An Apartment in Venice Read Online Free PDF Page B

below.
    “Then?”
    “His ‘wife in name only’ appeared in Eugene begging him to support her and their coming child. At first he doubted it was his. Later, though, he confessed they had slept together when he visited Chicago. And the man she was living with was not a lover, but a gay friend!”
    Giulia felt uncomfortable. She’d never discussed these things with Nonna. Abortion. Living with a married man. Gay friends. Shew! But Nonna merely nodded and waited for the rest of the story. “The gay friend had urged her to go back to Jason and make it work. Jason always wanted children and, well, he chose to try again.”
    Nonna took her into her arms and rocked back and forth. Giulia had never cried about this. A few tears broke through. Then it was as if a dam had broken. After a time, Giulia stopped sobbing and looked at Nonna, “The worst part,” she said gulping air, “I’m more angry with myself than him.”
    “Of course,” Nonna said.
    “Once again I’d chosen the wrong man and once again he’d let me down.”
    “But it’s long over. And Giulia, not all men will let you down.” She stood up. “Let’s walk.” She took Giulia’s hand and they moved across the meadow. After a while, Nonna said, “Remember, you’re starting a new life now.”
    Later as they ate, Giulia discovered more about Nonna’s full life with her weaving enterprise. Her brown eyes glowed as she told how her weaving group had attracted interest beyond their own small area. As they walked back, Giulia said, “Nonna, I’ve never told anyone about—”
    “Non preoccuparti, don’t worry. No one—not even Tony—will hear of it.”
    “Thank you, Nonna, but I’m glad you know.” And she felt lighter than she’d felt in a long, long time.
    Giulia didn’t see Nonno Tony again on that visit. As to what went on in their marriage, she could only speculate. After the joy on Nonna’s face when he’d swept in with those flowers, and his obvious adoration for his wife across their table, Giulia had to admit she knew nothing about relationships.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Monday. Giulia set out at five p.m. for Hotel De La Ville to deliver Nonno Tony’s gems. She allowed plenty of time to make her appointment at six even though she knew exactly where to go. Her first week in Vicenza before classes began, she’d felt lonely and restless and took a long walk into town. Bar La Ville had looked warm and elegant on that chilly February evening. Wanting to feel as inconspicuous as possible, she’d worn her dark-brown contact lens. She could almost feel normal. She’d also worn a tawny page-boy wig. She enjoyed pretending to have smooth hair instead of curls that fought any attempt at style. Some clothes hadn’t yet arrived, and she’d worn a plain pink sweater, casual black wool slacks and jacket to match.
    Tonight, though, she wore the most elegant outfit she owned, a rich dark chocolate-colored velveteen pant suit with a short jacket. Her pale rose silk blouse seemed to make her skin glow. Small pearl-drop earrings and a ring with a matching pearl mounted in a gold setting were her only jewelry. The earrings had been given to her by her grandparents for graduation to match the ring that Nonna had given her earlier. It had been Nonna’s favorite until her arthritic knuckles made it impossible to wear. Instead of re-sizing for herself, she wanted Giulia to enjoy it.
    Giulia felt good about herself and confidently walked to the hotel desk to announce she had an appointment with a Signor Botteri. Immediately, a large, burly male dressed in a black suit with a crisp, white shirt and black tie appeared. His hair, as black as his suit, was slicked into an old-fashioned pompadour. And tight lips were marked by a grim mustache. He bowed silently, led her to the elevator and punched the number seven. The hotel was known as the tallest in the city, where, as in most cities except Milan, skyscrapers weren’t allowed. She figured they were rising to the