Page 40 of Vita Mia

Chapter Eight

Spring 1995

Napoli Italy

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THE GIRL’S ROOMS COULDnot be co-located. Eve was kept in the children’s wing. Belinda recovered in the adjacent building on the same floor. The day after Eve’s awakening she became even more chatty. They did not speak of the fire. In fact, they talked about everything from the moon to the stars to keep her mind off the trauma. After, Eve ate and relaxed with her father reading stories to her. Mirabella fed her infant daughter and then quickly put her to sleep so she could slip out of the room to visit Belinda. Though physically Belinda had recovered, she had to be monitored due to the shock and trauma of the entire incident, her mental state concerned the doctors. Minnie and her husband Clyde were told of the tragedy. Though, Mirabella had wanted them to come immediately Clyde said they would need a few days. It had been a week and she still didn’t know their travel plans. That morning Mirabella insisted and the family jet was sent to America to bring them to Napoli. They were expected to arrive later that evening.

Mirabella made her way to Belinda’s wing in time to greet Kyra and Jamie. Kyra carried a large arrangement of flowers. Jamie held a gift basket. Mirabella’s heart surged with joy at the sight of them

“I didn’t know you two were here,” she said.

“We’ve been here since yesterday.” Kyra kissed both her cheeks. Jamie was the next to give her a welcoming kiss. “We came with Renaldo.”

“How is Eve?” Jamie asked.

“Today she woke without pain. She’s in her Papa’s arms. Right where she wants to be. I left them alone. Well, sort of, Leeza is keeping them company.”

“I’m so happy to hear that. Renaldo told me what Belinda shared with the family.”

Mirabella crossed her arms in front of her. “I can’t believe it. I just can’t conceive it. Eve was playing with matches under my nose and I didn’t do anything to stop her. Even Cecilia... Cecilia tried to warn me.”

“The good news is she is alive,” Jamie said and rubbed Mirabella’s arm.

“That is the only good news. Cecilia is confirmed to be one of the dead. We found out yesterday. Leo, we haven’t heard. They never recovered his body. It’s all destruction now.” Mirabella put a hand to her eyes. She resisted the urge to cry. Kyra pulled her into a hug. Mirabella hadn’t had a good cry since they arrived in Napoli. She was too afraid that any sign of weakness would keep Eve from the needed support she should have to recover. And splitting herself between Eve and her distraught cousin had added to the nightmare. Mirabella was a walking, talking bundle of nerves.

“Cecilia was pregnant. Did you know?” Mirabella asked the women.

“God no. I wish she had told us. I had no idea,” Kyra said.

“Nico, poor Nico,” Jamie chimed in.

“I need to stop crying. Minnie will be here tonight or tomorrow. I was on my way to tell Belinda.”

“Here, honey,” Jamie gave her some tissues from her purse. Mirabella wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

“Why are they just getting here?” Kyra asked.

“I don’t know. I think it’s because when she did speak to Minnie she confessed that she taught Eve to play with matches. She told Minnie that she caused the death of Cecilia and Leo. Poor girl blames herself.”

“They can’t punish her for that. She’s not in her right state of mind. They have to support her,” Jamie said.

“I’m going to make sure they do. The flowers are beautiful. Belinda will love them. Let’s see how she’s doing.”

The ladies found Belinda in her room lying on her side staring at the wall. Jamie approached first. She set the gift basket down in Belinda’s line of sight. Belinda turned over to her other side and dismissed Jamie.

“Bee? How are you, love? We’ve been wanting to come visit,” Kyra said.

Belinda didn’t respond. Mirabella approached the bed. “The doctors said you’re better. Physically. But the nurse said you still refuse to eat. That’s causing them concern. How do you feel today?”

Belinda’s teary gaze lifted to Mirabella. “Did they find Leo?”

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