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It’s time to reveal the reason for the unexpected visit.I blow out the breath I was holding. “You know I’m working on a film with Audrey.”
“Mmm …. Roberto mentioned it.” Mom answers without looking up. A muscle twitches in her jaw as she studies the cards intently."How is your movie coming along?”
How is the movie?
I drain my glass and reach for a refill. “The movie is fine. But I’m talking about Audrey. You’ve heard the news about her engagement.”
Our parents are close, working together and socializing. Is protecting their relationship enough reason to block Audrey and me from getting together?
Relaxing in his chair, Dad crosses his ankle over his knee. He clears his throat. “Sad business. Her parents were upset.”
“Roberto and Carmella should celebrate. Audrey’s relieved she’s not marrying a man she doesn’t love,” I scoff.
Mom shoots daggers at Dad, before dropping her gaze to the cards. “And how is Audrey?” she asks.
My stomach tightens, and I feel my pulse in the veins at my temples. “Pissed,” I answer.
Although it’s not entirely true. Audrey’s frustrated and confused.I’m the angry one. I see my parents exchanging glances as they consider whether to comment on my foul language. I’m not twelve and haven’t been for a long time.
“Why are you so upset?” Mom’s voice holds a hint of warning like she’s trying to steer me off the topic.
Dad brings the tumbler to his lips, sipping slowly as he regards me over the crystal rim. “Why are you bringing this up, Luca?”
“You want to know why?” Leaning forward, I level my gaze at them for maximum impact. “Because I’m in love with her, and I cannot understand why you’re keeping us apart.”
“There’s so much you don’t know about the past, darling,” Mom says.
“Exactly. I want the truth, and I’m not leaving until you give it to me straight.”
My grandfather and his brothers emigrated from Italy after the war. They changed their name to Regis when they arrivedin America and that’s all I know. But what does Audrey’s family have to do with it?
Dad pours a drink and places the decanter on the coffee table. He leans back in the armchair, leveling his cool gaze in my direction. “This is ancient history,” my father states, his tone gruff. “There’s no need to re-open old wounds.”
He waves his hand dismissively, but I won’t let him get away with it.
“Your past affects our future, and I’m not leaving until you tell me why.” I’m on a mission. I need answers, and I won’t budge until I get them.
Dad’s face is etched with sorrow, and Mom repositions her chair, so she’s closer to him. The old man’s voice breaks as he recounts a story of forbidden love and a family vendetta spanning many generations. It’s a dark and tragic tale of love gone wrong, and a family torn apart by secrets.
When he finishes telling the story, I can’t shake the uneasy feeling he’s holding back. What happened to their parents affected how they were raised, and in turn, how they raised us. Seeing a different side of him softens my opinion. It helps me understand his ferocious need to always be right and his insatiable drive to succeed at all costs. It seems there are deeper roots to his stubborn nature than I first thought.
“Where does Audrey’s family fit into this?” I ask.
“They come from the same village,” he says. “They know the history and understand our reasons.”
“But Audrey and I don’t,” I argue. I’m still reeling by the simplicity of it all when Dad drops a bomb. It seems Great Uncle Lorenzo fell for Audrey’s grandmother. It didn’t end well, but Dad won’t elaborate.
“Wait up. I thought Nonno was one of three brothers. But now you’re telling me there were four. Why haven’t we heard about this fourth great uncle?”
“Because Lorenzo caused all the problems.” Dad growls low in his throat. “His name is mud.”
I guess that’s all I’ll get out of him on that subject. The sitting room is toasty warm, yet out of the corner of my eye, I notice Mom shiver.
There’s something they’re not telling me. “Be straight with me. Are we related?”
Dad tuts, giving his head a thorough shake as though to rid himself of the thought. Mom makes the sign of the cross over her heart. At least we can cross off chromosomal abnormalities from our list of problems.
Dad inclines his head thoughtfully. “We guided you, but you took your own course.”
