Uncle and I were at the dinner table together. Alberto and I had parted with words of kindness and Uncle came back ashore. He made dinner and we sat down to eat. While he hunkered down in his pasta, my fork played with mine. I thought tonight might be the night to bring up me starting to do the deliveries and wanted the timing to be perfect. After a moment of quiet, I grinned calmly up in his direction.
"How'd your new net work out today?" He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Good. It's nice and sturdy. Should last me several years if I treat it properly." "Good…." I peered back at my full plate, letting another quiet pause slip in. Uncle continued on eating as I formulated a plan. My grin returned his way.
"By the way, Zio. Who used to live on that island offshore from here?" "The island? Oh that's been unoccupied for decades. It used to be a medieval guard tower, looking out for the Franks. No one lives there now; it wasn't even used in the Great War a couple of years back," he told me while wagging his fork around. I nodded thoughtfully. "I thought so….." Well it's nice to know the military doesn't have their eye on it. That's one less thing to worry about should another war ever occur.
I peered up at Uncle, sensing an opportunity. I shyly sat my hands with nervous anticipation. "Um, Zio Massimo? So I was wondering…. With your permission of course, could I…. take over your delivery service?" My nerve started to tremble when Uncle stopped eating to look at me. He didn't say anything but his eyes were intense. I gulped silently, realizing I needed to plead my case. "I-I can ride a bike! A-And it's just you work so hard. It would give you more time to fish, or even relax! I could…" "Ilaria," the tone of his voice just now. It sent a shiver down my spine. I promptly stopped talking and slunk a bit down in my chair. "Yes?" My mouth eventually squeaked out.
"You have one job and one job only. You and I both know what that is. You did not come to Portorosso to work on top of that," I cannot describe how severe his voice was. My eyes rolled downward. "I-I know, Zio. But I really don't mind! I want to help with the family business." "You are. You were not made for physical labour; you were not raised to that effect. You're already doing enough just being here, and I'm not about to take advantage of my brother's only child." "But, Zio; I don't want to be merely an ornament to the Marcovaldo family. I do so much more for you." "What would I tell your father?" "He knows I have the family's best interests at heart. It's not just you, it's for my future husband's benefit as well." "Ilaria…." He began but I cut him off. "Please, let me help," I begged. He looked at me for a minute, then sighed gravely. "Your father sent you here to get married, not to work. The answer is no." "But, Zio…." "I said no," the way he proclaimed this meant the conversation was over. It wasn't in my nature- or training- to be argumentative or disobedient. So I simply gazed down at my untouched food with a defeated frown on my face. "Yes, Zio Massimo….."
A very tense and awkward pause ensued between the two of us. Uncle let out another sigh and set down his fork beside his plate. Then he folded his hands together while resting his elbows on the tabletop. "You truly are something else Are all city girls like you?" "The ladies are," I answered with quietness. He waited a moment to speak to me again. "Why are you so good? Who made you this way? You certainly didn't get it from our side." "Oh, I wouldn't say that. Papa's always been very good to me," I countered with a small grin. He gave me a look which told me to continue talking. Sighing, I leaned against the back of my chair and tilted my head upward a little.
"I suppose I learned the importance of family from Papa. He's always admitted that he didn't think himself a good son or brother. Perhaps he felt like he abandoned all of you when he moved away. But the real shock came from my mother's side." "Your mother's family?" Uncle's eyebrow raised up. I nodded. "They all but disinherited Mama when she married Papa- someone who's below her class. Nonno and Nana indirectly supported us over the years, including securing an apartment downtown near the museum where Papa worked, but they were never close. I don't think they even know I moved here; we haven't seen them since Mama died." "Oh…. I'm sorry to hear that," his eyes lowered a little. My gaze drifted into nowhere in a thoughtful manner. I was thinking…. thinking and remembering.
"I think….. I think Papa was determined that I would not turn out like him or Mama. Ever since I can remember he's told me that family is the most important thing in the world. I am not one in myself but one of the collective- the family unit. And the unit is stronger when we're all working for its betterment. Heh, maybe it's silly, but I just love Papa so much. I never wanted to disappoint him; I wanted to make him proud. After all, I was all he had after Mama died. I… wasn't thrilled when he told me to move to Portorosso to marry a fisherman, but I know it's what best for our family- for you. So I came…. It broke my heart to leave Papa, but I still came. It wasn't just me doing what's best for the family just then; Papa did what's best too. I'm giving my hand in marriage…. And he gave me, all he has in the world."
My mouth closed and I looked back to find Uncle ogling me. His eyes were so large and expressive. He looked like whatever he expected me to say, it wasn't that. Eventually he also sat back in his seat, letting his stare shift off into nowhere a bit. When he glanced back my way, his face was much, much softer. "You really are…. something else, Ilaria Marcovaldo," he breathed and I grinned. A pregnant pause slipped in here, and he sucked in a deep breath.
"Well, then; if you're going to ride my bike, you're going to need a different dress." "Really?!" I was so excited that I actually stood up, slamming my hands onto the table. He chuckled softly. "I suppose making a few deliveries wouldn't hurt. But we're going to need to get you some working clothes." I hesitated here, letting my mouth hang open somewhat. That scene with the town's dressmaker replayed in my mind. She likely hadn't changed her opinion of me. "Uh, yeah. That might be difficult. I'll probably have to borrow some of your clothes, Zio." "Ah, that'll be fine. They'll do until we can get you an appropriate dress." "Thank you. I appreciate it," I sat back down. He was looking at me again; looking at me in a sort of awe. "I appreciate you, niece. I don't what my brother ever did to deserve a daughter like you, but I'm glad you're here. Life as a fisherman is hard…. But having family like you around make the days a little easier."