Page 167 of La Dolce Vita

She looked over to him and then to the cemetery. The fresh tears forming in her eyes almost made him abandon his mission. Mirabella’s tears were his kryptonite. He could never survive any task if she is upset. He put his arm around her shoulder. She eased her arm around his waist.

“Grazie amore per sapermi amare--thank you, my love, for knowing how to love me," he said. She looked up at him and a few tears and slipped down her cheeks. "Grazie," he said again. "Now, let me prove to you that I know how to love you. You want to go in there; you want to say the things you've kept buried in your heart since you lost your family. It's why we came here. Let's do it together."

“Okay,” she said softly.

She started to walk first, and he went at her pace. When they entered the tiny little cemetery, his arm dropped from around her shoulder. His hand found hers. Giovanni stared at some of the tombstones. There were a few made of wood stakes with just initials and dates. He saw one that was a large rock that had been carved into. And then more modern looking gravestones further to the back. The three his wife stopped in front of were the largest. The one for her grandparents had images of them both on the plaque. And a scripture was written across. Mirabella lets go of his hand. She stepped forward and stared at the grave. He stepped back to give her privacy.

It was then the hairs on the back of his nape stood on end. He glanced back to the party. A small crowd had come out of the tent. They stood there and stared at them. The minister Clyde Jr. was among them. None of them looked away or concealed their curiosity. Apparently, this was the event they all came for.

Giovanni had never felt more powerless. If they were in his country he’d have them all chased away. She’d have the privacy she deserved. She wasn’t here for their entertainment.

And then he heard Mirabella weep. He glanced back, and his wife had fallen over in tears. Her hand was pressed to the tombstone, and her tears consumed her. He'd messed up. This wasn't what he expected. If she were to have a full meltdown in front of these people, it would add to her humiliation. Giovanni went to her and got on his knees.

"Bella,I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She turned into his arms, and he held her by the grave. "It was too soon. It's okay. We can leave. I'm so sorry sweetheart." He stroked her back and prayed her tears would stop soon. But she cried harder and harder.

Giovanni closed his eyes. They were exposed, open and vulnerable. What should he do? And then she lifted her head from his shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "I killed my grandfather. I did it. I had an abortion, and he found out. And... he had a stroke, and he died, and I did it. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Shocked, his eyes stretched. Nothing in their past or future could have prepared him for such a gut-wrenching confession. She looked so terrified after confessing. Hopelessly desperate for him to forgive her. “It’s okay. Listen to me. We’ll talk about it later. Not here. Not now. Okay?”

She nodded and dropped her head in shame. The woman he knew and loved would never do something so horrific as an abortion. It went against everything he believed, and he knew it had to be the same for her. They talked about kids, life; he couldn't conceive that she would ever commit such a sin.

“Let’s get the kids and go,” he said.

“No. Stay here with me. Let’s go back to the party and show them that I can... I can handle this. Please. Will you help me?” she asked.

He kissed her brow. He kissed her tears stained face. He kissed her mouth. “Ti amo," he said. "Nothing will ever make me stop loving you, Bella."

She sighed with relief. He helped her stand. She wiped her face clear of tears and then hugged him. He could feel her grow stronger in his arms. And he suppressed the need for him to learn more. Abortion? When did this happen? How old was she? Was it from Cutter? What could make her so desperate to do it? And what secrets did she still keep from him?

“I’m okay now. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you that way. I’m sorry.”

“You’re sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. Let’s go back. They have some good food. I’ll fix you a plate.”

“Bella... we should leave, talk,” he said.

“Not now Gio,” she glanced back to the others outside of the tents. People had started to turn away. The show was over. Only the Minister and a few of his men remained.

“I’ll explain it all tonight,” she said.

He hugged her once more and together they walked out of the cemetery.

***

Later –

Clyde took a seat with the men. Giovanni was in a folding chair under the tent. Gianni sat on his knee. His son accepted the treats the women came by and gave him, but he refused to be touched by any of them. Gino and Eve loved the attention. Every time Giovanni looked up another person was carrying them around or Eve was running with a pack of kids playing and laughing.

Clyde looked over. "Got a head full of hair doesn't he?"

Giovanni nodded. He touched Gianni's curly puff. His mom had once again put his hair into a ponytail. He wasn’t sure why she did that. He didn’t like it at all.

"Why don't you come by the barber shop tonight? Bring the boys. My grandson works there in the evening. He can cut the boys hair." Clyde said.

"I'll ask his mother," Giovanni said.

"Good. Good." Clyde said and took out a pouch from his front pocket. He removed some stringy looking brown stuff and tucked it up under his lip. Lorenzo frowned. He looked to Giovanni who had no clue as to what it was.

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