Chapter 175

• [XAVIER]
• “Elena and Francesca are planning a sleepover at Elena, do you think I can go, papa?” Hazel asks, as she steals another bite of pasta from my plate, completely ignoring her burger and fries that are going cold, no doubt.
• We are sitting in on the rooftop dining at Bella Italia which gives a fabulous view of the Venetian lagoon and St. Mark’s Square. Gondolas line the nearby dock as the sun gets ready to set behind the horizon. The air feels cooler than usual for a summer day, and the restaurant’s soft chatter blends with the songs coming from the passing boats.