ROSALIA

Meeting a family member

"Hello, you must be Rosalia Ajello. I have heard a lot about you. I am Elizabeth". Elizabeth gushed as she shook Rosalia's hand.

Rosalia politely smiled as she shook her hand as well.

"My cousin has said a lot about you. I am so glad that one of our eligible bachelors in the family has finally agreed to marry". Elizabeth spoke in her heavy British accent.

"It's nice to meet you". Rosalia smiled.

"My pleasure".

David had set a meeting with one of his cousins, that was currently in New York to meet with Rosalia. He wanted her to form a bond with a member of his family.

So, Rosalia found herself listening to a British woman in her mid twenties talking eagerly about her life in England, the places she had traveled to around the world, her likes and dislikes.

"David says you are Italian. Tell me, where exactly in Italy?", Elizabeth asked with a genuine smile on her face.

"Sicily. I grew up there and immigrated to America when I was fifteen".

"Wow. That's lovely. Italy is a beautiful place", Elizabeth remarked

"David is absolutely lucky to have you. You are so beautiful and humble!"

After eating their meal, the waitress came to take their bills. Rosalia brought out her card to pay but Elizabeth refused and paid instead.

After sorting out the bills, the two women stood up and hugged each other. After fter the meal they had shared, they got to know eachother better and formed a friendship.

"Thank you very much. You are a very nice woman as well. I like you already", Rosalia replied politely.

"Thank you too. I hope we get to do things like this from time to time", Elizabeth replied with a wink.

"Sure!". Rosalia smiled.

She did enjoy the meal and their small talk that followed. She was happy to meet one of his family members as David never talked about his family whenever they were together.

...

Rosalia always hated the smell of nursing homes or any building related to medics, but since her only family resides here, she has no other option but to visit regularly.

Her mother is currently battling with stage three stomach cancer. Rosalia understands that her mother would one day kick the bucket but Rosalia is doing everything she can to keep her mother alive as long as she can live.

"Fa freddo mamma,chiudi la finestra", Rosalia spoke as soon as she walked in to see her mother by the window.

Her mother immediately shut the window and claimed her seat beside her daughter.

"Figlio mio virtuoso, come stai?"

"Mamma frenetica, ma sto bene come sto con te". Rosalia replied resting her head on her mothers' bosom.

Rosalia always felt guilty anytime her mother called her a virtuous child. Rosalia mamma strongly believes that a woman should never throw away her virtue no matter the circumstances.

Rosalia has been lying to her mother ever since she was twenty and started paying her mother medical bills.

Her mother at first asked where she got the money to pay her medical bills and college, but Rosalia lied that she was doing all sorts of work and even took loans to pay all the bills. Her mother believed her at first and warned her to never take desperate measures to save her, that she would rather die than for Rosalia to do vile things to earn money.

At some point, her mother began to doubt her daughter but Rosalia calmly told her mother that she was dating a wealthy businessman who was too busy to come visit. Her mother had scolded her at first, saying she was dating a rich man because of money but Rosalia persuaded her mother that she loved him and the man was just 27 at that time, she also presented a picture to prove her point.

"Mamma, this place is so stuffy, please come and stay with me for a few days"

Patting her head, her mother replied with a smile on her face "And be a nuisance to you. Never!"

"But mamma, you have never visited. Please mamma" Rosalia murmured

Rosalia mamma only laughed and kissed her child

"How is work?", Rosalia mamma asked, trying to change the topic

"Work is fine mamma"

"And your boy?", Rosalia mamma winked

"Oh mamma, he is fine", She replied.

Looking across the room, she gave the unfinished chess game by the wall a glance and smiled as she asked, "You still have an uncompleted game again ah? Who's leading this time?"

Rosalia mamma laughed and spoke, "Vera, that woman is ten years older but she's as smart as a tortoise. She's always leading". After letting out a sigh, she laughed again, "she even asked after you yesterday, but she left this morning. Her daughter is having another baby very soon".

Rosalia mamma made some friends at the Nursing home, but she has two close friends; Vera and Lauren.

Vera is also a patient at the Nursing home, she is Sixty years old and diagnosed with Ovarian cancer.

Lauren is a nurse who claimed to have been working in the Nursing home right from her teen days. She is presently sixty five. She enjoys caring for sick people and she prays for them too.

The three women enjoy their friendship and always spend time with one another. They spoke about anything and everything.

Mother and child were quiet for a very long time, reveling in one another's presence before the child said in a low tone, "Ha chiestodi sposarmi". Her mother jerked at once, holding her daughter at arms length, "mia cara,questa è una buona notizia. But this guy must see me for my blessings".

"Mamma, that's the reason why you should leave the hospital for now and help me prepare for my wedding. please mamma" Rosalia replied giving her mummy the puppy eyes.

"Ok ok. Vieni a prendermi domani, felice?"

"Thank you mamma!" Rosalia exclaimed hugging her mother tightly.

"So tell me now my dear, does he make you very happy?"

"Yes mamma. Very". Rosalia lied. She does not feel elated at all. She does not feel as a bride should feel but as long as her mamma is happy, then she is happy as well.

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Glossary:

Fa freddo mamma, chiudi la finestra - it's cold mamma, close the window

Figlio mio virtuoso, come stai? - my virtuous child, how are you?

Mamma frenetica, ma sto bene come sto con te - hectic mamma, but I am fine as I am with you

Ha chiesto di sposarsi - he asked to get married

Mia cara, questa è una buona notizia - my dear, this is good news

Ok ok. Vieni a prendermi domani. Felice? - ok ok. Come and get me tomorrow. Happy?