The Third Order

Father Ventimiglio hugged Maggie and shook Callum’s hand. “Dio siacon te,” he said to them both. God be with you.

Grazie, Fratello, mille grazie.” Ventimiglio smiled sadly and wiped a tear from Maggie’s cheek. “La pace sia con voi,” he said gratefully to her. “Peace be with you.” She was shocked to hear him speak English. “I learn,” he said haltingly. 

She squeezed his hand and then turned to Callum. “Let’s go, Callum.” The two walked back to the wall overlooking the valley. A full moon had risen, and a silver sheen covered the valley below. And out from the shadows of the forest came a graceful doe. She briefly grazed on some grass and then looked up, seemingly right at Maggie. An intense calm came over Maggie at that moment, and she suddenly knew what she wanted to do.

She turned to Callum.

“I’ve decided to make my home in London.”

I can go on. I can do this. I think I just felt the peace of St. Francis.