Page 103 of Lorenzo

“Something’s wrong,” she says.

“We better get back.” And as we walk out of the cave and back into the safety of the library, I wonder what it was I felt.

And why?

CHAPTER 45

LORENZO

“What gave you the sudden idea to take me to the Renaissance Faire?”

We’re both back in the car, on another gorgeous New England day.

“It wasn’t a sudden idea,” I say, putting one arm around Em while using the other to steer the car.

“I had it all planned as part of your birthday extravaganza.”

“Nice to know that I’m that special,” she says, favoring me with a smile.

“Lots of people think you’re special, besides me. There’s Teddy. The kid adores you. That friend you’re always gossiping with. The one you call banana …”

“Oh. Anna. My bestie. And I guess my aunt appreciated me in her own way. We were not close. And almost from the very start, I was the one taking care of both her and Teddy. I planned the grocery lists, shopping for food. But we understood one another.”

I watch as she pauses, as if reliving the moment.

“Even now, after her death, I feel like she’s with me.”

“Telling you to wear your tweeds?” I tease.

“It was never about the tweeds,” says Em, quietly.

Then, as if to turn the topic, she poses a question of her own.

“What about you? It’s easy to see how close you and Dante are. But who else is important in your life?”

“Well, Luca, my baby brother, for sure. But that’s it. When my mom was alive, she ranked above everyone, even Dante. But that was then.”

“What was she like?” Em asks after a few moments.

I hesitate, debating whether I should speak the words.

“A little like you.”

“In what way?”

“A schoolmarm. Solid.”

I speak in a casual tone, playing down the fact I gave Emily the biggest compliment of my life by saying she was like my mother.

Then I swing more roughly than necessary into the dirt parking lot of the old strawberry farm serving as the festival grounds.

“I’m excited about the fare,” Em says, once we get out of the car. “I’m anticipating costumes and fun games,” Emily says, her expression like that of an excited child. You?”

“Me, I’m craving a giant turkey leg and a joust.”

“Do you know what jousting even means?” Emily teases.

“It’s a game like modern day soccer, right?” I retort with a wink.