CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FOUR – PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

A few minutes later, Marco returned with a small puppet theater. He set it up at the end of the table and disappeared behind it. "Ladies and gentlemen," his voice rang out, slightly muffled. "Prepare to be amazed by the adventures of Pulcinella and his friends!" What followed was possibly the most ridiculous puppet show Rebecca had ever seen. Marco's voices were over-the-top, the plot was nonsensical, and the puppets kept getting tangled. But as she looked around the table, she saw hardened mafia members struggling to contain their laughter. And then, cutting through the giggles and guffaws, came a new sound. A high-pitched, bubbling laugh that Rebecca had never heard before. She looked down to see Helena, her little face scrunched up in delight, giggling at the puppet show. "Luca," Rebecca breathed, tears pricking her eyes. "She's laughing. It's her first real laugh!" Luca's eyes widened in wonder. He scooped Helena up, holding her close as she continued to giggle at Marco's anti