Anna Maria's Gift by Janice Shefelman

Author:Janice Shefelman [Shefelman, Janice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-375-89828-0
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2010-10-26T16:00:00+00:00

“The tide is still in,” Francesco said. “Your violin could have floated farther inland.”

He rowed on, through the narrow canal. Stone buildings rose up on either side. Finally they reached the north shore of the island, with no sign of her violin.

“Oh, Signor Francesco, I cannot live without my violin. I shall die.” Anna Maria hid her face in the cushions and began to cry.

Through her sobs she heard Francesco’s voice. “Why would this Paolina do such a thing, signorina?”

“Because she hates me,” Anna Maria said into the cushions.

“And why is that?” asked Francesco.

Anna Maria sat up. “Because she is afraid I will become Maestro Vivaldi’s favorite instead of her. But I hate her a thousand times more than she hates me.”

Francesco said nothing. He turned the gondola back toward the Pietà. The dark waters of the canal rippled with the motion of his oar.

“I hate this canal,” Anna Maria said. “I hate Venice. I hate the Pietà. I hate Paolina.” She leaned against the cushions with a sigh. “I hate everything except you and your gondola and Maestro Vivaldi.”

“I’m sorry you have lost your violin, signorina. But it is not as bad as hating everything. Without your violin you can still be a musician.”

Anna Maria shook her head. “No, you don’t understand. It is not just a violin. It’s my father’s voice.”

When they came up to the bridge, Sister Lidia stood waiting for her.

“We didn’t find it,” Anna Maria called.

Francesco tied the gondola and helped her out. “Signorina, you must not lose hope.”

Sister Lidia looked at Francesco. “Signore, you could have caused trouble for Anna Maria.”

“Excuse me, Sister.” He took off his red cap and bowed. “But I also could have helped find her violin. It was a risk worth taking.”

Sister Lidia nodded and took Anna Maria by the hand. “Come, Annina.” She started walking toward the Pietà. “My heart breaks for you, but you must not leave without permission.”

Anna Maria stopped and pulled her hand away. “I don’t care about the rules. I only care about my violin.”

“I understand,” said Sister Lidia. “But you could be removed from violin class if it happens again. Your father would not want that and neither would I.”

It was true.

During supper Anna Maria stared at her plate of creamy rice. Even though she did not look at Paolina, she felt her presence.

A nun was reading from the Bible.

“Then came Peter to him, and said,

‘Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against

me, and I forgive him? till seven times?’”

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