Impossible Love

Impossible Love 35

Maxieplus

I immediately was on my feet, if that man is here to manipulate my Gianni there will be hell to play. I stopped short of the argument and listened.

"I have the right to be at my nephew's wedding Sabine, why do you insult me with your words and put that gun away that won't solve anything?"

"Because you lost that right years ago, and if you don't get off this property now I will get security to remove you, and I will ban the Gypsy from the lower paddocks forever, you do not give me orders."

"Please go, you are upsetting my mama. I don't want any of you at my wedding and you can thank my papa for that, and anyway I don't even know you." Gianni was getting upset.

"Gianni, Sabine go back to the table. I will deal with this."

"Are you Antonio? I heard you were a small man but I see you have much power in you."

I took Gianni's hand and begged him to walk away which he and Sabine did but only fifteen feet away.

"Listen Menowin, Gianni's papa spoiled it for all of you. He was quite prepared to meet with his other family he was looking forward to it. Basilio spoiled it for everyone you should be burning him at the stake for what he did to Gianni and his mother."

"We didn't know, we loved Gianni but he stopped coming to us after his mama died. Basilio is being punished severely for what he did to our prince, and he is kept far away from here because of it. We want to at least have Gianni acknowledge he is gypsy blood, and all we ask is that myself, his aunty, and my son attend the wedding ."

"What you have a son?" Why don't you shock me some more?

"Yes, and he has dreamed of meeting Gianni all his life, he has made him a god in his mind, and cries because he wants to come to his wedding and meet his cousin." I was immediately thinking about Gianni as a little boy, his idea of his perfect father, it sounds like his cousin is the same as Gianni.

"We heard you couldn't have children." I was stunned.

"Basilio probably told you that, he is full of shit, we were all ashamed of him and yes my son has idolized Gianni for years and as you can see I can father children if I want. We had no idea what Basilio was doing to Sabine's sister otherwise we would have intervened immediately."

"Do I believe you?"

"I don't know Antonio, but I have heard you are a fair man. Sabine can't see past her sister's tragic death and she holds Gianni tightly to her bosom. It is decreed for eons that when a Gypsy prince marries at least the king and his family must attend."

"You, your wife, and his cousin will attend I will make sure you are treated with full respect, and there will be a table next to ours made available. Is there anyone else you would like to bring?"

"His three uncles and aunties if I may?"

"You may, maybe twelve of you and please, no more bullshit, and no Basilio, and no upsetting Gianni or Sabine and her family otherwise I will have to remove you myself."

"You are a wise man Antonio, I am sick of the fighting between families, we were once very good friends with the Cartasso family."

"You can thank Basilio for that, now I have offered a hand of friendship please respect it." He bowed to me and shook my hand.

"I think I am going to like you Padrino Antonio very much." Then he leaned in to whisper to me.

"That dunking last night was well deserved and long overdue." He smiled.

"You saw that?"

"I have seen our prince on many occasions, and you Antonio, and we are happy he has found his truth with you beside him to guide him."

He then started walking away.

"What's his name?"

"Whose name?"

"Gianni's cousin?"

"Adamo."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you, Antonio." He smiled and kept walking into the trees. I took a deep breath and wondered if I had done the right thing by inviting them to the wedding, but if Gianni has a cousin and uncles he has the right to meet them, with Sabine Romano or not.

"What did you say to him Antonio, he must not attend your wedding I forbid it," Sabine said.

"We will speak of it later my friend, I'm hungry let's eat Gianni."

"No, we will speak of this now, do not disrespect me, Antonio." She's mad.

"What are you going to do mother in law shoot me with your toy pistol?"

She rummaged around in her bag and pulled out a silver handgun, it was real.

"You think this is a toy Antonio?"

"Not now I have seen it, Sabine please place it in your safe, I don't want it around Lukas or Gianni for that matter it will solve nothing."

I turned to Gianni and asked him.

"What do you want to do about your uncle?"

"I don't know Antonio, I think about him but I don't remember any of my Gypsy family." He dropped his head and I knew then he wanted to know them.

"They are coming to our wedding I will make a table next to ours for them, I told him he could bring up to twelve relatives."

"You what!!" Sabine screamed.

"I invited some of Gianni's family to our wedding, it's time to stop this rot."

"I will not attend then Antonio you have displeased me greatly and insulted my sisters memory." She walked off as mad as a bull on heat.

"Mama is very mad at you Antonio, she may never talk to you again."

"I can't help that. I have to try and mend the rift Gianni surly you of all people can see that it's tearing Sabine apart, and her family suffers greatly because of it."

"But what if they turn out like papa, what do I do then?"

"We go home and live a long life like a normal married couple, we leave Sabine and her demons here."

"Thank you Antonio I wanted to ask my uncle to come, but I was too scared."

"Well no more being scared Gianni, let me tell you a story, let's sit for a minute." We sat down on a garden seat.

"Do you remember a little boy you once knew who dreamed of his mama and papa all the time, he had placed his papa on a pedestal and his mama was the light of his life?"

"Yes Antonio, you are maybe talking of me."

"I am baby." I stroked his head.

"His papa turned out to be a terrible person in more ways than one, he treated his family very badly but his son loved him just the same."

"I did Antonio for a long time I loved my papa."

"Well, let me tell you about a boy called Adamo, he also has a dream. His older cousin is a god to his eyes and he has never met him, but he has placed him on a pedestal and loved him from afar all his life, and he yearns to meet his cousin and is upset he can't come to his wedding. He also has dreams, like the little boy you knew a long time ago."

"Who is this Adamo?"

"Your little cousin Menowin's son." There was silence, nothing was said and nothing explained, then he wept. Sometime between gasps for air he said.

"I have a cousin? I have a real family?"

"You have a cousin Gianni, Basilio told you lies about his brother, you have uncles also and aunties. And your cousin has been waiting to meet you all his life. He knows about you but was banned from meeting you by your papa. He was born when you were six years old, that would make him about nineteen or twenty now and he's coming to the wedding, I insist on it, and anyway I believe he has bought a new suit, his first one ever for the occasion. Sabine or not your Gypsy family is coming to our wedding. The one thing I care about the most is you Gianni, and your happiness, and Sabine should be thinking along those lines also, but she has blinded herself in her grief."

"I find your uncle to be an honest man Gianni and somehow I trust him to tell me the truth. Now do you want a little cousin or not?"

"Yes Antonio I would like that very, very, much, a family I want a family."

"Good, now we have to go and convince Sabine that this rift between the families is healed and there will be no more mudslinging or guns."

I kissed him gently and wiped away his tears and said.

"No more tears my love, please be happy and please let's just love each other. If it all doesn't work out at least we will have each other"

"I know Antonio, you are all I ever dreamed of you are my family forever and I do love you."

"Come on let's face the music then go and see about some magnific wines." I held my hand out he took it and pulled himself up.

"Oh my you are a strong boy aren't you?"

"All my strength is in you Antonio, I can't exist anymore without you, I am bewitched." He kissed me and held my hand as we walked back to the table. Sabine was nowhere in sight and the boys were looking very worried.

"Where did she go?"

"Into town Antonio."

"Gran, did you sleep well?"

"Yes son, we had a wonderful sleep thank you, now eat something you must be famished." I smiled at her, some things are forever.

Ramone was worried, and I was worried she might do something she will regret and I wished it didn't happen, but it did.

"Ramone, where do I get a boat from?"

"What for Antonio?" His demeanor has gone a little cold.

"I want to go for a row on the lake."

"The boats are now stored in a shed on the winery property, I will have someone fit one out for you."

"Please will you do that for me, and please don't think I'm evil. I am only trying to do the best for my family."

"I don't Antonio, but I am worried about Sabine."

"Leave Sabine to me."

I knew what I had to do, and I needed a setting where she would be all alone to do it, so I waited while Gianni took our guests over to the winery for a tour. I told him I would catch up with him later on.

"Can you get that boat as quickly as possible Ramone?"

He picked up his phone and rang someone giving out orders in Italian.

"It has been dropped at the dock waiting for you Antonio, what are you going to do?"

"Start healing a few people Ramone, and you should think about healing Alessio also. He is not happy in the city but thinks he's in the way here. I think Sabine intimidates him a little." I know I'm dead right about that I know things, and I know body language and people.

"Her and I know that Antonio, can you help me convince him?"

"Yes, I will try."

"Now can you ring Sabine and insist she comes back."

"Of course." He then smiled and said.

"You are not going to drown her are you?"

"It's a big possibility." I smiled gently.

I waited out the front until I saw Sabine's mercedes come up the driveway. She was furious when she saw me and tried to escape through her garage.

I followed and caught her arm.

"Sabine, please talk to me, please. I only did it for Gianni's cousin's sake."

Her shocked face said it all, she didn't know.

"What? he has cousins?"

"Only the one his name is Adamo, and he's been wanting to meet Gianni all his life. Please walk with me, please this won't take long."

She relented and I steered her towards a golf cart.

"Where are you taking me, if this is another one of your foolish ideas I will never forgive you."

"You have nothing to forgive me about dear mother-in-law, but you do have someone to forgive, and we are going to do that, right now."

"Who?"

"Yourself." She went very quiet.

I pulled up at the lake and sure enough, there was a small blue boat waiting at the docks. I took her hand and walked her down the well-preserved wooden planks.

"What are you doing?"

"We are going for a boat ride."

"We are not, I don't want to get into one of those things, they are dangerous."

"Please come with me, please let me take you around the lake." She looked at me and slumped.

"You are a mad man Antonio you have upset my day so much I could strangle you."

"Maybe you will get the chance halfway around Sabine, or maybe you will find some peace," I held her hand while she stepped into the boat and when we were settled I started rowing. I smiled at her she looked scared, so I steeled myself and asked the question.

"Who raped you, Sabine?"

"What? are you fucking mad what sort of a question is that. Antonio as god is my witness I want you to row me back otherwise I will drown you with my bare hands." She went to get up and the boat tipped so she sat down heavily, again I said.

"Who raped you?"

She went quiet and her mouth was white from being closed so tightly.

"Let me ask you another question, why do you carry a gun?"

"For protection." She almost screamed I had cornered her and she didn't like it one little bit.

"Who raped you?"

She screamed so loud it shocked me to the core.

"Basilio."

"I thought so, then tell me."

I was almost a third around the lake and when I looked over to the banks the boys Gianni Ramone and three burly men were with them, they were shouting at me, but I couldn't hear their words. Sabine had tears and plenty of them and I said again.

"Tell me about the rape?"

She was terrified and was looking for a way out, she saw her family but didn't scream.

"We were friends from school, and he would row me around the lake. I didn't think anything about it. I was too trusting, sex was the last thing on my mind back then. He got to the middle of the lake then he attacked me, it wasn't gentle Antonio, he was violent even as a teenager. He relentlessly raped me over and over again." She was now screaming and sobbing she had nowhere to turn.

"It went on for hours he wouldn't let me go. I was all alone in this boat with him like a caged animal, he was an animal I screamed but no one heard me. I fought so hard Antonio but he was too strong so I laid there and let him do what he wanted. I went to another place with my sister we were making the daisy chains and laughing I felt no pain after that."

She stopped and started shaking violently so I put my arms around her and told her she was safe and her past can't hurt her anymore unless she lets it. Her sister was here with us and we were all making lovely bright yellow necklaces, she cried so hard it broke my heart to listen and I held her tightly to me to keep her safe.

"Forgive yourself, it was all out of your hands and that madman will never come back into your life again, he can't hurt you anymore."

"I scream inside, all the time I scream when I wake and when I sleep."

"Then we have to find a way to stop that, the little girl in that boat no longer exists and the confident grown woman is keeping her safe in her heart."

"I took his son to punish him."

"To punish him? you didn't take him because of that my beautiful friend, you took him to save his life."

"I took him to save him, I saved him." Her tears had slowed and she looked at me.

"Please don't repeat this to anyone."

"No, I won't but someday and soon you will have to."

"I have never told anyone not even Ramone and my parents or the psyches I saw. The only other person that knows is Nina, my best friend, and savior Nina." She snuggled into me and the sun beat down and warmed our bodies.

"He was tormenting me everywhere I went, so eventually I was sent to Switzerland, and while I was there he married my sister, my heart shattered into a thousand pieces. Do you know how hard it is to keep a secret like that from your loved ones? I knew he would treat my sister badly and on several occasions, I threatened him with a gun. He knew I would use I too, that's why he got so scared of me."

"I figured out there was something else to your story my beautiful friend but wasn't sure, but you have to start telling people they certainly won't, out of their divine love for you, blame you and you might find some peace again."

"I know Antonio, I have lived many different lifetimes, but in the end, I have only lived one, on this lake with him attacking me."

"Time to start healing yourself, time to look at different things with different eyes, now tell me what happened to the baby."

Her face dropped and I knew I was right.

"My parents sent me to Switzerland to have an abortion, I couldn't do it so I had him adopted out." She leaned over the side of the boat and spewed.

I let her settle down again and said.

"Do you know where he is?"

"I made sure the Gypsy people took him he had to be with his people but I lost track after a few years. How did you know?"

"You adopt boys, you love them with all your heart, children are given to you to hold it all has to do with you losing your son."

"You are very bright Antonio, but do not tell anyone especially Gianni."

"I promise but he would be so happy to have a half-brother somewhere if he knew."

"I mean it Antonio, this is my business I cry for my baby every day, but I didn't want Basilio to have anything to hold over me I have one photo and every time I look at it I see Basilio. You are right maybe I have been making up for my loss with the boys but maybe I do love them to death anyway."

"You do my friend, anyone that knows you know that."

There was a long pause as we drifted a calmness came over the lake and the sun shimmered on its gentle rippling waves.

"I can feel her smiling and she's showing us she is happy, look at her shimmer."

She looked for ages and her eyes partly closed.

"There was money Antonio, plenty of money for Basilio, but I took it and gave it to my Gianni."

"A very wise move Sabine, does anyone else know?"

"Only the lawyer, Roberto's father, he will tell no one he passed and I have had words with Roberto when he took over the business his mouth is silenced."

I was right about him he was a very good lawyer besides what Gianni said, he didn't tell me about Basilio's inheritance because he was keeping his promise to Sabine to himself. I have a new profound respect for Roberto and I can't wait to meet him.

"Can they come to the wedding for Gianni's sake?"

"Yes I am just a silly old woman with too much baggage Antonio, they are welcome to my son's wedding."

"Good, now let's get you back to your family, and Sabine?"

"What Antonio?"

"Thank you."

"No thank you, my friend. I have enjoyed our boating around the lake I feel very calm again." She found her lovely smile.

The torment and pain she has had to endure would drive anyone crazy, but I admired her guts and determination not to let Gianni get mixed up in it all. That's why she held him close, and that's why he should love her even more like I do.

We parked the boat back at the dock, everyone was shouting at me and helping Sabine to alight. No, well I'll just help myself then.

"Antonio, what have you done to our mama. She is not well what did you do?" Carlos was very upset. I walked over to the golf cart and looked back at Gianni, he dropped his head. I could hear the barrage of questions and the accusations that I was going to kill their mama then I looked at Sabine.

"Do you need a lift my lovely lady of the lake?

"I need a bloody good stiff drink, will you accompany me my good fellow?"

"Of course madam, if we hurry we may not leave any drops left for the others." She jumped into the cart and I floored it, we spent the trip laughing our heads off, she was a little girl again and life was almost as good as it gets.

We ran into the house and opened a very expensive bottle of wine and sat out by the pool, we toasted each other and smiled a lot. Gran and grandad were actually in the pool with Federico and Alice, but no funny business.

"Watch this." I looked at Sabine.

"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse, what about you dear future mother-in-law?"

"Me too future son."

"I will get you something Sabine, Antonio, just let me dry myself, I won't be a minute," Gran yelled out we screamed with laughter, gran went red and then continued with her swimming.

They all caught up with us and started again, I looked at Gianni he was standing back and when he saw me he smiled. I passed him a glass of wine and he was putty in my hands because he knew I did something nice today, he wasn't listening to the barrage of accusations.

Alessio wanted to know what was going on, he had been in his room, or he preferred his room. I looked at him and said.

"How are you ever going to cope with being the lady of the house when Sabine leaves Alessio?" His jaw dropped.

"You are coming to Melbourne to live aren't you, we have a spare room?"

"I can honestly say I will be moving to Melbourne and I want Alessio to take over my duties here if he wouldn't mind?"

He was still speechless.

"Well after he and Ramone get married he might want to change your drapes and cushions do you trust him to make a home here?"

"Of course I do, it's all I have ever wanted for my Ramone his happiness is paramount, and if Alessio would agree to come and live here I will even buy him a wedding frock to wear." That stunned everyone it was only Gianni Sabine and me that were laughing. She looked at Alessio and said.

"Lighten up pork chop that's life, swim son in law?" She had the biggest smile on her face.

"You bet dear mother-in-law." We jumped in fully clothed and when I looked over Alessio was laughing his ass off. Gran wasn't happy we disturbed her serene swim, but grandad and Federico took great delight in ducking Sabine and me to no end, and when the others caught up they all jumped in, even Alessio.

Gianni caught up with me, I won't tell him what happened, that's Sabine's story and she can take her time to do that.

"I thought you had left me for my mama."

"Would I do that to you, no way would I do that, uh uh." I shook my head from side to side like a little kid.

"Yup no way."

"You were so funny Antonio, I wanted to tell them all to shut the fuck up but you speeded off before I could do it. You left them screaming at each other, it was funny Antonio."

"That's my boy, always look for the fun side of life and you will always be happy." I kissed him.

"I do Antonio, and I love you so much, did you and mama work things out?" It was at that moment Sabine jumped on his back and ducked him. I think we got it sorted.

It was a different holiday from there on, Sabine was more of a mum than a boss, and Alessio and her had many talks. She even took him to a good physiotherapist in town, one that will get him going again not commiserate with him and his affliction.

I hardly saw my son all day he had been taken over by women I didn't know, strangers but not strangers to him and his giggles as he tried to head for the pool warmed my heart. Gianni eventually took all his clothes off and we gave him a swim and he loved it, just him and his daddies.

I guess we had better try on our wedding suits at some stage, but for now I am enjoying being with my family. Carlos and Leon were still looking at me and when they cornered me they let me have it.

"What have you done to our mama Antonio?"

"Mama never swims with us."

"Did you hurt her?"

"She's so funny today." Carlos laughed.

I couldn't hurt these boys they adored Sabine so I kept my big mouth shut.

"What were you talking about Antonio?"

"Your wedding and which one is going to wear the dress."

"Who won Antonio?"

"Leon did, we have to book him in for a fitting."

"I told you that you were the woman but you didn't believe me." Poor Carlos I would have loved to watch his ass as he walked up the aisle commando. The argument started at that very moment with the boys as to who would look better in a wedding dress. I had a quiet moment with Sabine, she said she felt like a ton of weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she held me in that pool for some time.

We kissed everyone and went back to our place for an afternoon nap with our son, the ladies weren't happy at all.

"Thank god she left us some food, I'm starving," I said as I pulled some pasta bake out of the warm oven.

"Mama has food Antonio."

"Did you eat there?"

"No Antonio I was waiting for you."

"Then we eat here, pass the knives and forks."

I put the tray on the table outside and we sat in the sun, Lukas sipped on his juice and was watching and pointing to the water.

"Did you get any work done?"

"No Antonio, we were too worried. I showed everyone through and introduced them to my friends but all they wanted to do was talk to me and ask me about living in Australia, and working visas." He laughed

"We will try again tomorrow baby, it's going to be a different day I think."

"I can't wait to marry you Antonio, do you think your Nonno and Nonna will give you away?"

"I hope so, I haven't asked them yet who are you using?"

"I am asking mama and papa to do that Antonio, then we can work out the legal sides, like a prenup."

"What? a bloody prenup what the hell are you talking about?"

"I am a very wealthy man Antonio, and if I find out you have stuck your dick in a hole, I will need the prenup to put you in your place."

"I won't, I promise."

"Okay no prenup, but you can kiss me if you like."

"I can do so much more than kiss you."

"I know but for now we eat and I want a kiss."

I did kiss him and he smiled as his hand gently held my face,

"I love you so much Antonio."

"I love you too Gianni, let's eat I'm starving.

"Starving for a big dick I think." He mumbled.

"What did you just say?"

"I said I was looking forward to eating this food."

"That's better." I laughed.

We ate then stripped off and took Lukas in the pool again without the noise and splashing. He held onto Gianni's neck tightly as he dipped him up and down, his dark curls glistened in the sunlight, he looked just like his daddy.

"Are you worried about meeting your family?"

"No I am excited Antonio, I think we will like each other immensely."

"Good, I hope they like you because everyone else does."

"My cousin and I can both fuck you. That would be so cool." His eyes lit up.

I groaned, why does he do this to me all the time, he knows it won't happen.

"I had better get a prenup drawn up then, because there's no way I'm going to put up with four of you trying to screw me."

"I am the man and I will decide who or who does not fuck with you Antonio." He whisked Lukas off and they both giggled.

We dried off then showered while Lukas had a small nap, then we were stunned into silence as we tried our suits on, they were stunning and a perfect fit. This is happening, I am going to marry the man of my dreams, in a few days. I was almost crying at his beauty and had already worked out how to unlace his evening pants so I could show him my special kind of love.

In the morning I heard a noise coming from the back yard when I was making coffee, and when I looked out the back window there was a young man on the other side of the pool, he was flawlessly stunning and I knew immediately who he was. His hair was the same as Gianni's, long and full of dark curls, his face was a perfect shape and his body was that of a teenager not as pumped as Gianni's, more like Angelo's. I opened the back door and said.

"The coffee will be only a moment Adamo, take a seat Gianni is getting dressed." I smiled to myself, he can run but I don't think by the nervous look he gave me, he will not run far.

"Your little cousin is here Gianni, sitting out by the pool take this coffee out to him will you please?"

"What do I say?"

"I will come with you, but all you have to say is, welcome brother."

I followed him out the back and he started with what I told him then the hugging and tears flowed as they spoke Italian to each other. His cousin was the same height and so gorgeous I wondered if he did do threesomes.

"This is Antonio, my husband."

"I know, pleased to meet you at last." He held his hand out I had to go and hug him.

"Your nephew is upstairs sleeping he will be down to greet you soon."

"I know I have been sometimes watching you." His English was like Giannis not quite right but so sexy.

"Antonio!"

"What Gianni?"

"Stop doing what you're doing."

"Okay." I will shut up, and now Gianni can read my thoughts.

"So Adamo, what are you wearing to our wedding?"

"I have a suit, it's brand new and my papa bought it for me just in case."

He sat up straight and was so proud to have a new suit.

"Good, and will you be giving your cousin away?" he almost choked on his biscuit and looked at Gianni.

"If he wants me too but I have just met him at long last, I don't want to give him away."

"With his mama and papa you stand with them, and you stand with your cousin."

"I would like that very much." He blushed.

"Gianni?"

"Yes so would I dear new brother, but you can't sleep with the bride on her wedding night, that will talk a man to do that, me." He laughed his head off again.

"Have you been watching Gianni for a long time?" I asked out of curiosity more than anything.

"Only from far away Antonio, my father has me on a short leash he never let me introduce myself to him. I wanted to ask him if there were any jobs at the winery when I was small I wanted to run away and work."

"Okay, then tell me about your father and his family that are coming to the wedding."

He was eager to part with all the bad gossip, and the good his family did, they weren't all thieves and robbers some are very respectable like his father and mother. His mama has made a beautiful dress to wear to the wedding and she was disappointed she may never wear it when she heard she wasn't invited.

"Then we both will make a point of dancing with her then."

"Gianni, can I ask you something?"

"Yes of course dear sort of brother anything."

"Was it you who found your impossible love when you went to Australia or was it Luca, I have heard conflicting reports?"

"I found my impossible love Adamo, Luca wasn't in any fit state to even look for it, but I found Antonio, and yes he is my impossible love." I nearly cried.

"Good now my next question, can I get help to maybe looking for my impossible love too. I think you have magic Gianni and you maybe have to help me."

"Yes, of course, Antonio can help you with that little problem. And don't forget you can always come to Australia to stay anytime, but not in our bed."

"Oh why not Gianni, I hear the others talking about Antonio's ass all the time and I wanted to try it." He giggled.

"Okay that's it I give up, my ass isn't for sale for rent or for you but if you want ass I can find a nice twinkly one if you like that sort of thing." I stood up and stripped down to my yellow bathers, then I walked to the pool and dived in. I looked back and both jaws were dropped because I had pulled the swimmers right up my crack. Two boys joined me and they both tried to relieve me of them, but I was more interested in hiding my boner. I heard Lukas crying so I got out and put a towel around myself then went to get him, he was wet so I changed his nappy and took him out to see his uncle.

They instantly fell in love and Adamo was like a kid in a toy warehouse he was making Lukas smile and laugh and even swished him around the pool, I guess he's good with kids.

"How old are you Adamo?" I wanted to know.

"Eighteen Antonio, going on nineteen in a few months." He smiled.

"Okay just wanted to know that all."

"I am legal age, Antonio." He smiled with his eyes. I couldn't look because Gianni had a hold of me and was trying to kiss me.

"We have to go soon Antonio, Sabine is expecting us, and you have been ignoring your grandparents."

"When will I see you again Antonio, can I come to visit tomorrow?" He grinned at me.

"You will see me in half an hour. I think you're coming with us to the big house tonight."

"I have never been in the big house before, will Sabine chase me away?" Somehow I didn't believe him because he went red.

"She will love you Adamo, believe me, she will love you." Then he whispered to me.

"I lied Antonio I have been in the big house, once when I was little I went in to find Gianni's room. I played with his toys and I stole something but don't tell him."

"What did you steal?"

"One of his little military men it looked like Gianni so I wanted it."

"Good, have you still got it?"

"Yes Antonio."

"Then keep it for good luck."

I gave him some clean shorts and a top to wear, pretty much our uniforms for the next five or six weeks, and he was as happy as a pig in poo.