Chapter One-One-Nine: Italain

"Italy?"

I repeat the word, confused by his abrupt suggestion, but as if the word had traces of magic, the children's eyes light up.

"Let’s go! Mum!"

Luca screams.

"Yes! Let's go! I'm half Italian."

Marigold blurts proudly.

"Mee too! I’m half italain too!"

Luca adds with a sweetened voice.

“It’s Italian Luca, not ‘Italain’!”

Marigold corrects and he pouts.

“I know!”

He doesn’t seem too happy by her correction; actually, of late, he seems quite independent from Marigold. Did they fight?

“No, you didn’t know!”

She yells, causing him to deepen his frown.

"Anyway, we should go, Mum. Even Daddy said you can have an Italian inside you, too! So, we should all go!"

Daniel spurts his coffee all over the dining table at Marigold’s words while Elizabeth's spoon clatters loudly on the table.

My cheeks feel hot, and the back of my neck prickles.

“Daddy said that?”

I ask as I turn sharply to Matteo, who hides his face with the refrigerator door.

"Hmm...Matteo, can I talk to you aside for a moment?"