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“We’re guests. What do guests do?”
“Try everything once,” Luna sighs like she’s on the bad end of a business deal.
A smile teases at the edge of my lips. Despite Luna’s obvious displeasure, she’s handling the disappointment well.
Francesca brings our food then. She’s made a platter of cornetti, similar to a croissant, as well as some sliced meats and cheeses. Coffee, of course, for Caterina and me.
She smiles at Luna, giving her a cup of hot chocolate. Francesca ruffles Luna’s hair and gives her a kiss on the head, then heads back to the kitchen.
Luna gives the cornetti an apprehensive look. “What is that?”
“Cornetti. Look, Francesca fills it with something for me,” I say with a smile, breaking one open. Sure enough, this one is filled with Nutella.
Luna’s eyes go big. “Mommy can I have it?”
“Sure. Let me know what you think,” Caterina says demurely.
I glance at her, but her eyes are downcast.
“Here,” I put the cornetti on Luna’s plate. Delicately, she nibbles at some of the pastry, then dips it in the Nutella. She turns to Caterina again. “Mommy this is like a birthday cake for breakfast!”
Birthday.
“When is your birthday, bambina?”
The endearment slips out. I can’t help it. Caterina gives me a look that could cut glass, but I ignore it. Bambina isn’t an endearment that’s specific to fathers and children. Francesca called Luna bambina just earlier, so I don’t feel too bad about it.
Caterina huffs, clearly upset.
If you give me something, I’ll give you something.
I silently will her to remember our arrangement. If she grants me this ability to use a tiny endearment on my own child, then I will give her something she wants.
I do not know what that is. But if she grants me this, I will grant her something as well.
Caterina seems to consider me. Her eyes are narrow with suspicion, and I pretend not to care.
Luna is eating the cornetti, staring at the two of us.
“April thirteenth.”
The words are so quiet, it takes me nearly a minute to process that they were meant for me. “Pardon?” I look at Caterina.
“Her birthday. April thirteenth.”
I blink. “That is so close.”
“Yes, I’ll be six!” Luna chimes in, holding up six Nutella-covered fingers.
April thirteenth.
I wonder, if they are still with me, if we can celebrate. What will Caterina allow me to get Luna for her birthday?
The thought makes me feel… vulnerable.
I have money. I have power. I have everything in the world that I could give Luna.
But I do not know if Caterina will accept it.
