When I leave, Lucy accompanies me to the door and asks: "Ceci, are you still doing your martial arts?" I nod. She smiles and says: "Thanks, Ceci, for coming. Albert told me of your concern, but he thinks that we should be safe." How silly of me to think that she wouldn’t see straight through me and know why I came, nor is she somebody who scares easily. "Lucy, please, it is serious. Convince dad to take all of you away." "You really think we should? And what about the girls’ schooling?" "Yes, I think you should, and it will only be for a week or two, until I have this whole matter sorted out." "I’ll talk to Albert when he comes back tomorrow." I cannot hope for more than a promise. Tuesday, 5:10 p.m. I figure that late afternoon will be a good time to catch Silvio at the restaurant. I have no other phone number to reach him. He answers on the third ring. His voice reveals his pleasure at my call. "How curious! I just entered my office, intent on calling you. How are you, amore?" He hasn’t called me ‘love’ before.
