part0021

EVE PUSHED UP FROM her chair. She hurried to the window in her room. She’d been to the window several times before. Each time she turned away disappointed. This time was different. Their visitors were here. They had come! Filled with excitement, she rushed around her room in search of shoes. She couldn’t find. Her puppy had the annoying habit of carrying her shoes away to chew on them in a secret corner where she wouldn’t be caught.

She didn’t know where Boo-Boo ran off too but she couldn’t be far. She hurried out of her room careful to not be seen. If Cecilia found her she’d probably make her join her brothers in the playroom. If Zia found her she would want to take her into the kitchen and feed her. Belinda was no fun anymore. She stayed with Leo or the studio sketching and cutting fabric. When Eve tried to talk to her, she dismissed her or didn’t bother to listen. The new baby had done exactly what she thought. The baby was all her mother could think about. This was Eve’s chance. A real chance to escape and have fun. Eve knew school would replace all the boredom she felt inside. Papa made promises, and for a while he kept them, but eventually Papa left and she was alone. School was for her.

She had no choice but to take the stairs. She stood at the top of them and listened for the adults. She heard her mother greeting her guests. But she didn’t see them. If she didn’t see them that meant they wouldn’t see her. So she went down each step slowly. And sure enough, Boo-Boo arrived at her side. Her beloved pup matched her steps, careful not to trot down ahead of her. Eve stopped on the second to last step. She looked down at her companion and put a finger to her lips. The puppy cocked an ear and stared up at her with curiosity.

“Quiet Boo-Boo,” she whispered.

Eve continued down the next step. She headed to the edge of the staircase and then sat. From there she could hear the adults in the parlor.

“YOUR EXCELLENCY, BISHOP Bonicelli,” Mirabella greeted the Bishop with a curt nod. “I was surprised when I received the call that you would come personally.”

“Donna Mirabella, as soon as I received the call from your husband I knew the visit should be a personal one.”

“Please,” Mirabella gestured to her guests. The Bishop arrived with two priests that worked under him at St. Christopher’s. Giovanni had moved in with a decided decision for Eve to attend parochial school. Mirabella felt a tinge of anger at her husband for his unyielding stubbornness on the matter. Catalina was reared in the same school. She told Mirabella stories of the strict regimen of discipline. It was an all-girls school. No room for the nurturing and the fun Mirabella knew her child desperately needed. St. Christopher focused mostly on Catholicism, with little investment in science or the arts. It was a nunnery for six year olds.

“We are so sad for your loss. Rocco was a very respected and generous man to our parish,” Father Corrolla said.

“Yes, it has been a trying time for all of us.”

“We haven’t seen you at St. Christopher’s in a while. I’m told you had your baby,” Father Michaels asked.

“I did. A girl. We named her after my mother Leeza Miabella,” she smiled. “We’ll have her christening soon. We’re thinking of doing hers with Carlo’s son and making it a family celebration for us all.”

The Bishop and the priest smiled with approval.

“Giovanni called me two days ago to inform me that your oldest child Eve wants to attend school.”

Mirabella took a sip from her tea cup trying to gauge her response. She blinked at him and smiled. “We’ve been talking about it. She’s six now.”

“Aaah,” Bishop Bonicelli released a deep sigh of satisfaction. “Scuola primaria is definitely where she should be. We have an excellent program. Tell her, Father Michaels.”

Eve leaned in closer to see the adults. Her puppy did also. Her Mama listened as the priest told her about the lessons she will take. The school sounded interesting, but Eve was more excited about the kids. All her age, and all of them playing with her. She grinned and squeezed her fists together to restrain her excitement.

“Pardon, Father Michaels. I know that St. Christopher’s has a stellar reputation. My sister in-law attended and so has other members of the family. However, I am looking at other schools as well. I just want to be sure that we select the best choice for Eve.”

“Your husband was very specific. In fact, he inquired about our primary boarding school. We just opened it. Monday through Friday she can remain with us and children of her own age... we offer a strict discipline of—”

“I understand. But Eve needs a different kind of program.”

The Bishop looked concerned. “Is there something you think we lack?”

“She’s a very creative and imaginative child. I’m thinking of something that focuses on the arts.”

Father Michael’s smiled. “Ah, but she is young. It’s at this age that teachings of the church and our faith are most important. Think of it as the nurturing of a flower. How you plant and water is the only way to ensure growth.”

“True, and I’m not opposed to your school. It’s evident my husband favors it. I just think I should investigate all options.”

“Donna Mirabella,” The Bishop interjected. “What about a trial run? You give Eve to us and we see how she adapts to the program.”

“Eve is not ready for—”

“Yes I am, mommy!” Eve appeared.

The Bishop and Priest looked at the young girl, startled. No one was more shocked than Mirabella. Eve stood before them with tears in her eyes and a defiance she hadn’t seen in her child. Ever. “I want to go to school, please.”

“Eve, we’ll talk about it later, sweetheart. Go back upstairs.”

“Mommy! Papa said I can go. You have no right to say no!”

“Eve?” Mirabella said.

“Please mommy. Please! I want to go to school. You promise! You always break your promises!” Eve said in tears and ran from the parlor.

“Maybe this isn’t a good time Donna,” said the Bishop.

“Forgive me, your excellency. We’ve had a lot of change here lately. Eve’s been sensitive to her father’s absence and the new baby. As you can see I want to prepare her, sending her away to school right now may only exacerbate things. Can I schedule an appointment to tour the boarding school? Let’s say... ah... next week?”

“Of course,” said the Bishop with a broad smile. “I’m sure if you and Don Giovanni come to our school you’ll be convinced as I am that it is the best place for Eve.” He stood.

Mirabella kissed both his cheeks and gave a similar parting goodbye to the Priests who seem genuinely concerned.

“I will pray for your family,” Father Michaels said.

“Be well,” Father Corrolla said.

She walked the men to the door and saw them to their waiting car. She watched them leave. The moment they parted the gates Mirabella marched back inside. She asked two of the staff members if they’d seen Eve. No one had. She was relieved to find her little girl in her room lying in her bed crying. Mirabella approached her daughter feeling as if her own heart wasn’t working. She was numb with pain over Eve’s distress. And guilt from not understanding Eve’s needs sooner.

“Go away, mommy. Please leave me alone.”

“Sweetheart. Why are you crying? Don’t cry. Please come here.”

Eve refused. Mirabella had to pull her off her pillow and into her arms. Eve cried against her breast. “Tell me what’s wrong?”

“You don’t care.”

“I do, Eve. When have I not cared?”

“Always. You don’t care. You and Papa pretend, but you don’t!”

“Is it the baby?”

“No! Just leave me alone!” Eve pushed away from Mirabella and got off the bed. She stood on the other side of it. Her face tight with rage. “I don’t want you! I don’t want Papa! Not anymore,” Eve said.

Mirabella frowned. Eve stared at her as if she expected her mother to retaliate with punishment or chastising words. She looked prepared for whatever verbal fight was to come next.

“That hurts my feelings sweetie because I want you. I have always wanted you. Mama is sorry that you don’t understand.”

“No one stays, not Zia Marietta, not Zia Catalina, not Zio Rocco. Where is Zio Lorenzo? Where is Domi? Where have they all gone?”

“I—ah—we talked about Rocco, he, ugh, he died Eve.”

“Eve when a person dies they— “

“Nooooo!” Eve put her hands to her ears. “I don’t want to be here anymore with the dead.”

“Do you really want to leave the family? Sleep somewhere else? Be away from us?”

“I want school!” she burst into tears.

“Okay, honey. You’re growing up. You’re so smart, you’re so special. I know you are a strong girl. My firefly.”

“Stop calling me that!” Eve cried. “I’m Eve! I’m Evie!”

“Eve, honey, I’m trying to understand? Do you want me to call Papa?”

Eve shook her head crying. “I want to go to school. I want friends. I want to leave here! Belinda leaves. You leave too. I never do. I want to go to school!”

“Okay. Then you will go to school. But first, can we visit different schools?”

“Why?” Eve wiped her face with the back of her hands.

“So you can choose. Not mama, and not Papa. This time you decide. There are so many fun schools we have to make sure you chose the right one.”

“Really? When? When can we go?”

“I’m going to make some calls right now and we will go tomorrow. Promise.”

Eve smiled. “Grazie, madre .”

“I’m so sad that you are confused. Can I have a hug?”

Eve ran around her bed to her mother in full tears. Mirabella felt such relief to have her back in her arms and happy. She rubbed her golden-brown curly hair and held her close.

“It’s okay, baby. I promise it will be okay. I’m going to fix everything. I love you so much, Eve. You’re my first baby. Mama is going to make sure you don’t have to worry anymore about being left behind.”