An Apartment in Venice Read Online Free PDF Page A

involved? They seemed feckless to her, but maybe that was merely an older sister judging younger brothers.
    As Nonna and Giulia sat down to eat, Nonno Tony blew in carrying a huge bouquet of white lilies, Nonna’s favorite. Before she could find a vase, he crushed her and the flowers into his arms for a big kiss. Next he turned to make an equal fuss over Giulia. What a handsome man, she thought, as he filled the entry way of the side door with his broad shoulders and bursting energy. At seventy-seven, with thick white hair, bronzed skin and one brilliant blue eye and one dark brown one—he still radiated sex appeal. He mentioned having completed a good business deal and entertained both women all evening with one witty tale after another.
    He asked Giulia to carry a small packet to a jeweler in Vicenza for him. Only a few rough gems, he explained, along with a few thin rolls of white gold.
    “More and more jewelers are using white gold to simulate platinum. They can’t get enough of the stuff for making their inexpensive items,” he said.
    “Do they charge more hoping to fool their customers?” Giulia asked.
    “Some do, some don’t. Not our problem la mia bambolina, my little doll.”
    “Why me, Nonno?” She felt wary about agreeing to his scheme. To her, the request had “scheme” or “scam” all over it. Would she be carrying stolen goods?
    “Why not?” he said. “You are family, little one,” and his brow creased into a small frown. He leaned toward her lifting his hands in supplication “And family helps each other, right?” His voice took on a pleading sound. Surely she’d want to help out her old nonno. Sure, he could ship them, but that would involve forms and extra insurance expenses. He winked, reminding her of all their good times when he took her to country fairs.
    “Now Tony. If she doesn’t want to—”
    He plowed on. “Who helped you win prizes at those stalls full of toys and candies?”
    Not phased by his histrionics, Giulia said, “I’ll think about it. We’ll talk in the morning.” That seemed to satisfy him. But later, Giulia worried about his request as she lay in her bed in the small attic room where she always slept. She adored being up there in “her” room nestled close to the wood shingles and metal gutters where she could hear even the lightest rain falling. And before long, she drifted off to its soft tap, tap.
    Shortly before dawn, Giulia came awake with a start. The rain had stopped. Maybe it was only birds clearing their throats, but there was something else. She held her breath, then heard a creak from one of the steps leading to her room. She turned on the bedside light and grabbed her sweater to cover her thin over-sized Tee-shirt moments before the door eased open.
    “You’re up early, Nonno Tony,” she said.
    “You, too, la mia coccolina, my little cuddly one. Been waiting for me?”
    “What are you up to?”
    “Oh, coccolina, how can you talk to your old nonno like that?”
    She said nothing but sat there with her arms folded over her breasts.
    “ Allora ,” he said sitting down beside her on the bed.
    Giulia fought not to flinch because she was determined to show no weakness with this man who roused conflicting emotions within her. She loved him at a deep level but almost distrusted him.
    “I must go on a little business trip and can’t see you off Sunday, but I brought this small packet that you agreed to carry back with you.”
    “Agreed? When did I agree? I told you I’d think about it.”
    “And have you?” He asked, showing her his most devastating smile that had no doubt suckered in both men and women since he was a babe in arms.
    “I love you, Nonno Tony. But I do not want to carry your contraband.”
    “Contraband!” He laughed aloud, but quickly softened the sound, probably not wanting to wake Nonna. “No, no. No contraband. Must I beg you to deliver a few raw stones? They won’t burden you.” And he reached out to her.
    She