Mi Náufrago

Drowning Memories

*In Italy*
Luna's POV:

Oh this time change! I totally forgot about it. Good thing is that I fell asleep throughout the entire flight. Once the plane had started, I got comfortable and fell in one of those deep sleeps. I had dreamt that I was dressed in white and a little girl was running next to me. The scenery was beautiful and into the distance I could see that Piero was waiting for us. He too wore white just like the little girl. He extended his arms at us as we ran into him, feeling that warmth again made me feel safe and happy like the child beside me.

"Luna..." Ignazio said as we had just gotten into a taxi. I turned to face him and said, "We'll stay at my place for 2 days. Then we can go to Naro and visit the Barone's. Or do you want to go straight there?"

"No. I like your idea. You can tour me around your hometown for these 2 days. As I can see, Naro isn't the only beautiful place here in Sicily." I said and he smiled widely.

"Okay." He turned to the taxi driver and began speaking to him as I went back to admiring the beauty of Italy.

*2 days later*

"I'm nervous." I told Ignazio as he drove the rented car.

"It's okay. I got in contact with them and they are expecting us. They are excited to see you again." Ignazio said.

"I just don't want to cause them pain with my presence." I said honestly.

"They aren't. They are in the coping process too you know. Maybe, like you do back in Miami, don't mention Piero's name unless they do say his name. That might be a good tip... Right?" He asked and I only nodded.

I turned to look out the window and noticed that we just a couple of minutes away from Piero's house. The piazza was now behind us and the pharmacy too. All these memories began to appear in my mind and my heart began to pump faster.

As soon as I saw the Riduci la velocità sign ahead of us, a ball had formed in my throat. The last time I had passed through here was when I discovered Piero's car in the ditch. And then there it was. A tear rolled down my cheek as I saw how the are was now dry and the trees had no leaves.

"You can cry. Don't keep it in. I know it's painful to remember this but it's time for you to move on, just like we all are trying to do." Ignazio's voice broke the silence. I quickly looked away and now to my hands. They were resting in the bottom of my belly.

"Today will be the last day I will cry for him. Now I have to live for this baby because it will need me to be strong." I rubbed my belly gently with one hand.

"But it's bad to hold back your tears." He sighed then reached to grab my free hand. "If you think it's better to not cry for him then do so. I just want to help you out and become a great mom to my future nephew or niece, because I'm going to be his or her uncle."

I couldn't help but to laugh at his comment. "Okay Uncle Ignazio." I wiped my tear away and looked ahead in the road.

We were now just right outside the house when we heard a honk. We both turned and noticed that Gianluca and his family were just arriving too. "You called Gian too?" I asked Ignazio.

"Umm no. Maybe the entire family wanted to have us over? I don't know." Ignazio said.

We drove down the driveway and parked right in front of the house. Ignazio got out from the car first and I saw on the rear mirror how happy he looked as he hugged Gianluca. I decided to zip up my big coat since I felt it was colder than I'm used to.

"Luna? Luna!" Gianluca shouted and came around the car to hug me. "It's been so long. How are you? You look a bit skinny than before."

"Gian! Oh it's great to see you too! I've been... Well hanging in there. And yeah I should be gaining weight not loosing." I replied as he spun me around after the hug.