Maribel violently yanks the decorative silver chain fastened loosely around Estelle’s collar.
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Chapter 26 / 27
Chapter 26 - THE NEXT WOMAN OF THE HOUSE
Years later a journalist interviewed me about Villa Corsini for a book on old Italian-American business families.
He asked:
“Who is considered the woman of the house now?”
I laughed.
“No one.”
He thought I was being evasive.
“So Maribel doesn’t hold that role?”
“No role exists.”
“But socially?”
“She lives there with me.”
“That isn’t the same?”
“No.”
The distinction confused him because stories want titles.
Real families function better without some of them.
Maribel overheard and later said:
“You could have said me.”
“Do you want me to?”
She thought.
“No.”
Good.
Then:
“Maybe say the estate manager.”
I laughed.
May you like
“Probably most accurate.”
Professional management wins again.
