Monday, March 29th
Rosary, Anna’s home, 1 p.m.
Anna was relaxing after lunch and reading the newspaper when her mobile phone rang.
She looked at the caller ID, and she didn’t recognize it. She answered:
“Anna Venturi,”
“Mrs. Anna, good afternoon,” a kind voice at the other end of the line said, “I am sorry to disturb you. I was given your number by Neil McKinley. I am Father Thomas, the director of the orphanage in Vancouver where Neil and Billy grew up. I hope I don’t disturb you. ”
Anna had heard Billy tell the children at the orphanage that he was an orphan as well, so she wasn’t surprised. She replied: “You don’t disturb me at all. I am happy to get to know you, at least on the phone. Neil has spoken so much about you.”
“And about you, Anna. He told me about your son, who was a priest. I would like to offer my condolences. I can only imagine what a loss this is for your family and your community.”
Anna said, trying to keep her emotions in check: “You are very kind, Father Thomas. I think I haven’t completely accepted the death of Luca yet. He was such an affectionate young man.”
“Yes, Anna. It is very difficult to accept it.” After a few moments of silence, the priest went on: “Neil has told me that last night he was able to talk to you about his mother, if we can call that woman a mother.”
“Oh, Father, he was sorry because last Thursday he refused my embrace. I knew that there had to be a serious reason, because he is so considerate, so tactful with everybody. People here in Rosary are starting to appreciate him, not only as a policeman, but as a caring man.”
“Anna, I still remember the pain on his face - he was little over four years old when his mother left - and the coldness, the detachment of that woman… May God forgive her… And he was one of the sweetest, most caring children I have ever had.”
“Father Thomas, you mustn’t worry. Here in Rosary, he has found a community that will certainly support him. I am not saying we are perfect, but it is a small town, and we try to comfort each other. I don’t know what I would have done without the help of my friends in this difficult time ... And Neil made himself immediately available as a volleyball coach for the children.”
“Oh, he loves children, and he is very good as a coach. Anna, unfortunately I would like to say that the suffering from his mother’s behavior is the only pain in his life, but Neil hasn’t had an easy life.” Anna was trying to understand what Father Thomas wanted to say. He went on: “What I mean is ... Please, be ready to comfort him, because sooner or later he will have to face a terrible reality, not concerning his mother, but a person who is very dear to him ... I am afraid that he will have to face hard times, Anna, really hard times.”
Anna didn’t dare to ask for more information, and she just said: “I told him last night, and I tell you: I am here whenever he needs me. Don’t worry!”
“Thanks, Anna. I miss him, but on the phone, he sounds serene, and now I know he has found trustworthy people.”
When the call ended, Anna wondered what terrible experience was awaiting Neil. She prayed he would let her help him, and she would be able to support him.
***
Rosary Parish Orphanage, 4:30 p.m.
Anna had planned this change in her cooking lessons with Sister Theresa and Sister Nancy. They wanted to follow her son’s wish to involve the orphans in the life of the community and to encourage the families to take care of the children in the little orphanage. Anna had thought that every child who came to her cooking lessons (they were eight boys and girls now) could cook with an orphan in a sort of pair activity. They had decided to start this new experience with a cooking lesson at the orphanage, which had a large kitchen with all the appliances they needed. Then, if it worked, the little orphans would go to Anna’s Trattoria on Monday. They had excluded the younger orphans, who were six or seven years old, and one or two of the older children who had not seemed interested. Anna hoped that every child from the community would have a cooking mate from the orphanage, even if she was not sure yet, because one or two orphans were still uncertain.
When she arrived at the orphanage, the children were already there with their parents. The relatives were sitting in the canteen, and all the children were gathered in the kitchen.
Anna looked around at the smiling faces that were waiting for her. She noticed that Silvia and Jennifer had already formed the couples. Only Giulia was alone, and Anna was sorry, but Silvia smiled at her and told her softly: “Don’t worry, mum. For Giulia, there will be a surprise, if everything works out fine ...” She winked at her mother, and Anna wondered what they had in store. Who was the last little cook who hadn’t arrived yet?
She turned to the children and said: “It’s so good to see you here, children. Today, we are going to make a cake. We are going to prepare an orange marmalade tart.”
Silvia and Jennifer had prepared the cooking stations: bowls containing flour, eggs, sugar, milk, salt, butter and orange marmalade.
She described the recipe, and the children got to work. While they were starting, the door to the kitchen was opened and… Anna turned and saw little Amy holding the hand of a smiling Neil. When they had talked about the orphans who would take part in this project, sister Nancy had said that for Amy it would be a problem, because she didn’t talk, she didn’t want to be touched. Giulia was beaming happily, and Neil accompanied the little child to her schoolmate. He crouched down and said: “Giulia, Amy was wondering if you need help.” Giulia replied immediately: “Of course, Amy, we are going to cook together, ok?” She was careful not to touch her friend, and Amy nodded. Neil winked at Giulia and said: “Make sure you make a large cake, because I am going to taste it, as well. And I love sweets very VERY much.” Giulia nodded solemnly and said: “Our cake will be the largest and the most delicious. Don’t worry, Neil!”
He stood up, smiled at Anna, and left the kitchen. Jennifer and Silvia started to help the children. Anna noticed that Amy was really good at cooking. She listened attentively to the instructions, and she worked in silence.
While the cakes were baking, Anna went to the canteen to say hello to parents. She was glad to see Nolan and Dana, sitting at a table, smiling and enjoying the moment. Neil’s words had had a positive effect on them.
Neil was sitting with John and Mark, and they were chatting and laughing. Anna went to sit with them. She asked Neil: “Was it difficult to convince Amy?”
Neil smiled and answered: “Not too much. She is still timid and scared, but I am trying to encourage her to stay with the other children. I hope she will start to talk and to communicate.”
John asked: “Do you believe she is still in danger, Neil?”
Neil stroked his chin and answered: “Yes, John. Now she doesn’t remember anything from her past. I don’t know if the block is due to what she experienced or to something she was given to prevent her from remembering names and faces. Either way, the moment that block is removed, I wonder what she will remember ...”
Anna asked: “Will it be traumatic for her?”
Neil nodded. “Yes, I think so and ... Will it be dangerous for the people who kept her? What will they do to prevent her from talking?”
At that moment, the children appeared and brought steaming trays to the tables.
The orphans were invited to eat the cake together with the child they had worked with and his or her family, and the atmosphere was really cozy and cheerful.
Amy came to the table with Mario, Sasha, Alan, Jim and Giulia. She immediately went to sit next to Neil, and she ate her slice of cake in silence. Neil put a hand on her shoulders, and she locked eyes with him. It was evident that she liked his presence, and that she was absolutely not afraid of him, even if she didn’t smile or talk.
While they were eating, Neil told John: “John, next Wednesday I am going back to Vancouver. I will be back the following day. I have to fetch some things I left there in my apartment and I want to visit Father Thomas, the director of the orphanage where I grew up.”
In reality, it was not a simple visit to a person who had been a father to him. Neil hoped that Father Thomas could give an answer to some questions which had been tormenting him since he had met Amy…
‘Only the truth will set you free.’
But did he really want to know the truth? Would he be able to accept it?
ns216.73.216.41da2
and then Add to home screen.