Page 190 of La Dolce Vita

“Oh? And, um, is that all?”

Giovanni glanced over to her. “Why?”

“It’s a small town Gio. I got a call from Minnie this morning. Everyone’s talking about Cutter and... what happened.”

“Are they? What are they saying?”

“That Cutter tried to get a rise out of you. That he mentioned me. Called me names. Said you were a fraud and not some Mafia guy.”

“I’m not a Mafia guy.La Camorrais my clan,” he winked.

“You think this is funny?” she frowned.

“Cutter has a sharp tongue. He wags it like a woman. Real men don’t have to do so much talking.” Giovanni stepped forward and stop the tire from spinning. He gave it a push instead. The girls cheered.

“It’s not like you to tolerate disrespect. You walked out of the bar and said nothing? I find that... well hard to believe. I guess that was for me too?”

“Bella? The man means nothing. He tried to get a rise out of me. He failed. Forget about it,” Giovanni shrugged.

She grabbed his arm and forced him to look at her. “Are you going to forget about it? We’re only here for a few more days. It took a lot to get you and Lorenzo travel Visa’s. We need to be careful.”

He grabbed her by the waist. She dropped the glass and screamed as he heaved her up and over his shoulder. “Look Eve! Look at mommy spin!”

Giovanni spun around several times with a screaming Mirabella. He had to stop to keep from being dizzy. She beat her fists against his back and he brought her down but kept her close. She anchored her arms around his neck and held on so her feet didn’t reach the ground and then she kissed him. A sweet loving kiss before she let go.

"I'm on my best behavior, Bella. I walked out of that bar and so did Cutter--alive. It’s over. Nothing to worry about. Your husband isn't some Mafia guy? He's just a businessman who wanted to have a beer in a local bar. That's the story they are telling. Right?”

She smiled. She hugged his waist and squeezed. “Right!GrazieGiovanni!”

Eve stopped swinging. She jumped down from the tire and fell on her bum. Giovanni and Mirabella watched as their baby girl tried to stand and walk but held her hands out before and swayed side to side. “I feel funny!”

“You’re dizzy baby,” Mirabella said.

“Dizzy!” Eve cheered and fell again, this time to her knees. She laughed and laughed. “Did you see me! Did you!”

"Yes, I did, sweetie."

The boys ran over to the tire and both tried to climb. Giovanni started toward his sons when he saw a car driving toward the farm. He watched the visitor as he drove up the long road to the farmhouse.

“I wonder who that is?” Mirabella asked.

“Not sure,” he said. Giovanni paused. The face behind the driver’s wheel became clearer. He smiled. Mirabella picked up Gino and grabbed Gianni’s hand. She turned to walk away.

“Bella wait. It’s Henry!” Giovanni said. Giovanni walked over to the car. His cousin got out and slammed the door. He wore dark sunglasses that covered his blue eyes. He had a red beard that connected to his long sideburns and red hair. Still, he looked the same to him.

“Giovanni!” he said. The men embraced. “It’s really you. How long has it been? Seven, eight years?”

“Five years Henry,” Giovanni said.

“Ah, and this is the wife?” Henry removed his sunglasses. Mirabella walked over with the children. “You are more beautiful than your pictures. I’m Henry. Nice to meet you.”

“I know who you are. Welcome. I’m so glad we can finally meet.”

“And who is this?” he asked. Gino drew back at first. Henry smiled and extended his hands. Gino went to his distant cousin without complaint. “Hi there little man. I got a son your age.”

“You do?” Giovanni frowned.

“Yeah, big little bugger just like you.”

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