Marino clasps Mother’s hands.
I know I should return
to my bedchamber,
that the scene in the parlor
is private, but my feet
smolder into the floor.
“Paolo cannot handle
all of our orders.
He spends hours a day
with that courtesan Beatrice,
bewitched by her swooshing skirts.
He has lost focus.”
Marino inhales, then blows
out his breath
like he was working a punty.
“There is a gaffer all the families
bid to attain right now named Luca.
Giova believes if we sell off
our second fornica we might secure him.”
Marino looks at Mother
as if he were a child of five.
He kneels and kisses her hands.
Mother shakes her head.
“Your father asked me never to sell
the second furnace.”
“But we cannot afford materials,
cannot staff it; the kilns
are in disrepair.” Marino sighs.
“I do not want to sell it either,
but what else can we do?”
Mother rises and purses her lips.
“What if we give this Luca
a piece of the business,
make him half owner
of the second furnace
instead of selling it?”
“Make him, who comes
from the lower labor class,
like one of our family?”
Marino shakes his head.
“That could be dangerous.
Luca may not hold the same
respect for our family name
and business.”
I inch down the stairs.
Uncle Giova, silent as a chalice,
eyes the action from a corner chair.
Uncle finally speaks.
“On the other hand,
giving Luca a sizable stake
in our fornica
could build loyalty.
I am not sure he will receive
such offers from other families,
seeing as he has no known background.
Your mother’s plan has merit.
I will propose this to Luca.”
Marino pounds the table,
but then like the sky
after thunder and illumination,
he stills and quiets.
Mother hugs her son.
“Let me speak to Paolo.
I will present this as a gift
not a dagger.”
All heads nod.
I turn and scamper up the stairs.
Giovanna glares down at me
with a wicked toothy grin.
“Maria, why are you standing
there on the stairs?” she says
so it echoes.