To Tuscany with Love by Gail Mencini Read Free Book Online Page A

and pulled down the worn book. “This one is my favorite of all the books on the wall.” He cradled the spine in his big palm. “I’ve studied it so often the pages are coming loose from the binding, so I bought a new one. I know it’s frivolous, but I couldn’t bear the thought of looking for a page and having it missing. Here,” he said, opening it to pictures of naked bodies, “let me show you.”
    Stillman sucked in his breath. He knew he should look away, but his eyes stayed glued to the pictures. He’d go to hell for sure now. And if he was doomed to eternal damnation, he might as well get a good look, since he’d already sinned.
    “This is a teaching book, not a sinful one.” Dr. D must have read his mind. “Come closer, so you can read the captions. There is nothing more beautiful than the naked human body.”
    Stillman sat next to Dr. D on the upholstered bench in his office. Dr. D showed him one page and then another, sometimes explaining in his quiet, low voice and sometimes letting Stillman read and study it for himself.
    “What do you want to be when you grow up, son?”
    Stillman thought of his mama’s words. Hot tears sprang to his eyes. He blinked hard and finally had to use the back of his hand. He lowered his chin and shook his head. “Don’t know. But I’m gonna study hard.” He gulped. “I promised my mama.”
    “Of course you will. You’re a bright boy, just like your daddy.”
    Stillman’s wide eyes shot up to Dr. D’s.
    He nodded solemnly. “I met your real daddy before he went back up North. He was book smart, but a fool to leave and not marry your mama.” Dr. D stood up. “Time for bed. It’s been a long day for us both, and I promised the preacher you’d do your chores in the morning.”
    Preacher. Dr. D knew his mama’s secret. He scrambled to his feet.
    The next morning, Dr. D drove him home early, while the dew still shone on the leaves of the weeping willow in front of the church.
    The preacher stood on the porch, waiting for them.
    Dr. D had his arm across Stillman’s shoulders as they walked up to the porch.
    “John,” Dr. D said, “your boy is ready to do his chores, just as I promised. But before you send him out, I want you both to hear what I’ve got to say.”
    “Say it, then. He’s got a passel to do today—two days’ worth of chores—and I want him to sweep out the church, too.”
    “Then I’ll be quick.” Dr. D walked to his pickup and reached under the seat. He came back carrying his worn copy of Anatomy and Physiology . “Stillman,” he said, holding out his prized book, “I want you to have this. You have a curious, bright mind. You’d make a good doctor. This book is for you to read and study.”
    Stillman clutched the big volume to his chest. His? To keep? He’d study it, too. Study it real hard, for Mama.
    “John, I have two copies, so I’m giving the boy my old one. I know he’ll respect it as a teaching book, to read and study, not to ogle or parade in front of other boys. Isn’t that right, Stillman?”
    Stillman looked at Dr. D. He nodded up and down three times. “Yes, sir. Thank you. I’ll take real good care of it, so none of the pages drop out.”
    Dr. D leaned into the preacher until his mouth was right next to the preacher’s ear. His voice got real quiet, but Stillman heard every word. “Don’t even think about taking his book away, John. I’ll ride you out of town myself if you do.”
    The preacher’s face got white and puffy, then red as a wild strawberry.
    “Stillman, you better take your book inside now and get to those chores.” Dr. D patted Stillman’s head.
    Stillman clutched his book in one arm and hugged the doctor with the other. “It’s the best present I’ve ever gotten.”
    After Stillman put the book on the center of the wooden crate beside his bed, he hustled out of the bedroom to start his chores. He heard Dr. D’s pickup drive away from the house.
    The preacher stood in the kitchen, his