Lombardi Family
It was late, way past the time everyone in the Lombardi household stays awake. Jessica pulled out the keys from her purse and opened the door, trying not to wake up anyone inside. She took off her heels and headed to her room, creeping like a burglar. Once up the stairs, she heard something and almost dropped the heels and purse. She turned around, seeing her grandmother at the bottom. The old woman nodded and came up. Both entered Jessica's room. Jessica sat on the bed, smiling, moving her feet back and forth.
"Appointment, huh?"
"Yes, grandma, I told you I had an engagement."
"Dai, don't lie to your nonna. Where were you?"
"At Castello di Vino. Do you know it?"
"The Giuliani pub?"
"Yes?"
"It's the Giulianis' hangouts. They have many back in Italy."
"Really, grandma?"
"Si."
"I didn't know that."
"What were you doing there?"
Jessica paused. Still smiling, she couldn't look at her
grandmother. "I went to meet someone" she whispered, hiding her face like a little girl who'd done something bad. Her grandmother's eyes widened. "Lo sapevo!" her grandmother blurted. "Who is it? Some Giuliani guy?" Jessica stood up, pacing back and forth and then sat back down on her bed.
She wasn't sure if she should tell more although her grandmother's interest made it so easy to trust her.
"You could say that."
"Oh, I'm so happy, Nipotina. Is he good-looking?"
"Nonna!"
"What? If he is not handsome, he has lots of money."
"Stop joking, grandma."
"Who is it?"
"His name's Francesco Giuliani."
"Oh, I don't know the Ragazzo." I only know Luca."
"His father?"
"Si, my husband and I did a lot of business with his family before the war."
"Ok."
"Did you have fun? You can't hide your happiness."
"It was great, grandma. Tomorrow we are meeting for lunch."
"A true principe." What a gentleman. "Oh, I can't wait to tell the others."
"Grandma, no. Please."
"Why?"
"I don't want father or Giovanni to kill me for dating a Giuliani."
"They won't!"
"They will. They're in the 'business and so is Francesco', these old timers can't think straight."
"This will be our little secret, then?"
"Yes, for now. I'm afraid."
"I won't tell."
"You promise?"
"Of course, Nipotina. Of course."
Jessica rushed for a hug almost dropping her grandmother from the bed. As she did, she felt relieved.
"Go to sleep, Nipotina. Tomorrow, you have a big lunch." Her grandmother winked leaving the room. Jessica took off her clothes and lied down. She didn't know if it was the gin or Francesco, but everything was spinning so soothingly. She closed her eyes and within minutes, she was sound asleep.