Smiling, he snatched up a bundle of fresh lettuce and handed it to the woman behind the counter. “Nonna is very strict but she is special too.” A warm smile softened his features.
“She loves you very much.” If Ama had to choose between her own son and Gregorio, Marco might lose out.
“I wish I had a grandmother,” Lexi murmured with such a longing that my throat swelled.
Gregorio wheeled around. “You have no grandmother? No nonna?” The words held such shock and compassion.
I cleared my throat. “We're short in that area. My mother died two years ago. It was very hard for both of us. And Lexi’s grandparents on her father’s side are gone.”
His round face lengthened. “I know how that is. Nonna is the only grandmother I have left.”
“What about your mother’s mother?” I wanted to know more about Bianca.
“Oh, no.” And his face closed. “She was gone before my mother had me.”
The air had turned serious and we moved on to the next table.
Wearing broad smiles, shopkeepers waited patiently while Gregorio made his selections. They quickly snapped up whatever he chose and bundled it into bags. Eventually, Lexi and I each ended up with a burlap tote over one shoulder.
And as we passed the stalls, the men continued to dip their heads while the women curtsied. “Your Royal Highness” greeted him wherever he turned. The first time she heard it, Lexi giggled, but by the time we reached the last of the stalls she was not laughing. I hoped today wouldn’t ruin their budding friendship. But maybe a little distance wouldn’t be a bad thing.
His subjects liked him. That much was evident, but I wondered how they felt about Marco.
Turning, Gregorio lifted his sunglasses. “So, what do you think?”
“Fabulous. Almost makes me want to cook.”
His smile widened. “I know.”
Eyes searching, Lexi twirled around. “No chocolate? Any pastries?”
Gregorio jerked his head toward the end of the stalls. “Up ahead. Maybe I’ve saved the best for last, eh?”
The scent of fresh bakery grew denser. I gave up any hope of losing weight this summer. Why not indulge myself? Entering a tiny shop, we chose amaretto cookies doused in powdered sugar and chocolate croissants still warm from the oven, along with almond biscotti and three boxes of assorted truffles. Outside, he handed one box to Lexi and another to me. The third box was probably for Ama.
As we strolled along, the sun grew warmer. Up ahead a woman was selling fresh juice. My throat felt parched. “I'd like to buy one of those. Gregorio, what kind of money will they accept here?” Reena and Maddie had both tucked some leftover euros from their last trip into my purse before I left. “Or maybe they’ll take American dollars?”
Before I could reach into my purse, Gregorio stopped me. “Your money will not be good here.” Handing his bag of groceries to Lexi, he approached the smiling woman and returned with three tall, frosty cups.
The fruit juice tasted heavenly. We moved on, and I felt very pleased, almost as if this were an exotic vacation. But by that time, the sun was at its hottest peak. “Is there a place where I can buy sunblock?” I could feel a burn start on my cheeks.
“Of course. Just one moment.” And with that, he dashed into a store front that certainly didn’t look like a pharmacy. The bottle he handed to me upon his return was the same brand we used in the States. But he wouldn’t accept anything for it and that had to stop.
On our way back to meet Milo and Vitas, we crossed a street where teenage boys were kicking a soccer ball. Probably about Gregorio’s age, they laughed and shouted. For a second he stood watching them. But when they stopped playing and stared, he twisted away and kept going. I caught a certain sadness in his expression and my heart squeezed. Was he lonely at times in that huge castle? “Where do they go to school?” I asked.
“Oh, we have a school here on the island.”
“But you would not go to that school?”
“Never.” Shaking his head, he looked so much like his father. “Impossible, Profesora.”
I didn’t question him, but he’d given me a lot to think about. Our path had led us back to the fountain. The three of us collapsed onto a bench where I dabbed lotion on my burning cheeks. The splash of the water and final sips of the citrusy drink relaxed me. I wanted to remember this day for a long time.
Jumping up, I grabbed my phone from my bag. “Gregorio, you and Lexi smile.” I backed away.
I’d never seen Gregorio move so fast. On his feet in a flash, he snatched the phone from my hand. “Profesora, no.”
I was crushed. “You don’t understand. I want a memento of today.”
