hoped she would soften as she aged, but instead her behavior only seemed to be getting more abrasive.
âDo not talk to your mother superior in that tone, Sorella Domenica. I will not have it! And if I hear you say anything disparaging toward that girl again, you will be punished. In fact, your behavior needs to change. There will be repercussions if I donât see you making more of an effort to act kindly toward the other sisters and even our lay workers. Am I making myself clear?â
Sorella Domenicaâs face colored, but Madre Carmela knew it was not from shame. For nothing shamed her. Instead, her change in complexion was due to the fact that she was absolutely livid.
â Mi dispiace, Madre,â she said in a low tone as she slightly tilted her head, meeting Madre Carmelaâs gaze, but only for a moment before she looked back down to her dough and resumed kneading.
âAre you sure Rosalia baked these cookies?â
â Si, Madre. That was all she worked on when she was here hours ago. I havenât seen her since I found her running through the corridors. She almost ran into me.â Sorella Domenica paused for a moment, before quickly adding, âIâm sure she had her reasons for running though.â
Madre Carmela pursed her lips. âI see. Grazie, Sorella Domenica.â She knew the nun was dying to make some comment about Rosaliaâs disrespectful behavior of running through the convent, but had thought better of it.
âMay I ask, Madre, why you want to know if Rosalia baked that last batch of Ossa dei Morti? Are they not to your satisfaction?â Sorella Domenica finally stopped kneading as she waited for Madre Carmelaâs response.
âActually, they exceed my expectations. They are quite possibly the most delicious Ossa dei Morti that Iâve ever tasted. The girl must have a natural talent for baking.â Madre Carmela smiled, enjoying the cross expression that came over Sorella Domenicaâs face as she said this.
â Buongiorno, Sorella.â With that, Madre Carmela took her leave.
As she exited the kitchen, she stole a glance in Sorella Domenicaâs direction and caught her sampling one of the Bones of the Dead cookies Rosalia had baked. Madre Carmela softly laughed to herself. She knew what she had said to the grumpy nun was the best punishment she could dole out to her. For Sorella Domenicaâs weakness, in addition to her quick temper, was to obsess. No doubt she would be agonizing all evening over why Rosaliaâs cookies tasted incredibly delicious.
6
Gelo di Cioccolato
BENEDICTINE CHOCOLATE PUDDING
Â
Â
Â
November 26, 1955
Â
M adre Carmela was standing over one of the gas ranges, whisking feverishly the chocolate she was melting in a saucepan of water to make Gelo di Cioccolato âa chocolate pudding dessert based on a recipe passed down from Benedictine monks in the eighteenth century. The pudding was one of Madre Carmelaâs favorite desserts, but she often made it when she was feeling down. And today was such a dayâfor Rosalia would finally be going home to be reunited with her family.
The police had been searching for the tailor shop Rosaliaâs father owned for the past four weeks. Yesterday, the police inspector, Lâispettore Franco, finally had brought Madre Carmela the good news that they had located a shop by the name of Sarto DiSanta in the village of Terme Vigliatore, which wasnât too far from Santa Lucia del Mela. Madre Carmela was surprised that Marco hadnât taken Rosalia very far from her hometown. She wouldâve thought heâd go as far as possible to evade capture. But then again, Marco sounded absolutely insane, so she could not expect he would have been more rational.
When Madre Carmela had given the good news to Rosalia and told her the authorities would set out the next day to let her family know she was safe, she had insisted on also going. Naturally,
âDo not talk to your mother superior in that tone, Sorella Domenica. I will not have it! And if I hear you say anything disparaging toward that girl again, you will be punished. In fact, your behavior needs to change. There will be repercussions if I donât see you making more of an effort to act kindly toward the other sisters and even our lay workers. Am I making myself clear?â
Sorella Domenicaâs face colored, but Madre Carmela knew it was not from shame. For nothing shamed her. Instead, her change in complexion was due to the fact that she was absolutely livid.
â Mi dispiace, Madre,â she said in a low tone as she slightly tilted her head, meeting Madre Carmelaâs gaze, but only for a moment before she looked back down to her dough and resumed kneading.
âAre you sure Rosalia baked these cookies?â
â Si, Madre. That was all she worked on when she was here hours ago. I havenât seen her since I found her running through the corridors. She almost ran into me.â Sorella Domenica paused for a moment, before quickly adding, âIâm sure she had her reasons for running though.â
Madre Carmela pursed her lips. âI see. Grazie, Sorella Domenica.â She knew the nun was dying to make some comment about Rosaliaâs disrespectful behavior of running through the convent, but had thought better of it.
âMay I ask, Madre, why you want to know if Rosalia baked that last batch of Ossa dei Morti? Are they not to your satisfaction?â Sorella Domenica finally stopped kneading as she waited for Madre Carmelaâs response.
âActually, they exceed my expectations. They are quite possibly the most delicious Ossa dei Morti that Iâve ever tasted. The girl must have a natural talent for baking.â Madre Carmela smiled, enjoying the cross expression that came over Sorella Domenicaâs face as she said this.
â Buongiorno, Sorella.â With that, Madre Carmela took her leave.
As she exited the kitchen, she stole a glance in Sorella Domenicaâs direction and caught her sampling one of the Bones of the Dead cookies Rosalia had baked. Madre Carmela softly laughed to herself. She knew what she had said to the grumpy nun was the best punishment she could dole out to her. For Sorella Domenicaâs weakness, in addition to her quick temper, was to obsess. No doubt she would be agonizing all evening over why Rosaliaâs cookies tasted incredibly delicious.
6
Gelo di Cioccolato
BENEDICTINE CHOCOLATE PUDDING
Â
Â
Â
November 26, 1955
Â
M adre Carmela was standing over one of the gas ranges, whisking feverishly the chocolate she was melting in a saucepan of water to make Gelo di Cioccolato âa chocolate pudding dessert based on a recipe passed down from Benedictine monks in the eighteenth century. The pudding was one of Madre Carmelaâs favorite desserts, but she often made it when she was feeling down. And today was such a dayâfor Rosalia would finally be going home to be reunited with her family.
The police had been searching for the tailor shop Rosaliaâs father owned for the past four weeks. Yesterday, the police inspector, Lâispettore Franco, finally had brought Madre Carmela the good news that they had located a shop by the name of Sarto DiSanta in the village of Terme Vigliatore, which wasnât too far from Santa Lucia del Mela. Madre Carmela was surprised that Marco hadnât taken Rosalia very far from her hometown. She wouldâve thought heâd go as far as possible to evade capture. But then again, Marco sounded absolutely insane, so she could not expect he would have been more rational.
When Madre Carmela had given the good news to Rosalia and told her the authorities would set out the next day to let her family know she was safe, she had insisted on also going. Naturally,
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