Chapter
12.
Friday.
Friday arrived soon. A balmy breeze
tickled the air as Fratelli stepped outside, tilting his wide-brimmed, scarlet
hat against the sun. Father Rodrigo followed plodding happily after him.
Fragrance of faint flowers and fresh, tree-sap hung in the air. It was
altogether, a fine spring day.
“The
wind, it feels so wonderful on my face,” Fratelli said, stopping to close the
garden door, “Why don’t we go pick out a fish for dinner?”
Rodrigo
nodded but replied, “Won’t Dina get upset?”
“No,
she will be delighted I think… She and you both know how fussy I am about my
fish.”
The
priest nodded again, taking in the fact, and silently walked behind as they
crossed the street. Fratelli, as he had grown accustomed to do, protectively
glanced back at Michele’s house. He said a silent prayer for her
happiness.
Birds
sang and flitted from tree to tree and between rooftops while they walked.
Fratelli breathed in the warm, Mediterranean air appreciating this day’s
beauty. Even when within an urban area, God’s creation never ceased surprising
him with its colorfulness and candor. He thought of faraway meadows probably
brimming with flowers.
The
piazza teamed with people as they entered. Children laughed and ran through
gates, several women chatted beneath awnings and men went about their daily
work. The sound of nails being hammered rang out and the cries of many voices. Several
carriages waited by the roadside as their drivers rested. Smells of bread
cooling on window sills, soup stewing, and fresh fruit wafted everywhere. Only
one scent went absent: that of cooking meat. A few people came forth, seeing
Fratelli and Rodrigo, and heartily hailed.
From
between the people, emerged one, small, old lady, her hair silver, her figure
bent, who walked with a cane. She approached Cardinal Fratelli and said in
hoarse voice, “Your Eminence, pray your blessing.”
Then
she bowed slightly, took his hand and kissed his ring. Fratelli smiled widely
at her. He granted her request, waving his hand in benediction. The old lady’s
lips curled in a kindly smile as she shuffled away.
Reaching
Luigi’s shop, they smelled the salty fragrance of fresh fish. Seeing them,
Luigi ran out and gave a greeting. He thankfully didn’t comment about his
botched outing with Michele earlier that year and instead took Fratelli’s hand
leading him inside. The cardinal frowned a little believing his hand would
probably smell like fish the entire day.
“I
have a finest selection of fish,” Luigi said, “But I picked one especially for
you.”
They
met Luigi at the back of his shop. He carried something large bundled in white
paper. He un-wrapped the bundle and held up a freshly-caught fish. Its fins
glittered in the warm sunlight dripping wet. Its pink mouth gaped open.
"This
looks wonderful!" Fratelli said leaning close and examining the fish,
"How did you get it?"
Luigi
answered, "It is Friday…I knew you would be coming here so I got it
especially for you."
"Oh,
there's no need to give me special treatment," Fratelli replied.
Laughing
a little, Luigi answered, "I won't. This is a very expensive fish and I'm
charging you full price."
Fratelli
wondered why he had been so outspoken. After the fish was weighed, they paid
for it, said farewell and left. Rodrigo carried the wrapped bundle as they
moved down the street. Fratelli kept looking over his shoulder making sure the
priest was careful. Finally Rodrigo handed it to him. He pried the wrapping
open somewhat, examined it once more then gave it back.
“The
breeze is picking up and I’ve my hat to worry about,” Fratelli told him.
Reaching
the villa, Fratelli stopped, touched his face pensively and said, “Perhaps we
should invite Ernesto over for dinner tonight? I need to start treating him
like a brother.”
“We’ll
do whatever you want.” Rodrigo said.
Dina
was piling olives in a glass bowl when Fratelli came into the kitchen and laid
their fish down. Looking the fish over, she smiled.
“I
am happy you found a suitable one…though I could have gotten it for you.”
“No,”
Fratelli replied, “You do enough.”
He
absentmindedly dipped his fingers in the olive-bowl taking several out and
eating them.
“Go
on, get out of here!” Dina scolded catching him.
Ernesto
came to dinner. He gazed about sheepishly as it was his first time in the
cardinal’s house. His eyes fell on two, nice paintings which bedecked the walls
and clean floors. Fratelli found him wandering the hallway and welcomed him.
Ernesto uneasily sat at the table across from Fratelli who smiled.
“We
still have so much to talk about,” he said taking some olives and passing them.
Ernesto
ate two then shoved the bowl back. He didn’t wish to ruin his appetite. Rodrigo
sat beside Fratelli and after Dina set down the plate of cooked, spiced fish,
she seated also. Seeing the bowl of olives had been moved, she gazed at
Fratelli who admitted, “I apologize for not blessing the food first.”
He
stood, extended his hands over the dining table and prayed a blessing upon the
food. Then they ate rather quietly. There were many questions Fratelli wanted
to ask but he decided on letting his newfound brother enjoy the meal in peace.
He instead paid attention to the fish which tasted very good. After dinner,
Rodrigo opened and poured red wine- but very little since it was the season of
Lent.
When
Rodrigo and Dina finished and left, Fratelli sipped his wine, stared at Ernesto
then began, “I would like you to tell me more about your work. When did you
become constable?”
“Five
years ago. It is a good job for me. I was raised on a farm, given the fear of
God and taught respect for the law.”
“Yes,
the law flows from fear of God,” Fratelli interrupted then realized he had
interrupted and said, “I apologize, do go on and tell me everything.”
“I
worked for a long time in the neighboring city then decided to move back here
and take the position of constable. Many people believed I would be the best
man for it thus. I was elected easily.”
Fratelli
waited for Ernesto to continue and seeing as he said no more, replied, “Isn’t
it funny the positions we are elected to?”
“Yes
it is I guess.”
They
shared an uneasy laugh. Some tension settled between them, though they
earnestly desired to know one another, it seemed they stayed strangers.
Pausing, Ernesto looked aside out the window at darkening skies. Fratelli
nervously began toying with his ring and he hid his hands beneath the table so
no one noticed. If it took all his power and will- or even drove him mad,
Fratelli determined he would break the tension between them.
So,
he called Dina to bring back the wine and he poured them each a second glass.
Politely, Ernesto accepted this and drank his wine. This time, it tasted
sweeter and colder.
“What
did you grow on your farm?”
“We
raised sheep and some cattle. From a very young age, I learned to ride horses.”
“I
had a lamb once,” Fratelli said attempting to relate, “When I was a young boy.
I got tired of picking up after him and gave him away. But the lamb made a
pleasant companion for some time.”
Ernesto
laughed; a hearty, honest laugh. Feeling slightly awkward, Fratelli gulped down
his wine careful not to spill any on his nice garb. Surprisingly, Ernesto
smiled, finished his drink then continued,
“I always loved the countryside. Green
grass, vineyards… even the daily chores seemed nice because after everything
got finished, I went to the nearby pond to fish during afternoons. After
fattening the calves, we sold all of them but two: One for Easter supper and
the other for the Feast of the Nativity…”
“The
Feast of Christ’s Nativity is my favorite feast of the entire year!” Fratelli
responded.
“Mine
too. My mother would make butter squash.”
Fratelli
snickered and gestured gladly, ornately as if hearing the greatest news ever.
He exclaimed:
“Butter squash is so delicious! See, we like
the same foods… and this wine, isn’t it good?”
Agreeing,
Ernesto took more olives and ate them. Fratelli grabbed the last two from the
bowl before they would be eaten too. In turn, his brother laughed at him.
Fratelli didn’t reply but grinned.
“Maybe
I should go since dusk has arrived?” Ernesto finally asked.
Happily,
Fratelli answered, “Yes, thank you very much for speaking with me. This has
been so nice!”
“Yes
it is nice.”
Escorting
Ernesto to the door, Fratelli laid an arm around his shoulder and said, “Good night,
my brother.”
“Good
night.”
Chapter
13
A
Promise.
Early
in the morning, Cardinal Fratelli reached the piazza carrying a basket of fresh
bread. He distributed it among poor people gathered there in ragged clothes.
Taking donated clothes from Father Rodrigo, he gave these over also. Hands of
all sizes took and handled the soft, colorful cloth, distributing among their
families. Fratelli stayed a while and spoke with them, mentally remembering
each person’s name for his private prayers. Before leaving, he promised to have
Rodrigo return that evening with hot soup.
The
weather was not cold thankfully; a cool but not cold breeze blew over them.
Fratelli stopped mid-stride and asked, “Rodrigo, do you recall that old
feather-blanket I have?”
“Vaguely…”
“Nights
can get cold until summertime so why don’t you also bring it back with you?”
The
priest paused also, swished his foot in the dirt, pondering idly, then replied,
“That is a good idea Your Eminence...”
Fratelli
smiled and they continued walking. Apprehensively, as he always did this time
of year, he wondered if there wasn’t something more he could give or sacrifice.
Maybe he would look through his things, see what he could find?
Once
at home and after eating a small breakfast, Fratelli discovered that same
silver-handled mirror he had picked up before, on the day he argued against
having his portrait. Yes, the ornate and shiny item held great value to him…
but valuable things made better sacrifices than something one didn’t care for.
“…I
will miss you,” Fratelli said quietly then tucked it away into the
feather-blanket which lay in the hallway.
~ ~ ~
Outside
the city, birdsong sweetly echoed in trees as Michele leaned against a fence
watching two, deep-brown horses graze. She spun around as Ernesto approached.
He lifted a clump of blue and white flowers in his hand.
“For
you.”
Michele
took them, sniffed their enchanting fragrance and sighed. Her smile granted
silent thanksgiving.
“Would
you like to take a ride?” Ernesto asked.
Michele
nodded.
They
saddled up the horses and rode them far down the road. Looking back over her
shoulder, Michele took in the beauty of Ernesto’s house sitting on a green
square of land, surrounded by dusty hills. Sun shone brightly overhead as
Ernesto led carefully beyond a bend. Trees provided ample shade at the thin
creek where they stopped.
Ernesto
helped Michele down from her mount, spread a blanket on the ground, sat and
beckoned her. Surprised and smiling, she sat beside him, close- but not too
close. From his black trousers, he pulled a small jar of sun-dried tomatoes
offering them. Laughing Michele took a few and ate.
“You
always have something planned don’t you?”
“Why
yes.”
When
a gust of wind blew Michele’s black curls into her face, Ernesto moved the hair
back with his hand, smiling mischievously. She batted his hand away but he then
grabbed her hand and kissed it.
“You
are something that is for sure,” she giggled.
“Michele,
dear, why don’t we ride by the cathedral? Then I can take you home?”
She
nodded vigorously and like a child, stood and skipped to the creek. She bent,
her hands searching for a small stone and finding one, threw it into the water.
Then she turned back ready to depart. Absorbing more of the day’s beauty,
breathing in fresh air, Michele rode behind Ernesto. She thought many thoughts
and closed eyes savoring the moment.
~
~ ~
Glancing
out a tall window, seeing two horses emerge onto the street, Cardinal Fratelli
jumped from his chair. They were Michele and Ernesto, he knew it. Wanting to
watch them interact, he scooted his chair beside the window, stood on it and
looked closer. Though unable to read their speech, he perceived happiness from
their lively gestures.
“Your
Eminence!” a voice called out startling him so badly, he almost lost balance
and fell, “Get down from there!”
Dina
stood there, hands on her hips, as Fratelli climbed down. She watched him dash
from the room and downstairs.
Running,
panting from exertion, he met Michele in the yard while Ernesto was tying their
horses to a tree. He came forth first and greeted Fratelli.
“Hello
Ernesto, my brother.”
“Hello.”
Michele
watched as the men exchange a few pithy words. Then Ernesto spoke more
formally, “As you know, Your Eminence, I have taken quite a liking to Michele
and she to me.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Seeing as her father is not here, I would
like to ask your blessing that I may take her hand in marriage.”
“Ernesto!” Michele cried with delight.
Fratelli, feeling weak with excitement,
sat down. All of his hard work and prayer had amounted to something wonderful!
“Yes,” he said dizzily, “You have my
blessing.”
He watched Michele jump into Ernesto’s
arms and embrace him. Seeing their smiles and utmost cheer, the cardinal
glanced away, suppressing tears of joy. After all, it wouldn’t be dignified for
him to cry…
Chapter
14
An Unlikely Occurrence.
Fratelli woke early. Excitedly, he
dressed, celebrated Mass, said morning- prayer and ate breakfast. The day seemed
to blur by as he sprinted into his office, happily sitting and wrote a letter
to Michele’s father and mother about her upcoming wedding. He felt so excited;
his hands almost trembled as he penned the wonderful news. Michele was going to
be married!! Looking up from his desk, he saw birds outside, one, gray dove
bathing in the garden’s fountain. Surely, the Lord rejoiced too!
Walking through the hallway, Fratelli
quickly glanced around making sure no one was there and then gleefully spun and
leapt into the air. At once, he regained composure, went into the parlor and
gently rested. He felt additional excitement for on this day; Monsignor Barolo
would visit and have lunch with him. Since Barolo recovered from sickness, the
two hadn’t seen eachother. Soon, he found himself unable to rest any longer and
went outside. Strolling, pacing back and forth, he saw that Monsignor’s
carriage arrived and greeted the older priest just as he stepped out.
“My, you are looking well!” the cardinal
exclaimed.
“Yes, the physician said I am completely
better.”
Fratelli clapped joyfully then
collected himself, silently apologizing with an awkward stare. Barolo didn’t
seem to mind but Fratelli automatically resumed dignified stance and silently
scolded his own childishness while escorting him inside.
However, as the afternoon grew
unusually hot and sunny they moved out onto the veranda. Dina brought flat
bread-sticks, a bowl of greens and of course, tea. Tying back her hair against
the light breeze, she sat nearby listening as Barolo began:
“I have been invited to this
most-splendid party by a friend of the duke’s son, would you like to come with
me?”
Fratelli warily scratched his face
answering, “A party…during Lent?”
“It’s
something small,” Barolo replied.
“But I believe the word you just used
was “splendid”…”most splendid” in fact…”
“Oh, Your Eminence! Have some fun. You
deserve it after all.”
“I thought you had given up these
parties?”
Barolo answered, “That was before I
realized how many opportunities and privileges one in my position truly has…and
you too. We both deserve better than to sit around here and eat- greens?”
He distastefully picked one leaf from
the bowl and his heavy jaws chewed it. Fratelli sighed. He supposed some people
never truly changed.
While Dina went back inside, Barolo
hesitantly finished his lunch, moving the greens to his plate’s side. Then, he
rested pouring another cup of tea, talked with Fratelli for some more time then
rose to leave. Watching him go, the cardinal whispered a silent prayer for his
safety.
Glad to be left alone, Fratelli turned
but he heard another sound at the door. He answered seeing Francine standing
with a basket of white paper under her arm. She bustled forth saying, “I wanted
you to look over these wedding invitations”
Sitting down across from her, Fratelli
took one paper in his hand, examining fine writing and breathing the scent of
vanilla which wafted from it. His expression pretended to be knowledgeable,
looking for exactly what he should, even though he didn’t altogether know what
that was. Finally, he placed it on the armrest of his chair and asked,
“Francine, I know nothing about wedding
invitations… why did you really come here?”
The woman glanced aside. Bright sun made
her hair vivid-red. It made Fratelli’s red robes more obnoxiously brilliant.
Bringing her green eyes to his darker gaze, she replied, “Well, I suppose there
is something else…”
Silence ensued. The cardinal waited. His
hands instinctively folded lest he begin fidgeting with his ring, which also
shined sharply in the sunlight. Francine sat back in her chair sighing then she
said:
“The news that Ernesto was your brother,
well, changed things for me. I realize now that I have perhaps treated you
unfairly…”
Fratelli stopped his jaw from dropping
placing a hand beneath his chin as if pensive.
“You must understand, I always wanted
someone to carry on the family name…and I put too much the burden on you.
Angelo, I really am- let me put it this way, proud of you actually.”
Eyes wide, Fratelli sat not knowing what
to do. He felt frozen there even though warm sun blazed through the room.
Wiping back a bead of sweat and removing his red cap, he murmured, “Francine…”
She suddenly stood but spoke tenderly,
“Well, now that it’s out, I will go now.”
Her face blushed whether from the embarrassment
of admitting her fault face-to- face with him or from pressing heat. She took
Fratelli’s hand bending to kiss his ring then stopped and instead cupped it in
her own. With that, Francine uttered a small farewell.
Fratelli remained seated, staring at her
back as she departed. Though her apology had been unspoken, subtle, he knew it
was the best coming from her. Even this small admission took a lot on her part.
Pure amazement marred his face and finally, he shook flooding thoughts from his
mind and stood.
“I really need a stroll now,” he
muttered.
~ ~ ~
“Thine,
O Lord, is magnificence, and power and glory and victory, and to thee is
praise; for all that is in heaven and in earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, (1)”
Cardinal Fratelli spoke from his place upon the
chair beside the altar and continued rather loudly:
“On our darkest of days as well
as our brightest, this we should know. However much control we think ourselves
to exert over our lives, however much we believe to think of what lies ahead,
of our plans, He is the one truly sovereign.”
Seeing his still audience that filled up
the church, some unable to find a place who rested upon the floor, Fratelli
rose. It grew hard to contain his own excitement as he pointed towards one,
anonymous person and asked, “Do you know
what will happen tomorrow or how you will be provided for? I say do not worry
about it! Remember, Lord Christ told us that no one can add a day to their life
by worrying.
It should amaze us how, wise and
foreseeing, the providence of God acts in our days. Sometimes, we are dread
with anxiety, threatened by hardships, surmounted by loss yet we do not see the
end which is cast for us. Thus, we must trust; trust and obey and be steadfast
in faith. In Him, our joy and sorrow. In Him our past, present and future.
While death and sorrow does visit, so do joy and life; the innocence of a
newborn child, the adventures of youth, the kindly love between a lady and
gentleman, family that extends beyond.
Do
not be downcast nor shaken by worry. The lilies of the field and little birds
are provided for…how much more shall the Lord care for you, his children?”
The truth of Fratelli’s message struck
him as he seated taking a deep breath. It also struck those listening, ringing
in their ears even after he stopped speaking. They were sweet words to
announce; a profound and vocal thanksgiving offered for the good fortune, the
health and happiness, the many blessings which at this time graced his life. He
kept in mind the memories of that year and worried not about memories which
were to come. Right now, everything was well. Good indeed! Then, he realized
that while walking to his chair, the miter had fallen off his head.
~ The End.
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