Chapter 6: Showboating

The consequences of Luca fighting Ercole are coming back to bite him. Meanwhile, it's Alberto's first day at his new job.

Massimo didn't understand. He knew exactly how many nets he should have; why couldn't he find the last one? Perhaps one of the other fishermen mistook it for their own.

A great sigh shook his frame. It wasn't the net he was worried about; not really. He stared out at the bay, watching it glisten under the dawn light. Could it be Alberto was out there, somewhere in the vast, wide sea? Where else would he have gone, if not the island?

Not for the first time, Massimo mulled over what could have driven the boy away. He winced at the last memory he had with him. Perhaps he should have shown Alberto a little more trust. Maybe if he hadn't acted so harshly, then Alberto wouldn't have left. A sharp pang pierced Massimo in the heart. Did he make Alberto feel like he didn't want him around?

He thought their relationship was stronger now. Alberto ran away once, but Massimo thought they patched it up. He never expected it to happen again– at least, not for this long.

He was going to go crazy thinking these thoughts. Massimo shook his head. He needed to focus on his business. The last four days, he had closed the shop to search for Alberto. He couldn't keep neglecting it; he had to think of Giulia, too. With a disheartened ache in his chest, Massimo carried his supplies to the boat.

"...not a good thing. What else are we supposed to think– oh, there he is," Daniela was coming up from the sea and into the shallow end with her husband. By the looks of it, they had been waiting for Massimo. Daniela stopped just shy of the bank.

"Massimo, Luca never came home last night," she said, and she sounded genuinely anxious. There was also a guarded look in her eyes. "I thought I told you to send him home if you saw him."

"Do you think I won't?" Massimo asked, and Daniela scowled.

"What am I supposed to think?" She countered. "So, have you seen him or not?"

"No," Massimo said, which was entirely truthful. He had already been in bed by the time Giulia came home. He didn't even think about the possibility that she may have brought Luca. Daniela clearly wasn't buying this.

"Massimo, I swear, if you're harboring our kid…"

"No one is harboring him," Massimo said, a bit sharper this time.

"Of course you're not!" Lorenzo agreed at once. He then tried placating his wife. "Of course he isn't, Daniela. This is Massimo we're talking about; he's on our side. We're on the same side here."

He sounded like he was trying to convince himself. Daniela tossed her arms in the air exasperatedly. "Then where is Luca? It's not like him to run off like this!"

Actually, it was becoming very much like Luca to run off, Massimo thought privately. He put his supplies in his boat. "Have you asked your neighbors? Maybe checked with any of his underwater friends?"

Daniela pursed her lips. "Luca's kind of a loner. And, yes, we know how to search for our kid, thanks."

Massimo didn't respond to this. He got in his boat, preparing to set out. Daniela watched him in disbelief.

"That's it, then? You're not going to say anything else?"

"What do you want me to say?" Massimo asked.

Daniela narrowed her eyes. Lorenzo glanced between her and Massimo nervously. At last, Daniela loosened. "Fine. You win this time. Just know that I won't hesitate to protect my son, whatever the cost."

"I wouldn't expect any less," Massimo replied, and unhappily, Daniela sank under the sea. Lorenzo looked desperate.

"Please don't take this the wrong way. She doesn't mean to be hostile." He mumbled. "She's just… scared."

It was a simple explanation, but one that went much deeper than words could say. Grimly, Massimo nodded. "I know."

Luca was sure he wouldn't be able to fall asleep. He proved himself wrong when he next opened his eyes and the sun was already high in the sky.

He balanced on the tree branch and knocked on the shutters. "Giulia?"

"Luca! Down here!"

Luca looked down. Giulia was waving at him from outside the garden gate, accompanied by Giacomo, who also waved. They held stacks of papers in their arms and a bucket of pins.

"We were just putting posters up in the town square," Giulia said, and she tried opening the gate by kicking it. When that didn't work, Giacomo opened it with his free hand.

"Sí, these posters turned out great." Giacomo said in admiration. "These will definitely help spread the word about your missing friend."

Luca appreciated the praise. He and Giulia had spent hours last night copying the same photograph of Alberto dozens of times. His hand was sore just thinking about how many crayons and pencils he had worn down.

"Thanks," Luca said, a different thought coming to mind. "But why didn't you wake me? We could have gone together."

Giulia's face was genuinely guilty. "Sorry, I hoped you wouldn't mind– I let you sleep in because, well, you looked like you needed it."

"But don't worry; we only put up a few outside the piazza. There are plenty more that can be put up around the rest of town." Giacomo said. He then held out his stack. "In fact, go ahead and take my share. I'd better get going before Tomasso thinks I'm sleeping in!"

Giulia laughed. "Grazie per l'aiuto, Signor Gianniotti!"

"Anytime!" Giacomo smiled. "And, call me Giacomo!"

Luca climbed carefully to the ground. Giulia was beaming. "Luca, isn't this great? Here I felt like no one else cared, but look! Signor Gianni– I mean, Giacomo wants to help find Alberto, too!"

It was great. Luca held a new respect for the man. "Yeah; maybe he can convince some of the other fishermen to keep an eye out." Luca picked up his stack of papers. "Well, we better get started."

"Actually…" Luca stopped at the hesitance in Giulia's voice. "I have to deliver for my dad today. Sorry, Luca, that's partly why I put posters up this morning; my dad still has a business to run, and I don't want him to feel like he has to do it all by himself…"

"Oh." Luca was a little disappointed, but by the way Giulia was acting, she may as well have been announcing it was the end of their friendship. "No problem. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" Giulia questioned. "If you want, I can ask my dad to pull it double-time tomorrow–"

Luca laughed. "No, Giulia, really! I think it's great you're helping your dad. I'll be back in time for lunch."

Giulia still seemed uncertain, but she nodded. "Alright. Just be careful."

Luca tipped his head a little, wondering why she was so worried. It's not like he was going to get into another fight with a certain unpleasant Visconti. He'd definitely learned his lesson the first time.

It was a bit chillier this day, so Luca grabbed a sweater on his way out. He'd received a larger variety of clothes during his time in Genova, graciously given to him by Giulia's mother Maria. She was by far one of the nicest people he'd ever met; she even offered to buy some new clothes for Alberto. Luca hoped Alberto would like what he picked out for him.

He had no problem finding good spots to put posters. He placed some on brick walls, street signs, even on people's front doors. It wasn't until one of the cops, Signora Maggiore, got a complaint for what he was doing that he was temporarily put to a stop.

"You can't just advertise things on people's doors. Some see it as an invasion of privacy." The cop explained in a matter-of-fact tone, though not unkindly.

Luca drooped his head. "Sorry. I'm just trying to find my friend, Alberto." His eyes drifted to her badge. "Wait– is there anything you could do? Maybe start an investigation or something?"

Signora Maggiore seemed to hesitate. "It'll be hard, but I'll see what I can do." She then took a sign off someone's vespa and gave it back to Luca. "You can't put signs on people's vehicles, either."

The sun was getting higher and higher in the sky. By noon, Luca shed his sweater and wrapped it around his waist. He still had a lot of posters to go. He was set back quite a bit by the police interference. He realized it would be after lunchtime by the time he finished using them all.

The streets were rather sparse, which was unusual. Whenever he did come across a person, they wouldn't stick around. Luca tried saying 'hello' to a few of them, and they either ignored him or mumbled a quick 'hello' before scuffling off. Luca was confused and a little hurt, wondering what was going on with them.

Another half hour went by and he was nearing the end. He had three posters left, and he felt he covered nearly all of the busiest parts of Portorosso. Panting, his feet naturally carried him to the piazza. It was the heart of the town, the most traveled ground. Giulia had said they put up posters outside of it, but Luca figured he could find three more spots on the inside.

He managed to stick one on the sea monster fountain– they really needed to update the architecture of this town. Another he left on the corner of one of the entrances, and he turned on his heel, searching for one final, perfect open area…

There! Right outside the coffee shop. Luca went to one side of the building and reached to put it next to the business menu.

"AAAH, if it isn't the town's least favorite sea monster! Still trying to find your missing friend, I see."

Luca refused to face Ercole. Ercole stopped a short distance behind him. "What's the matter? Shark got your tongue?" He observed the poster Luca finished putting up. "Aw, piccoletto. I can see you worked really hard on making those. It's a shame that nobody cares!"

Luca expected the surrounding piazza residents to tell Ercole off. No one respected him anymore since the Portorosso Cup. However, no one spoke to Luca's defense. Some pretended they didn't even notice the encounter.

"Don't worry, it's for the best." Ercole pried, very much enjoying himself. "It's not like anyone in this town wants to see him back."

Luca knew Ercole was trying to get a reaction, to make himself blow up in front of everyone. He breathed deeply. Silenzio Bruno, silenzio Bruno… He started to walk away.

Ercole didn't like this. "Hey! I'm talking to you! Don't you know it's rude to not look at someone when they're talking to you?" When still Luca didn't respond, Ercole spat on the ground. "Fine– run away, coward! Just like your sea monster friend!"

Luca stopped. He could handle Ercole's insults. But when he insulted Alberto? He whirled on his heel.

"You're the one who's a coward!" He snapped. "You're not even half the person Alberto is!"

Ercole made a production of backing away, his arms up defensively. "Whoa– stay back, everyone– the sea monster's unpredictable. Just yesterday he attacked me out of nowhere! I'm lucky to have escaped with my arm still in one piece…"

Luca looked at Ercole's arm. An enormous cast was wrapped over the spot he had bitten the day before. A few people had already signed it.

Luca's face burned. "I didn't mean to–" he started, and Ercole leapt at the opportunity.

"Ah-HAH! You all heard it! The sea monster confessed!" He jeered, and some of the crowd gasped. "This is exactly what I've been trying to tell you people! The sea monsters are dangerous. They cannot be trusted to live in our town!"

"It was an accident!" Luca wailed, but it was too late. People were whispering, unsure what to believe. One man got to his feet. Luca was relieved; it was Tomasso. Surely he would see reason.

"Ercole is right," Tomasso said. "I saw it with my own eyes. Luca did indeed attack him."

Luca stared at each of the people he had grown to see as neighbors, as friends. Some of them stepped back, while others glared indignantly. The Aragosta sisters were sitting at a table nursing espressos, and a few of the people who were enjoying their company now made a wide circle away from them. The taller Aragosta sister however returned everyone's glares with her own.

"Listen to yourselves! We've been living in this town for years, and you've never been in fear of us! Now you're going to be just because this loudmouth says you have to?"

Some of the Portorossians went somber at this statement. Ercole noticed he was losing them. "Quiet!" He shouted, and he pointed at the Aragostas accusingly. "She's trying to confuse you! Remember they were lying to us the whole time they were here! They kept their identities secret so they could infiltrate our society!"

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," the shorter Aragosta sister sniffed. A great tension befell on the crowd. It was clear who they were going to support.

The taller Aragosta stood up. "I could use a change of scenery anyway."

"Agreed," the shorter one said. The two left in the direction of the bay.

"Don't even think about coming back! Or else–" Ercole imitated throwing a harpoon.

Luca couldn't take it anymore. "Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what? Liberating our town? Purging it of its filth?" Ercole had looked down at Luca in disgust many times, but this one was definitely the most pronounced. "If you know what's best for you, you'll get out of here and never return!"

A new voice came in. "And if you know what's best for you, you'll get out of here without saying another word."

A long shadow fell over them. It was Massimo. He watched Ercole with cold eyes. "Go home," he rumbled.

Ercole looked up at Massimo. He scampered home.

Everyone immediately went back to what they were doing as if nothing had occurred. Luca tried to explain.

"Signor Marcovaldo," he stuttered. "I was just–"

"Doing nothing wrong," Massimo assured him, though he was looking straight ahead. "Excuse me, Luca; I must have a word with Tomasso. Giulia is waiting for you back at the house." Then, as if it were an afterthought, he said, "I didn't see you."

Luca blinked. Still not facing him, Massimo went to find Tomasso, the townspeople avoiding eye contact as he went.

Luca walked up the road and through the Pescheria door to the kitchen.

"Luca? Is that you?" Giulia's head poked from around the corner as she leaned back to see him. "Great! Your lunch is on the table."

On the table was a half-eaten sandwich. Luca raised an eyebrow questioningly. Giulia grimaced. "Sorry– Machiavelli got a bite or two. But it's mostly still there. Here; I saved some of mine if you're still hungry."

"It's okay," Luca laughed, and he patted the cat's head. Machiavelli meowed, not the slightest bit remorseful of his actions. Luca sat at the table, noticing the yellow phone sitting on top of it. Massimo usually kept it on the counter by the window. "Are you planning on calling someone?"

Giulia climbed on the chair opposite to Luca. "No– I'm waiting for others to call us!" When Luca didn't react, she elaborated. "Remember? We put papà's phone number on the posters. With a bit of luck, we can expect a call any minute now!"

Luca hung his mouth open. With what happened in the piazza still fresh in his mind, he had completely forgotten about the telephone. "Giulia, that's great!" He exclaimed, sandwich forgotten. He leapt his upper body to rest across the table. "Has anyone called yet?"

"Not yet," Giulia replied, her gusto not at all quenched. "But I'm betting they will soon. I have a good feeling about this."

"So, all there is to do now is wait." Luca concluded.

"That's right," Giulia confirmed.

The two set their eyes avidly on the telephone. Dust floated blithely in the sun rays. Distant voices chimed from the street outside. Machiavelli stretched, scored his claws on the wood floor, and curled into a loaf.

Not much else happened outside of that.

Luca shifted from side to side. His excitement was quickly spiraling into nerves. Finally he stood stick-straight. "AH– I can't wait any longer! Giulia, what if nobody calls?"

"Luca, breathe–" Giulia began, but Luca was in a trance.

"What if we put the wrong phone number on the posters?" A much worse idea occurred to Luca and he dug his fingers in his hair. "What if the town doesn't even want Alberto to come back?"

"Wait," Giulia's tone faded into something more serious. "What do you mean, 'what if they don't want Alberto back?'"

Luca wrung his hands fitfully. Giulia moved in front of him, trying to catch his eye. "Luca, why would you say that? Portorosso adores Alberto." She laughed as memories surfaced. "You do, for one. And then there's the Aragosta sisters, your parents, and your grandma! Not to mention–"

"That's just it," Luca interrupted without planning to. His stomach burned with frustration. "You're only listing the sea monsters in town. What about all the humans? Would any of them want him back? Do any of them even want me here?"

Giulia stared round-eyed at Luca. "Of course they do–" Slowly, her indignation wore off. "Hang on… I know what's going on here. Ercole said something, didn't he?" She smashed her fist into her palm. "Doesn't he ever know when to stop? What did he tell you this time?"

"It's– it's nothing," Luca quickly dismissed. "You're right. I shouldn't even be thinking about it."

Truthfully, Luca didn't want to dwell on it because he was scared it might be true. Did Portorosso want him there? It didn't seem like it at the piazza. During the Portorosso Cup, he was fully convinced the town had turned around and were completely accepting of sea monsters. With how quickly Ercole was able to change their minds in a day, Luca was no longer so convinced.

Giulia wasn't entirely satisfied with his answer. "Whatever Ercole said is nothing. He's a big jerk who unjustly hates sea monsters, and that's that. Don't let him get to you, okay?"

Luca nodded, though inwardly he doubted. Giulia didn't see what he saw. While the townspeople may not have hated him, they certainly didn't trust him– not anymore.

Bbbbring! Bbbbbbbring!

The piercing rings put Giulia and Luca in a temporary shock. Luca reacted first, and he made a greedy grab for the telephone handset. Giulia shoved her face forward, steadying the telephone between the two of them so they could talk and listen together. They spoke over each other.

"Hello, yes?"

"Ciao, Marcovaldo household!"

"Ciao, ragazzi!" A female sang from the other line. "I know I'm a little late for the surprise party, but better late than never, no?"

The woman laughed cheerfully. Giulia shared a dismayed look with Luca. It was her mother Maria, calling from Genova to check on them. Not a person calling about Alberto.

"Hello?" Maria asked after the brief silence. "Did I lose you?"

Giulia hesitated, apparently mapping out what she was going to say. "No, mamma, you didn't lose us. Um… there's something we should tell you."

Giulia and Luca took turns catching Maria up to speed on the situation. Not once did Maria interrupt. When they finished, she remained quiet before speaking.

"Oh, Giulia. Luca. I am so sorry to hear this. I never met Alberto, but based on what you two have told me about him, he seems like a good friend."

Luca nodded grimly. "Yeah; he is."

Maria asked, "Have you contacted the authorities yet?"

Giulia sighed. "I think everyone in town knows he's missing by now. We put up posters this morning."

Luca traced his finger on the table. "Yeah, and I did ask Segnora Maggiore today if she could do anything. She said she would look into it."

His argument with Giulia only minutes ago came to the forefront of his mind. Maggiore did seem hesitant when he approached her for help. Something like a stone dropped into Luca's stomach. Did she really mean it when she said she'd see what she could do?

Maria, though almost a hundred kilometers away, sensed Luca's distress. "Well, from what I know about him, Alberto is a very sensible young man. Whatever happened to him, I'm sure he can push through and find his way back home."

Luca would have thanked her if the stone hadn't swelled from his stomach to his throat. Giulia gently took hold of the telephone. "Sì; you're right, mamma. We have to focus on the positives. After all, Alberto's used to being on his own. He knows how to take care of himself."

Yeah, Luca thought privately. A little too well.

"This feels weird."

"It's perfectly normal! Don't worry about a thing. They'll love you! They always love the exhibits!"

Alberto leaned over the side of the enclosure. The bright blue water sparkled under the warm sun. Behind him was Alessio, who was coaching him in what to expect from the day.

"The aquarium opens in one minute," Alessio wiped a handkerchief on his forehead and took a steadying breath. "You ready?"

Alberto still didn't know how he felt about being a show pony. But, at least for the time being, it was the only way he could get back to Portorroso. He only needed to make enough money for a train ticket; then, he was out of there.

He had talked it through with Matteo the night before. Matteo explained that if business went as well as he expected with Alberto, then he should have enough money to get back to Portorroso in less than a few weeks. It wasn't ideal, but it was the safest chance Alberto had, as he wasn't about to risk his neck with the canning factory finding him again.

"I think so," Alberto replied noncommittally. "What are you gonna do?"

"I'll be right here, hyping the crowd up with your performance!" Alessio promised, stuffing his handkerchief away. "Not that I'll need to. You'll do a good enough job on your own! Oh– Bianca's opening the doors now!"

Nerves pricked at Alberto's stomach. "But, it won't be too busy, right? I mean, word wouldn't have spread about a new exhibit opening up yet–"

"We did a radio broadcast this morning talking all about the new sea monster exhibit!" Alessio was full of enthusiasm and anxiety, which spiked Alberto's nerves all the more. "Now, go! Knock them dead– as the Americans say!"

With a mighty heave, Alessio pushed Alberto into the pool. Alberto flailed in the air then dropped to the bottom of the tank. For a few seconds, he stayed there, too uncertain to do anything.

What was wrong with him? He never froze up like this! It must have been Bruno messing with his head. Alberto shook himself aggressively. He would do this! He had to do this.

But… what was 'this,' exactly? He still didn't understand what he was supposed to do. Alessio might have drilled it into his head a hundred times now, and Alberto still had no idea what the point of having him there was.

Blurry shapes of people came into view above the enclosure. Some of them stopped to peer in the water, then walked away bored. Alberto could hear Alessio's attempts to keep them entertained, which landed rather pathetically. Alberto felt a little bad, but he was still worried he might mess something up.

One wall of the tank was reflective of the shimmering waves above. Alberto turned and saw his own reflection. His fins, his spiny tail, his iridescent scales. Memories of the Portorroso townspeople staring at him in horror and hatred made him tremble.

But then, newer memories didn't have that same outcome. The Portorroso children, laughing with delight whenever he played with them. The kind fishermen, offering to let him fish in their boat and sharing with him secrets of the trade. Massimo, and the way he looked at Alberto not as something to hunt, but as someone to take care of.

Alessio was practically begging people to stay and wait for the sea monster to reveal itself. Clearly, no one thought it was worth it, or perhaps they believed they were being hoaxed. Alberto steeled himself and surfaced.

He surprised himself with his own momentum as he soared through the air. He hung for a moment at the highest of his leap, then dipped back underwater with hardly a splash.

There was a clamor of gasps and exclamations. People ran to the edge of the water, children hanging over the railing and adults watching with awe and trepidation. Now smirking, Alberto repeated the action, this time performing a backflip, and received joyful shouts in reply.

Alessio might have been on the verge of crying in relief. "There he is! Wasn't that worth the wait? Behold, il mostro marino di Porto Antico!"

Alberto cut through the water like a knife. He did a few spins and flourished his tail. The children squealed with excitement. The adults clapped in amazement. They loved him! In the midst of the adrenaline, Alberto performed a great sweeping motion which brought a wave of water on the attendees. There was a brief pause, then the children cheered. Their parents weren't as thrilled but remained very visibly impressed.

"Okay, take it easy, there," Alessio half-laughed, half-warned off to the side.

Alberto responded by spitting a Jetstream of water at Alessio. Alessio squawked and fell in the tank out of alarm, and true to Alberto's expectation the crowd burst into delighted laughter. Alessio brought his head out of the water, the epitome of shock written on his face, and Alberto smiled sheepishly at him. Noticing the crowd was loving every second of it, Alessio couldn't stay mad and he laughed, too.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur. Alberto couldn't remember the last time he had felt so energized; maybe when he first ran away with Luca. For hours, he entertained his audience which was growing with every passing minute. The rest of the aquarium was open, but it was clear everyone came to see him. While that morning Alberto had felt sick to his stomach at the thought, now he couldn't remember why he was even worried.

At last, the afternoon rolled into evening. A few people used the last few minutes of their time to watch Alberto, then they were ushered out right at closing. Even after a whole day's work of swimming and performing tricks, Alberto was unable to keep still. He leapt right out of the tank and shook himself like a dog. The spray got all over Alessio.

"Augh!" Alessio wailed.

Alberto grinned unapologetically. "Sorry."

"Hmph," Alessio sniffed, then Bianca tackled him in a hug.

"Ahh! Bravo, bravo!" She grabbed a tight hold of Alberto next, even lifting him off the ground in excitement. "That was amazing! Ah, it's just what this aquarium needed! All of today's visitors will tell others about you, and we'll be back in our former glory in no time! You–" she let go of Alberto, beaming with joy. "You've saved our business!"

Alberto stood stiff as a board, unused to her aggressive affection. Alessio ruffled his hair, breaking him out of his stupor. "Yes, though technically we saved him first, so we could say it was a team effort– ow," Bianca had hit him.

"Nonsense, it's clear that he was the star of the show." Bianca broke off, suddenly appearing very awkward. "Um… I'm just now realizing we never asked you for your name."

Alessio and Bianca watched Alberto expectantly. A day ago, Alberto wasn't comfortable even saying where he was from. Now, he felt he could trust these two enough to call them friends. More than happily, he offered them each a handshake. "Alberto Scorfano."

"Well, we are delighted to officially meet you, Alberto Scorfano!" Bianca chirped, and she dragged both boys in a group hug.

"Oi, Bianca, a little personal space, please!" Alessio protested, and once she released them he dramatized dusting his uniform. To Alberto, he added, "She's not usually this clingy."

"I can't help it. Alberto, you have changed our lives for the better." Bianca sighed, sounding very much like a weight had been lifted from her. "Ours, and every sea creature in this Aquarium."

Alberto hadn't thought of it like that. He pictured the many fish, reptiles, and mammals in their exhibits, who weren't getting the food and medicine they needed. Knowing he was helping them brought a warmth he hadn't felt in days.

"Alright, where's my star employee? Where is he?"

Alessio, Bianca, and Alberto turned to see Matteo moving swiftly through the throng of Aquarium employees. His eyes positively glowed when they landed on Alberto and he threw his hands out. "There he is! You– you, young man–" Matteo grabbed Alberto's hand and gave it a firm shake. "I think we'll keep you around!"

"Uh, I thought that was the idea?" Alberto said, not understanding the saying. The adults laughed.

"What I mean is, you were spectacular," Matteo interpreted, and he turned his attention to Alessio. "You did a wonderful job training him, Alessio! Those backflips and twirls were a sight to behold. And the whole act with you pushing Alessio in the water? That's the sort of fun-loving spark this place has been missing!"

Alessio coughed a little, clearly not remembering it the same way. "Actually, Matteo, that was all Alberto. I didn't tell him to do any of that."

"Really?" Matteo's eyes gleamed at Alberto. "Then it seems we've got a natural on our hands."

There was something pleasant about the praise Alberto was receiving. In a fleeting moment, he wondered why their opinions mattered so much to him, but it was quickly ignored. It felt so good, he thought he might burst with pride. Even better, if that day was any indication of the days to come, Alberto would be on the train back to Portorosso in no time.

"Well, I don't like to brag, but I am one of the fastest swimmers in the Eastern Ligurian." Alberto said off-handedly. To his delight, they seemed to enjoy his response.

"I don't doubt it," Matteo purred, and he clapped his hands together. "This calls for a celebration! Tell me, Alberto, have you ever had Italian cuisine?"

The word 'cuisine' was entirely foreign to Alberto. He shrugged easily. "Sure I have. Massimo makes that dish all the time."

Matteo hummed. "Ah, yes. You're in for a real treat tonight."

Oh boy, more drama in Portorosso. At least Alberto's doing okay! ...Right?

For those still reading, huge thanks! You're unfortunately going to have to put up with my infrequent updates. It's not that life gets in the way, it's that choosing to set time aside for writing is becoming less of a priority of mine. There's health to be found away from the keyboard, and I hope that you readers will find the same to be true in your own lives ^_^

Reviews are appreciated!