On the ride back to the house after the funeral not a word was spoken. Tano drove, Lana stared out the window. They walked up to the steps and she stopped, when he looked over he saw her lip quiver and her eyes swelling up with tears. He took her arm at the elbow and they walked up onto the porch. She found her key and handed it to him. While he unlocked the door she softly touched the arm of the porch swing. Then she picked up the half empty bottle of Stragga setting on the end table beside the swing. Lana clutched it to her breast and begin to cry....Why my Toto? Tano got the door open and she sat the bottle down, He took her hand and inside they walked....

He walked her over to a couch and sat her down. I'll get you a bourbon...She looks at him funny...Toto told me he smiled....When he returned with her drink, tears were pouring down her face as she bites her lip trying not to cry...

Lana let me tell you a story. When toto told me he had found the one and only woman he could love, I laughed. In Sicily, he was a player, and the women lined up to be with him. He was charming as hell if nothing else. The more we talked the more I realized he was truly in love. He bought this house because he wanted to be with you the rest of his life, which he was. So in that I am pleased for him. I asked him one day, why this woman? Why is she different? He told me you are beautiful, charming, romantic, sexy, witty, intelligent. He said he never felt with any one the way he felt when you held his hand or just looked at him.Lana, you were his world. You meant everything to him. He would have moved mountains for you to make you happy.

Lana began to cry uncontrollably, Tano pulled her near and she buried her face into his shoulder. As he wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to comfort her , she cried harder....Tano, he's gone....I...I will never hold him again! I know Lana. Tell me, tell me why you loved my friend. It will help you heal........

Lana took a few moments to gather herself. It had been a difficult couple of days and it was taking a toll on her. Drying her eyes, she took a few deep breaths and shook herself off.

You know Tano, out in public, Toto was sometimes hard and had a sharp tongue, he had to be with the job that he did, but when we were alone, he was so sweet. We would go strolling in different cities and he was always a gentleman. I've never been so in love and we were incredibly happy, but now...

She started looking around...from the chair by the door where he threw his fedora on, to the stairs leading up to the bedroom. She shook her head slowly as she wiped her nose...No Tano, I can't stay here tonight. Take me to a hotel, will you?

She gathered her things, took a final look around and as she left, she vowed never to return to the home she shared with Toto.