Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Stella never thought she'd come back. She had always wanted to, but life at home kept swallowing her- school, friends, boys, all different types of distractions. And before she knew it five years had passed since she had been back at her 2nd home in northern Italy.
Technically it wasn't her home. Or her families.
It was the Perlman's. The Perlmans were an imperfect family. But they were the type of people to love, and care, and stick to what they know.
The Gallo's on the other hand were different. They loved and cared obviously, but never had as much stability as the Perlmans. It felt like they were constantly in their own bubble, unstable, moving around, traveling everywhere except for Italy. They didn't avoid Italy on purpose. Time just slipped away.
They were constantly busy. Which only made Stella miss Italy more. She missed the quiet, calm, earthly atmosphere it brought.
And when summer rolled around, all Stella wanted was to go to Italy.
She hadn't been to Italy since she was 13, and her parents decided they wanted to start over. Better jobs. Different environment. Stella felt like they came up with every excuse possible to pry her away from her favorite place.
But the summer of 1984, things changed. Somehow, she'd convinced them to pack up and visit.
Only for the summer.
When they turned that familiar corner, that sun washed tall house that used to look like a castle to her came into view.
Stella leaned forward, almost knocking her head on the glass.
"We're here," Mrs.Gallo said with a smile, pulling the car to a stop.
Stella was out of the car before the engine sputtered off. Every part of her wanted to sprint through the door, straight to Elio's room. But she kept her composure, not wanting to come off as rude.
She was older now. More mature. She should act like it.
Elio and Stella have kept in touch over the five years. They would call, send letters, pictures. But it was never the same.
She had heard about everything the previous summer. Elio had spoke to her about Oliver. He had told her almost every detail. And it had been a year since then. And Elio was different. Oliver had changed him. He was only a kid when everything happened. Young, impressionable, vulnerable.
Stella was worried for him throughout it all and after. Because she knew how it would end. But so did Elio. He just didn't seem to care.
"Hello!" A raspy, unmistakable voice called out.
She had missed that. Stella spun around. "Mr.Perlman!" She rushed towards him, hugging him tight and kissing his cheek.
"It's been far too long," he said warmly, "Elio is in his room."
