“I wish you did. They’re two real characters the children look up to. On the days they don’t come to help, the children are forever bugging the sisters that run this day care about where Enzo and Carlo are.” He chortles as Carlo falls down, a bundle of children jumping on him before he bursts up, holding onto a few of them as he roars out loud. “It’s like this every single time.”
It’s as I watch Carlo laugh carelessly and Enzo bent over double with laughter as children tickle him that my heart throbs. They would be perfect family men. They’re loyal, honorable, and have so much love to give. They would give a woman the moon from the night sky and still strive to give them the stars above it.
We stand and watch from the sidelines until Carlo notices me. He gives me such an illuminating smile that I find the infectious need to respond with a smile myself. He calls to Enzo who sees me and both of them tell the children to go play elsewhere and they’ll be back.
“She’s a lot like the both of you when you both turned up on my doorstep,” Father Andrew quips, sarcastically reprimanding my brothers on their approach. “You Abbiati folk are all the same. Even Bruno, and he’s the one well-kept from the family business.”
“Bruno?” we all ask, united with puzzlement.
Father Andrew laughs. “Bruno is here every Sunday for morning mass with his wife and children. Occasionally, he’ll come in for the evening confession, but your family is far stronger than you all give yourself credit for.”
“Well, apparently, this is a family you cannot make any guesses about,” I joke, looking at my brothers. “And you didn’t think to tell me about this?” I ask, pointing back to the playground full of merry children. “This is amazing! Why would hide this from us?”
“Papà,” they both respond together.
“Look, I would’ve, Amelia, but we’ve had so much going on, and this isn’t something I wanted to jeopardize by Papà finding out. After last night, Carlo and I decided it was time you got some insight that even with what goes on at home, we can give back to the community.” Enzo oozes satisfaction in being able to proudly tell me. “This is just half of what we do with the church, but it’s some of the most fun we can ever have.”
“Lia, you’d love this, believe me,” Carlo chimes in, adding on, “It’s liberating.”
“This is where you disappear to in the mornings?” I ask, and he nods. “And you spend all day here?”
“Most of it,” he tells me, that humble smile sitting firmly on his face. “It’s just a little downtime.”
“I know it’s a lot to digest, Lia, but we thought if we got you opening up a little and seeking some form of happiness, it’d be a start. And if you want to join us here, well, Andrew’s already said you can on a probationary period. They don’t judge here. We are all equals and these kids are the best stress relief you can find.”
“Carlo!” one of the children shouts out. “Carlo, Carlo!” he says again, this time in a chant with the other children.
“You go back. I’ve got one more stop to make with Lia before we head back home,” Enzo tells Carlo, looking at the children now vying for his attention. “I’m thinking we order in and actually relax tonight. No talk of Papà or Gio. Just a family night.”
“Sounds good,” Carlo says. “I might need it after being bundled by this group.” He laughs as he starts to back away toward the children. “See you at home in about two hours?”
“Sure,” Enzo responds and turns back to us. “One more stop then ice cream?” Enzo asks me, cocking an eyebrow as he already knows my response without me having to verbalize it.
“Only if you’re paying,” I reply, smiling sweetly.
“Have fun, you two. I need to get ready for tonight’s mass,” Father Andrew interjects the playful moment, bidding farewell.
“C’mon,” Enzo says putting his arm around me. “Let’s get going.”
***
I look at where he’s taking me, and even though I haven’t been here in a few years, I still cannot forget the journey. My eyes immediately travel across the vast sea of tombstones until I see the pristine Abbiati vault set far back, with one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline. It was the only saving grace on the day we buried our mother – looking out at all the buildings was something I’ll never forget. The world continued to spin that day while my life stood so still I feared it would never return to normal.
“You’re just out to kill me today, aren’t you?” I ask, begrudgingly stepping out of the car.
“No, I’m not, but what’s the point in going back to our old ways without coming here and seeing her,” Enzo comments, a sense of deliberation in his tone. Clearly, he isn’t comfortable with this, but this is the most serene place we’ll ever find. “Also, I thought it’d be safer to bring you here to tell you what’s really going on,” Enzo begins, throwing his door shut and walking around to the front of the car. “Want some time to go and speak to her?”
I look at him as if he’s crazy.
“It’s a great way of dealing,” Enzo starts to tell me, responding with an honest comment. “When I get a little too caught up, I come here and talk to her.”