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Jake stiffened. Maybe he'd left talking to Mr. Gerbati until it was too late. It sounded as though they were going to be shipped back to Lawrence tomorrow. Hell's bells, why had he put it off?
"So," said Mr. Gerbati, "Rosa need to be ready for train tomorrow in afternoon. Mamma already know. She will meet you."
"Oh," Rosa said, suddenly remembering him. "What about Salvatore? When does he leave?"
Mr. Gerbati swung around and looked Jake in the eye. "Is very strange thing. On the list come from Lawrence union committee, isn't no Salvatore Serutti."
"Don't worry, Salvatore," Mrs. Gerbati said. "We straighten. You be home soon. Ti prometto. Is a promise."
Monday morning Jake and Mr. Gerbati went to work as usual. All the way there, Jake tried to make himself talk to the man, but Mr. Gerbati walked so fast and was so intent on getting to the shed that Jake's courage failed him once again.
Meanwhile, at the house, Rosa climbed the stairs to her beautiful bedroom for the last time. She was looking about, determined to keep the picture of it in her mind forever, when she heard Mrs. Gerbati's heavy step on the stairs.
"Scusami, Rosa." She stood panting at the door, a leather suitcase in one hand, her other arm full of clothing. "I send few things to home."
"Oh, Mrs. Gerbati..." She didn't know what to say.
"No, no, is nothing." Mrs. Gerbati came into the room and dumped her load onto the bed. "And bag for train." She began to fold the garments and put them into the case.
Rosa stared wide-eyed, then slowly began to help. More underwear, another dress—"For your Anna"—a set of small boy's underwear, trousers, shirt, and jacket—"For little Ricci. I don't know size so I get big, okay?"—two woolen shawls—"One for Anna and one for Mamma, eh?"
Tears were falling on everything Rosa folded. "No, no! Don't cry! Then I cry. No good we cry. Is happy time, yes?" The woman put her arms around Rosa, and Rosa could feel the old body shake with sobs. Mrs. Gerbati pulled away and wiped her eyes on her apron. "Silly old woman, eh?"
"No," said Rosa and turned to hide fresh tears. "You're too kind, Mrs. Gerbati, but not silly. Never silly." She busied herself getting the extra underwear and clothes Mrs. Gerbati had bought for her out of the bureau to add to the wealth already packed.
In the end, Mrs. Gerbati had to sit on the case before Rosa could close it. They were both laughing by the time Rosa managed to pull her to her feet again.
Mrs. Gerbati laid out even more than her usual noonday feast. No one talked much. Rosa toyed with her food. As the time for departure grew closer, it became harde
r to hide her excitement. She was going home at last.
"You don't eat, Rosa? Long ride to Lawrence," Mr. Gerbati said.
Rosa shook her head. "It's good, really it is, I just can't..."
"Our Rosa is happy girl today," Mrs. Gerbati said. "But we miss her, don't we, Mr. Gerbati, Salvatore?"
"I'll miss you, too," Rosa said.
Jake looked at her closely, as though to make sure she wasn't lying.
"I wish Sal was coming with me," she said.
"Oh, it work out for Salvatore," Mr. Gerbati said. "I talk to committee. Everything fixed." He glanced across the table at Mrs. Gerbati, and then focused on his coffee.
***
The three of them went to see Rosa off on the train even though it meant that Jake and Mr. Gerbati would be late getting back to work. The other host families of the returning children were there, chattering and hugging and promising to keep in touch.
"You write letter, Rosa, yes?" Mrs. Gerbati said. "Tell about Mamma and Anna and little Ricci, okay?"
"Of course I will," Rosa said. "And I'll write to Sal, too."
"Good practice for Salvatore," Mrs. Gerbati said. "Learn to read good, eh?"
Jake looked at his boots.
"You've got to practice, you know," Rosa said. "Promise me you'll work on it."
