"Papa, I'm home!"

A young woman called out as she closed the door behind her. Even from the porch, she could already hear Mozart playing from her father's record player upstairs. She smiled somberly to herself as she pulled herself out of her coat.

Luciano often locked himself in his room and listened to classical pieces when he was missing his wife. It was his way of grieving, and she understood.

Her mother, Adrienne Beneventi, had passed in her sleep no more than four months ago.

Although surreal and painful, she could still picture her six-year-old self grinning between her doting parents as she passed the living room.

Papa, can I play outside now?

Addie, cuore mio, surely our dolcezza has earned her time to play outside...

Luce, please! She has a gift, it would be a waste not to practice!

Of course, of course... simply saying four hours of practice is too much...

The antique house clock chimed 7PM, shaking her out of her reverie.

She trudged up the staircase and silently headed to her father's room to coerce him into eating dinner, only to find the door unlocked. She called out once again before slowly opening the door.

"Papa...?"

Luciano Beneventi was seated on a rocking chair beside his bedroom window. The room was darkening now, a bedside lamp illuminating only half his body, but he looked tranquil, peaceful, and asleep. A soft breeze blew the lace curtains around Luciano's sleeping frame.

In the corner of his room, an old record player started to play Schubert.

The young woman smiled lovingly as she leaned against the door frame, arms crossing over her chest. Was this the first real sleep he had since Mama died? She really shouldn't wake him up... Close the window, yes, maybe...

As she maneuvered around her sleeping father to pull the window down on the early winter breeze chilling the room, she felt a warm, viscous wetness on her forearm. She tilted her arm and screamed as she had begun to process the redness oozing from the side of Luciano's mouth, dripping into a puddle of blood on the wooden floor. Shaking, she held around his neck and felt for a pulse.

"Papa, no!" The young woman was frantic. "Aiuto! Aiuto!"

»»—- ❈ —-««

A month later, after laying Luciano to his final rest beside Adrienne and settling legal affairs, the young woman found herself sobbing on the staircase, a letter clutched to her heart.

There would be no Mozart or Schubert playing tonight.

»»—- ❈ —-««

Dolcezza...

Beyond this pain, you must know, your mother and I were blessed with you

I can only hope you indulge your folks one last time - travel the world

We know this has been your dream per sempre. So travel. Find your life

We will love you and guide you from above.

*Translations for this chapter:

Aiuto - help

Dolcezza - sweetheart

Per sempre - forever

Version 17 Jan 2021