Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
Aria and her parents had a quick breakfast of pastries and espresso before she left for work the next morning. She promised to get off early to help with dinner. She only needed to take care of a few meetings and phone calls in the office, so she would be back right after lunch.
When she arrived home in the early afternoon, Maria promptly announced, “Your dad wants to see the ocean. You two go spend some time together while I cook. If not, he will sample it all until there’s not enough.”
“But you cook at the restaurant every day. Let me take care of dinner tonight and you take a break,” Aria protested.
“I’d never give up a chance to cook for my girl and her new guy. Now, go, go. Get out of here for an hour.”
Aria had stopped arguing with her mother about helping in the kitchen long before. Cooking was her love language, so she’d never take that away from her.
Grateful to spend a little one-on-one time with her father, Aria changed into some jeans and a gauzy white shirt with red embroidery, and met him in the living room.
“Ready to go explore?” she asked.
“Lead the way.”
Grateful for the slower traffic in the middle of a workday, they arrived at the beach closest to her house in no time.
As Aria and her dad walked along the coastline, arm-in-arm, they spoke about Santo and discussed how to make a way for them to all visit him soon.
“He would love that. He’s always asking me to come. I keep telling him I will one day,” Aria said, looking up at the seagulls squawking above them.
“I give him a hard time, telling him he’s younger and it’s easier for him to come to us,” Aldo joked.
Laughing, she answered, “He tried that line on me too.”
“Is Alex nervous about meeting us tonight?”
Looking at her father, she said, “Nervous but excited. He wants you to like him.”
“He’s got to be someone special if you’re opening your heart to him.”
“He is special, Papa. He’s loving, caring. Devoted to his family and friends. His heart, the way he treats people, continues to show me who he truly is inside.”
Aldo stopped, making Aria halt her steps and turn to him again.
“In my eyes, no man will ever deserve you, but if he’s half the man you’ve been describing, then my heart is overflowing,” he said, his hand over his chest.
“Thank you, Papa,” she said.
They started walking again, dodging the waves as they crept closer up the shore.
When she didn’t speak for several minutes, Aldo asked, “What’s bothering you?”
Laying her head on his shoulder, she answered, “His career takes him away for long trips. He’s leaving again soon and I’m not sure how to handle that.”
“Hmm, well you said you haven’t told him how you feel. Maybe start there.”
Aria stopped walking and tugged on his hand, indicating that they should sit on a big piece of driftwood they found.
“It’s been hard to say the words, you know? I’ve only ever said them to one man. I’m working through the guilt, but when I’m with Alex, my heart feels free.”
“Then, love will find a way. Maybe you can go with him on some of these adventures. You need to find some of those for yourself, too. It’s time, my angel. Time to find your wings and learn to fly.”
“I’ve been thinking about that, and I want that, too.”
Kissing her on the cheek, he said with feigned seriousness. “Now. Let’s go home. I’m getting hungry.”
Giggling and standing up, Aria said, “Did you not find your stash yet?”
“Your Mama found it first.”
Laughing loudly, they headed back to the car.
When they arrived back home, the telltale briny aroma permeated the house.
“Mama, that smells divine. Are you cooking spaghetti alle vongole?” she said, walking into the kitchen.
“I am. I found some clams at your market. You had everything else, and I really wanted to cook this for you. Oh, and look in the refrigerator,” Maria said as she expertly minced garlic.
Inside the fridge sat her mom's sponge cake, drizzled with an aromatic limoncello-based syrup and filled with a lemon-flavored custard. It was the best she’d ever had.
“Delizia al limone too? You've outdone yourself. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Aria said, kissing her mom on the cheek.
“You're welcome, my angel. Now go and get ready. What time is Alex coming over?” Maria asked. Aria checked her phone when she pulled it from her back pocket.
“He should be here in about thirty minutes. I'll go freshen up.”
Right on time, the bell rang. Aria ran to the door to make sure she was the first to greet him.
“I missed you today”, Alex whispered as he leaned down to her ear.
Blushing, she reached to take the flowers he had in his hands.
“Sorry, these are for your mom,” he teased as he moved them out of her reach, laughing at her petulant pout.
He followed her inside and when they stepped into the living room, Aldo put down the book he had been reading and stood up.
“Papa, this is Alex Rossi. Alex, this is my dad, Aldo Costa,” she said as she looked between the two men.
With a strong handshake, Alex said, “Mr. Costa, it's a pleasure to meet you. Aria has told me so many wonderful things about you.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you too, Alex. Please, call me Aldo.”
“Let me take you to the kitchen to meet my mom,” Aria answered, as he followed her into the kitchen.
“Mama, this is Alex. Alex, my mom Maria.”
As soon as Maria turned around from the stove, Alex turned on the charm. Taking her hand, he kissed it and smiled at her.
“I can see where Aria’s beauty comes from. My mom's name was Maria as well,” he said, handing her the bouquet.
“Oh, you're so sweet,” she answered with a wave. Aria shook her head, amused at how easily her mom had become enamored with the charming man.
“Please sit down. Sit down. Everything is ready. Aldo, join us.”
Maria served up mounds of pasta and clams while Aria cut up the bread. Aldo made room on the table as the serving platters were snuggled in the middle, barely fitting. Alex opened the bottle of crisp white wine and served them all a glass.
“Mama, this is a feast,” Aria said. “Alex, I hope you’re hungry.”
“I can’t wait to try all of this,” he answered, serving himself a plentiful amount of the briny pasta before passing the bowl to Aria.
“Aria told me about the art class that you took her to. I think it was a lovely sentiment,” Maria said.
“Thank you, Mrs. Costa, I’d heard of kintsugi and thought of Aria immediately when I found a local class. I wanted her to have a reminder of what a resilient woman she is.”
“Please, Alex, let's not be so formal. Just call me Maria,” she said.
“I can do that,” he said warmly, his hand touching Aria’s knee under the table. “Aria mentioned that you own a restaurant in Rome. In Trastevere, right? I wish I had known about it when I lived there,” Alex said, between bites. “By the way, this is outstanding. The clams are so fresh.”
“Glad you’re enjoying it. It’s so easy to get fresh seafood here. I love to take advantage of it when I’m in town.”
“Tell us about your work, Alex. I’m curious about what you do exactly,” Aldo said, piling his plate with more eggplant.
Alex wiped his mouth with his napkin and answered, “Well, I’m a professional photographer.
In the beginning, I mostly did nature photography.
I had lived my life until then in Rome but was fascinated with the world, especially nature.
I carried my camera everywhere in Athens, where I went to college.
I met a friend, Adrian, who Aria knows, and he took me all over the country on our breaks.
“When I saw the landscape in Limeni, monasteries on cliffs in Meteora and the Corinth Canal, it made me appreciate our vistas here as well. I couldn’t get enough. They created such wanderlust in me, I made it my goal to see the world.”
Hearing the passion he had for his art, Aria warmed. It reminded her of how she felt about writing.
“I’d love to see your work, Alex. You make me want to see these things too,” Maria said, her eyes filled with wonder.
“I’ll show you some tonight. I told him the same thing. Makes me want to book a flight!” Aria said, feeling him squeeze her knee tighter.
“Thank you both. Means so much,” Alex answered.
“But you do take photos of people too?” Aldo asked.
“Yes, I started that after graduation. But my nature photos got some recognition, and I was commissioned to various places around Europe to photograph people as well.
“I’ve also partnered with several relief organizations over the last several years. It changed my life. Seeing life through someone else’s eyes changed me and my perspective. They thought I was helping them, but it was me who changed and grew by meeting them.”
“That’s honorable work, Alex. Your parents must be very proud,” Maria said.
“Thank you, Maria. My dad is my biggest supporter and before my mom passed, she assured me I was doing what I was meant to do. I was to go into business with my father, but I chose this instead. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it brings me comfort that they let me pursue my dreams.”
Alex pulled Aria’s hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, causing her breath to catch.
Later when everyone seemed to be full, Maria pushed her chair away from the table and said, “Well, unless anyone would like more pasta, Aria and I will get dessert ready.”
“I can’t eat another bite, but there’s always room for dessert,” Aria said.
Aldo and Alex concurred.
Watching Aldo put his hand on Alex’s shoulder as he led him to the living room, Maria whispered in Aria’s ear, “I like him, my angel.”
Aria whispered, “Me, too.” They both giggled as they got the bright yellow plates down and served the lemony dessert.
When the ladies joined the men, they were talking football.
“I just don’t know how Roma lost that game,” Aldo was saying passionately.
“I might have cried,” Alex joked, standing up to help Maria with the tray of dessert plates.
“Oh, no, not football,” Maria groaned as she and Aria passed out the plates, making them all laugh.
A phone rang and Maria realized it was hers.
“Excuse me, sorry,” she said when she grabbed it. “It’s Santo!”
Aria moved closer to Alex and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Alex scrunched his eyes and asked, “For what?”
They all heard the sing-song tone when Maria accepted the video call.
“Son! I wish you were here,” she bellowed.
Aldo and Aria snickered when Alex’s spoon clanged into his plate at the loud greeting. Alex looked at Aria, his eyes wide when Maria walked into the bedroom talking loudly.
“You’ll get used to it,” Aldo mumbled.
Maria returned a few minutes later, apologizing and giving them all greetings from Santo. After dessert, Alex readied to leave.
Maria gave Alex a hug saying, “It was so nice to meet you. Sorry I took the call for a few minutes, but Santo was feeling left out.”
“It was no problem. Thank you again for a lovely meal and even better company. I hope you have a safe trip home on Sunday. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”
“Aldo, great meeting you. Next time I’m in Rome I’ll come see you at the restaurant,” Alex said as they shook hands.
“Look forward to it. It was great meeting you, too.”
Aria walked Alex to the door and stepped outside with him, closing the door behind her.
Exhaling deeply and rubbing his forehead, he asked, “Do you think they liked me? I was trying not to be nervous.”
“They liked you very much. I could tell.”
Pulling her into a tight embrace, he said, “That’s a good thing, but I like their daughter very, very much.”
“You do, huh?”
“Mhm. So much that I think she deserves a kiss goodnight.”
Raising her eyebrows, Aria answered, “Oh, really?”
“Yes, really,” he answered, leaning down, and kissing her soundly.
Aldo was cleaning up in the kitchen while Maria read a magazine in the living room when Aria went inside. He dried his hands on a kitchen towel and Maria tossed the magazine on the side table when Aria plopped down on the sofa with a huge smile.
“I like this smile, my angel,” Aldo said as he joined them.
“I’m so happy. I know we still have some obstacles to deal with, but it feels so good to be with him.”
Maria ran her hand over Aria’s head, and said, “It’s an answer to a prayer, Aria. To see your face bright and hopeful again. I’m so glad we came.”
“I am too.”
Aldo’s phone rang and when he walked to the kitchen and answered it, Aria could tell there was something wrong.
When he walked back to where they were sitting, he said, “Maria, a pipe burst in the kitchen. They’ve turned the water off for now but had to close the restaurant early. Looks like we’re heading out very early in the morning. I’m sorry to cut our trip short, but we need to get back.”
“I can’t believe this,” Maria answered, disappointment written on her face. “But we just got here.”
“I know, love. You know being the owner is a sacrifice. Aria understands, don’t you?” Aldo asked, turning to face her.
“More than you know,” Aria said quietly.
When her parents looked at her in confusion, she forced a smile.
“You get packed, and I’ll get some sandwiches and pastries together for your drive.”
She placed all the snacks in an insulated bag that she had to make room for in her refrigerator, making her chuckle at all the food Maria had made.