Lost Lombardi

Chapter 23

When Pietro came home with a heavy heart, Don was waiting to talk to him. Pietro went to Don's room to find out what he wanted to discuss. Don was lying on his bed, ready to sleep, but he looked worried.

"Papa," Pietro asked.

"Why did you say no to Caterina?" Don asked. "Her father called me and said you didn't agree to marry her," Don sounded angry.

"I want to marry her, but she's the one who doesn't want to marry me," Pietro said.

"You should have agreed with her," Don snapped.

"You mean I should agree to send Dino to a boarding school? I don't want to agree with her on that," Pietro said.

"Why not? It's not that hard. He'll go to school and come home for vacations. What's the big deal?" Don barked.

"He's my son, Papa. I'm the one who should make decisions about my son," Pietro replied, his voice tense with frustration. Don stared at Pietro for a few seconds.

"Okay, Pietro. If that's what you want, I'm fine with your decision," Don said, and Pietro felt relieved. He had thought Don might get mad at him, but Don didn't seem angry. Pietro didn't want his father to be mad at him.

"Yes, Papa. That's my decision. Thanks for understanding. I'll leave now. Good night!" he said, greeting his father and leaving Don's room. When Pietro opened the door to his room, Dino came toward him.

"Aren't you asleep yet?" Pietro asked.

"No, it's just ten," Dino said.

"If it's ten, you should be in bed by now. Go to bed and sleep. There's no reason for you to be awake until ten," Pietro said.

"But I'm not a kid," Dino disagreed.

"You're not an adult either," Pietro said, annoyed. He was upset with everything that had happened that day.

"I just wanted to know how it went. Are you guys okay now?" Dino asked.

Pietro paused for a few seconds as if searching for the right words. "No, we're not. She said no," Pietro said.

"Can I ask why?" Dino tried to be polite because his father looked very upset now.

"Well, she wanted you to go to a boarding school," Pietro said, and he saw Dino's face darken when he heard it. Pietro could see that Dino didn't want to attend boarding school. "So, I said no," Pietro added.

"Is that why she doesn't want to marry you? But you love her, right?" Dino asked, upset.

"Dino, you don't have to worry about it. It's my problem," Pietro said.

"But... if you... I can go to a boarding school if you want to marry her," Dino said. He felt upset knowing his father couldn't marry the woman he liked because of him. At the same time, Dino didn't want to leave the father he had met just a few weeks ago. But Dino thought he should support his father.

"I don't want you to go anywhere. You should stay here," Pietro said firmly and warmly. "That's my final say."

Dino looked at his father for a few seconds. "Are you upset?" Dino asked.

"Yes, I am. But that's how life is," Pietro said. "You don't always get what you want. Sometimes, you must make sacrifices."

"Do you want a hug?" Dino asked. He had learned that from the movies and TV shows he'd been watching lately. Dino watched a lot of TV these days. He wasn't allowed to watch TV while he was with the Johnsons, so he was watching a lot now. He knew what he said sounded silly, but Dino didn't know what else he could do for his father to make him feel better.

Pietro smirked when he heard what Dino said. "Okay then. Let's see if it works."

Dino opened his arms, and Pietro pulled him into a tight hug, kissing him on the cheek before breaking the hug. "Alright, now go to your room and sleep. You have to wake up early for school," Pietro said, messing up Dino's hair. Dino smiled.

"Good night, Papa," Dino said happily. Finally, he had someone who loved him. He was so grateful for that.

"Good night, son," Pietro said, smiling. Pietro didn't regret his decision. There was a little pain in his heart, but he knew he had made the right choice.