We three had a late lunch that day. Uncle made us paste which Alberto consumed with gusto. We had to be quick since there was a storm brewing just off the shore. It would be a couple of hours until it got here but the wind was already picking up. Alberto sat the kitchen table, examining the dark clouds uneasy through the window while Uncle and I cleared away the dishes. I came back for his plate, only to find him in an anxious state. Watching him for a second, I smiled and lightly caressed the top of his forearm with the tips of my fingers. He flinched and blinked back to me like he hadn't realized I was there. Our eyes met and we flashed each other a smile; mine to say everything would be alright and his replying that he knew I was right. Then I took his plate and fork away as he began gazing around the room, more relaxed this time.

I was at the sink when he spotted one of the calling cards Papa had sent me laying on a nearby end table. Curious, he leaned over to pick it up, studying it over unsure what he was looking at. "Uh, why do you have a card with just your name on it?" He asked me. I spun back around and saw what he was referring to. Uncle also looked but silently shook his head and returned to scrubbing the dishes in the sink.

"It's a calling card," I explained, taking note of Uncle's disapproving reaction, which I'm sure Alberto didn't pick up on. He was too busy looking the card over every which way. "How are you supposed to call someone with this?" "Heh, no, no. It's called a "calling card" because when you visit someone- or "call" on them- you leave a calling card behind if they're not available. It's sort of a way to say "I wanted to see you today but unfortunately was unable to"," I giggled while clarifying. Alberto looked more than a little confused, making me chuckle more. "Why would anyone care about that?" I shrugged. "It's important to call on people in society. That's how one maintains vital relationships. These sorts of relationships are key if you want to make a good matrimonial match, or secure a better position for your husband or son, or get introduced to high political officials. It's very competitive at the top, and you need a network in order to survive in the big city."

Alberto looked at me again, lowering my card down from his face a little. "How do you know all this?" I paused to peer back his way, slightly taken aback by this seemingly innocent query. "Why, I had to know. Up until this year I thought that my life was going to take a very different route. I'd start using calling cards in two years, when I turned nineteen. That's when I'd "come out" into proper society and start…. and well, start searching for a husband. Finding a good match is hard work and both ladies and gentlemen need to know how to play the game, but especially the ladies. Our very futures depend on it."

This was about the time that Uncle sighed. He set down his dish towel and turned to face both of us, looking more pensive than expected. "Hearing you talk like that, niece, I realize just how differently you were raised from us; the kind of life you had before….. I know I criticize my brother for some of his behaviour, but when it comes to you, he did everything right. He did what he had to do…. assuming you were going to stay in Florence." "Zio…" I gawked back at him with wide eyes. Alberto also seemed a tad stunned, but quickly leaned back in a relaxed position in his chair. His fingers intertwined in a casual fashion.

"Why'd your dad move to Floor-ants anyway?" "He had to; he had to move away for work. All the young men left Portorosso around that time. I was lucky because I had Papa's fishing business to take over, but my brother was the younger son, so he had to fend for himself. Lots of townspeople moved to the city back then- that's where the work was. I think he was planning on moving back eventually when he left, but then he met Ilaria's mother," Uncle stopped here so he could look over at me. His hand reached out to take mine in his.

"Your father loves you more than anything in the world. It took me years to convince him to send you out here. He only agreed after you finished your education. He wanted a better life for you, Ilaria; better than we had growing up. He wanted you to have what your mother could have had if she married someone else." "Zio!" I gasped but he stopped me with a head shake. "It's true. But the sad thing is that somewhere along the way, he forgot how good our childhood really was. I loved growing up in Portorosso; so did your father. We had everything we needed, everything to make us happy. And I knew you would be happy here too, but he forgot… He let himself forget." "Zio…." My eyes lowered a little.

Uncle's hand gave mine a loving squeeze, his eyes twinkled up at me. "But don't doubt for a second that your father loves you. He loves you, niece, and he loves me too. That's why you're here; that's why he let me have you. We do things in life when we love others… We make sacrifices. Our parents made a sacrifice when they let my brother move to Florence back in the day, and your father was willing to sacrifice everything for your future. But things didn't turn out that way," another pause ensued here. Uncle sucked in a deep breath. "I know his recent letters to you have been… confusing. But that's because he's forgotten what life's truly like out here. There's no game you have to play. There's no society for you to be part of. He doesn't have to keep trying like you're going to lose everything if he stops. But the whole reason he's acting this way is because he loves you, and he simply wants the best for you. Do you understand, Ilaria?" And I had to wipe a few tears away from my eyes. My head very gently nodded. "Yes…"

Sensing I spoke with honestly, Uncle also nodded his head. "I can't get too mad at my brother. I always have to remember that you're here…. His only child is here in Portorosso with me. If that isn't love, I don't know what is. Remember you two: love isn't about happiness. It's about wanting the best for the other person. Understand?" "I understand, Zio," the back of my fingers wiped my eyes again. To somewhat of my surprise, Uncle looked straight at Alberto. He was still holding onto my hand when he spoke to him directly. "Understand me, young man?"

Alberto blinked, like he wasn't expecting or used to the authority and severity in Uncle's tone just now. My dearest friend's eyes shifted between me and my uncle, almost as if he was trying to gage the situation. But soon enough he simply nodded his head. Contented with this, Uncle grinned pleased. "Yes, I think this is going to turn out just fine." Alberto and I merely looked at one another for a second, puzzled. Then he smiled and I smiled back. I looked at him- him and Uncle- and I wanted the best for them. I really, really did. And while I knew what that was for my uncle, Alberto's best scenario was still a bit of a mystery for me. Thankfully there was nothing but time to figure that out. Or so I thought. We all flinched, a shocked jolt running through the room at the sudden sound of knocking at the front door.