For a moment they simply looked at each other and Roxanne relaxed a little. She didn't want to stay angry with Rico. She uncrossed her arms and placed her forearms on the chair. "Is this what you wanted to talk about?"

"Yes and no." He looked uneasy and dropped his eyes to the bare wood floors. Pushing himself up, he spun round and then sat on the sofa. Rico pursed his mouth and then rested his elbow on his knees while bringing his fingers together to form a triangle. "All right, this is it." Now he rubbed his eyebrow. "We..." He waved his hand between the two of them. "You and I...we must...I have to train you."

He said the last words quickly and Roxanne leaned forward. She thought he said he had to train her. "What?"

"He had a vision, okay?"

She shook her head again. "Who?"

"Benito. Do you know any other nutty old man who sees angels?"

"A vision?"

"For God's sake," Rico exploded. "What word don't you get?"

Frustrated too, Roxanne fairly yelled. "Then get to the point, Rico."

"I am your NEW COACH."

Shocked, Roxanne jumped to her feet. "No."

"According to the Lord, I am."

She waved her hands in the air. "Since when did you start listening to his stupid visions?"

"Do not blaspheme, Roxanne," Rico responded quietly.

She shook her head at him and then spun around to sit again. "You must be crazy if you think you're going to train me."

"I don't want to do this. Do you think I want to do this?" He slapped his chest. "I don't want to do this."

Roxanne got the impression that he didn't want to do this.

She said, "Maybe I'm slow, but I don't get it. You were with Benito today?" When Rico nodded, she asked, "And he told you he had a vision and, just like that, you agreed to coach me?"

"Hardly, I wailed and pulled my hair." He grabbed his dark locks to demonstrate.

Roxanne raised her brows. "Really?"

"Yes."

"But you agreed?"

His face screwed up in disgust. "What was I supposed to do?"

"Say no."

"I tried, but he lay there sick and dying. He asked me where was my family obligations and I folded like a deck of cards."

"That's house of cards," Roxanne corrected.

"So, now I am your coach."

Roxanne stared at the ceiling. "I don't want you to be my coach. I don't want to do this." Maybe she had been around Italians too long because she grew melodramatic and tossed herself backward into the recliner. "We would have to see each other every day. All day and every day."

"What is wrong with you, eh?" His voice held a bit of doubt. "You don't want me?"

Roxanne stopped the performance to watch him with half-closed eyes. "As I recall, you've never coached a day in your life. Therefore, I am getting an inexperienced trainer."

Rico stood. "You are getting the MIGHTY TERSIGNI."

Ignoring his outburst, Roxanne sat forward. "I'm going to go talk sense to Benito."

"And say what?" His fist landed on his hips again and a smirk crossed his features as he mocked, "No, Benito, I refuse your vision because you're crazy and I don't love you."

"I would never say such a thing."

"You deny him and he will think you don't love him. Or, he'll accuse you of it, and make you feel shamefaced."

Roxanne got to her feet to face him. She burst out with, "I will sign with Charlie Newman. I'll do it now...today."

Rico looked cynically at her. "You would sign with Charlie Newman instead of letting me coach you? Quit being ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?" She blinked at him with the question. "Will you stop, just for a moment, and listen to what you're proposing. We fight all the time, Rico."

Rico muttered in Italian and sat on the couch once more to stare at the floor.

"Stop mumbling," Roxanne told him.

Finally, Rico lifted his eyes to hers. He seemed to get himself under control and he told her calmly, "You need to pack. We will return to Italy as soon as Benito can travel."

"Why do I have to live in Italy?"

"Because that is where I live. That is where Benito will live."

"That doesn't mean..."

He walked to stand right in front of her. "Oh, yes it does." His voice changed. There was steely determination in his words. "You will not fight me on this point, Perry. Benito has given you everything. He's given up his home, his family, and now you need to give up something for him." He started to pace again. "And, this isn't for life, you know? As soon as you win a major tournament, we will cut loose of each other, got it?" When she didn't answer, but walked toward the door instead, he asked, "Where are you going?"

"To talk some sense into that old man."