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It’s 10 a.m. and I’m at Giovanis, waiting for Gina. This is going to be a serious conversation, and I hope Gina will give me what I need. After all, what is family for if not to help each other out, right?
“Hi, Dante,” Gina greets me when she arrives fifteen minutes late. “I’m so sorry. I got stuck behind a broken down truck. I tell you, traffic in this town can be murder.”
“Hi, Gina. It’s okay. Thanks for meeting with me.”
“Sure.”
“How’s your husband?”
“Jeff’s well. He’s out of town at the moment so I’m holding down the fort.”
“He seems like a good man. Is he testing you well?”
“The implication being that if he isn't you’ll put an end to him?” she grins.
“There is that, yes,” I smile.
“Jeff is a sweetheart. I couldn’t have chosen better. At the risk of being brutally honest, what are we doing here, Dante?”
“Straight to the point. I see the Sicilian blood courses strongly through your veins.”
“Uh-huh. Let’s face it, you and I haven’t really seen much of each other since we were kids. So, I wonder what I can do for you now.”
“It’s about Mia.”
“I thought as much. What’s up?”
“I love her.”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“Am I sensing just a smidgen of animosity, Gina?”
“If this is going to be a frank and honest conversation, then yes. I am a little pissed at you, cousin.”
“I see. And why might that be?”
“Well, for a start, I think that you dropping in on Mia’s life in the way that you did, puts her in the center of a world that she simply isn’t cut out for.”
“Okay, I get that.”
“I take it you know that Angelo is yours.”
“Yes, and I’m thrilled about that.”
“That’s great. But have you told Mia exactly who you are? Or shall I say, what you are? If I know Mia, she’s probably poured her heart out to you by now. Have you done her the same courtesy?”
“You’re being awfully familiar here, cousin. I’d tread a little lighter if I were you.”
“Oh, are you threatening me now? This isn’t Italy, Dante. You’re in my country now.”
“No. I’m not threatening you, Gina. I’m merely pointing out that you are being rather presumptuous in your estimation of me.”
“In that case, I apologize. What are your intentions toward Mia and Angelo?”
“I love them. I want to build a life with them. Does that answer your question?”
“Yes.”