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A veil of snow draped across the sky and drifted down onto the already blanketed streets and yards across the city, but inside the little house, a blazing fire kept the couple warm and cozy. Signor and Signora Giordano sat on the floor in front of the hearth and read the letters and memorabilia they found in a bottom drawer in the master bedroom while they were cleaning out the house, which they would rent out until they decided what to do with it.
December 30, 1943
Dear Signora Fonticelli,
Your letter has found me well, and I am delighted that you made it to your new home. I am honored to have known you for even a short time and to have been able to marry you. I am pleased to send the enclosed photograph of you and Roberto on the altar and hope it will bring you some joy. May the Lord look down upon you and Roberto and keep you in His ever-loving care.
Yours in Christ,
Padre Anelli
St. Michael Archangel
Parma, Italy
“Ah,” Nicolas clapped his hands together. “So that is how.”
Alex sat up and looked at her husband. “Care to enlighten me?”
“Padre Anelli is very well known to Italians. He was one of the founders of the resistance against the Germans in the later years of the War. He had many connections and would have been able to help Isa and Roberto escape from Italy.”
Alex dug through the box of mementos.
“Look, here are more,” she exclaimed.
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February 12, 1944
Dear Signora Fonticelli,
I have located the information that you requested, and it is with great pleasure that I tell you that Paolo is alive and well. He has been in hospital in Africa and unconscious for a very long time, but he will be heading home soon. When the time comes, I will let him know of your whereabouts.
Yours in Christ,
Padre Anelli
St. Michael Archangel
Parma, Italy
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March 28, 1944
Dearest Isa,
I am sorry to tell you that Nonno and Nonna have gone to be with Papà and our Savior. After fifty-three years by each other’s side, they left this world only minutes apart. Mamma sends her love. She is well, though she is not the same as I last saw her before the War. She cries at night and often screams for you and for Papà in her sleep. Her heartache is great, and I fear that she, too, will join the rest of our family soon. Nonna and Nonno missed you terribly. Please find the enclosed book from Nonna. She started working on it as soon as you left. She and Nonno loved you very much. I know that you will miss them as much as I do.
With love, your brother,
Paolo
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“The cookbook,” Alex said through tears. “Now I understand even more why it meant so much to her.” Alex pictured Signora, so young and yet so worldly, standing in the little kitchen here in Baltimore, recreating her grandmother’s favorite dishes. “Do you think any of them knew about the Robbiano?” Alex asked as she leaned against Nicolas.
“Non lo so,” Nicolas answered as he folded the letter and placed it back in the box. “There were many secrets kept for many years. Perhaps there are even more that we do not know.”
Alex thought about it for a moment and decided the time was right.
“Nicolas, I have a secret, too.” She sat up and looked into his eyes.
“Che cos’è, mia bella?”
Alex reached for his hand and gently placed it on her stomach. She smiled and said “What do you think of the names Isa or Roberto?”