Roman Holiday

Echoes

When Jess got back from the market, she could barely carry all the produce.  It had been a bumper day and she had been in her element, haggling for the best deal - which the stall holder invariably got - and picking the most delicious vegetables - which she invariably got.  Now, exhausted and happy, she was back.

"Mama I'm back!" she called as she bumped her way into the back room where they stored everything. No reply. She frowned, where were they?  It was almost lunchtime and they needed to start to prepare for evening service.  Leaving the bags where she'd dumped them, she walked into the kitchen and then through to the main restaurant.  No sign of anyone?    As she'd passed through the kitchen, she'd noticed one of the ovens was on and a cake was baking.  Her favourite lemon sponge. It would be soaked with Limoncello liqueur later and served with whipped cream  She sent up a silent prayer there would be leftovers.

In the restaurant the tv was on.  The one they usually showed the football on at weekends for the locals.  It was on the news channel and she could see, as she slowly sat down, it was talking about him.  Tom.  He was back in Rome.  Her Italian had improved in leaps and bounds over the weeks but it was still a little fast for her so she guessed by the pictures he was here for some press junket.  For a moment she watched as the pictures showed him arriving at Ciampino airport.  Then, the pain resurfacing more quickly than she ever thought possible, she snapped the tv off.  What she didn't see reported was the moment Tom was met by a large man in a black overcoat. 

Standing up, she saw Mama at the back of the room, just watching her.  A small smile on her face, and a faraway look in her eye.

"You ok Mama?" she asked concerned as she walked over to her.  Mama just kept on smiling. 

"Yes cara, just remembering something.  Papa and I were about your age when we met you know. It wasn't easy at first, but we got there.  Now, all these years later, we have you." she held her at arms length, just looking at her.  "God didn't bless us with our own, but we have you.  " she wiped away a tear and Jess frowned.  Why was she so maudlin all of a sudden?

"What's up Mama?  This isn't you? Is it Papa? " she guided the older woman to a seat and Rosa sat with a little sigh. "Is there something you're not telling me?" all of a sudden she was scared.

"Oh no no! no cara mia , it's ok. Don't look so worried. It's just a special night for Guiseppe and me, that's all.  So, we're staying closed,  we're having a special meal. No tourists, no work, just a night of love and family." she patted Jess on the arm.  "I'm going to dress nicely so you should too ok?  Let him see what he's got." Mama smiled and winked and Jess laughed. Jess didn't suspect in the slightest Rosa hadn't been referring to Papa.

"Oh Mama, I never took you for a romantic. Papa will be pleased!" she stood up and walked back to the storeroom to put the shopping away.  As she did so, Mama smiled to herself.  Her part was done, she only hoped Guiseppe could do his.

Guiseppe and Tom sat in a small cafe not all that far from the restaurant, hiding in plain sight as it were.  He knew Jess would go straight home with her purchases, so standing at the counter inside they would be safe.  They had been there for about half an hour and Tom had never stopped talking the whole time.  He'd explained about  Luke and the mistake, he'd talked about how he had to protect Jess from the press and most of all he'd gone on at great length about how much he was scared she wouldn't want him back. Throughout it all, the one thing that shone through, even to an old man like Guiseppe, was that Tom loved her.  That, he said to himself as he listened to him, was the single most important thing.  He truly loved her.

"Come, figlio, let's sit for a moment.  I am an old man, my knees are feeling the mileage!" he winked and for the first time, Tom laughed. 

"If, when I have as many miles under my belt as you Sir, I look as fresh as you do I'll be a happy man" Tom said as they ordered more coffee. "I just hope it's miles with Jess" he looked sad for a moment. "You really think she will want me back?  I let her down in so many ways." he toyed with his coffee spoon and looked at Guiseppe. "I let myself down too."

"Now that I can do nothing about" Papa said, sipping the newly arrived drink, "but Jess?  Well let's just say that with a little nudge from her Mama I think we can get her to the right place for you." his eyes twinkled and Tom started to let himself hope there was indeed, hope.

"All you need to do is..." they spent the next 2 rounds of coffee huddled together hatching the plan and as Tom and he parted company - Guiseppe to the restaurant and Tom to the hotel where it all started - things looked promising.  Very promising indeed.