Nonna asked when I came home from school on Tuesday. “Not too much,” I said. “Very well. Your mamma and I saw such darling clothes this morning. Let’s go into the center to shop.” “In the rain?” “It is no more than a mist. Dai, Irene, you played at soccer for ninety minutes in worse weather, true?” She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “Uh, true. What about Max and Nonno?” She sniffed. “They do not have enough patience to stand around in a store while you try on clothes. Besides, I leave tomorrow and I have not yet heard about your school and your friends.” Of course she hadn’t. I had successfully avoided being alone with Nonna since Saturday afternoon. This time no little voice screeched that this was another trap. It only whispered, “Bribe.” “Please, Irene.
