Free Sofia's Tune by Cindy Thomson

her dark braid behind her as she worked.
    Home was not appealing right now, and, besides, Papà thought she should not be around Mamma. “Perhaps not immediately. Signora Russo is with her. Papà will pay her.”
    “ Bene . We should go to Hawkins House.”
    “Where?”
    “You know, the library the Irish girl told us about, when we were in night school. I’d like to get a book. It won’t take long.”
    She had thought they might want to shop the neighborhood vendors or gather outside their building and discuss the American styles in the Sears & Roebuck catalog or chat while they shined their shoes—the things they usually did. Leaving the neighborhood was not typical for them. Mamma never liked Sofia to venture too far. Although…Mamma wouldn’t know this time. Her conscience seemed to tap her on the shoulder. Sofia ought to get straight home and check on her. “Oh, I better not. Mamma might need me.” She hoped.
    “Tomorrow then?”
    “Perhaps.”
    ***
    Sofia arrived home to find a crowd of people standing in the front room. “Papà? Why are you home? What has happened?”
    Even Joey was there. He gave her a sad look.
    Father Lucci quietly called her to the side. “ Signora Russo is quite concerned. Your mother has been wailing all day, mourning the loss of a child who died decades ago, as if it just happened.”
    Sofia glanced to Gabriella, who had her charges sitting on the floor around her feet. The youngest cried and pulled on her skirt. Sofia pointed at her sister. “Take them home and feed them, Gabriella. I am here now.”
    Her sister’s shoulders drooped, obviously relieved. “Come Rico, Vanessa, Simone. Back to your kitchen now.” They shuffled out, leaving space that seemed to help Papà breathe better.
    Sofia wove around her father, the priest, and the healer until she reached the bedroom door. She knocked softly. “Mamma? I am here now.”
    Mamma lifted her head from her pillow. “Serena?”
    Sofia entered and sat on the end of the bed. “No, Mamma. It is me, Sofia. You remember. Serena was my twin and she died long ago.”
    Mamma turned toward her with liquid eyes. “I remember. Twins.”
    “That’s right, Mamma. Serena is not here anymore. But I am. I am your daughter, the one you like to cook with. Perhaps we should make some zuppa di fagioli. A nice soothing soup. You would like that, sì ?”
    “Sofia?” Mamma’s face drew tight and red. “No! It is you. I cannot bear it.” A guttural cry sent a crowd scurrying into the room. Mamma shoved Sofia with an open palm sending her tumbling off the edge of the bed.
    Horrified, Sofia scrambled to her feet. Papà grabbed her arm. “Leave, Sofia. Wait in the other room.”
    Sofia went to the kitchen, wiped her face with a towel, and began grinding more coffee beans. Joey sat at the table. “It is bad.”
    “I know, but we will make it better. Somehow.”
    He left to join the men in the sitting room.
    After she set some water to boiling, she reached for the flour tin. She would make cakes for the guests. She didn’t know what else to do. A few moments later Signora Russo joined her. “I am so sorry I cannot help your Mamma, Sofia.”
    “You have done enough, signora . Let me get you some coffee.”
    Carla Russo bit her lip and squeezed her hands together. “I must get back home before Signor Russo comes looking for me.”
    Sofia reached out to her and kissed her cheek. “You let me know if there is anything I can do for you.”
    “ Grazie .”
    Sofia walked her to the door.
    The woman’s pitiful look as she glanced toward the bedroom door made Sofia feel even worse. “I do not know why, but when you are around she gets worse. She was sad today, sì , and I was alarmed, but this…the way she responded to you…I had not seen that before. I have never known Angelina Falcone to be…violent.”
    “She is not herself, but she did not hurt me. I am grateful you came. Will you be back? I hate to ask it, but my boss will get rid of me