Lovely Friendships 29

Lovely Friendships 29

Saalima told Tomaso she enjoyed the poetry of e e cummings and invited him outside to share a cold lemon water.

“Thank you for helping make the room a pleasant place for your parents. They will need a place to rest when they arrive.”

“I know my parents and on a thirty two hour flight they will treat it as a regular day. They will eat, exercise, use their computers and sleep just like a regular day. They are always busy and never bored. They are both bundles of energy. I hope this vacation slows them down just a little so they can smell the roses.” smiled Tomaso.

Saalima showed him her tiny vegetable garden.

“I love these tiny tomatoes and hope they continue to grow all summer long. I would like to grow them into the winter if I could.”

“I am thinking you may be able to grow them all year long if you can find a protected place in the colder months. My Mother might show you a way. She is the designer of the winery grape rows. When others had freezing problems she did not. Mama is very clever with plants.”

Cicero and Melina Ambrosia arrived on time and Saalima and Tomaso were there to pick them up. Saalima had a rack on top of the cab to hold their large knapsacks. Tomaso and his Papa Cicero sat in the back on cushions. Their two boxes of wine from the Ambrosia Winery sat next to the men. Melina sat in the passenger seat. Saalima and Melina chatted up front all the way to Saalima’s home. Tomaso was correct they loved the room. It was still light enough outside for them to enjoy the view. The Cafe was closed but Saalima had arranged for a small private party.

Kosmas, Leto, Jocasta and Moraitis were there waiting. They had made salads and bread. Adelpha and Aristotle were on their way with some home made cheese.

Demetrius and Endora walked over to meet the guests and they all went to the cafe for the welcome party.

Cicero and Melina enjoyed meeting everyone and shared a case of of their wine. Around two am the party ended. Tomaso hitched a ride with Kosmas and told his parents he would see them tomorrow.

The next morning Adelpha and Aristotle brought Cicero and Melina to Adelpha’s house. They came to see the goats and Adelpha’s paintings.

“I love your brilliant paintings. Do you ever sell them?” asked Melina.

“I tried here in Ikaria but have not made much money on them. I usually give them away.” said Adelpha.

“Well, you stop giving them away. When Cicero and I go back home we will take photos, blow them up as posters and hang them in our winery. Who knows you may get some sales.” said Melina

Later on that day while Cicero was hanging out with the guys Saalima and Leto took Melina on a tour. Mainly to see the properties for sale in and around Ikaria.

One place was only forty acres. There were two houses on the property along with a barn and a tractor with tools inside. A few other buildings were on the property. Melina could see it was an old vineyard. Very neglected but the grapes were still flavorful.

They walked around with the Realtor looking inside the big house. It was old but sound. Easy to change and update. The small house was locked. The Realtor thought he had the keys and went back to his car. Melina thought she heard a woman crying. They walked around to the back of the house and there was a tiny lady, in her ninety’ sobbing. The lady looked up and saw the ladies.

“I will be out of here soon. I do not want to leave.” she wailed with sad eyes.

“Why do you have to leave?” asked Melina.

“My grandson says I have to leave and go live with him in America. They don’t want me to live here alone and die. I have friends here that stop by every day. I am not really all alone. He said I am too old to be alone.” she sobbed.

“Well that is not good at all. I like this property and if my husband and I buy it you can stay here in the little house. In fact until we move in the big house you could be the caretaker. This would be your house and I would pay you for watching the property and keeping vandals out of the vineyard.” said Melina.

The lady was so happy she called her grandson in America. Melina explained that she and husband would be happy with his grandmother living on the property.

“Now we will not worry about her and the monies will go into a bank account for her future.” said the grandson.

Cicero viewed the property and they made the deal. Agatha Papadopoulos would be their caretaker and live in the little house for the rest of her life.

©Julia A Knaake