Bellissimo Angelo - Book Three

Chapter 27 - Venice Or Bust

THREE MONTHS LATER...

These past couple of months fly by. Dom and I planned our trip to Venice in June. The morning of our trip, I decided that I wouldn't take my cell phone with me, so I left it at home. Dom had his, and the only person I gave his number to was Momma. Everyone else could pound sand for all I cared. I wasn't going to let anything distract me from my first trip to Italy.

We flew out of Hattiesburg to Houston, then Houston to Chicago, then Chicago to Switzerland, and finally Switzerland to Venice. It took more than 24 hours to get there; we were exhausted from the flight itself when we got there. Dom got us a taxi, and we took it to his parent's vineyard.

 As we got close, I was in awe of the view because I have never been to a vineyard before. It was situated on approximately fifty acres of land. There are a few houses on the property, but the largest house was a lovely older brick home situated near the water with ivy growing up the side; it was absolutely gorgeous! 

When the taxi pulled down the long driveway towards the house near the water, a beautiful tiny little woman scurries out, waving at us. She has brown hair pulled back in a bun with a black shirt and a black skirt with a red apron. Dom and I get out of the car as the driver pops the trunk for us to grab our luggage. He then pays the taxi driver before he drives off. This adorable little woman reaches out for Dom, pulling his face to hers, "Oh figlio mio! Mi sei mancato! (Oh my son! I have missed you!)" she says as she pats his cheeks and kisses each one.

Dom smiles and pulls her in for a hug. "Ciao mamma, mi sei mancata! (Hello Mamma, I have missed you.)" he responds. 

Dom then directs his attention to me, "Maggie, this is my mother, Francesca." She reaches out for me, placing her hands up to my face, "È questa la bella donna di cui parli? (Is this the beautiful woman you speak of?) " she asks. 

Dom nods and smiles at me, "Sì mamma, incontra il mio amore Maggie. (Yes, momma, meet my love, Maggie.) "I pull her in for an embrace, "Hello, it's so nice to meet you," I tell her. Dom leans in to translate in her ear as she squeezes my cheeks tighter. I begin to snicker, " Rendi mio figlio così felice. È un piacere averti qui. Ho sentito tanto parlare di te. (You make my son so happy. It is a pleasure to have you here. I have heard so much about you.)" she says. 

Once Dom translates for me, I nod my head in agreement, "Thank you. I am so happy to be here." 

As Dom translates for her, she pulls me with her, "Come." She commands. 

Dom and I pick up our luggage and follow her inside the house. As we enter the entryway, we are greeted by an older man. He's dressed in a long-sleeved grey button-up shirt and a vest with brown slacks. He is very tall and lean with grey hair and looks very similar to Dom, "Ahhh, my son!" he greets him, smiling ear to ear. 

Dom reaches out and pulls him in for an embrace, "Papa! Good to see you."

The tall gentleman turns towards me, reaching out his hand for mine, "Hello, my dear. You must be Maggie." 

I place my hand in his, "Yes, sir. A pleasure to meet you." I tell him as he plants a kiss on both of my cheeks. 

"Please, call me Piero." He insists. 

Dom chimes in, "Papa speaks English because American tourists come to the vineyard often. Mama does not speak much, but she knows some." 

Francesca takes my hand, "Come, Maggie, come." She insists. 

I nod in agreement before she pulls me towards the kitchen. As we enter, the kitchen is everything I have pictured in my mind to be in Italy, very authentic. The walls are brick; there are textured tiles on the countertops with stone floors. Francesca points to a charcuterie plate, "Eat...eat... mangiare."