It was time out for a bit of sightseeing outside Naples suggested Ginevra and I agreed. We would be tailed only by two men in a car. Ginevra explained to me a cardinal rule of the Neapolitan Camorra that in the case of hostilities between family’s woman and children would be spared violence and death provided they were not directly involved in the narcotic trade. Ginevra was not involved in the narcotic trade….at least not to my knowledge. Security was much less stringent than it was in Naples. But didn’t Don Lupara just execute two fourteen-year-olds, Guido and Lino. In his own crew? Why was Ginevra carrying her ancient Smith and Wesson six shooter in a shoulder holster? These Neapolitans are complicated people. We would visit Vesuvius, Sorrento and Capri and take separate rooms “out of respect for Daddy”.
Vesuvius was eerie. So many people died. The ruins were a stark reminder of the horror for those who choose not to flee. Some bodies were mummified in ash. Ruins indicated that Vesuvius was a flourishing town. We went to a wine tasting at a consortium of vineyard owners that grew their grapes in the volcanic soil on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. We stayed at the Vesuvius Four Seasons and had a fabulous dinner in the Michelin starred “Hot Lava” Restaurant. We both enjoyed the post dinner “spook tour” in Vesuvius. Our security detail kept a discrete distance from us.
The next morning off to Sorrento to wander around the streets. I asked Ginevra why she was purchasing so many baby clothes. She replied that they were for her cousin Maria de Mamabravo a childhood friend who was expecting any day. We discovered a stupendous seafood restaurant and had one of the best Neapolitan pizzas ever. Of course, Ginevra knew that Daddy had been supplying all the pizza cheese to Sorrento restaurants and it was made with low quality Sicilian cheese. Ginevra knowing the owner asked for “the other cheese” a code for not my Daddy’s crap. Our seafood dinner was caught only hours before and so damn fresh and tasty. No farm raised crap for Daddy’s little girl. We headed to Capri on the ferry the next morning. The port area was tawdry but we took a taxi to Ano Capri up the mountain and were rewarded with a spectacular view. What a pleasure to stroll on the quiet side streets. We had a relaxed lunch and goodness Ginevra was tucking into the pasta like it was her last meal. I’d love her fat or thin and when I remarked she was getting a bit chubby she smiled in that mischievous way and said that she was “eating for two”. WHAT! I really missed the boat on this one. I had to ask what she just said and the response that she was 4 months pregnant with our “little precious one”. I was dumfounded and could barely say anything. Seeing I was in deep shock she smiled and said that I would be a Daddy just like her Daddy!
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