Il Pane Della Vita (21 page)

Dante took his new task seriously. He was almost never home, planning and drinking with his new friends. Many of the seminarians
went to school during the week, but several returned to the pub to drink with Dante too. As a result, the Sunday service transformed into an elaborate production. Dante’s satisfaction grew as the pews began to fill to watch the vicar and the young men, seminarians and Dante, line up to help him.

“You’re
returning home less hungry and with a smaller paycheck, Dante,” said his wife one evening. “Are you eating out?”

“On occasion, I have to. It’s not that much less. I have to do it to keep my job.”

“I don’t have enough money to pay for things for the baby. I’m due in weeks, not months.”

“Why don’t you come to church this Sunday, Ciana? It would be good for you to get out.”

“I do get out. I have to shop for all our supplies. I have a tab at the store. Will you please go to the store tomorrow and pay him? I talked to Papà, Dante.”

“I suppose you told him how bad it is here. Of course, we wouldn’t be in this position if he hadn’t disowned you.”

“I’m sorry. I was just trying to fix the situation.”

“By asking for money?”
asked Russo

“I didn’t ask for money. I just wanted him to know that we were all right.”

“I can see him laughing at us.”

“He isn’t like that.”

Dante turned to see the tears streaming down her cheeks. He bit his tongue. “Do you play an instrument, Ciana? Was music part of your education?”

“Yes. I play the piano.”

“Would you play for the service? We need someone to make the services more alive.”

She stared at him.

“No, the congregation can’t pay for it, but you should get out more. I want to hear you play. We don’t have a piano, but if you play for the church, it will be like we have one.”

She sat on the bed set up next to the front door. “And when the baby comes?”

“If we get the church going, we’ll have enough money to pay an organist. Maybe you can get that job. It’s a good one because you can raise the child at the same time.”

She lay back and stared at the ceiling.

“I’m serving the soup tonight,” he said. “You just rest. Tomorrow, I’ll go in and pay the tab. Is there anything I need to pick up?”

“If I play on Sundays, will you come home more often?”

“I promise. The better services we have, the less time I’ll have to spend inspiring the others. Church people don’t think like businessmen, Ciana. They get inspired over prayer and music and art. I have to work on the seminarians to get them to do something on a grander scale.”

Ciana did not show up to play the piano, but Dante had found s
omeone else who played. Then he started to inspire people to join the choir.

“I can’t believe you and the seminarians have d
one so much to help this parish,” said Father Valerio. “The money in our collection plates have increased every month that you have been here. I have a question. Do you think you might want to seek ordination?”

Dante sat up straighter.

“If you did well in seminary, you would probably get a congregation of your own.”

“I don’t have the money…”

“You could make more money once you’re ordained. I’ve seen you in action. I think the Vatican has already noticed. I see your hesitation. Perhaps you think you couldn’t take all the vows. I have to admit, I didn’t think I could do without sexual relationships. It was difficult at first. I must confess that I haven’t been perfect, but I always thought of the woman I was with. I couldn’t bring myself to use another human being just to satisfy my own needs. It’s so easy to slip into it, especially when the potential partner is urging you. I just imagine it’s the devil, trying to make me sell my soul. I’m sure you’ll find your own way to fight the urges. I have faith in you.”

“Well, I’ll think about it.”

“Did I tell you about the sponsorship? There’s a group that pays for your seminary stay. If you choose to seek ordination, the bishop and I will recommend you to that program. We should hear any day now if the seminary in Roma will help support you.”

Dante thought about the Ciana. How could he support her? Should he let her go to her father? Did he want to seek ordination? The money would certainly be better. He could support his wife and baby easily. Fabri would certainly be happy to take her back and be rid of him.

The summer heat arrived in late spring. The couple could barely breathe under the rafters of their tiny apartment.

“Why won’t this baby come?” asked Ciana, the heat and impatience bring her to the edge of sanity.

“Soon, Ciana. Soon. I know it.”

“How will we pay for the baby? I barely had enough for meals. Soon we’ll
need diapers and formula.”

He turned to
massage her belly lightly. “I can rub your back too if you want. You’re tense. I know about the money. I think I have a plan.”

“Is Father Valerio
going to give you a raise?”

“No. The only way I can make more money is to have my own church.”

Ciana rolled over and stared at him. “You’re married. Why would they let you become a priest?”

“Because I haven’t told them. I could have introduced you, but you didn’t want to come.”

“They’ll find out. Don’t they check up on you? We were married in the Church.”

“I don’t know. They’ve already sponsored me to go to seminary.”

“What about money to keep the baby and me going until you’re ordained?”

“I was thinking that maybe your father…”

“Dante, he wouldn’t let me come home.”

“But if he thinks I’ve run out on you, he might give you the funds.”

“I can’t believe…” Ciana suddenly grabbed her belly and seized up. “Please, Dante. Call the doctor.”

“Let me get a cab to take you to the hospital.”

“We don’t even have money for gas for the car.”

“I’
ve some put away for this.”

“My waters broke. Oh, the pain!”