The Family Never Forgives

Before I left, I needed to visit my parents' graves one last time.

I bought two bouquets of white roses and a bottle of the Grappa that Papa loved.

When I pushed open the bedroom door, the fruit basket I had prepared was knocked over on the floor.

I had shipped blood oranges, figs, and candied lemons from Sicania. Every single item was something my parents loved when they were alive.

All of it had been half eaten and tossed everywhere.

Liliana sat on my bed clapping for her child. "Eat more, cara. It's free fruit anyway."

I rushed over and shoved her aside. "Those were for my parents! What gives you the right to touch them?"

Dante burst into the room. He only saw Liliana stumble back a step.

He slapped me hard enough to knock me to the floor.

"You're going to fight over a few pieces of fruit? It was bad enough when you threw a fit over the dowry, but now you're being cheap about fruit too?"

Liliana immediately covered her face and started crying. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know. Dante, did I cause trouble?"

Dante wiped her tears gently. "No. You can eat whatever you want in this house. If you want good fruit, I'll fly you to Sicania sometime."

My lower abdomen throbbed with pain. My palms and tailbone were bruised from hitting the floor.

The worst part was the blood orange smashed on the ground.

Half a month ago, I had someone from Catano ship them over. Every winter when my parents were alive, this was what they looked forward to most.

You could not buy this variety in New Yis. It only grew in the soil at the foot of Mount Eterno.

After they came to New Yis, they never went back to Sicania. They never tasted that flavor again before they died.

I stumbled out the door. Liliana's voice followed me.

"Dante, what if Serena leaves you because of me? Maybe I should just take the baby back to Gilan."

"Don't worry. She's in her 30s and got knocked up before marriage. Who else would want her if she left me?"

After that, Dante and I stopped speaking entirely.

He threw my pillow and blanket into the living room. He said it was inconvenient for Liliana to sleep outside with the baby.

The photo wall I had put up in the bedroom, pictures from every place we visited over eight years, was replaced with photos of Liliana and her child.

Three days later, Dante seemed to think I had calmed down. He drove me to a bridal shop on Mull Street.

"See if there's anything you like."

He handed me an old album. All the styles were from years ago. The sample gowns had yellowed edges.

I was about to say I wanted to try the one in the window when his phone rang.

He stepped aside and lowered his voice, but I heard him. "The funds are still short? Fine. I'll cover it."

He hung up and looked at me.

I pressed my lips together and pointed to the cheapest dress in the album. He glanced at the price tag and nodded without hesitation.

"Fine. This one. Let's get the wedding photos done quickly before you start showing."