PER TUTTI E PER MY FRIENDS ENGLISH IT'S FOR YOU EBOOK ONE YEAR ONE DAY
THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION
CHAPTER 1
It was hot. Roberta
went to the window and opened it. After observing the scene, returned to sit on
the stool with the intention to continue painting. The radio was on and the
voice of the presenter invited listeners to phone. Felt she could not continue
painting. So wiped her hands with a rag soaked in white spirit. She stayed in
the rest position with the rag in her hands to look at what she had painted.
The presenter of the local radio station gave her no respite and insistently
invited listeners to call.
Phoned.
Asked to hear
"Sexy Sadie" by the Beatles.
She waited, but her
song is not heard even a note. Then she tried again to phone.
The presenter King
was evasive, while Edwige apologized that she could not fulfill the request
because they had in their archives this Beatles album. Roberta was a desire for
failure.
She cursed,
insulted, humiliated Edwige and her radio.
She had
"white", the album that contained the song Sexy Sadie, and could not
stand that a radio had no copy. Edwige was patient, indeed asked Roberta to
record some songs on a cassette album white, and bring it on the radio. So the
other listeners could enjoy the music of the Beatles.
Roberta did not
answer. It was too much. Hung up the phone with violence. She took off her
white coat, and threw it away.
To wait
Be patient.
She thought the
proposal that the stupid Edwige had dared to do. Right now with all the mess
that's turned around, she would docile and good to record the songs of white:
thirty songs, a good hour commitment.
Too Much.
She listened radio
Mnemosin only because it had few commercial breaks, or even because the signal
came loud and clear.
Roberta had failed
to calm down. It was not just the case of paint, also because of the heat.
Passed her
handkerchief on the sweaty neck.
Would do well to
take a shower, but she thought it was better to postpone an hour.
She poured cold
coffee in the cup, then went to relax in the garden.
Her house was a
two-storey house, located on the slopes of the hill, not far from the medieval
village.
Rang at the door,
but she was so good I thought it was the bell of someone else.
She tried to doze
off, but the sound became so strong that it can no longer ignore.
When she opened the
door, was speechless. Everything would have expected that this visit not so
unexpected.
John Astardi looked
tired. When he sat down on the soft chair salon, he felt completely relaxed.
Roberta had not
said a word. It had been a couple years since their last meeting.
"Do you want
to drink? I'll take the coke? "She asked.
"Yes, thank
you. A coke can fit, "said John quietly.
Roberta poured the
coke in the glass and reached out. She looked into his eyes. She felt a thrill
go through, and remembered that first time I met his eyes.
Roberta had then
thirty-two years when she showed up for the tests; was not a girl, nor one that
she was to do that job for the event. She had been lucky, or had not met the
right people. But she was an actress, a good actress.
She had had a
period when she worked a lot, and had also taken part in major films. Could be
satisfied for what she had done and if it had become a star of the first
magnitude, however, had managed to build a good economic position.
It was followed a
long period of stagnation, not to work and expectations; it seemed that
everyone had forgotten about her.
Working with
Astardi was the highest in those times and the good fortune that had been in
being choice, did not assume that it was just said that would inevitably
continue to have secondary roles.
The play was well
executed and Astardi was a guarantee of success; she toured Italy and perhaps
would come even cinema.
And instead ...
there was something else: love, passion.
...
"Are you
okay?"
"Yup. I'm
fine. I wanted to meet you. "
She looked into his
eyes and reminded of their love. And to think that was a lightness to end their
relationship.
A single mistake she
had made, and it was the end of everything.
...
Roberta was at home
in Rome.
John was away, out
of town; would return the next day. It was a hot afternoon and warm in August
of 1984. The city was empty and she did not even remember to accidents which
had remained in Rome.
She was there in
the bathtub to let refrigerate the bones and flesh, when she heard the phone
ring. Would not want to get up, she would not want to answer, but could be
John, could be her love; then, reluctantly got up from the water. Not wiped.
Instead it was
Francis, her former boyfriend, the dancer with whom she had been linked to more
than two years.
What did he want?
Asking?
And why if they
found him at home, there, next to her in the bathroom, not if it was never
explained, even now.
The long towel
slipped suddenly off, Francis approached. He began to touch her. Roberta felt
lust melt in the mouth.
Told him to stop. She
said this plan, she said it as if to say to continue, but she did not listen.
Pulled her to him and put his hands on her breasts. She had a last gesture of
rebellion, but Francis kissed her hard.
She liked, Shagged
taste. Then slid plan.
Slowly.
Gently.
The first kissed
her neck and then down, down even more. Francis, who was leaning against the
wall, pulled his fingers through her long hair blacks. Grabbed her hair and pulled her up to bring
back his lips in contact with her. Now
she was ready, now could take.
She managed to
enjoy.
Roberta wore the
robe, looked in the mirror: she was satisfied, she was happy, she was happy to
have made love.
It had been that
hot muggy.
It was the silence
of the city, and then she was alone, and it was the month of August.
It was only a
moment of madness, a demand of meat, nothing more. She did not love him, she
loved John.
Would forget.
John was aware. She
could not remember if it was him or tell him to Francesco had confessed her.
Not forgave her,
but he hated her.
Roberta, when she
realized that she would never work with him, she decided to quit.
John tried to make
her, but could not
"Oh, do not
give it. It's not your fault. Know, however, that if a year, one day you do not
have a quiet harbor dock where the boat of your life, I'll be there waiting for
you. "She said.
Marveled at the
love that brought him Roberta. Not asked what she would do and which projects
had, nor the place where they sought refuge. Asked her to call him, to phone us
and write, if she wanted. Would not have bothered, indeed he would be pleased. Now
felt like a friend. Comforted her and gave her courage. In his heart he feared
that, left alone, could commit some nonsense. Roberta proved strong, decisive,
resolute; discovered the qualities that did not previously thought to possess. She
found himself in control of her life. In the early days she spent her days
wandering around the city, looking at the windows of shops and visit museums
and art galleries. Began to give some interest. She bought canvases and
brushes. She began to paint, to throw wildly colors on the white canvas.
She went to St.
Peter in Chains to see the genius of Michelangelo, to enjoy the Moses, to see
the shapes and hand with the grain and the grandeur of the statue that had to
shout to its creator: he speaks!
Then she decided he
had to go away from Rome. She chose the place, bought the land: there would
sort her home, there would be the right place to spend the rest of her life. She
was happy and excited, because she saw that every day something of her was born
and took shape; followed step by step further work for the construction of her
home. She had done well to choose that place; there a few steps from the
medieval village.
She discovered the
pleasure of getting up early in the morning to go to church, in the ancient
cathedral. The pleasure of hearing the sound of her footsteps as she walked
through the narrow and quiet streets of the village. The pleasure to feel the
peace when she was sitting in prayer in the cathedral. Imagined to see with her
own eyes the women of 1400 with their medieval clothes: I wonder how many
people had come to that place?
Who to pray, who to
ask for grace to the Lord, for those who celebrate her marriage, who to baptize
the child. The local people at first had been wary of that woman, so beautiful,
so young that had snuck into their community.
They thought I should
have a lot 'of sins on her conscience to serve for choosing a place so out of
hand; then with the passage of time had managed to win them over: now knew them
all. One by one. If someone was called by the Lord, everyone felt the loss.
That person was
part of their lives; not as in large cities, where not even know the people who
are on your same floor, where, maybe, your body remains in parking in the
mortuary for days, waiting for a free place for burial.
Often called John,
to hear his voice, to know how fared; then by the time it had faded. During
Christmas and Easter, sent him a postcard on which to play, she wrote:
"One year, one day"
And he replied:
"One year, one day. Not now, not now. "
Roberta had not had
any man, but not the suitors were missing; then, after three years since she
had made the decision to drop everything, had an affair with a teacher of
creative painting; Finally, around thirty-seven years, the meeting with Andrea
Argot, the local doctor.
Argot was her
doctor. She never went, nor had been good enough to be known when chose him as
a doctor. She had always put off from day to day; she knew that she was right
to do so. She always said that she would do when she would feel unwell, but,
luckily for her, she had an iron constitution. She thought that he had come for
her to sign some paper or some stupid bureaucratic practice.
"At last we
know," said Argot, when he showed up at her house.
He loved that
woman. He liked it a lot.
The courtship by
Dr. Argot began blandly. As if he had fear to dare, to ask, to aspire. He went
to the gift shop and antiques, that Roberta had opened a couple of years.
The first thing I bought was a light antique,
then some pictures of Roberta.
One afternoon took
advantage of the absence of the order of the store to invite her to dinner.
Andrea did not
displease Roberta; indeed, it was nice and felt, secretly, a little 'attraction
to him.
She was not sure
the point of engaging; did not want to pretend, nor delude man.
Phoned John who
advised her and was near; then when he heard that they had put together, could
not help but congratulate her, wishing her all the best. John with his glass in
his hand approached the large window. From there we had a nice view of the new
city.
He glanced at the
large living room and watched things, to a stop on a large photo.
There were three naked
women, taken from behind. They had not seen their faces.
Asked who were the
three women of the picture.
"This, at
least, you should know well," said Roberta, showing a finger with the
woman at the center of the photo.
"Is that you!
And already, it seemed like a face ... known ... "
"Asshole."
Astardi asked who
were the other two.
"What is on my
left is Julia Bristol, the other is Eleonora Work hard."
"Faces ever
seen."
"Again!"
"Sorry. Fine,
though. All three. Change? But ... you! Are all three "bone."
"We were young
then."
"But this
Giulia Bristol is a foreigner?"
"I Have Not.
In those days it was fashionable to use a foreign name; was more grip on the
public. We were in the same board; all three decided, at any price, to break
into the world of cinema. This photo was taken in 1971 on the set of an
adventure film in erotic version. As you can imagine, we were together with
many others. All young and beautiful: fifty. I still remember the voice of the
director: put them on display in the courtyard there. Show her Italians. Enjoy
people! Just go to the cinema to pay the money.
"Yeah, I
remember. It was a bustle of erotic films. Bristol but this reminds me of
someone. I'll have heard it somewhere. "
"This will
have read in the paper. In crime. "
Astardi looked at
her quizzically, but did not speak. He waited until it was Roberta explain.
"Giulia
Bristol was the most beautiful, the most decisive. What we always indicated the
path and the way to reach an objective. Unfortunately for her, ran into
something sinister and ugly, and walked into a dark tunnel and long. "
"Drugs?"
"Yup. She
began to take it to a party that a manufacturer had organized in his villa for
the launch of a new film. She was gone because she needed to know people; had
also brought the two of us. We did not try. We were careful. She did not.
"
"Bridgehead",
John said, interrupting her.
"What?
Bridgehead? "
"Sure. Giulia
has been for you a beachhead. As for the army when you have to try to break
through an enemy position. They send the men decided to everything and with
high risk of ending up in hell. If all goes well, the others go in that
direction and they have all now eased, if not, change the road. In military
jargon is said bridgehead. You have done the same with her. "John pointed
out.
"Maybe. Was
our guide. Since that night we did not busier, although we saw occasionally.
Julia had left our retirement and had grown up in the home of a wealthy
merchant of Rome, saying he wanted to spend his money to make her become a star
of the first magnitude. We knew then that she was on the set to make love to
men and women, "said Roberta a little 'angry, dropping the chair.
"Porn movies,
I guess." Ruled Astardi.
"I Have Not.
Not right away. It gave everyone, to all those that could guarantee somewhere.
Participated in these feasts or parties of big tycoons in practice, organized
orgies. The drug costs. "
"The white
powder how much damage it does! "John snapped, taking from his pocket a
cigarette filter white.
"I thought you
quit smoking? "Asked Roberta.
"What? Ah,
yes! I stopped for a few months; perhaps to prove to myself that I had the will
to fight this vice. Once satisfied that there could very well, who made me do
it to remain without cigarettes? So anytime I can throw them out the window. "
Roberta stood up;
that face of anger, she had, thinking of Julia, was gone: it was more calm and
laid. She went into the kitchen to get some cookies; took a bottle of mineral
water, a bottle of bitter and two glasses. She put everything on a tray, which
leaned on the cabinet bottom.
She poured the
sparkling mineral water; watched the bubbles rising from the bottom of the
glass. She took one breath. Her throat was dry. Although talking to John made
her forget the scorching heat. Instead he was focused to burn with deep and
long pull tobacco cigarette.
Roberta picked up
the phone and ordered a big dinner at the restaurant the golden swan; asked the home service. After smoking up the butt,
John poured into glasses bitter and handed one to Roberta; then waited.
"In the late
80s, Julia went to porn. You've never seen a movie of Julia? "Asked
Roberta unexpectedly.
He was not
expecting that question, mumbled something, then candidly admitted that he had
seen a lot 'of porn movies, perhaps in one of these could also be Giulia.
"I do. I saw a
film by Julia. I saw how she worked, "she paused, then continued." I
will not give you a detailed account of what she did in the movie. I just want
you to understand that you could see that the things she made her reluctantly.
There was a contrast, a strong contrast between Julia and her workmate. This
was good: was good for love. Giulia ... no, she was not capable. She made love
so apathetic, as in a state of duress. "
"I hope, at
least, I've got a lot 'of money."
"Yup. It has
taken. She made only three porn movies. Then, I do not know, I think that
manufacturers have not wanted to risk more. And then! ... Without money and
with drugs that will corrode the soul, what do you do? "
"Make a
beautiful robbery," concluded John, lighting another cigarette.
"Not really.
Thefts and muggings. Was taken. Doomed. Luckily she had the conditional. But it
was lost. I convinced her to go to a detoxification center, in a therapeutic
community. Something of money I gave them data too. The treatment seemed to be
fine. Giulia stand it out of the tunnel of drugs. Then boom!
"How ...
boom?"
"A gunshot
wound to the brain. She has made over: a moment, a moment and boom. "
Roberta repeated
this last word, keeping both hands on the cheeks and tightening the legs in a
gesture of annoyance. As if she was there, near Giulia, at that precise moment
when her friend was pointing the gun to her head and pulled the trigger.
"I'm sorry.
Did not go well. I'm sorry, "said John.
For a few minutes
there was silence in the room .; then Roberta, to ward off that air sad abode
in the air, asked him to guess who the other.
