The Home - 29. Chapter 29

Farm life continued to follow the previous summers with one exception. We now had a visitor from Italy that required some attention. The boys worked extra hard to be sure I had time to play, that is what they called it. If there was any issue with a woman living with us, that went out the window. The boys had adopted Amalia as their sister.

I enjoyed having Amalia visiting us, on Sundays she and Mom cooked. I think he bond between her and Mom was growing stronger each day. Dad said they spend a lot of time talking about recipes and gossiping. He said it's mostly gossiping, that meant family gossip. I would venture to guess by the time Amalia had to return to Italy, she will have known all of the families secrets.

Mom had developed the habit of dropping in, almost every day. “Tony, we were in the neighborhood and we thought we would drop in. Tony, I need more sausage so we came for some. Tony, Dad wants a few bottles of wine.” It was so obvious, the boys and I started to laugh. Charlie just watched and smiled

It was late August when Amalia told me she had to go back to Italy, School would start soon and she had to prepare. I knew that as I had to start preparation for my classes as well. I didn’t’t want her to leave. That was when I knew she was the girl for me. I had fallen in love with her. I knew I couldn’t ask her to stay, she had responsibilities in Italy as well as her family.

The night before she was to leave, I had my usual visitors. They saw that I was deep in thought. Nonna looked at me and smiled, Pa just nodded his head yes. I asked them if I should propose to Amalia, Nonna smiled and Pa put his hand out for a hand shake. I knew then what I must do. I would propose to Amalia before she leaves.

Morning always goes quickly when I have visitors. Mom was due to stop with Amalia for lunch and dinner, Dad will join us for dinner.

When Mom arrived I asked Amalia to go for a walk with me. We walked to the orchard where the fruit trees where full of fruit. We will have a good harvest this year. I stopped at my grape vines and asked Amalia to marry me. She smiled and picking a grape said yes, as she placed the grape in my mouth. For the first time, I kissed her.

Returning to the house, I took her to the office. I opened the safe and took out one of the rings which had a diamond in the center and two smaller diamonds on either side. Holding her hand, I slipped the ring on. Surprisingly it fit. I kissed her for the second time.

We didn’t say anything to Mom or Dad. The boys noticed immediately when they saw us. Brad whisper, “About time.” Tom slapped me on the back. Charlie asked for his dollar. He had made a bet with the boys I would propose before she left.

Sitting at the table eating, Amalia was very obvious in showing her ring. For some reason Mom wasn’t looking, Dad was. He looked at me and smiled, I got a nod and a wink from him. I guess Mom was looking at him when he did that. That is when she looked at me and Amalia and saw the ring. Up and out of her chair, she rushed toward me, I quickly stood, and she hugged me so hard a couldn’t breathe for a second. The others laughed. Mom wanted to know when and why not today. Ok not today but she was already planning. I would bet by tomorrow morning the family will know.

If I thought I made the wrong decision, the next day after Amalia left, I felt the loss. The boys tried to fill my time by asking if I wanted to go camping with them, and we need to see if we can use that extra land and maybe build a fence. They didn’t think that just putting in corner markings was enough. I knew what they were doing, they were trying to keep me busy and my mind off of not having Amalia here.

I spent my time writing the beginning of my journal to add to the others. Then school was to start with Freshman week, I was amazed how quickly time flew and soon I was in my routine, school, making wine, sausage and salami.

For Thanksgiving Mom and I flew to Italy to meet Amalia’s family. The turkeys had a reprieve this year. Dad stayed home and said he would help Charlie and the boys.

We took a Wednesday night flight over, arriving Thursday morning. Amalia and her father and mother met us at the airport. We were going to stay with them. Mom and Amalia’s mother did most of the talking. Her father and I just listened. I guess all mothers are the same, wind them up and just listen.

Amelia’s parents live in an apartment building. I thought the apartment was fairly large as compared to some of the apartments that I had seen back home. When we arrived, we were greeted with what looked like a party, The apartment was full of neighbors and a few relatives. Amalie said they wanted to meet me. Mom was in her glory, I was tired and wanted to spend some time with Amalie. Didn’t happen, I was taken by the hand and introduced to the neighbors and the relatives. Amalie whispered, “Don’t worry about the names. Just smile and nod.”

I couldn’t do that so I acknowledge them and said I was glad to meet them. I don’t think any of them spoke English, except Amalia. I looked at Amalia and she laughed. “Just a little longer than I’ll show you your room.”

A little longer I could handle, only a little longer didn’t happen. Neighbors started to bring in food and wine. I sat down while plates of food were put before me. I think I dozed off for a second. Amalie sat beside me and she would nudge me or pinched me. Finally, everyone left and I was shown to a room where I could sleep. I shared a room with her brother. I was out as soon as I was in bed.

I woke up very early in the morning, my body was on States time. I got dressed and went for a walk. By the time I got back, everyone was up. “Tony, where were you? Everyone was looking for you.”

“I woke up and since everyone was still sleeping, I went for a walk. Mom, yesterday was too much. I’m not use to being up so long. My body hasn’t adjusted to the time change.”

“Tony, are you alright?”

“Yes, Amalia, I just woke up and since everyone was still sleeping I went for a walk. I’m still on US time.”

She laughed as she took my hand and led me to the kitchen where they had coffee and bread rolls for breakfast. The rolls were fresh, “Amalia, did you or your mother bake these this morning?”

“No, the bakery is around the corner, I went and got them.”

“I don’t remember seeing a bakery this morning as I walked around he block.”

“I’ll show you later this afternoon.”