[ As he'd informed Mafalda, they arrive in the early afternoon, flying from the Yukon to Milan where they got equipped to spend a still undetermined amount of time in the summer house near B, Lucifer's apparently endless fortune buying them everything from suitcases, a whole new wardrobe to a car. Like that, they drive from Milan to Bordighera, from Bordighera to the house. Mafalda had been waiting for them in the doorway, more or less attacking Elio upon sight, kissing his whole face and calling him angioletto, her angel boy. Honestly, Elio thought he'd taken it in stride, what with Lucifer as front-row spectator to that little scene.
As it is, Mafalda evidently doesn't like him, though, Lucifer, Elio even caught her muttering her little Neapolitan curses in his general direction while she'd showed off how she'd stocked them up on all the basic necessities. You won't be in want of anything, Elio, she'd said, I'll come every night with dinner, homemade. He'd have told her that he was perfectly capable of doing the cooking himself, if he hadn't thought she'd just curse him, too. Instead, he'd thanked her profusely and asked her about the orchard, were the peaches ripe?
She'd told him yes. Manfredi and Anchise would start harvesting in a couple of days.
Which explains why Elio has more or less dragged Lucifer out into the gardens, first things first, the sky a spotless blue, September heat hanging in the air all around. Another month and the winds will be cooling everything down, gradually. He doesn't wonder whether they'll still be here by then, it doesn't matter, they're here now, right? They're here now. He almost can't believe it, this place seemingly never changes. ]
I haven't actually been back here for the past three or four years. [ Elio halts beneath a big peach tree, leaning his head back to look up at the myriad of fruits above them. ] I'd tell myself it was because I'm always busy, over summer, during Hanukkah, but I think in reality... I've been avoiding it.
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As it is, Mafalda evidently doesn't like him, though, Lucifer, Elio even caught her muttering her little Neapolitan curses in his general direction while she'd showed off how she'd stocked them up on all the basic necessities. You won't be in want of anything, Elio, she'd said, I'll come every night with dinner, homemade. He'd have told her that he was perfectly capable of doing the cooking himself, if he hadn't thought she'd just curse him, too. Instead, he'd thanked her profusely and asked her about the orchard, were the peaches ripe?
She'd told him yes. Manfredi and Anchise would start harvesting in a couple of days.
Which explains why Elio has more or less dragged Lucifer out into the gardens, first things first, the sky a spotless blue, September heat hanging in the air all around. Another month and the winds will be cooling everything down, gradually. He doesn't wonder whether they'll still be here by then, it doesn't matter, they're here now, right? They're here now. He almost can't believe it, this place seemingly never changes. ]
I haven't actually been back here for the past three or four years. [ Elio halts beneath a big peach tree, leaning his head back to look up at the myriad of fruits above them. ] I'd tell myself it was because I'm always busy, over summer, during Hanukkah, but I think in reality... I've been avoiding it.