Page 83 of Big Island Sunset
Lorenzo was leaving for Italy the next day, and he had arrived before dawn that morning to take Rory to Kona. Now she was running up the front walk, sunkissed and shining.
“Hi Mama!” She held up the dolphin plushie she carried. “Look at this!”
“Aloha!” Lani scooped her up. “How was your day?”
“Good.” Rory wiggled to get down, and Lani released her. She ran into the house shouting, “Livie, look! I got a dolphin!”
Lorenzo drifted up the walk looking forlorn.
“Good day?” Lani asked.
He nodded, but his face was tragic.
“Early flight tomorrow?”
“Yes.” He stared through the living room window for a moment, watching Rory and Olivia bouncing on the couch, and then turned to Lani. “Will you bring her to visit?”
Lani’s mouth hung open for a moment in surprise before she managed to say, “To Italy?”
“Yes, to Italy. To see my family. To meetherfamily. My parents must meet her, but they cannot travel to this place. It is too far, and too much money, and they will not leave their home. But she is their granddaughter. Say that you will bring her,” he pleaded.
“I don’t know how I could afford…” she faltered, and Lorenzo cut in.
“I will buy tickets for both of you. I will work and save, and if there is anything else that she needs–”
“We’re okay,” she said, holding up a hand. “Thank you.”
“Tickets, at least. If I buy tickets, then you will come?”
She started to give another noncommittal nothing of an answer, and then Rory ran outside and hung on Lorenzo’s hand.
“Babbo! Come inside! Come play with us!”
“I cannot.” He knelt in front of her and put a hand on her cheek. “Figlia mia, I will miss you very much.”
“You leave tomorrow?” she asked, suddenly sad.
“Yes.”
“Back to Italy?”
“Yes.”
“Can I come?”
He smiled and slowly shook his head. “Not this time,principessa.”
“Don’t go!” Rory threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck.
“I’m sorry,stellina. I have to go home.” Lorenzo closed his eyes, and silent tears streamed down his face as he stood, cradling her in his arms.
“I’ll miss you,” she squeaked, holding him tight.
“We can call each other.” He opened his eyes and gave Lani a questioning look over Rory’s head. She nodded, close to tears herself. “And I will come to visit again in a few months time.”
“You will? For sure you will?”
“For sure I will. Go with your mother now.”
