CHAPTER 9

More practice and you’ll master it.

Mariella can’t take off the words Leo uttered last time in her mind. She becomes interested in playing violin because of his influence. He’s really good at it though, and it inspires her to do what she thinks she can’t and doesn’t like before.

“Piccolina,” Marcella catches her attention. “You’re going to attend school next school year.”

“School, mamma?” Her eyes shine when she hears about school. “So… I will meet a lot of kids? We will play, learn how to read and write, and do a lot of things? Right, mamma?”

“Yes, piccolina.”

“Yay! I want to go to school.”

“You will, piccolina. You will. Now… finish your food.”

“Okay!” She puts a spoon of food inside her mouth, and slowly swallows it. “By the way, mamma—”

“Piccolina, what did I tell you?” Marcella wants to remind her daughter of something. “Don’t talk when your mouth is full.”

“Oops.” She covers her mouth with her little hand and quickly swallows before continuing what she is supposed to say. “Can y