He motioned emphatically as he spoke, punctuating his words. “That house is bad luck. The lock is keeping you out. It’s for your own good.”
Giovanna cut him off, unleashing a tirade of reprimands and gestures. Caterina wondered, is this what had concerned her mother? She wondered again, What took place there?
The locksmith looked indignant at first and then became sheepish under Giovanna’s continued admonitions.
“Basta, basta,” he muttered, waving his hands.
Giovanna turned to Caterina. “The locksmith will find time next week to repair the lock,” she announced, shooting him a stern look before they left.
“He seemed awfully superstitious.” Caterina didn’t know whether to be annoyed or concerned.
“We move at a different pace here than in America,” Giovanni replied, ignoring Caterina’s
