Lost Lombardi

Chapter 53

The lunch was delivered to the cabin. Dino and Pietro had lunch at a dining table facing the lake.

"Are we going to ride the boat after lunch?" Dino asked.

"Let's have a nap first," Pietro said.

"I don't want to nap. Can I walk in the woods?" Dino asked.

"No, Dino, no. Don't go alone there," Pietro said. He didn't want Dino to go because he always got into trouble.

"Why not?" Dino asked. Pietro sighed.

"Because you always get into trouble. One trouble a month is enough, Dino. Don't try to give me a heart attack," Pietro said.

"Hmm... okay," Dino said.

"Why don't you read some books instead?" Pietro suggested, and Dino thought it was a good idea too because he liked to read. "Or, just have a nap. Don't you feel a little tired?" Pietro asked.

"Not much," Dino said.

After Pietro went to take a nap, Dino felt lonely. He took some more photos. He went outside but didn't go into the woods. He tried to look at the other cabins to see who was there, but he didn't see anyone properly. Then he came back to the room, picked up a book, and went to bed.

—-

"Dino, Dino...," Dino woke up feeling a little shake. He had fallen asleep without knowing. He saw Pietro looking at him.

"Papa," Dino said in a sleepy voice, rubbing his eyes.

"Do you want to go ride the boats? If you don't want to, that's fine. We can stay," Pietro said.

"No, I want to go. But I need to drink something hot first," Dino said, and Pietro made him a hot chocolate.

"Thanks, Papa," Dino said gratefully. "Mmm... this tastes good," Dino added.

"It's just a chocolate drink," Pietro said.

"But it tastes good. Maybe because you made it," Dino said, and Pietro laughed.

They headed down to the small dock where a sleek, wooden boat waited, gently bobbing with the movement of the water. Pietro climbed in first and reached out his hand to help Dino, who hesitated for a moment, unsure about stepping into the unsteady boat.

"Don't worry," Pietro said reassuringly. "It's safe. You'll get your sea legs in no time."

Dino grabbed his father's hand and carefully stepped in, wobbling slightly as he found his balance. "Whoa, okay, this feels weird," Dino laughed, sitting down quickly on the cushioned bench at the front of the boat.

Pietro started the motor, and with a low hum, the boat glided smoothly away from the dock, cutting through the calm, clear waters of the lake. Dino leaned back, feeling the cool breeze on his face and the gentle spray of water. The peacefulness of the moment made him relax more, the earlier awkwardness fading away.

"This is amazing," Dino said, looking out at the wide-open lake.

As they cruised along, the boat cutting a clean path through the shimmering lake, Pietro couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. He glanced over at Dino, who was grinning like he didn't have a care in the world, and it hit him again how much he wanted to make up for all the time they hadn't spent together.

Suddenly, Dino leaned over the side of the boat, excitedly pointing. "Look, Papa! There's a huge fish! Can we try to catch it?"

Pietro laughed. "Maybe tomorrow. Let's enjoy the ride today. Besides, I think you've caught enough fish for one day, don't you?"