RINA

Mammà's eyes suddenly came to me and she dropped the blouse she was folding. "Come on, dolcezza. Don't be moody."

My response was a sigh, before I started fondling with the zip of the duffle bag.

"Do you want to come along? I'm not sure what the Luna would say but—"

"No." Finding her words ridiculous, I let the zip be and wore a distant look. "I'm okay. It's just that…" I'm terrified of how these five days would be. "I'll miss you, that's all."

Mammà merely smiled before resuming her folding. Five days without her around would be hell on earth. Need I say how?

Abruptly, she stopped—giving...