The Smile by Napoli Donna Jo

Author:Napoli, Donna Jo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 2010-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

PART Two

CHAPTER Thirteen

SEPTEMBER IS NEARLY UPON US,” says Caterina. “Just another couple of weeks. I’m thinking October is a good party month—toward the end, when the nights are cool. Aunt Nanina, don’t you think a party is due for our Elisabetta?”

“Overdue,” says Aunt Nanina, and the way she says it feels rehearsed. They’ve been talking about this without me, I’m sure. “We’ll throw it in my city palace.” Aunt Nanina sits in her favorite chair like a queen on a throne, ready to give orders, which makes sense, since this is her domain—we’re in her country house today. We’ve been helping her pack up to return to her city palace for autumn. “Let’s make the guest list.”

The two women look at me expectantly.

A terrible stone of worry tumbles in my middle. If we really plan a party for me, something major is bound to happen and stop it. For this is the party we would have had when I turned thirteen, if Mamma hadn’t died. And the one we would have had when I turned fourteen, if Papà hadn’t married Caterina and I hadn’t recoiled from both of them in spite. And the one we would have had at the beginning of this summer, on my fifteenth birthday, if Camilla hadn’t died in April.

Poor Caterina. Is she ready for a party? She marches brightly from day to day, acting cheery, especially around little Bartolomeo. But there are moments when such a savage loss fills her eyes that I have to turn away to keep from crying for her. I’ve gotten good at making pasta in the shape of her beloved doves, which I serve her often.

“Let’s wait for spring,” I say. “In October everyone’s thinking ahead to the winter festivities. No one will want to take the time to come to a simple party for me.”

“A simple party?” Aunt Nanina points to her footstool. “Sit down here, Elisabetta.” I sit obediently. “In my family we don’t do simple parties. Everyone will happily make the journey for this party.”

“Everyone will be ready for a celebration by then, anyway,” says Caterina. “The summer started so badly. But people are feeling more optimistic now. It should be a good olive harvest, after all.”

She’s right. In June it rained so hard, the Arno overflowed and flooded the cornfields. Since the corn was near ripe, the harvest was lost. It was disaster; though corn is a grain that came to us only recently, it’s already become crucial. And not just for animals—everyone but the very rich eats it nearly daily. But the new crops are doing well. And the fruit trees bend under their loads. Yes, October will be a good time for a party. And, truth be told, now that I face the real possibility of a party, I don’t think I can wait much longer; I haven’t seen Giuliano since his sister Contessina’s wedding. I hug myself at the rush of feelings that come unbidden. Nothing bad can happen this time. “All right, let’s make the guest list.

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