Chapter 7 - MATTEO GOES HOME TO HIS MOTHER
Matteo's mother lived outside Florence.
Clara did not go.
That reunion belonged to them.
Matteo later told her.
He rang the bell.
His younger brother opened.
Dropped a grocery bag.
Tomatoes rolled down the steps.
Then punched Matteo.
Fair.
Then hugged him.
Also fair.
His mother fainted.
Actually fainted.
When she woke, she slapped him.
Then held his face and screamed for ten minutes.
Families.
Matteo told them everything.
Not polished.
He admitted he believed Clara left.
Admitted he stopped trying.
Admitted Vivienne.
His mother said:
"You were married."
He replied:
"I thought she had abandoned me."
His mother:
"So you divorce first."
Italian mothers apparently provide legal clarity through volume.
Clara laughed when she heard.
First time Matteo made her laugh since returning.
Dangerous.
Their contact remained limited.
Coffee.
Legal meetings.
Occasional phone calls.
No romance.
Not yet.
Clara needed answers.
Matteo needed identity.
He had spent three years as a protected man named Matthew Lane in documents.
Different address.
Different habits.
Different life.
He was not simply returning to old Matteo.
Clara was not old Clara either.
One afternoon he asked:
"What do you want from me?"
"Nothing."
"That's impossible."
"No."
She looked at him.
"I spent three years wanting one thing."
"What?"
"You alive."
His eyes filled.
"I got it."
Silence.
"Now I don't know what else I want."
That was honest.
He nodded.
Then:
"I'll wait."
Clara immediately said:
"Don't."
He stared.
"Do not turn waiting into pressure."
She continued.
"Build your life. I build mine. If they cross later, fine."
Matteo smiled sadly.
"You got stronger."
"No."
She shook her head.
May you like
"I got clearer."
Better.
