Free Bella Fortuna by Rosanna Chiofalo Page B

the corner from us, the Mayor would yell out, “Broccoli Brothers! Got any good broccoli for me?” He always erupted into laughter as if it were the first time he was making the joke. John and Lou were good sports about it. Now everyone in the neighborhood referred to them as the Broccoli Brothers.
    Well, at least they were nice, respectable guys—and Italian. My mom would be happy about that, of course. But she wouldn’t be thrilled that Lou Rabe owned a motorcycle. Of course, Connie was arm in arm with him. Their rebellious natures made them a good fit for each other. Lou was a paramedic and often looked exhausted from both the stressful work and late hours he tended to work.
    John Rabe was more subdued than his brother. He was 6’3” and very broad-shouldered. Rita’s bigger frame looked smaller next to his. He worked as a paralegal in Manhattan and was studying for his LSATs.
    I push my sisters and the Broccoli Brothers out of my mind as I return to my dilemma. Frantically searching my mind for an answer as to how I can make my dress look different without ruining its original design, I sigh deeply when nothing comes to mind. My design is perfect as it is, just as Ma had said. My completed gown has been my ideal vision for months now. From sketching the design to drawing the pattern and cutting it out carefully over the fabric to the meticulous hand stitching and sewing the pearl beads on one by one, I have bonded with my dress, much like the unborn baby you grow to love day by day as it is being formed. I just can’t imagine this dress looking any other way than it does now.
    I glance back out the window and notice the snowflakes are falling more heavily, mesmerizing me as I stare.
    â€œSnowflakes!” I cry out. “I’ll add a few snowflake-shaped embroidered appliqués to the skirt.” Right now the skirt has no ornamentation. Then I can place crystals over the appliqués, making them sparkle.
    I spin around for joy. If there is ever a time that I am happy it’s winter and snowing, this is it! My enthusiasm suddenly freezes just like the icy temperature outside. Winter. It is winter now, but I’m getting married in June and in a Mediterranean country no less. Although Venice has its share of overcast, rainy days, I can’t have snowflakes on my dress. What am I thinking? I smack my head and all but collapse onto the plush suede couch we keep outside of the fitting rooms for brides’ relatives and friends.
    â€œThink, Valentina, think!” I say aloud.
    A Modern Bride magazine is on the couch. The glittering diamond necklace the model is wearing catches my attention. A thin strand of round-cut diamonds circles the model’s neck.
    That’s it! It’s even better than snowflakes. I can’t believe I was actually entertaining the idea of putting snowflakes on a wedding dress! Diamonds. Yes! They’re sparkly so I’ll still get the same effect that the crystals over the snowflake appliqués would’ve given me. I can scatter crystal beads throughout the dress’s skirt. I can even add a few to the floor-length veil I’m planning on wearing. The dress will be different but I won’t have to alter the actual cut or style of my original design. But will it be enough? Michael probably won’t remember such a small detail as crystals and whether the dress has them when he sees me in it. Then again, most men don’t have good short-term memories. Maybe he doesn’t remember most of the dress, and my mother is stressing me out for nothing?
    My cell phone rings. 8:20! I am supposed to meet Michael at Antoniella’s for coffee at eight!
    â€œHey, Vee. I’m sorry. I’m running late, but I’m on my way. Were you waiting long?”
    â€œNo. No. I actually lost track of time. I’m still at the shop, so don’t kill yourself to get to Antoniella’s.”
    â€œGreat. I’ll see you in about