Palermo, Sicily, IT - January 8th, 2021
I fly back to Italy for my father’s 46th birthday. It’s at nonna Angie’s house, of course, because it wouldn’t have been ‘ethical’ to hire an entire catering staff for a small family gathering.
As if there is anything ethical left about this family.
The group is smaller than they usually are on his birthday; it’s just our family, Vinnie’s family, and Isabella’s.
There’s old classics playing from her ancient pickup she had since she was my age, the fire is on, and everyone is drinking wine.
With Vinnie to my left and Isabella to my right, I feel thirteen again.
Isabella refills my glass and then leans into me.
“She deleted all pictures of you.”
This catches Vinnie’s attention because his head instantly whips in our direction.
“Ariana?” he ask
