Page 100

“You can let the secret lie,” Angelo says. “It’s worked in my family for centuries. But if you want to know the truth, get in.”

I climb into the jeep. The Canalgrande Alto is still loaded with potholes, though there were rumblings that the town of Carrara had plans to fix the road. Maybe a tire will blow out or the engine might fail, and I can get myself out of this situation before I learn too much. But, it’s too late. I texted Mauro, requesting a meeting with his mother and him. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing, but Angelo convinced me I have no choice.

“Claudia has had a happy life. Mauro is a good man from a fine family. Why unearth all of this now?” I ask. “This is a terrible idea.”

“Last chance.” Angelo turns to me as we pull into the field next to Claudia’s home. “Are you going to take my advice? Or would you rather run?” Angelo asks.

“Either way I’m going to blame you. Just so you know.”

Claudia and Mauro meet us under the loggia where we had lunch. Mauro lowers the bamboo shades on the trellis to block the morning sun. Claudia invites us to sit.

“We had such a wonderful time in your home.”

“I hope you’re feeling better.”

“I am. That’s why we’re here.”

“Angelo said you have something to tell us.”

“Before we came to lunch yesterday, you showed me a photo of your father, Luigi Capodimonte. I knew him.”

“Impossible.” She smiles. “He died long before you were born.” Claudia looks at Mauro, then back at me.

“I don’t know why your father told you Luigi died in 1971, but he didn’t. He went home to New Jersey.”

“No.” Claudia’s eyes fill with tears. “It can’t be. Is he alive?”

“Mamma, let her talk,” Mauro says.

“Your father sent him back to America. Luigi Capodimonte was my uncle. My mother’s only brother. He died last October of heart failure. I was with him when he died.”

“I don’t understand.” Claudia takes her son’s hand.

“I worked for Uncle Louie in our family business. We imported marble and installed it in people’s homes. He was funny and warm and a good husband. A wonderful uncle and my best friend. He didn’t have any children with his wife. Aunt Lil is still alive, and I haven’t decided how I’m going to tell her about Mauro. But I will.”

“My father lied to me,” Claudia says softly.

“I’m sorry he did. Fate would have played out differently for sure.”

“I don’t believe this could be true. It’s crazy.” Mauro stands and paces. “Why should I believe you?”

“Because I have proof. But first, Mauro, I’d like to tell you about Luigi Capodimonte. I don’t think Uncle Louie knew about you. If he had known about you, he would have never left your mother. He was a Grand Knight Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus. He believed in rules and doing the right thing. He was a Catholic boy, Jesuit trained, who believed in God, with whom he shared a personal relationship.”

“I can’t believe this.” Mauro looks to Angelo, who encourages him to listen.

“When I saw the photograph of him in your office, I couldn’t believe it. I looked at the negatives; the missing photograph of the collection is the one in your office. Here is the negative of that photograph.” I lay the photographs on the table carefully, like a tarotreader with her cards. I hold up the photograph of Uncle Louie and the young woman. “Is this you, Claudia?”

Claudia’s hands shake as she holds the photograph. “This is me.”

“Signora, who took the photographs?”

“My sister Rossella had a Leica camera. She took this photograph. I remember because when we came home, my father was angry that we had been gone all day. So when the film was developed, I gave the photographs to Luigi for safekeeping. I took one from the pile because I wanted a photograph of him. Later, when my father told me Luigi died, I went to the boardinghouse to pack up his things, because I wanted anything I could find to remember him, but I was too late. His clothes were gone. Everything. It was as if he was never there.”

“If he was alive, why didn’t he come back for you?” Mauro is angry.

“Who knows what your grandfather said to him,” I say.

“Mauro, don’t blame him. Luigi wanted to marry me that summer. I was so young. Just eighteen. I promised I would go with him to America when I turned nineteen. We were making plans when the accident happened.”