I've promised, so here it is. The things we do for love..Me writing short stories in English, amazing. But this short story is important for me, writing it has been a kind of therapy. Completely fictional, but with some real elements. I once took care of my uncle's dog and he (the dog) nearly died while with me, and in the early 70s my beautiful aunt married a wealthy Italian engineer. And I was in Rome in January (1980), also some other things are true. And who knows what adventures, conversations and meetings David Cassidy experienced in Europe, in 1972.
It was a special, magical and unique holiday for him..
'Gustavo! Gustavo!' It was supposed to be loud and decisive, but she was fighting back her tears, her voice was hoarse. All the misery, stress, and yes, also anger, everything she experienced during the last three weeks, all those feelings she had been trying so hard to hide, suddenly they found the way, and she started sobbing in the middle of that deserted park. At least no one could see her, even that stupid Gustavo, what a traitor. Why, oh why she had agreed to come here, to this enormous, tiring city. Sure it was great to spend some time with mum, but they could have been alone so rarely, just two of them..
She was fed up with museums, churches and Roman ruins. Who cared what had happened there 2000 years ago. Not her. But she cared that those awful, noisy Italian boys and men shouted and wolf-whistled at her. Not that she was attractive, just an ordinary, skinny teenager, she had nice, rather long black hair which was constantly falling over her face, here in Rome there were millions like her. Much more attractive, in better clothes. But those men..they shouted after every woman, young or old, even her mother, which was really disgusting. Her mum was nice to look at, but was nearly 36.
Oh God..mum, she would kill her if she came back without Gustavo. So many times she told her do not let the dog off the leash..but he was pulling like that. She'd thought in that deserted park she would keep an eye on him..who could have thought Gustavo was so fast, and disappeared into the bushes in the blink of an eye. She pulled herself together, wiped away her tears and tried to whistle, but again in vain..
'Maybe I can help ?' the voice was soft and kind, the words spoken in English, it was so unexpected that she turned abruptly stretching her arms in front of her to push the intruder away. But he didn't look dangerous, and for a moment they looked at each other in silence. She was so astonished that didn't know what to say. He was young and skinny, long haired man in jeans and black jacket, looked cute and attractive, and his face... Suddenly she was reminded of a painting, the only one she noticed in the museum. The portrait of a young prince from the 16th century. He looked so modern, long dark blond hair, classic facial features, expressive big, botomless eyes. Mum told her that such beauty had no age, was timeless..And now it looked like the young prince in person was standing in front of her..
'So sorry, I didn't want to scare you..Do you speak English?'
'Yes, I do. I mean, a little bit. I'm not scared, just..surprised. And glad, you can help me, yes'. Thanks Franco. For the first time in her life she thought with gratitude about her step-father who had been paying for her private English lessons for a year.
'Good. So what can I do for you?' What a relief, no talking about the tears, no consolation, just concrete help.
'Can you whistle? Very loudly and shout 'Gustavo!'. In the direction of those bushes?' He showed no surprise, truned in indicated direction, and..She nearly jumped up, he was rather short and not a macho type, it was difficult to say if he was under or over 20, but that whistle and the strong commanding voice! There was a wheezing and as if by the touch of a wand a small dachshund on short legs run out of the bushes. He completely ignored her and ran to the man, resting his front paws on his knee, and wagging terribly fast with a tail. The 'prince' looked in astonishment first at the dog and next at her and started to laugh. What a laugh it was, just incredible, like coming from inside him, so wonderful, and it made her happy. She started laughing too..They stopped for a moment but one look at the smiling Gustavo made them almost cry with laughter..
The man leaned over and Gustavo literally jumped into his arms. 'What a sweet guy you are..' She could see how happy he was hugging the dog. 'Gustavo loves you. And he doesn't like everybody.'
'So nice..I love animals..' She could feel he was really moved and she waited in silence..
'You know.. I had a dog..Not like this..a terrier..he was a real friend'. She couldn't see his face.
'What happened?'
'He died.' Now he looked at her and she saw tears in his eyes.
'You wouldn't believe how I cried..Even wrote a song about him..'
'A song? Wow..a good one?'
'Not bad. I hope.' He looked at her and smiled. What a smile he had, kind and shy, his eyes were smiling too. She could have stayed forever in this park just looking at him and this smile.
'You know I have a car not far from here, a mini van, I mean what about a cup of tea in my van. Just you and me and maybe I'll find something for this sweetie.' It wasn't a question, just an invitation she couldn't refuse. She even didn't know his name, but it wasn't important.
Before they started walking towards the exit, he looked seriously at her and said : 'And now tell me why you were crying'
And she did. Everything. About her father she didn't remember, about her mother who married an Italian engineer a few years ago, about her twin step-sisters, about her decision to stay in her native country, far away behind The Iron Curtain, to finish her education there and be with her dear grandma, so lonely after grandpa had died..He listened with great attention..when she said how she didn't like her much younger step-sisters, he stopped, looked at her and said : 'Don't call them step-sisters, they are your sisters, the only one you have, just try to remember that you are older, try to learn what they like, I'm sure they will fall in love with you. Promise you will do everything is possible'. And she said she would..
'Good. And here is my car.'
A small red mini van was parked on the street. The dog was strapped to the leash and put on the pavement. 'Wait a moment, I'll see if there is a mess'. He disappeared into the car for a while, but than returned. She could see something was wrong, but waited..
'Listen, I'm sorry but I can't have this tea with you..it seems someone was in my car and helped himself with my camera and my money,'
'What ?! How awful! Why? You didn't leave the car open, did you?'
'I'm afraid I did..you see it's normal at home to leave a car like that. In America. And I've just arrived today,,'
'But not in Rome..What a shame..What are you going to do?'
'Lock the car' he smiled. 'Don't worry, I have to find our embassy. They are going to have fun..'
She didn't understand what he was talking about, who were 'they', but obviously not much was stolen. So it was the end and she would never see him again. And no chance to ask so many questions, she wanted to know everything about him and even didn't know his name. She turned to leave..
'Hey, wait a moment' he turned her towards him and brushed away the hair from her forehead. She felt how the world stood still for a second. His eyes were so close and he kissed her on the cheek. 'Be happy, always'.
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