Chapter Thirty-Four Forgive

  Mama came running out of the house in a frenzy, though I had just seen her a few months ago; she looked worn for wear. Her peppered black hair, now a solid grey. Her sparkling crystal eyes now a dull blue. Losing Papa must have taken a toll on her.

I opened the door to greet her with equal excitement. She grabbed me up, hugging me for dear life. "Figlia mia, Cuore Mio." Tucking my hair behind my ear, she bent down and kissed me atop of my head. "Siete voi davvero voi, grazie al cielo."

    My smile reached my eyes; I say, "Yes, Mama, it's me."

  She hugs me tightly. Stepping back to check me out. "Tati, I worried; there's much to tell you." She spoke with an accent, but she was learning English which was a start. Anytime I tried to get her before, she would wave her hand and dismiss me.

   "Mama, your learning English?"

  She blushed a little."Yes, it's lovely. I needed change. My grande bambino will need to kno