chapter three

Dominic Russo 

Her face is so lovely. Her air, so comfortable. I find myself sitting down watching her doing the dishes. 

"Are you not going back to your room anymore? "

"I would rather sit down here and charter "

"okay " she turned and used a dry cloth to clean out the dishes. 

Sharing a bit about my past is something I never do. But this lady made me do it. "My mother was an African -Italian. My Dad died when I was young and she brought me to Italy, seeking a better life. She didn't know the language but was determined that nothing would get in the way of her affording a college education for me and my brothers, but it's hard to find an job when you don't know the language. So, she started washing cars and taking laundry "

"Sounds like a focused and hardworking woman " she smiles. 

"She is focus and determined.She didn't let the language become a barrier to her boys education. She'd find expensive neighborhood, get in with one house than do such a good job word of mouth would spread ".

She asks " Do women still wash cars these days? " I shrug "sure,it seemed send a message that the lady is trying to meet up to her important needs. Mom would teach me how to wash the car tyres, while my brothers brush off the dust on the carfoot mat. We'd return them spotless. The client were all impressed, they often threw in generous tips ".

 Thinking of the past, how hard my mother worked alone, I smiled through my eyes "we couldn't use washing machines. Her hands went sore and red, she always had a smile on her face. I still remember how she would clean up houses for the wealthy neighbourhood while we get busy with my homework. She would tell us to study and become something else of ourselves, so that in her absence or when she is far gone, she would smile and be proud "

"You and your brothers did what she wanted "

"I have "

"She must have been so proud of the Russo's family, that y'all did that for her "Her gaze goes to the documents on the table before her and she gives one of her famous sighs. 

I sigh "she deserved it. The Russo's family would not have existed without her pushing us, her sacrifice, believing in us and giving her all for my brothers and I to succeed "

"Where is she now? " Lucia asks tentatively knowing she's pushing for more details, trying to see of she's reached my stopping points. 

"She's moved back to Nigeria, her maternal home. We don't get to see her often but she writes to the family, calls us and even tries to send texts from time to time. We can take care of her for the rest of her days, but she insisted that she would stay in Nigeria for a rest "

Lucia speaks softly "Must be quiet a change from her humble beginnings "

I smile, thinking of my mother wearing her designer sunglasses and handbags in Lagos "she's living the high life now "

"That's the soothing words at the end of this sweet story to hear, she deserved it "Lucia smiles. 

I'm not used to talking so much in one sitting. Yet, I don't find myself growing uncomfortable. I ask her "Tell me about yourself "

She shrugs "What do you want to know? "

"Anything " I suddenly find myself wanting to know her life story, her likes, her dislikes. How she got that tiny scar on her head. What she's thinking about when her gaze leaves mine. 

She sighs, looking off at the window "there's not much to know. I grew up in foggia, in a small town in Italy ".

I sense she doesn't want to talk of home. I change the subject "how'd you learn playing strategizing games, been a gambler? "

"um that's a sad story. Maybe for another day " she peeks at me as if ganging my reaction. 

"I'll buy you "

"buy me what? " she asks, arranging the documents seens she got the right answers she needs. 

I bargain " My sad story of gambling baccarat at the casinos with yours, for a huge amount of money ".

 Her brows lift in surprise " okay, you first ".

She knew she is taking the money home. 

Too sad for me. 

I never speak of my personal life. I know there are rumours out there about the undertakers, but up to this point, we haven't cared. I find myself confiding in her once more. "I graduated from high school, went to college of nursing. Got kicked out because I'd low grades, caught in an unclean state ".

Her warm eyes rest on my face "sounds scary "

"it was but but not half as bad as craving to make your mama proud and getting back to the streets again. When I left the college, I felt out of place, my brother went into architecture and tourism. So, I got lost at a vine yard, working as a gardener. 

She gives a nod "I think that was how you got drawn to wine making ".

"Yes ,I researched and did a lot of experiments " 

"This is getting interesting " she adjusted her sitting position. 

"I met a young lady ,we fell in love. She wanted to establish my knowledge into money. I was in a place that I would do anything to make sure I own her, that she remains mine. I informed my brothers ,after years of no communication with them, I told them my research findings. They insisted I should get her involve if that was her idea "told her and she agreed. She later insisted we cut ties with my brothers. I actually did. I left Naples and proposed to her, it got complicated after that "

Lucia speaks softly "you don't have to finish if you don't want to " I find myself wanting to tell her my story. Maybe just for the simple reason. She's going through her own heartbreak. "we're this far in, I might as well... things were going great. At least, I thought I was. I was working as a cleaner to save up money for my wedding and for the necessary things to start up wine making. I came home, finding her in bed with another man " my gut clenches as I remember the sight of the two of them. Her long legs around his torso. 

Her hand mistakenly goes to her mouth "That's terrible. What did you do? "

I raise a brow in amusement "you mean, did murder the guy then came back to my brothers? "

She gives a sheepish nod " I may have heard something along those lines. But I don't believe it "

I shrug and "what can I say "

Her eyes widen as the color drains her cheek and "so, it's true ?"