. “You and Papà sent me out here to learn about life and about helping people. That’s what’s happened to me. I’m not perfect by any means, but I’m expanding my world and learning the truth about people who before, I never would’ve even questioned.”

When I turned, Isla was standing at my door.

“Mom, I need to go. I’m still at work.”

“I’m going to speak to your father. I think you need to come home immediately.”

“Goodbye.” I disconnected the call. “Isla, please come in.”

“I’m sorry to bother you,SeñoritaIzzy.”

“You can just call me Izzy.” I gestured toward the table. “Would you like to sit with me? I have water bottles if you’d like one.”

“Sit,sí.” She walked slowly to the table. “No water. I’m fine.”

“Would you like me to close the door or leave it open?”

“Close,” she said at a barely audible level.

I closed the door and walked toward her. “Are you fine?”

Isla held her hands in her lap, staring at them. “I was looking for Liliana, but Celeste said she was somewhere else in the building.”

“Is there something I can help you with?”

She peered upward with a hooded stare. “Can you talk to Mia for us please?”

“I can. I live with her.”

She sat taller. “I didn’t know that.”

“I guess it’s not common knowledge. I see her every day. What is it that you’d like me to talk to her about?”

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