Friday, March 12th
Rosary, Stacey Lewis’ villa, 8:45 a.m.
After breakfast, Stacey stood up from her chair to go to her bedroom. She wanted to make a phone call. Barbara was coming in after taking Robin to school. Every morning, she found the time to stop by Stacey to see if she needed anything, something Dana had never done.
She smiled at the elderly woman and said: “Hello, Stacey! How are you today?”
Barbara was a pleasant woman in her late thirties. She had long auburn hair, almost always gathered in a ponytail, and big brown eyes. Barbara and Nolan had been married for almost a year, and Stacey had never seen them arguing. They seemed to get on well together, but there was something in Barbara that Stacey didn’t like, some kind of affectation, some gestures and words that didn’t seem sincere. On the other hand, Barbara was always kind to the old mother-in-law and to her stepson, even if she hadn’t earned the trust and the confidence of the little boy. The main difference between her and Nolan’s ex-wife, was the fact that she didn’t seem so interested in the luxury and comfort of her life with Nolan. She looked more sensible, and she spent a lot of time with her husband and her stepson.
Stacey looked at her daughter-in-law and said: “I am alright, thanks, Barbara! Was Robin fine this morning? He is so sad these days!” She was always worried about her grandson.
“Yes, he was alright, and we talked about his weekend with his mother. He told me she is coming tomorrow, and she is staying at your home!”
“Yes, I am glad because Robin misses her so much!” She looked at Barbara, and she quickly added: “I know you are doing everything you can to make him feel loved, but Dana is his mum, and he needs her, don’t you think?”
“Yes, you are right, Stacey! I know he does his best to be kind to me, but I think I am still a stranger to him. Maybe he has known me for a relatively short time. Maybe his mum left him when he needed her most. He was just five or six years old!”
“And he had seen his parents argue so many times before...” Stacey’s voice trailed off because a wave of sadness pervaded her at the remembrance of the difficult relationship between Nolan and his first wife, and of all the suffering it had caused Robin.
Barbara said kindly: “I am sure you did everything you could to help them. Don’t worry, Stacey, I intend to take care of Robin.” She stopped immediately because she realized that what she was saying could be interpreted in the wrong way, since Stacey Lewis had not been feeling well for some time...
Stacey pretended not to notice. She smiled and asked, seeing that Barbara still had her coat on: “Are you going out?”
“Yes, Stacey, I have to meet a friend and do some shopping this morning. Nolan is in his office, and he is not coming home until dinnertime. See you tomorrow for lunch as usual!” She was referring to the fact that, on Saturday, they always had lunch together at her mother-in-law’s.
Barbara left, and Stacey went to her bedroom.
***
When she was in her room and had closed the door, she took out the piece of paper where Anna had written the phone number a few days before. She had been on the verge of calling that number many times, but she had not found the courage yet. She didn’t know who would answer, what the reaction of that woman would be… Now she made up her mind. Stacey had not got used to using a mobile phone. She picked up the receiver of the bedroom extension of the house phone.
After a few rings, a voice answered: “Hello!”
Stacey felt her heart beat faster, and she tried to sound calm when she asked: “Hello, is it...?” She stopped because she only knew the first name, and she didn’t know if it was correct. She decided to approach the conversation in another way. “I have found this number registered on Father Luca’s mobile phone. He was the Catholic priest here in Rosary!”
For a moment she believed the phone call had been disconnected, but then a voice replied, a voice that betrayed the same emotion Stacey was feeling: “Oh, I have tried so many times to call Father Luca in the last few days... He had promised to put me in touch with a person who knows who my father was.”
Stacey said immediately: “That person is me.” She paused for a moment before adding with a sigh: “Unfortunately Father Luca died in a car accident a few weeks ago.”
“Oh, I am so sorry. He was so kind.”
“My name is Stacey Lewis. I don’t know what Father Luca had already told you...” Her voice trailed off because she realized it was really difficult for her to talk about this part of her dear husband’s life without Father Luca’s filter and help.
“My name is Alison Stevens. Father Luca had told me you wanted to meet me to talk about my father. I never met him, and my mum always said that he had died before I was born…” she was silent for a few moments before going on: “Luca hinted at the fact that in reality my father was your husband, and that you learnt only before he died of my existence.”
“Yes, that’s true. My husband had never told me anything about the relationship with your mum, which was some time before he met me. Before he died, he decided to tell me the truth. He said that he had always felt guilty for not telling me before. He admitted he had given your mum some money for your education, even if your mother had never asked him!” Stacey stopped because she realized she didn’t want to talk about the money. It was not important now. The only thing that mattered to Stacey was to get to know this woman who was her husband’s daughter!
“Oh, but I don’t want your money, Mrs. Lewis!” Alison replied heatedly.
“Don’t worry, Alison! I don’t want to discuss money. I wanted to meet you and your mum just because you had a part in my husband’s life, and because I had promised him to try to contact you… But Father Luca told me that your mother died recently… I am sorry!”
“Yes, she was killed during a burglary almost two years ago, unfortunately! ”
“I am sorry, Alison! But would you mind meeting me? I would like so much to get to know you...”
Alison was struck by the kind, pleading voice of the elderly woman, and she was eager to know something more about her past and about a father she had never met, so she answered instinctively.
“Yes, I would like to meet you, but just to know something about my past. I don’t want money. I have a job, a home...”
“Of course, Alison. My husband told me, before he died, that he always regretted respecting your mother’s wish not to introduce you to him! I am an old woman, and I don’t have any commitments, so... tell me when you can come to Rosary to meet me!”
“I have to talk to my colleague in my shop, but I think I will be able to come next weekend! Do you think next Saturday morning will be ok for you? Saturday afternoon is very busy at the shop, and on Sunday I have to go to lunch with a friend of mine.”
“Certainly, Saturday will be perfect. I am looking forward to meeting you, Alison!”
Alison promised to call Stacey a few days before going to Rosary to confirm the day and the time.
When the call ended, Alison wondered why the old woman had not mentioned her children, because Father Luca had told her she had a son and a daughter. Maybe she didn’t want to tell them that their dad had another child. Alison hoped there wouldn’t be problems. She didn’t want to have problems with anyone. She just wanted to know something more about her father. It was true that she had used the money her mother had left her to buy the shop where she worked and partly the house where she lived, and she had often wondered why her mother had so much money. She had not left her a note telling her where the money came from, but the notary had told her that all the documents were in order, the money had been transferred in installments over a period of time to her mum’s bank account and... She just hoped that the lady’s children wouldn’t want the money back.
***
Fredericton, Alison’s clothes shop, 9:45 a.m.
Alison and Shirley were really proud of their clothes shop in the center of Fredericton. Until the previous year, they had both worked in a big store. It was a huge place on two floors, with clothing for women, men and children. Alison had over ten colleagues, but she had immediately liked Shirley, a reserved woman in her mid-forties, with curly brown hair and dark eyes.
Alison’s mother had died unexpectedly a little less than two years before in a terrible way. It had been a blow for Alison, all the police questioning about that woman she had seen by chance on the landing in front of her mother’s apartment, all the photos of suspects she had had to watch ... Then the surprise when they had told her she had inherited a large sum of money from her mum...They had started this new business together, staying up late at night thinking of the costs, the risks, dreaming of their little shop but fearing they were taking the longest step of the leg...
Then, a few weeks before, that priest had called Alison to tell her that a woman had recently discovered that her husband had had a child when she still didn’t know him. That child was Alison, but her mother had never allowed her real father to get to know her... Then that priest seemed to have vanished ... Alison looked both disappointed and relieved …
Today Shirley noticed immediately that her friend was excited. As soon as she parked her car in the reserved parking lot, she spotted Alison’s arrival. She took the shop keys out of her bag while waiting for her colleague to park. Alison looked agitated and, as soon as she got out of the car, she told her friend,
“Oh, Shirley. You will never guess who called me this morning!”
“That priest from Rosary?”
Alison’s expression became suddenly sad, and her voice lost some of the excitement when she answered: “No, the poor man died in a car accident. That woman, the one who wanted to contact me, found my number, and she called me!”
“Do you mean your real father’s wife?”
“Yes, she sounds like an amiable person! Her name is Stacey Lewis! I agreed to meet her next week! Oh, did I make a hasty decision, Shirley? Is it the right thing to do to meet this woman I don’t know anything about?”
Meanwhile, Shirley and Alison had entered their shop, and Alison went immediately to turn on the lights. They put their bags and coats in the back office, and went behind the counter.
Shirley said: “Alison, if you wish to know something about your natural father, you certainly did the right thing. I think that the lady who has been looking for you just wants to meet you.”
“Oh, Shirley, I know she just wants to get to know me, but I don’t know if her children are aware of my existence, and if they think I am looking for money. I have already told Mrs. Lewis that I don’t need anything.”
“Don’t worry, Alison, I don’t think you will have to meet the rest of the family, and you don’t have to be concerned ...”
“Shirley, can you manage the shop without me next Saturday? I will try to be back in the afternoon.”
“Of course, Alison, don’t worry! Take all the time you need.” She smiled at her troubled friend. She was saying something else when the first client entered, and they both got busy with their job.
***
Rosary, Anna’s Trattoria , 4:30 p.m.
When Anna saw her nephew Mario come through the restaurant door, she immediately perceived his excitement. He went to embrace his grandmother as he always did when he came back from school, followed by his reserved sister. Anna was sitting at one of the tables with her daughter, enjoying a cup of espresso. She smiled at her son-in-law who was following his children, and she said, ruffling her grandson’s hair affectionately: “Hi, Mario. What’s up? You are all flushed and out of breath!”
Mark started to laugh and said jokingly: “He’s been talking incessantly since he came out of school! Poor Giulia and I had no other choice but to listen to him... But I promised to let him tell you the news, so I’ll drink my coffee and keep my mouth shut!” He winked at his mother-in-law, he bent to kiss his wife, he sat down at the table, and Silvia stood up to go to prepare a cup of espresso for him.
Mario took a deep breath, and waited until his mum was back in the dining room. Then he said solemnly, as if he was announcing something tremendously important or giving an official statement.
“Mum, grandma,” he started, turning from one woman to the other, “Father George came to school this morning to say… Oh, we are all sooo excited! He said that tomorrow we are going to have our volleyball practice.”
Anna looked at him surprised: “Oh, have they found a new coach?”
“Oh, you won’t believe who our new coach is!”
Silvia was starting to get a little impatient, and she said: “Come on, Mario! Who is he?”
“The new inspector! The one we saw on TV with the Governor last Christmas!”
Anna, Mark and Silvia exchanged a glance. Anna, after a few moments, said: “Oh, now I remember! John asked me if we had found a new coach for the children when he came to have lunch here with the inspector. I thought he hadn’t even noticed.”
Mario continued: “Jim and Sasha said that he went to the orphanage yesterday to meet the children there, and he was very kind…”
Giulia, who had been listening silently, now asked: “Will he have his gun while he plays volleyball?”
Her father put a hand around her shoulder, and gave her an affectionate kiss on the cheek, before replying: “I don’t think so, but I believe Mario and his teammates will have a great coach!” He turned to his wife and his mother-in-law and added: “Father George told Mario and his schoolmates that he used to train children in the orphanage in Vancouver, so he has experience! Who would have imagined that a sniper like him could also spend his free time with kids?”
“Who is a sniper, dad?” Asked Giulia, always curious.
Mark looked at his beautiful daughter and answered: “He is a person who can use firearms very well, but only to defend innocent people and to arrest criminals, Giulia! Snipers risk their lives every day, that’s why the Governor gave him a special bravery award.”
Mario said: “Father George told us that Neil McKinley is an orphan like Amy and Jim…”
Giulia looked sad for a few seconds and then added: “We must ask Father George to pray for him, then, and we must pray for him, all of us, because uncle Luca always said that we must pray for the children who don’t have a mum and dad, and we mustn’t make them feel lonely!”
Anna, Silvia and Mark couldn’t help smiling because Giulia was really a generous affectionate child who always thought about other people’s problems.
Anna felt tears coming to her eyes as she said: “I am so happy they have found a new coach for the children. Luca was really glad with his young volleyball players, and it would have been a pity…” her voice trailed off because her emotion was overwhelming her. Mark put a hand on her arm.
“Yes, Anna,” he said softly, “we know how much Luca did for our community!”
Mario became serious and went to embrace his grandmother affectionately. He said: “Grandma, we will never forget Luca, he was a wonderful coach, but Father George said that uncle Luca would have wanted us to go on playing together with the orphans. It was very important for him!”
Anna looked at her grandson, who was an enthusiastic joyful young boy, but at times could be so caring. She thanked God from her heart for her beautiful, united family.
After drinking their coffee, Silvia and her dear ones left, and Anna closed the trattoria and went back to her flat upstairs.
***
Rosary, Anna Venturi’s home, 6:00 p.m.
Anna never refrained from saying what came from her heart. Now, alone in her flat, she took her mobile phone and dialed the number of the police station.
A kind, and professional voice answered: “Hello! Rosary police station. Can I help you?”
“Hello, my name is Anna Venturi! I would like to talk to the new Chief Inspector, Mr. McKinley, if it is possible.”
The person at the other end of the line hesitated and seemed on the verge of answering in the negative, when a voice was heard in the background, and the receptionist said something Anna couldn’t understand. Then he told Anna:
“One moment, Inspector McKinley has just come in, and he said he is taking the call from his office if you wait a minute, madam!”
Anna heard a click, and she waited until a deep familiar voice answered: “McKinley”
“Mr. McKinley, it’s Anna from the Italian trattoria…” Her voice trailed off because she didn’t know if the Inspector remembered her, but he answered immediately in a gentle voice.
“Of course, Mrs. Anna. How are you?”
“I am fine, Mr. McKinley…” Neil interrupted her to say: “It’s Neil, please!”
“Yes, Neil. I don’t want to take up much of your time. I just wanted to thank you. My grandson has just told me you are his new volleyball coach! He was so excited and happy. Thanks, Neil, for taking my son’s place! He was so keen on this sport activity that gave children an opportunity to stay together and to enjoy themselves, and it is so important for our little orphans.” She stopped because she realized she was talking to an orphan.
“You were very kind to call me, Anna. It wasn’t necessary.” Neil perceived her embarrassment and went on kindly, “It’s a pleasure for me to be able to help in your community. I know that all the children and Father George loved your son. He must have been a wonderful person. I will try to do my best to be worthy of your trust.”
“Oh, you will certainly be!” A lump was forming in her throat. This policeman who had a completely different life from her son’s had so much in common with Luca: he was generous, trustworthy, courageous, he had a soothing and calm personality, he immediately inspired confidence and comfort. She knew she had found a person who would be a great help for the community and for her, in a hard moment of her life, when she felt lost and lonely without her son.
Neil understood that the phone call had cost Anna a great effort because she was constantly reminded of her son, and he said,
“I thank you again for your call, Anna! I will certainly come to eat at your restaurant soon!”
When she ended the call, Anna felt a warmth and a comfort she had not felt for almost a month. What disconcerted her most was this strange feeling she had, this longing to get to know that tough policeman, a sniper, as her son-in-law had called him. Why did she long to talk to him? Why did she implicitly trust him, even before getting to know him better? Maybe because in her heart she knew he was a lonely person. She didn’t know anything about his past life, apart from the fact that he was an orphan, but she could see in his eyes that he was suffering from something. She had always been good at perceiving other people’s distress and misery, maybe because she had a big heart and a deep sensitivity, and now she felt, she didn’t know how or why, that she could give affection to this courageous man. She smiled and instinctively looked at the photo of her son that was on the credenza near her! Luca seemed to smile and encourage her. Her life was not over. She had so much to do, she still had so much love to offer to the people around her.
***
Rosary, Nolan Lewis’ home, 7:00 p.m.
Robin was silently eating his dinner. At the table, Barbara and Nolan were discussing the events of the day and talking about the usual things. They always spoke in a calm and composed tone. They never argued, as Nolan and Dana had frequently done in the last years of their marriage, but, Robin reflected, they didn’t seem like a real family. They seldom spoke to him or involved him in their conversation. His father never asked him anything about his school, his friends...
Now Robin was waiting for the right moment to ask his father something that was really important to him. Almost at the end of the dinner, Barbara and Nolan were both silent, and Robin took his chance.
“Dad,” his father turned to him and said: “Yes, Robin?”
“This morning, Father George came to the school to tell us they have found a new volleyball coach, and the practice will start over tomorrow morning.” He waited for any reaction on the part of his father, but Nolan didn’t say a word. So, he went on: “Can I go to the volleyball practice with Mario and my friends, dad?”
Barbara looked at him and said: “But you didn’t want to go, when Father Luca started a few months ago, Robin!”
“I know, Barbara. I didn’t want to go because I hoped I would spend my weekends with my mum, but she has already told me that tomorrow she won’t be here until late in the morning and so ... I like volleyball, you know, and Mario told me they have a great time playing together. And I think it is useless for me to stay here all Saturday morning waiting for my mum!” His tone was almost exasperated.
His father said: “For me, there is no problem, I will ask Tony to drive you there.”
Barbara asked: “But who is your new coach? Has Father George found another young priest?”
Robin couldn’t conceal his excitement when he answered: “Oh, no! The new coach will be the new Chief Inspector who arrived in Rosary a few days ago, the one who was on television when he received the award from the Governor!”
Barbara and Nolan exchanged a glance, and Barbara said, turning to her husband: “Do you think it’s a good idea to entrust the children to a policeman, a sniper who has killed people in his job?”
Nolan answered: “He has killed criminals, Barbara. He has risked his life many times, and he has rescued a lot of people. He is a hero and I think he can be a wonderful role model for our children!” He turned to Robin and said: “If your mum arrives early, I will tell her you are at the orphanage, and maybe she can pick you up when you finish!” Robin’s eyes lit up at the thought of his mum coming to take him home. When he came out of school, he always envied his schoolmates, who had their father or mother waiting for them. His dad had never gone to the school, he had never talked to his teachers. His mum had seldom done that, when she was still in Rosary, but now she almost always forgot to come on the weekends. Barbara usually went to the school when there were meetings for parents, but she rarely went to pick him up. Tony was the person who waited for him out of school.
Barbara insisted: “I don’t know, Nolan. I still don’t like the idea of orphans and young children being trained by a policeman! I don’t think it is the right choice. And I am surprised at Father George.”
Robin replied: “Father George told us that the Inspector grew up in an orphanage in Vancouver, and he used to train children there. Maybe that’s the reason he trusts him!”
Nolan turned to his wife and said: “See? He already has experience, and I don’t think Father George would have chosen him if he had not been absolutely sure!”
Barbara shook her head but didn’t say anything. At that moment, both Nolan’s and Barbara’s phones rang, and they stood up and went to another room to answer, leaving Robin alone in the dining room. He was glad because he had been able to ask his father. He knew that his dad’s attention to him usually lasted for a very short time.
He decided to go to his grandmother to tell her about his volleyball practice and see how she was feeling. He went to his room to pick up his last drawing to show his grandma, and he went to the apartment next to his, not bothering to tell anything to his father, who never looked for him.
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.