Page 36 of Ciao Bella

“Did you connect with them, Enzo?” asked Lauren.

“Yes, but the boys are deaf. I do not know sign language. That’s how the killer was able to get to them all.”

“We all know sign language,” said Lissa. “My son is deaf. But we know English sign language. I’m not sure how different it will be.”

“Let’s try,” said Enzo, turning to the boys. “Please sign your name to the ladies.”

The first boy made several hand gestures, and all the women just stared at him. He tried again, then one of the other boys tried.

“Oh, dear,” said Sophia. “I don’t think it’s the same at all. What are we going to do? We can’t just ask someone to help. They won’t be able to see the boys.”

“We’re going to need to call home again,” said Erin. “This is too important to not get the help we need. Let me text Keith and see if he can help.”

The boys kept trying to communicate with the women, but they only picked up on every fourth or fifth sign. It was slow and agonizing, and completely frustrating for everyone.

“Keith said it’s vastly different. He wouldn’t be able to understand the boys either,” said Erin. Her phone dinged, and she smiled. “I love him! Torro’s father, Father Nicholas, is fluent in Italian sign language. He’s contacting him to see if he will connect with us.”

“But how will he see the boys?” asked Enzo.

“We are going to need to repeat the signs to him. Enzo, I need you to keep the men busy for a while longer. This is going to take some time.”

Slow didn’t even begin to describe the agonizing amount of time it took just to get the boys’ names. Luca, Nico, Giuseppe, and Aurelio were best friends. They’d decided to leave school through a window to play gladiator at the Colosseum.

The four boys described two very stern-looking men walking along the top of the structure, speaking to one another. They appeared angry, and one kept saying, ‘there would be war,’ and the other said, ‘he would support him.’ They only caught glimpses of their lips, so they didn’t understand it all.

Before the men left, the one with the funny mustache knelt down and placed something behind a loose stone in the stairwell. Nico saw him but turned and ran toward his friends. He didn’t get far when someone picked him up and threw him over the edge. That was all he remembered.

“They murdered those boys,” said Faith. “But how will we ever tell their story?”

“I’m not sure,” said Grace, “but we have to try. Whatever is at that Colosseum could be important. Enzo? Do you know someone who might be able to search for whatever was hidden there?”

“Of course,” he nodded. “I will ask Uncle Aldo if he can send someone. Perhaps something was found while they were doing preservation work. It might already be out there.”

“Father Nicholas, you’ve been very helpful,” said Rose. “I know that took a while, but at least we all know a bit of sign language in Italian now.”

“It’s been my very strange and bewildered honor,” he grinned. “If what these boys say is true, it sounds like Hitler and Mussolini were planning something long before Europe was thrust into war. No telling what those men had planned for the world. I hope you find what they left behind and those precious children get home.”

Ending the call, the women all looked at one another. Erin, as their leader, smiled at the boys. They were giving them hope for the first time in almost one hundred years.

“I hope we can do that, too. God knows these children deserve to find peace.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“You were gone a long time,” frowned Whiskey. “You didn’t buy anything?”

“Oh,” said Kat, “no, I didn’t see anything that really made me sing.” She smiled at her husband, taking a seat on his knee.

“Same,” said Erin.

“Well, that’s a change,” laughed Nine. “Usually, you buy ten of everything, just in case. I’m glad you got to look, though. Ready for lunch?”

“Yes,” nodded the women.

As he’d done the last few days, Enzo ordered for them, and the food came out bowl after bowl, platter after platter. They hadn’t been so relaxed and laughed so much in years. They always enjoyed one another’s company, but being here, free of any burdens, made them feel exceptionally good.

Enzo answered a call, smiling as he spoke to someone. When he returned, he turned to Faith and Grace, nearest him.

“That was my friend in Rome. He has some information,” he smiled.