Chapter 6: Lunch, a Decision and an Italian

There are some Italian conversations, so if you want to really become attached to the characters I strongly recommend you use a google translator. It will help with the flow of the conversations.

Lunch at Carmine’s was uneventful. Nice Italian dishes, with some very good local wines. Mine Host, Domenico, suggested we try a wine he had secured exclusively. When I asked from where he tried to explain but as English wasn’t his first language he struggled with place names. This is when Mia came into her own, speaking fluent Italian herself, she helped with the translation. And at the same time made a new friend. Or so I thought.

She explained it was a small family-owned winery right here in the suburbs, 40 minutes across town. I thought I knew of nearly all of our well-made local wines and their family heritage, but this was new to me.

I chastised myself. I wrote down the name of the wine we were drinking, Patritti wines, a 2019 JPB Shiraz. I made a mental note to check them out online and to get a case.

He came back and forth to the table during the course of the meals making certain we were satisfied and always engaging Mia in some gently, friendly banter. At one point he must have asked about her availability, she put on a fake smile and introduced Emily as her partner and my grandniece. “Sembri un ragazzo, spero che tu marcisca all’inferno. Tu porti disgrazia alla tua famiglia e alla sua. Se non fosse per il tuo ospite ti caccerei fuori. Tu o i tuoi simili non venite mai più qui.” He said with a smile on his face.

He apologised profusely, mainly to me for offering any offence. When Mia briefly explained after he left us, we all smiled. I think she left some things out of the translation. I could see by the look in Emily’s eyes all was not well. I said nothing.

After our lunch and I was settling up Domenico came up to me once again and offered his sincere apologies for offending any offence to my grand-niece and to please inform them they are most welcome there at any time. I smiled and assured him he had said nothing out of place to me, but only he knew what was in his heart. I shook his hand. He raised mine to his lips and being the gentleman that I thought he was, gave it a little kiss and bid me farewell.

Walking back to the number 7 Mia told me, that she thought he was a pig, and wouldn’t be going there ever again. I was about to press her when Emily joined us and I could see from her inquisitive look at Mia that she had understood a little of the Italian spoken over lunch.

“Is there anything I should know”? I enquired.

Mia smiled, pulled Emily close to her, squeezed her a little then looked at me “Aunt Kathy, this person” pulling Emily closer to her, “Means the whole world to me, and under normal circumstances, I would have stood up and slapped his face for him. So let’s just say he wasn’t too kind to the likes of me being in his establishment.”

“Tell me what he actually said,” I instructed her. As the whole conversation was translated to me I was slowly coming to a boil inside at the deception that took place.

“He said that I should be ashamed and that I brought dishonour to my family and by being with your niece to your family. Or words to that effect. You have to realise, he is from the south of Italy, they think differently. My father’s family come from the North, up in the Alps. They two don’t mix that well.”

“It’s alright Kathy, but I am more determined than ever to talk you into this venture. If I had the capital I’d set it up myself I am that convinced it would work.”

I think it was then that I made up my mind.

Erica and Anita caught up with us and could sense there was something in the air. “You three alright?” Asked Anita.

I smiled and nodded but the steam coming out of my ears told a different story as I strode towards number 7 Divitt Street. The others scurried along with me.

When I got to the front I hunted around in my handbag for the key. Cursing as I went.

Erica stopped, looked at me and placed a hand on my arm. “What’s happened, Kathleen?”

I stopped, took a deep breath and turned to her and Anita, “Inside everyone I have something to say.”

I stood there thinking of how to say this and walking back and forth. Mia held onto Emily who had her arms wrapped around Mia’s waist. Erica stood behind Anita, all looking at me.

Erica spoke first. “What has happened, who has upset you so Kathy?” She asked.

Mia dropped her head but clung to Emily.

Finally, I spoke.

“OK, normally I don’t go off half-baked on business ideas, but I have heard enough about what this place could be. Mia, I don’t know you all that well, but my Emily obviously trusts you and loves you. That is enough for me.”

I then turned to both Erica and Anita, “I’m going ahead with this project, or I should say WE are going ahead with this project.”

Erica smiled and nodded as did Anita.

“I am even more convinced now that the world needs a place like this, not only for us but for the future. A place where the Anita’s and the Mia’s and Emily’s of this world can feel safe and not be worried by who they are or what others may think of them.”

I looked at each one in turn, and asked, “Erica do you have a problem working with Mia?”