The Sicilian Inheritance

by Jo Piazza

All of Sicily is a dimension of the imagination. —Leonardo Sciascia

In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns. —Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola

“A real woman makes a good drink and lights her own fires, Sara,” she always reminded me. She told me lots of brilliant things over the years. I wish I’d written them all down. As Rosie and I had sipped our drinks, she said, “This is how I want you to remember me. A sexy, well-seasoned dame drinking her whiskey and getting ready to tell you a filthy joke.”

Cu picca parrau mai si pintiu. Those who speak little never have regrets.

The island of Sicily is “God’s kitchen,”

Since becoming a mother, I barely had time to remember all the things I once wanted, all the lives I hoped to lead, but sometimes the desire all flooded back and I felt a small death.

“Welcome to Sicily. Holding and maintaining grudges is our national pastime. It’s our golf.”