Secrets & Lies

Chapter Seven

The summer went by quickly as Gia prepared for her big move. She couldn't take as much stuff with her as she had taken to Adams State because she was flying over an ocean, not taking a few hours car ride across the state. The night before Gia was to leave she was going through her things a final time. She searched her closet for any remaining clothes she thought she might need, or want in England. Gia had mostly packed warm clothing because it tended to be colder in England. She had packed the new black skirts, and white shirts which were the required uniform. She would pick up the ribbon tie, cape and hat after she checked in. Gia was really excited about the uniform. She knew it sounded silly and after a few weeks she was sure to be sick of it but she had never heard of a college making its students wear a uniform. Gia was worried about the weather however, at least in Colorado they experienced all four seasons. In England she was only sure of two, winter and rain. Gia checked her jewelry case again, but there was nothing else she felt she needed. As she finished zipping up her bag there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." The door opened, "Hey Daddy!" Gia said smiling.

"All packed up principessa?" He asked.

"I think so. I've packed up all the things I thought I might need." Gia said.

"Well, I have a little gift for you to take to England."

"Oh Daddy you didn't have to get anything for me." Gia said excitedly.

"It's not much just a little something I thought would come in handy." He held out a little box with a big pink bow. Gia took the box from him and pulled the lid off. Laying in the pink tissue paper was a brand new visa card.

"Oh Daddy you shouldn't have." Gia exclaimed excitedly giving her daddy a huge hug of thanks.

"I know you can't take much with you so if you need anything go ahead and charge it. Just be responsible. I'll pay it off for you. It should be cheaper than tuition, at least I hope so."

"Thank you daddy, I'm really going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too principessa. Just take care of yourself okay."

"Okay."

"Don't get hooked up with any strange English guys."

"Yes, Daddy. I'll wait till I can find a strange Italian guy." She said as a joke.

"Ha, ha very funny but I think I would prefer for you to wait a very long time before you even think about taking up with any guy. You are my little girl now and forever."

"Oh Daddy, you know no man could take your place in my heart."

"Promise?"

"I promise Daddy. That is, of course, until I meet the right man and he loves me and agrees to marry me."

"You think you're funny don't you? I'm going to miss you very much.  This is worse than  when you went away last time. At least I knew you were in the same state. Now you will be on another continent. It's just so hard to see you all grown up." He smiled down at Gia as he gave her a long hug before leaving the room closing the door softly as he wiped the tears from his cheeks. Gia put her new charge card into her wallet. While in her purse she checked to make sure she had her passport and that her student visa was still there, as well as, her plane ticket. Everything looked to be in order and where it should be. Gia laid down and tried to sleep, but the combination of excitement and nerves were keeping her from sleeping. Since she couldn't sleep she decided to check and see if Nonna was still awake. She was of course.

"Non riescono a dormire o la Nonna?"

"No I can't sleep Tesoro. I think it has to do with getting old. I just don't sleep very well anymore. Are you already to go?" she asked.

"I think so. You know I would have never had the courage to do this without you Nonna." Gia explained.

"I just gave you a little help in following your destiny." She said with a little twinkle in her eyes.

"I'm very excited about going, but worried that I will be rejected as an American outcast." Gia confessed.

"Just be yourself and they will love you as much as everyone else. You are smart, funny and if that doesn't work you are beautiful."

"Ti amo Nonna."

"Ti amo Tesoro."

Gia gave her a big hug and kiss and headed back to her room. As she closed the door she looked at that silly picture of Ted McGinley one last time. "Goodbye Ted!" Gia said and ripped the picture from the wall and tossed it in the trash. It was time for her to start making her own destiny and not follow what she believed a fictional character would want her to do.