Page 136 of La Dolce Vita

"Someone’s here?" Marietta said.

"It's Clyde. Our cousin. The one I told you about." Mirabella said.

The man wore a flannel shirt, jeans and workman boots. He had on a dirty gray cap with the word CAT on the front, symbolizing the Caterpillar machinery he was used to working in during his days in construction. He leaned against his truck. From the inside of the car he looked to be at least six-foot-four, and close to three hundred pounds. He had facial hair, but she couldn't see much more of him. A door of the truck he leaned against opened, and a woman got out. She was much shorter than him, with wide hips and pecan brown skin. Her hair was cut into a short style and dyed platinum blonde to cover the greys. She had large round, brown eyes, and deep dimples in her cheeks. The married couple stared at the van as Giovanni slowed to a stop.

"That is his wife, Minnie. She's very sweet," Mirabella said. "I haven't seen her in so many years."

"Mama! Look!" Eve exclaimed from the backseat. Marietta glanced back. There was another tree a few feet away from the house. And it had a large branch where a long rope dropped down and was tied around a tire.

"What is it?" Eve asked.

"It's a swing. Your great-grandfather made it for me when I was a little girl. I used to play on it."

"Can I swing?" Eve asked.

"Yes, baby. You can do whatever you want. This place belonged to your great grandparents, and they would have loved to meet you."

Giovanni parked the van. Lorenzo grabbed Marietta's hand. "Don't overdo it, Marie. Been a long trip. The doctor said for you to take it easy."

"I'm all right," she smiled. It was the truth. She was better than fine. She was ecstatic. They had made it. Finally. Marietta was helped out of the van by Giovanni. When she turned, she saw Mirabella hugging her cousin Clyde and then giving a warm embrace to Minnie who patted her back and kissed her on the cheek.

"Marietta, come here, come!" Mirabella gestured. Nervous and humbled by the farm and the people she didn't know, Marietta approached vowing to make a good first impression. The two stared at her like she was a movie star. Their eyes were stretched. The husband and wife exchanged a look.

"Cousin Clyde, Minnie, this here is my twin sister Marietta," Mirabella said and took her hand. "God sent her to me. She's the reason Mama ran off and left me. She went looking for her. Mama had twins. Can you believe it? Twins!"

"I saw it on the news. Read about it in the paper. I still can't believe it," Minnie said. She stepped forward and looked up into Marietta's eyes. If she were a few inches shorter, her diminutive height would classify her as a little person. "Welcome home. You are so beautiful."

"Thank you. Ah, hi," Marietta said and looked to Mirabella.

"Hi? Girl, you better bend on down here and give Minnie a hug!"

Marietta did what she asked, and Minnie gave her one of the tightest hugs she'd ever experienced in life. Mirabella grinned.

"You's pregnant? Clyde, she pregnant." Minnie said and let her go.

"I can see that, Minnie." Clyde removed his hat. He had a nasty surgical scar on the side of his head where hair didn't grow. And his left eye was a little droopy. He had the nicest smile. He stepped forward and hugged her. "You look just like my mother. Doesn't she, Minnie? She looks just like Bessie-Mae."

Minnie nodded in agreement. "Clyde, you right. And Mirabella looks like Mary. Ain’t that something?"

Marietta hugged him and let go. She had a family. Real family. Not just what she saw in Mirabella, but people who shared her bloodline, and had a rich history. People who lived normal lives and looked after their own. And that was it. Marietta was reduced to tears.

Lorenzo protectively pulled her away from the greeting. Clyde and Minnie were immediately apologetic, but Mirabella made the introduction of Lorenzo and explained that it was probably hormones. The tears were of happiness. Marietta nodded that she was right, but held on to her husband. She was grateful. She couldn't speak further.

"Giovanni," Mirabella extended her hand.

The kids were leery of strangers. The twins stayed close to their father, and Eve held his hand. Mirabella couldn't be prouder of her family. But even still she was most proud of her children. Mirabella kept their unique beauty hidden from the world. The children were rarely photographed and only seen once on camera. That was when she did the interview at the show in Milano.

"Clyde, Minnie, this is my husband, Giovanni."

"Nice to meet you," Clyde gave Giovanni a firm handshake.

"And who are these beauties?" Minnie knelt before the children. "Clyde, get a look at these babies. Dey have pretty eyes! Oh my? I've neva seen anything like it."

"Mi chiamo Eve," Eve said.

"What you say, baby? Is that Italian?" Minnie touched Eve's hand.

"She said her name is Eve," Mirabella explained.

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