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“Good afternoon daughter” she says without looking at me.

Keeping my gentle smile in place, I crossed to the other side of the room.

Spine straight, in a fashionable white suit and icy blue shirt that matches her eyes, I nearly jumped back when she when she scanned me from head to toes with said icy eyes. Without blinking she asks. “How are the children?”

“Fine, fine, down for a nap” I answered with the first thing that came to mind. And a total lie. Pushing back the chair opposite hers and unfortunately with my back to the door I sit, “If I’d know you were coming I would have tried to keep them awake a little longer so they can see their Nonna”

Unsure if she bites my act, she inclined her head “That’s is quite alright, another time”

“Of course.” Another smile, I fixed myself a cup of tea, silently berating Maria for not urging out some wine for me, and I needed something to do with my hand.

That fine, i cradled it in my palms.

We sit in tensed silent for long minutes.