Read Online Home to Italy by Peter Pezzelli - Free Book Online Page A

easily.”
    â€œThat’s because you let me,” replied Luca with a grin. “For once he gave me a leadout in the sprint instead of the other way around,” he said to Costanzo and Gianni.
    â€œIt was the least I could do,” said Peppi, still gazing at the photograph and the others around it. Looking at them reminded him of so many places that were once familiar to him, but about which he had since forgotten. Mostly, though, he studied the faces of the people and friends that he had known and loved so well, many of whom he knew were long gone by now. He turned from the wall and sat back down at the table.
    â€œYou have a beautiful family, Luca,” said Peppi. “You too, Costanzo.”
    â€œDo you have children of your own?” asked Luca’s son.
    â€œNo,” answered Peppi. “My wife and I always wanted them, but none ever came along. That’s just the way it goes sometimes in life.” He looked at Costanzo and smiled. “So, do you work with your father?” he asked him.
    â€œNo,” Costanzo answered to his surprise.
    Luca let out a low grumble of irritation. “He works in Torino,” he said ruefully. “Can you believe it? My son has a family business right here, but he decides to go work for strangers in Torino.”
    â€œI’m an engineer!” Costanzo protested, but with a laugh. “It’s what you sent me to school for. There’s nothing for me to do in a candy factory. Besides, you still have Lucrezia working for you.”
    â€œUff,” grunted Luca, rubbing his forehead. “It’s more like I work for her.” He looked at Peppi and shook his head. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with these kids.”
    â€œI wouldn’t worry,” grinned Peppi. “I think you’re all doing just fine.”
    Filomena brought out coffee to go along with a simple cornmeal cake and a plate of fruit. Vittoria and Maria set out some fresh plates and they all sat down to have dessert with the men.
    â€œSo, Peppi, you’ve made my husband very happy today with your visit,” said Filomena. “And to think I almost couldn’t get him out of bed on time for the ride this morning.”
    â€œI was sure he’d be there,” said Peppi.
    Luca laughed. “I wasn’t.”
    â€œIt was a good ride,” said Peppi, “and a wonderful meal, Filomena. I couldn’t have hoped for more on my first day here.”
    â€œWhere are you staying?” asked Maria.
    â€œIn Sulmona,” replied Peppi. “But I plan to move back into the house I grew up in. It’s still in my name.”
    â€œWhere is the house?” she asked.
    â€œA little ways outside of town,” explained Peppi. “Just down the road, if I remember correctly. It’s been so long. Perhaps you’ve seen it. It has a little mulino attached to it.”
    They all glanced at one another.
    â€œThe mulino?” said Filomena, her eyes meeting Luca’s.
    â€œYes,” said Peppi. “You know, I’m really looking forward to seeing it again. For so long it was just a distant memory in the back of my mind, almost as if I had imagined it. I don’t think I ever gave it a thought all the time I was in America. But now that I’m back here and so close to it, I’m starting to feel a little excited. Your husband promised to take me by to see it later on.”
    â€œYes, yes, of course,” said Luca expansively. “But first we’ll finish our dessert and then watch the television a little, eh? The last stage of the Tour of the Mediterranean is on this afternoon. We should relax, it’s been a long day.”
    By the time they had retired to the living room, the bicycle race was nearing the finish. Peppi watched with great interest for he had never before seen live television coverage of a bicycle race. Cycling was only just beginning to catch on as a spectator sport