Lessons Learned, Healing Hearts

Tutoring Session #2 (Chapter 37)

Invited to go with Franz to purchase some items for the picnic lunch, Marlow enjoyed the chance to be alone with him.

"Franz, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"I feel like you've gotten to know me better, and I was just curious if you think your mom and dad would like me?"

"Why are you asking?"

Dropping her gaze, Marlow giggled and shrugged a shoulder.

Wrapping his arm around Marlow's shoulder, Francesco gave her a squeeze.

"My parents are very loving to anyone who comes into the family. Piero has told them a great deal about you, so if they have any reservations, they have not mentioned them to me."

"Good. That's good," Marlow said with a happy sigh.

"You know, you probably don't see this, but you have been a tremendous change for Piero," he said, a grin flickering across his face. "And for me too," he added.

"How have I been a change for you?"

"You have given me hope again that my brother could find a great girl. Compared to past girlfriends, you're low maintenance." Seeing a scowl on Marlow's face when her head snapped to look at him, Francesco quickly backpedalled. "I don't mean low maintenance like you don't care about how you look; I mean, you don't need to be entertained all the time. You're super chill, sweet, lovely..."

"And a delight to be near," Marlow interjected.

Throwing his head back, Franz laughed out loud.

"And so humble. I can't tell you how many times my brother, Gianluca, and Ignazio have had to deal with jealous girlfriends who were only interested in them because they were famous. It is so refreshing to see him with someone..."

"Careful! Don't say it."

"Say what?"

"Someone boring," Marlow said, placing her hands on her hips in mock annoyance.

"No, no."

Hearing Marlow giggle and watching as she skipped away from him, Franz understood why his brother loved this girl.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked, motioning for her to rejoin him.

"Sure, fire away."

"I was just wondering if you think you are ready to be in a long-distance relationship?"

"Ohhh, I think so. Piero and I have been able to make it work so far."

"But that was only two months. When Audrey had to go home because her visa was about to expire, we had to communicate via Skype and email/texting for six months until she was able to return.

"But you got through it, right?" Marlow asked.

"We did, but it was really tough, and we almost didn't survive being apart so long."

Marlow got quiet. Caught up in being together, just like when he was in Vancouver, they had forgotten to discuss in more detail how this relationship would work once she went home. It would be very difficult to go back to just texts and video calls. With only two days left before she would head home, they would have to make time to have this discussion. But when? Chewing on the corner of her lip, she did not see Francesco studying her.

"Hey," he said, rubbing her back. "Falling in love is good. Don't let me dissuade you." Grasping hold of Marlow and giving her a squeeze, he repeated, "My brother is a great guy, and you are a wonderful woman. I want things to work out for the two of you."