convent kitchen while Sister Teresa prepared eggs on the stove. Ciro and Eduardo joined them in the kitchen.
“It’s the last supper, Sister,” Ciro joked.
“I didn’t know a sense of humor was awake this early.” Eduardo pulled out a work stool and sat. Ciro poured his brother a cup of coffee, and then one for himself.
“Thank you for getting up early to milk the cows,” Sister Teresa said to Ciro.
“I’m going to New York City. I don’t know when I’ll see another cow.”
“That’s a talent that you can use anywhere in the world,” Ignazio assured Ciro. “They drink a lot of milk in America, I hear.”
“I’m going to be a shoemaker, Iggy.”
“I’ve always wanted a pair of black leather boots with blue spats and gray pearl buttons. I’ll tell you what, I’ll have my wife take a pencil and draw my feet on butcher paper. I’ll send you the patterns and you can make the shoes. And you”—Ignazio turned to Eduardo—“You can pray for me and arrange some indulgences, if and when I need them.”
“You’ll always be in my prayers, Iggy,” Eduardo said.
Ignazio finished his coffee and headed outside to prepare the cart for the trip down the mountain. He had agreed to transport several boxes for the Longarettis and deliver a collection of missals to the church in Clusone.
“I’m going to go and pack up my books. Thank you, Sister.” Eduardo took his plate to the sink.
“I’ll be right there,” Ciro said to Eduardo.
Sister Teresa turned away from Ciro and cleaned the frying pan on the griddle.
“The pan is clean, Sister.”
“I can’t look at you, Ciro.”
Ciro looked away, trying not to cry. The only sound was the soft sizzle of the pot of boiling water in the fireplace. Finally, Ciro said, “You knew this day would come. I just hoped to live up the road and visit a lot. Bring my wife over and my children. Maybe stop in and be of some use to you.”
“You’re going so far away.”
“If only Don Gregorio knew how far.”
Sister Teresa smiled, knowing this was the last bit of humor from Ciro that would brighten her mornings. “He’ll never find out, but even if he does, you’ll be safe.”
“Do you know what happened to Concetta?” Ciro asked quietly.
“Her mother didn’t believe me until Concetta admitted the whole thing. The relationship between the Martoccis and the priest has ended. Concetta won’t see the priest any longer. That’s why Don Gregorio is so angry at us. We ruined his happy arrangement.”
“I loved Concetta, you know.”
“I know.”
Ciro tried to lighten the mood, for Sister Teresa’s sake and his own. “I can’t believe Sister Ercolina shook Don Gregorio down for one hundred lire. He didn’t even know what hit him. I wish she would’ve asked for two hundred, and then you could’ve gotten some cows and pigs for the convent.”
“Sister only takes what she needs. It’s the secret to happiness, you know. Only take what you need.”
“I’ll remember that,” Ciro smiled. “I guess I should say good-bye. I will write to you. One day, I promise, I will return to Vilminore. This is my home, and I plan to grow old here.”
“I’ll be so happy to see you when you come back.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me.” Ciro embraced Sister Teresa.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Ciro wiped his own tears on his sleeve. “You have been my mother and my friend. You have been on my side from the day I arrived here. Eduardo will always do well because he knows how to follow rules. I never could, but you protected me and made it seem as though I was. I’ll never forget you. It’s only fitting that I leave you with a special gift so you’ll always remember me.”
“Absolutely not, Ciro.”
“Oh, yes, Sister.”
Ciro whistled. “Come on, boy.”
Spruzzo bounded into the kitchen.
“Spruzzo will keep you company. You can feed him bits of salami, just like you fed me. He won’t talk back, and he won’t hound you for seconds. He will be happy with whatever you give him. Promise me you’ll be as good to him as you were to me.”
Sister Teresa’s tears gave way to a hearty laugh. “All right, all right. But when you come back, he’s all yours.”
“Absolutely.” Ciro hugged Sister Teresa one last time, then slowly walked out the door. Ciro did not look back. He wanted to, but he knew that the greatest gift he could give Sister Teresa was to forge ahead and take a bold step into his new life.