“I always know your heart, Gio, and I know that you are meant for someone, although, perhaps someone else, a woman wise and unmarried. She put her hands out toward mine, and her voice softened. “You know, there are many kinds of love in this world, and there are many people one can find happiness with. The life you dream of is not what your cousin Antonio has, even today. Real love comes much later, after two oxen are yoked together and learn how to pull together, to struggle through their days’ work helping each other.”
Her eyes had sunk into her cheeks, and halfway closed, they took on a faraway stare. I thought she was remembering Nonno and her together, and maybe she was. Then she cleared her throat.
“Yes, Gio, beginning love is small love, and without strength. You will need someone to work with and work for, and out of that can grow something much more powerful.”
She was done, and with one movement, enveloped me into her bosom, like I was a child, her child. Certainly, I felt like a very big fool in her presence, but I also felt safe. I also thought that she might be wrong but didn’t dare say that.