The Legacy (10 page)

On our way to the airport, Ingo tells me more about
meeting Adagio in Italy when he was there doing a photo
shoot. He was renting a room near Adagio’s villa and dined in
his restaurant one afternoon. The two began talking, and when
Ingo mentioned he would be heading to Utah to see his aunt
after his job was finished, Adagio told him about once living in
Salt Lake City himself and Ingo knew he'd found a friend.
Adagio introduced Ingo to his kitchen staff, and then had him
over for dinner the following evening and shared more about
his own life. They have been best friends ever since.

Ingo
shares
what
Adagio
told him about
losing
his
parents when he was young, and about his move to the U.S.
over five years ago to open
Little Venice
.

“I love the name,” I say. Of course, I love Italian food,
period–no, I love
everything
Italian. In fact, I sometimes think I
was born on the wrong continent.

“It was a pretty catchy name,” he agrees.

He talks about a disgruntled employee setting fire to
Adagio's restaurant, destroying the place. “It’s pretty sad that
they never caught the guy. Adagio worked so hard for that
place, and to lose it like that was terrible. Fortunately, he had
good insurance and was able to start over. And I have to say I
really like his restaurant in Treviso. It’s in a wing of his home
and it's beautiful.”

“What is his new place called?”
“
St. John’s Place
. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
“It does,” I agree. “It's awful that a person can be

vindictive enough to destroy lives that way.”
“I can’t understand it, but it happens.”
Sadly, I do understand all too well the cruelty of others.

And after hearing all that Adagio has been through, I am even
more excited to meet him.

 

Ingo pulls into the airport parking garage and finds a spot
near the terminal entrance. We quickly go in and check the
arrival manifest, then stand near the security gate and wait for
Adagio.
Twenty
minutes
later
Ingo
spots
him exiting
the
security area. “There he is,” he says as his friend moves through
the large crowd. Adagio waves when he sees Ingo.

Smiling, I watch Adagio’s eyes light up when he sees
Ingo. Though I've never seen him before, there is something
familiar about him. I could almost believe I've met him before,
but I know that's impossible. I would definitely remember if I
had.

I notice several women gawking at Adagio as he passes
through the crowd and I can understand. Simply put, he is a
very attractive guy. A couple of inches shorter than Ingo, his
build is lean and muscular. Black, wavy hair, striking emerald
eyes, gleaming white teeth, and a wide smile give him that
movie star quality people work so hard to achieve. Surprisingly,
he seems completely oblivious to all of it.
The two men hug, slapping each others' back heartily.
“It is so good to see you, my friend!” Adagio says.
“It’s good to see you too! I’m glad you could come.”
“Like I would have missed this. It is definitely going to be

the event of the century.”

Laughing, Ingo pulls me close. “Adagio, this is Cisely, my
wife-to-be. Cisely, meet Adagio.”
“It’s good to finally meet you,” Adagio says, embracing
me.
“I'm happy to meet you too. Ingo has told me so much
about you.”
“He has told me much about you as well. I hope you
don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all. I’m glad he did.”
“Well, just let me say that any woman who can tame this
beast deserves my deepest honor and respect.”
“He’s that bad, huh?”
“Oh look who’s talking,” Ingo interjects. “You’re going
to be next, buddy.”
“Definitely,” I agree, smiling at Ingo. “You can count on
my help in finding a mate for your mate.” Looking at Adagio, I
give him my best angelic smile and he laughs.
“I do believe your wife-to-be is another kindred spirit.”
“I think so, too.” Ingo points to some empty chairs.
“Honey, why don't you wait over there while we go and grab
Adagio’s suitcase? Looks like it will be coming in on the last
conveyor belt.”
“Okay.”
While I wait, I watch other passengers come through the
gate into the baggage area. Some have friends and loved ones
waiting, some head straight over to retrieve their luggage, and a
few
stand looking
around like
they
are
lost.
How
well I
remember the day I arrived in Salt Lake City. Entering the
terminal, I had been afraid, nervous and excited. Then I walked
through the security gate and saw Jessica, and I felt like I had
come home. Now here I am, living a new life and about to
marry an amazing man. I can’t ask for anything more.
Watching a young woman come through the gate and
embrace another woman who looks like an older version of
her, I experience a brief sadness. Turning just in time to see
Ingo and Adagio approaching with his luggage, I quickly smile,
pushing all unhappy thoughts from my mind.

When we arrive at the house, Ingo introduces Adagio to
his family. The women swoon, the young girls giggle, and the
men wonder what all the fuss is about. I mentally lay ten-to-one
odds that the men will eventually hit Adagio up for a few
romantic Italian phrases to use on their wives. I mention this to
Ingo and Adagio and they both laugh out loud.

After we've all visited for a while, Ingo shows Adagio to
his room, leaving him to unpack and rest. Later, when everyone
else has gone to bed, the three of us sit at the kitchen table and
enjoy some lemonade.

Adagio retells me the story of meeting Ingo. Listening to
their friendly banter, it is easy to see how close they are.
Prompted by Ingo, I share with Adagio the story of my
life-changing experience with the young girl, as well as my
meeting Jessica earlier in the year. I could never have guessed
our meeting would lead to me falling in love and becoming
engaged.
“Despite the trials, I've been very blessed.”
“I don't doubt that,” Adagio agrees. “It seems you have
some marvelous things heading your way. I mean, you have a
great guy here, and this is only the beginning.”
“He
is
a pretty amazing guy, huh?”
“I am, aren't I?” Ingo agrees.
Adagio smirks. “And your humility is astounding, is it
not?”
“Indeed.”
“Then since I am your best mate, that means I share your
amiable qualities, true?”
“Oh, good grief!” I mutter. “You guys are too much.”
“Too much what?” Ingo asks, his expression one of
mock contrition.
“Too much everything.”
“But you love us anyway.”
“This is true.”
I talk with them a few minutes more before saying
goodnight, leaving them to visit a little longer.

Adagio
lifts
his
glass
and Ingo
refills
it
with
more
lemonade. “So, how are you feeling? Are you ready for this?”
“Oh, yeah,” Ingo answers, wearing a lazy smile. “I’ve
never
been
more
ready
for
anything
in
my
life.
I keep
wondering what I did to deserve her. I mean, with everything
she has been through in her life, she is simply amazing.”
“She is pretty special. And the love you share is obvious.
I have never seen you so happy.”
“I’ve never
been
so happy.”
“Man, I never thought it would happen, at least, not until
you were fifty or so.”
Ingo snorts. “Tell me about it.”
“In a way, it feels like I have always known her, just like
when I met you.”
“I felt that, too, from the very first. It’s like she has
always been a part of my life. She makes me so happy.”
“No need to tell me that, my friend. You have completely
changed her life. And if anyone deserves happiness, it is
Cisely.”
“Truer words have never been spoken.”

Staring through my bedroom window into the darkness, I
am lost in thought when Jessica knocks.
“Come in.”
She sticks her head in. “Am I disturbing you?”
“No, come on in.” She sits next to me on the bed.
“I was just contemplating my life and thinking about Ingo
and how grateful I am for him.”
“He's a good man.”
“He is.” I stand and lean against the window frame. “I'm
grateful for you and for my life here, but I still . . . and don’t
take this the wrong way, but I think about my mother, and I
wish I could have talked to her before she died and settled
things better between us. I’ve tried to make peace with her in
my heart, but I wonder if it will ever be enough.”
Jessica's eyes are thoughtful. “Cisely, I can’t even begin to
comprehend what life was like for you, but I have to believe
your mother did love you in her own way. How could she
not?”
“I don’t know. I want to believe she did.”
“Then hold on to that belief, Cisely. Don’t ever let it go.”
“I’ll try,” I say, sitting down beside her again. “How do
you always know just what to say?”
Instead of answering, she simply hugs me. “We are all
living amazing lives, Cisely, and we need to recognize and enjoy
each and every blessing that comes, because we never know
what the future holds. We are continuously being prepared for
something greater. Each and every trial we face in this life
makes us stronger, if we allow them to. We just need to
persevere and live the best we can.”
“I do believe that now. Thank you, Jessica.” She hugs me
once more and leaves me to my thoughts.
Pondering a little longer, I send up a prayer of gratitude
for Jessica and Ingo. I am also thankful for Adagio, and for the
special friendship he and Ingo share that has expanded to
include me.