Ruby Secret

Thursday, January 5, 2017 | Davilyn at Thursday, January 05, 2017 |

1.

Nat turned the key and creeked open the door to Giardino di Fiori . Garden of Flowers, she couldn't believe it was hers. She would have rather had it under different circumstances, not the death of Gran. She gave a shudder from deep down at the thought of Gran. How she wished she would have taken that trip last summer break. Gran had asked her to come and visit, but Nat was working hard to finish her Master's and felt like she would wait until the following year, then she could come and spend more time with Gran. She had been so adamant about waiting that year, now just regret. Gran was gone and all she had before her were the memories, and the villa.

The vision of rushing into Gran's arms as she threw open the door brought tears to her eyes.Gran would always give her a kiss on each cheek, Nat couldn't remember which came first. She was sure there was a correct way to do it, was it left cheek then right, or the other way around?

The smell of fresh Italian bread baking, along with ginger tea brewing were all but a memory now. The villa sat empty except for the ghostly white sheets covering the furnishings. Running her hands over the closet doors, she remembered all too well the many times she crawled in behind the long graceful coats to wait for her father to come and find her. She would giggle as he would pretend to be a large bear who came into his den to find a fair maiden awaiting.

The large windows facing the gardens in the back, were covered, making the room seem lonelyand cold. Nat could not deal with lonely right now. She needed to feel Gran, to remember how her warmth felt, the breath of her, as she kissed her cheeks and forehead, and the shine that always radiated from her eyes. She pulled back each curtain, gazing at the flower gardens. Giardino di Fiori, appropriately named she thought, as she noted the pristine condition of the gardens. George had not slacked off in his duties, keeping the grounds immaculate.

Paul had arranged for George and Rosa to stay on and maintain the villa until such time as Nat could arrive and decide what she wanted to do. Paul. She remembered the call she received from him only two short weeks ago, informing her of Gran's will, and her inheritance. She still could not believe it was all hers. Her parents Pete and Tec inherited money, but Nat received all else. Tecla was the only daughter of Amelia and Stefano,  who died 15 years earlier. When Nat was ten, Tecla and Pietro moved to Chicago, becoming Tec and Pete to their American friends. Nat had only been back three times since then. Once when her Papa, Stefano, had passed away, she was twelve, twice to spend summers with Gran. Those were precious memories.

The door closed behind her, as Rosa entered. Tears glistening her eyes, Rosa hugged Nat and finished with a kiss to her right cheek, then the left, refreshing Nats memory of what was the proper way.

“Natalia Amore, your Grandmother would be so happy to see you here. How was your journey?”

“The journey was long, but uneventful Rosa, grazie. The house is beautiful, thank you for taking care of it. The gardens as well. Where is George? Is he around?”

“He will be here momentarily. I called him as soon as Paul told me you had arrived. We are both deeply sorrowed by the loss of your Grandmother Amelia. She was closer than family to both of us.”

“Grazie Rosa, that means a lot to me. I know she felt the same about both of you. After Papa died, she relied heavily on both of you, and you never let her down.”

“George and I have discussed, we both would love to remain here in your service if you need us. Paul told me you were intending to stay for a time until you make decisions as to what you will do.”

“That would be perfect Rosa. I will need help keeping Giardino di Fiori running smoothly. It is far too much for me to do on my own, and I know so little about it for now. Rosa, did Gran leave any instructions for me, other than what Paul might have shared with me? He gave me a stack of papers to read through, and Gran's will only said that I am to receive everything other than what she left for my parent's.”

“She only told me one thing Natalia, 'Tell Natalia to keep her eyes open, as she did when she was a child, and she may discover wonderful treasures. Treasures that have been buried deep in Giardino for many years.' I do not know what she meant by this, but perhaps you do.”

Nat had no idea what Gran could possibly mean by that, but if it involved treasures, she was sure to figure it out.

“Bella Natalia, how are you? Come let me look at you.” George had walked in through the open garden doors. Time for treasure seeking would have to wait.

“George, I have missed you.” Kisses, right then left. “And the gardens are spectacular. Rosa told me you have been working as hard as ever to make them even more beautiful, if that is even possible.”

“I only wanted everything to be perfect for your arrival Natalia. Amelia would expect nothing less.”

“Well I love it. And please stay and continue to help me. I know Gran left provisions for the both of you to remain here as long as I need you to, and I need you to George. I cannot do it all on my own.”

“My pleasure Natalia.”

“Now if you both don't mind, I think I would like to explore my way to my room and take a long hot shower to freshen up, then find something to eat.”

Nat made her way up the long winding staircase. The first door on the left, Gran's room. It belonged to her now, she was allowed to enter. She felt like a little child who had just broken a very large rule as she opened the door into her new bedroom. Of course it was immaculate. Between Rosa and Gran, she didn't expect anything less. It was as if Gran was expected home any minute. Rosa had not covered the furnishings in Amelia's room, instead had kept them clean and in place. The brush on the night stand, the perfume bottle resting on the vanity, Gran's clothes hanging, freshly laundered and pressed in the closet and the bed freshly made, waiting for it's occupant. Nat gave a large stretch, followed by a moaning yawn. It had been a long 48 hours. A shower and a rest would feel incredible.

Two hours later, Nat descended her stairs for the first time, as the owner of Giardino di Fiore. She couldn't help but feel like that little child all over again, with a giggle of happiness, yet a longing for Gran to meet her at the bottom. How many times she had seen Gran descending these very stairs, dressed in a ball gown, dressed in her garden tea clothes, dressed in her casual clothes to meet her at the door. It didn't matter the occasion, Gran was a lady of beauty and class. Never a hair out of place, never a broken nail, never a wrinkle in her clothes. Nat had dreamed her whole life of descending these stairs in such a manner as Gran did, with the grace and elegance she had. She had a long way to go. Living in Chicago, attending the Fine Arts School, didn't offer training or education in class and grace. In fact, Nat thought, it was just the opposite. The more extreme you were, the better you fit in. Life would be different here in Italy. She was looking forward to the adventure.

Rosa had created a light meal of bread, cheese, and provolone, with a new bottle of wine. It was just what Nat needed. She poured a glass, and tipped it to the sky. “Cheers to you Gran. I will miss you.”