Caterina Verdi
- Name: Caterina Verdi
- Year of birth: 1842
- Age (in 1880): 38
- Species: Cat
- Race: Abyssinian
Born in Sicily shortly after her parents arrived in Italy while Farah was pregnant, Caterina (nicknamed Titì by her parents and late husband) was welcomed into a world of sacrifice and new beginnings. During those uncertain early months, her family received shelter and assistance from the nuns of a local convent. In deep gratitude, Elias gifted some precious family jewels to the order, and both parents worked tirelessly as caretakers at the convent without any compensation other than food, accommodation and care for Farah's childbirth and recovery. Impressed by their work ethic and Elias's sincere embrace of Italian culture and faith, the local priest recommended them to the Verdi family, securing their place at the prosperous citrus orchard.
Growing up on the estate, Caterina spent her entire childhood alongside young Franco. What began as an innocent friendship eventually blossomed into a passionate, unbreakable love, culminating in their secret fuitina to ensure they could build a life together.
Caterina possesses an exceptionally strong and resilient spirit, having learned to manage deeply painful losses with quiet grace. Following the tragic death of her husband, she firmly chose not to wear the traditional black mourning dress that Sicilian widows wear for the rest of their lives. She knew Franco would have wanted her to remain vibrant and radiant, and she was determined to project a peaceful, reassuring presence to her children rather than casting a shadow of sadness over their home.
Her approach to motherhood was deeply thoughtful and tailored to each of her children. She was naturally apprehensive when it came to her eldest son, Antonio, whose proud and hot-tempered nature was so strikingly different from his father's demeanor. In contrast, she granted her daughters immense freedom, fiercely opposing the traditional concept of arranged marriages and promising to support whoever they chose to love, provided their hearts were true.
To protect her youngest son Arancino, Caterina created a clever and loving pact with her daughters. Each sister was assigned a daily schedule to spend dedicated time with the young kitten, teaching him her specific skills and knowledge. Through this shared family duty, Caterina aimed to keep Arancino constantly engaged and closely monitored at all times. She was deeply determined to prevent him from getting bored and wandering into dangerous activities with other local boys (such as fighting, arguing, or disappearing for hours on end), desperately striving to shield him from the tragic fate and dangerous influences that had conditioned Antonio.