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Chapter 13.2 - Matteo
Palermo, Sicily – June 26th 2020
It's grandma Angie's birthday today, so Lorenzo made an exception and gathered the whole family at her house for dinner. The 'family' meaning the extended family that includes the Barone and Altieri families as well.
Grandma Angie lives in the townhouse next to their old house in Palermo. It's a one-story old building that
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Palermo, Sicily - July 7th 2020I woke up at seven in the morning so we could arrive at Matteo’s house in Palermo before he woke up. Isabella arranged a private driver to take us from my house to his, but that didn’t help my mood. The fact that I didn’t even get the chance to have a coffee and smoke a cigarette before we left made me irritable.We arrive in front of his house a little past eleven, and I’m glad I know the place because I know exactly where to find the coffee machine.The Barone kids and Ariana are already in the kitchen. We greet each other and I ask whether anyone would like some coffee. Isabella and Ariana nod, and then Vinnie comes over and asks me if I want a drink.“After I have my coffee and cigarette.” I mumble, feeling bad that my mood doesn’t match his.“Do you like Aperol?”“Sure.” I say and manage to give him a smile.
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Taormina, Sicily – July 7th 2020We arrive at Matteo’s house a little before midnight. Their dock is small and dimly lit, made from a stone that looks ancient.The boat is slowly reversing as we emerge down the stairs, waiting to disembark. I’m way past tipsy now, and I’m not sure whether I’m more drunk or stoned.“Let’s continue this in my room!” Vinnie suggests and everyone cheers.On my way to the lower deck, I realize I forgot my phone charger, so I leave Isabella to go along with the group.I let Matteo and Marco slip past me on the stairs before I quickly climb the last steps.The table and the bar are no luck, but when I see the couch, I smile. It’s between some cushions, and I sigh relived.I realize how eerie the place is as I slowly walk down the stairs, trying not to trip. Even though it’s dark and I can barely see, t
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Taormina, Sicily – July 20th 2020His father leaves the next day, saying that he has some business to take care of in New York with Paulo, but not without telling him to be in Taormina at the beginning of August.Matteo finds himself alone in the house when he wakes up, so he gets some coffee from the kitchen and goes to sit on the upper terrace overlooking the sea.His mind takes him back to what Valentina said about never being sad if she were to live at sea. He isn’t sad, but he’s definitely bored, so he texts Vinnie, Ariana, and Isabella, asking each of them what they’re doing.Vinnie’s text comes first.Vinnie: going to Sofia’s todayMatteo rolls his eyes and doesn’t even bother replying. He’s over the whole thing already.His phone vibrates again just as he lights his second cigarette.Ariana: bored in Milan
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