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“She’s been with us longer than she’s been with you. We have a right to know,” Celestina declared.
“No, you don’t,” Massimo interjected again. Isotta was surprised at Massimo standing up for her, but she was grateful he did.
“I’ll be back to check on you later,” Dr. Farina replied, ignoring the questions and the glares from Isotta’s family members.
“Excuse me, doctor,” Isotta finally spoke.
“Yes?” Dr. Farina asked, turning her full attention to her patient.
“Can I get another dose?” Isotta requested.
“Of course,” Dr. Farina replied. “I’ll send the nurse right in.”
“Dr. Farina,” Celestina called after. “Doctor?”
Allegra didn’t respond. She ignored her mother’s imploring and exited the room.
“I don’t believe this,” Celestina uttered. “How dare she.”
“There’s more than one person who can answer our questions. I’ll get the head of the hospital if I have to. Somebody is going to answer us.”
Francesco stepped toward the door.
“No, Dad, wait,” Isotta implored, leaning up from her reclined position.
Reluctantly, Francesco paused and looked in his daughter’s direction.
“What, Isotta?”
“Don’t,” she implored. “Don’t go ask.”
“Why?” Francesco insisted. “We need to know what’s going on with you. We need to know how we can help you.”
“I don’t need your help,” Isotta sighed.
“What do you mean?” Celestina asked. “We’re your family.”
“Yes, you are, mom,” Isotta replied. “But I have a new family now.” She was bolder than she’d ever been with her biological family before. But she wasn’t ready to let them know what was going on with her. Isotta hadn’t fully processed it herself.
“And we insist on our privacy,” Massimo added.
“Is that your final word?” Costanza asked. Her question was directed at her granddaughter. She didn’t even look in Massimo’s direction. His response mattered not. His response was not as significant as Isotta’s. She felt nervous, more nervous than she’d felt in a while. Standing up to her grandmother wasn’t something Isotta was used to. She didn’t know if she could. Isotta looked to Massimo. She searched his eyes for a connection, for support, for his manliness to take over. When their eyes connected and Isotta saw the same level of conviction she felt, she then answered her grandmother.
“It’s my final word.”
She didn’t look at her grandmother. Isotta’s eyes remained fixed on her husband. Celestina’s eyes widened in response. She couldn’t believe her daughter stood up to Costanza. More than that, Celestina couldn’t believe she wouldn’t know what was going on with her own child, that Isotta didn’t confide in her. Celestina was brokenhearted.
Chapter Twenty-Six
A Week Later
Isotta started to feel like herself after being discharged from the hospital and resting at home for the past few days. Dr. Farina had given her a prescription to deal with the pain, and after a few more rounds of tests, she felt like she was in good enough condition to be released home.
“Rest,” the doctor insisted. “That’s what your body needs.”
And she did that. Isotta rested to the point where it got difficult to remain in bed. Massimo had already left for the day. She didn’t even have him to watch her, getting ready to keep herself entertained.
“Ma’am, you’re supposed to be resting, healing,” Rosa insisted after coming to check on Isotta and finding her feet on the floor. She hadn’t fully stood up yet, but she was preparing to.
