58.Rocco Lombardi

"I can't believe this house is finally empty." I sat back in my chair as my mother and I had just finished cleaning and disinfecting our spare room that we used for home births.

"Isn't it lovely?" Mom said sitting down next to me. "Now, have you eaten breakfast? Papa made banana bread yesterday and it is really very good."

"Speak Italian Mama. It's easier for you."

"No, my English is getting better. Speak English."

Rolling my eyes were the only thing I could do. "I already ate breakfast. But I can't turn down banana bread."

"I'll be right back," mom said, going into the kitchen. It felt weird that she was being overly polite when she spoke in English. She usually wasn't like this.

I looked out the window, looking at the sad gray snowy sky and sighed, thinking about how it was a perfect metaphor for how i was feeling today. Good thing mom came back in with two plates of banana bread.

"Thanks."