Lessons Learned, Healing Hearts

Eyes Don't Lie (Chapter 38)

Texting Piero as she walked and asking him where exactly he was, Marlow spotted Audrey playing volleyball with several other people. Calling out her name, she waved when Audrey turned around and started to run up to meet her.

"Where's Francesco? Did you two get our contributions to the picnic?"

"He forgot to get something for you, and so he went back to get it," Marlow said, setting her bags down on one blanket.

"Aw, I love that man. He is so thoughtful."

"Where did Piero go?" Marlow asked, not seeing him anywhere close.

"He went in search of some bagged ice from a freezer beside the café down the beach." Beaming at Marlow, Audrey invited, "Do you want to come play? You can be on my team?"

"No. Thanks, though. I think I'm going to go find Piero."

"If you don't find him, just come back and join us," Audrey hollered.

Passing the outdoor patio and no longer blocked from her view by the large colourful umbrellas shading the patrons from the sun, Marlow spotted Piero, and he was not alone. Consumed with indescribable hurt, a 14-year-old Marlow reappeared. Turning on her heels, she ran away. Spotting a familiar landmark through water-blurred eyes, she headed for it.

"What are you doing?" someone scolded, yanking her back as a horn blasted past her. "That car almost hit you."

Spun around, Marlow found herself facing Franz.

"I, I..." Marlow stammered, pulling her arm out of his grasp.

"Marlow, what's going on?"

Swiping both hands across her cheeks, Marlow stuffed her emotions down.

"I don't want to be here."

"Why?"

With her words caught in her tight throat, Marlow only shook her head.

"Come with me," Franz said, protectively cradling an arm around her shoulder. Sitting himself down beside Marlow, Francesco swiped his thumb over Marlow's wet cheek. "Do you want to tell me what's upset you so much?"

Jerking her head back, new tears took the place of the ones wiped away.

"When you left, Audrey told me where I could find Piero. When I came around the corner of the café ..." Again, her vision blurred, "He was with Giulia, and they were making out."

Sighing heavily, Francesco shook his head and asked, "Did he see you?"

"I think so. He looked my way, but I didn't stick around to find out. Normally, I wouldn't care..." Staring at the cobblestones on the street, Marlow let it out, "But, last night, I finally told him I loved him and..."

Holding Marlow's chin so she could not drop her head further, Francesco tried to speak. "Marlow..."

"You don't get it," she said, pulling her chin back. "I slept with him, and now I feel like a complete fool."

Shifting, Franz started again.

"Marlow, there has to be a different explanation. If it were true, I am positive he would have said something to me."

Not intentionally planning to turn on Francesco, he just was the closest Barone.

"Well, maybe you don't know everything. Maybe, you're not as close as you think you are."

Not taking offence at Marlow's harsh tone, Francesco continued to explain.

"I promise you, Piero and Giulia are not getting back together. Trust me, Marlow, I can't say for sure that what you saw was what you think it was..." Seeing Marlow sit up taller and stare at him with narrowed eyes and a tightened jaw, he spoke cautiously. "I wasn't there. But I know my brother, and he would never intentionally hurt someone for personal gain. He is sincere, and when he speaks, you can trust that what he says is the truth. Has he said anything to you?"