Chapter 3

One Week Before

"Hey, Bella!" Mike greeted excitedly.

"Hey, Mike," Bella smiled politely.

"Hey, you got any pennies? We're running really low," Mike asked.

"Uh.." Bella took out her wallet. "Yeah, I have a few." She dropped some pennies on the counter.

"Thanks."

"No problem," Bella assured him.

"Hey, uh, Mike, I'm really sorry but, do you think I can leave earl-"

Mike cut her off with a sigh. "Your boyfriend asked me already. It's fine."

"Oh, cool," she said.

"Mike!!" Mrs. Newton exclaimed.

"Baby- Oh, hello Bella,-"

Bella nodded and continued stacking cans on the shelf.

"Mike, we're going to Italy!" She yelled.

"You won that vacation thing?" Mike asked.

"Oh, sweetie, I wish you could come!"

"S' okay, mom. It's your anniversary. 'Sides, you need someone to take care of the store."

Mrs. Newton hugged Mike tighly. "Thanks, honey. Now, go help Bella over there. I'm going to call your father!" She flipped back her blonde hair and took off.

__

5 Days Later

Mrs. Newton kissed Mike on the cheek and hugged him one last time.

"Have fun, guys," Mike said.

"Oh, I'll miss you so much! Don't worry, we'll be back soon. Two weeks, that's all. Take care of the store, and keep Bella company, okay?"

"Yeah," he assured her.

"Come on Karen, we gotta go," Mr. Newton reminded.

___

3 Days Later

"Oh, Alan this is beautiful!" Mrs. Newton marveled.

A tall, statuesque woman with the strangest colored eyes stood behind them.

"It is," the woman agreed.

Alan released his hold on his wife's waist and turned around. "I'm Heidi." she smiled, holding out her left hand, the other was holding a clipboard.

"Alan," Mr. Newton said, smiling hugely.

"Karen."

"I'm offering a free tour of the city. We're going to be looking at some very ancient passages in Volterra. You're welcome to join us." Heidi turned her head to a small group of tourists."

"Uh- I don't know," Alan hesitated.

"Oh, come on, baby, It'll be fun!"

"Uh.. Well, alright then. If you really want to go," he agreed.

Karen nodded and took out her small digital camera excitedly. "We need some pictures, Alan. I'm making a scrapbook."

She kissed his cheek and ran her hands through Alan's short blonde hair.

"Excellent." Heidi gestured her hand forward and began walking..