A New Story: È Bello Rivederti

Aldo greeted the couple when they entered the restaurant.  Julie said to Aldo, “Buona sera, caro signore. È bello rivederti.”  (Good evening dear sir.  It is good to see you again.)

Immediately, both Aldo and Marcus looked at Julie with surprise.  Marcus asked in English while Aldo, playing his part as an Italian waiter asked in Italian, “When did you start learning Italian?”  Julie looked at both of them and responded to Marcus, “I learned a couple phrases for tonight when you said we were coming here again.”  Then to Aldo, she smiled and said, “Uh, if you were asking the same thing, what I just said to him.”

After being seated, Aldo’s father, Antonio, and uncle, Carlo, entered.  The two gentleman were immaculately dressed as they prepared to sing to the couple.  They greated Marcus and Julie as if they were old world Italians.  Julie said to them, “È bello rivederti.” 

After grandiose greetings to Julie the brothers said to one another, “La signora bella parla la nostra lingua.”   (The pretty lady speaks our language.)

“Si, dovremmo tenerla qui con noi per sempre.”  (Yes, we should keep her with us here forever.)  Aldo and Marcus laughed as Julie looked to them for translations.  Marcus said, “I’ll tell you later.”

Julie hoped there would be another seranade.  She thoroughly loved it the first night enjoying the restaurant.  For this night, the brothers and Aldo rehearsed special songs.  Julie beamed as she soaked in the ambiance.  She felt as if she and Marcus were in Italy. In the back of her mind she wished for a day when the two of them would travel to Italy.  She wanted to explore the ancient land and learn the language.  She imagined romantic evenings of delicious foods, wines, candlelight and lovemaking.  Her heart was full.

When the seranade was complete, Julie jumped up and kissed the three men on their cheeks.  To each she said, “Grazie, caro signore.”  (Thank you, dear gentleman.)

Carlo turned red as he retreated to the kitchen.  Antonio smiled and said, “We’re going to take good care of you sweet lady.”  Then referring to Marcus, “This guy, he might get the spaghetti we drop on the floor if he’s lucky.”

Courses of foods and wine were brought out to the table.  As the couple ate, Julie noticed Marcus was preoccupied and found it curious.  She mused he was concerned about having a perfect evening.  He needent worry.  It was a perfect evening.  Julie was finishing some antipasto when she saw Antonio standing in the doorway of the kitchen holding a tray.  She heard a small commotion in the kitchen and saw people line up behind him. 

Once he started for the table, the others in the kitchen followed him.  Then she saw her parents were behind him.  The wheels of her mind began turning when she recognized Marcus’s parents walking toward them.  What was going on?

Live Again

Spent the currency of life

Stalking the road, bankrupt

Give the man his props

His sails are never stowed

 

Voices ever whisper, ever call

My muted reply, stillborn

Damn the brine that sates

As footfalls my shadow flee

 

All drink cursed save you

My lips fear a taste

Bomb this soul, my heart

Burn away the chaff

 

With the world flying around

I have no focus or aim

Give me a target

A hope to cling and sustain

 

Clear mindless dust

Erase godless fruit

Return me to birth

Grant your heart

 

Let me live again

 

© August 2017
Duane Windell Phillips

A New Story: Changing

One mechanism the counselor added to the joint sessions for Bob and Marsha, required them to hold hands throughout the meeting.  They were to do the same when at home and an argument was brewing.  Both thought this a silly process.  How could holding hands help the marriage or during an argument?  It didn’t take long before the process was tested. 

Bob was discussing a topic and Marsha wasn’t pleased with the accusatory tone of his remarks.  Immediately, she pulled away from Bob and the counselor noticed this.  Marsha knew she was wrong, paused and grudgingly put her hand back into Bob’s.  Slowly, they learned they severed connections to one another over the years.  Though married, they lived separate lives.  Instead of becoming one flesh, as was stated during their wedding ceremony, they lived dual lives.  They lived one life for themselves and a smaller one for the marriage.

Over the weeks of therapy, they saw mistakes clearly and learned mechanisms to deal with disappointment and unmet expectations.  They learned unmet expectations were the common denominator in failed marriages.  Also, most people found it easier to give up than stand and fight for their marriages.  Slowly, they realized unmet expectations were exactly the issue that caused them to go their different ways.  Rather than continue in sadness, Bob distanced himself to avoid getting hurt. 

Marsha wished Bob was more attentive and listened to her.  She was vocal about her disappointment.  The constant criticism caused Bob to pull away.  It was a vicious cycle that built until Bob snapped the day he walked out. 

They each read a book the counselor gave them.  They did the exercises detailed at the end of each chapter and concentrated on positive things about their spouse.  Bob worked on valuing his wife like when he courted her.  He focused on loving her in the little things.  As a result, Marsha felt cherished. 

She did her part by putting emphasis on the positives of Bob’s behavior.  Rather than highlight every shortcoming, she worked to give positive reinforcement.  This was difficult in the beginning.  By habit, she complained about things that disappointed her.  Little by little, she saw even the smallest efforts and praised them.  Even small moments of honor from Marsha charged her Bob.  They began to see light.  They began to believe they had a future.  They were changing their story. 

A New Story: Will You Please Grant It

In order not to arouse suspicions, Marcus decided to take his time in proposing marriage.  He made small inquiries into Julie’s family life and her parents.  He also suggested they make visits to them.  In the process, he made mention of a life together.  Each time he made the reference, Julie beamed.  She knew in her heart she wanted to share her life with Marcus. 

 

During the third weekend visit with Julie’s parents, Marcus decided to ask Julie’s father, Bill, for his permission to marry Julie.  A couple hours before they were due to return, he asked Bill for assistance with a problem on the car.  Bill agreed to take a look and the two men walked out to the car.  Marcus was certain Julie wouldn’t want to join them or suspect anything.  He was correct on both counts. 

 

When they reached the car, Marcus opened the trunk and stood fixed in place for a moment.  Bill looked into the trunk and, seeing nothing out of the ordinary, asked, “What’s the problem, Marcus?”

 

Suddenly, the gravity of the question he was about ask, the path that would forever change his life, hit Marcus.  He started, “Well, sir.”

 

“Marcus, you know to call me Bill.”

 

“Yes, sir, Bill.”

 

Bill was completely bewildered at this point.  What was wrong with the car?  Shouldn’t they be looking at the engine?  What’s up with Marcus?  Finally, Marcus remembered and knew he loved Julie.  This gave him confidence to say, “Bill, I love your daughter.  Nothing could make me happier than spending the rest of my life with her but I want your permission to take her hand in marriage.  Will you please grant it?”

 

Bill was surprised by the request but knew his answer.  Instead of giving a direct answer, he decided to have a little fun.  Bill began asking questions about how he handles money, his political affiliations and if Marcus was aware “for better, for worse” means thing can get quite bad.  Bill could see anxiety building in Marcus’s eyes and decided to let him off the hook.  Finally, he said, “Marcus, young man, I am happy to call you my son-in-law.  You have my permission.”

 

Sweet relief flooded in and Marcus smiled.  He said, “Thank you, Bill.  Now, please don’t say anything just yet to Julie.  Tell anyone you trust, just not Julie.  I have something special planned and I’ll let you know when the time comes.” 

Shorties: Number 26

Finally, at midafternoon, Kenny stopped by Anna’s desk.  He asked, “So how is David?”

“He’s happy chemo is done but he has a lot of stomach pain.”

Kenny looked at Anna as he processed this information.  Then Anna gave him the answer.  “They know it hasn’t shrunk.  It’s still growing.”

With the missing piece of information, Kenny quickly understood the implications.  David, Anna’s husband, would die soon.  Thoughts raced through his mind.  What do you say to your friend when they know their spouse will leave them?  Kenny also was feeling a sense of loss.  Over the years, he came to have a deep respect for David.  The man worked hard, was giving and very kind.  His departure would affect many.

Kenny felt the need to say something.  He knew how close Anna and David were.  He wanted to offer a word of console his friend but there are no words to help.  He didn’t want to offer empty platitudes.  The wheels continued turning in his brain and Kenny finally stated the only thing that made sense at that moment, “Shit!”

“Yes.”

Mortality mocked them both.  They were powerless and they knew it.  Everyone has a limited supply of time on earth.  We act as though reality is different but death enjoys every chance it has to rub it in.  Kenny bent down to hug his friend.  He was concerned she may cry.  He didn’t want that to happen since they were at work but anything less than an act of compassion seemed criminal.  Anna simply said, “Yes, I know.” 

Then the phone rang, returning them to the present.  Kenny patted Anna on the shoulder as she spoke into the phone.  Returning to his desk, Kenny said, “Back to reality.” 


(Only the names were changed)

Shorties: Number 25

Mrs. Anderson quizzed her first graders on addition problems.  Going up and down the classroom rows, she asked each youngster to give the correct answer for each sum.  She asked, “Mary, what’s three plus three?” 

Mary quickly answered, “Six!”

Similar questions were given to each child.  Ricky dreaded the question he would receive.  He hoped it was something simple like one plus one.  He knew he knew that one.  He liked art and reading but math twisted his mind.  It was forced in ways that caused complete shutdown.  Silently he prayed for a simply equation to solve.

With an audible sigh of relief, Ricky answered his question.  He knew two plus one.  Then he started anew hoping for an easy question as Mrs. Anderson began another round.  This time when it was his turn, Mrs. Anderson asked, “Ricky?  Five plus four.”

His heart pounded.  He didn’t know this one.  All action in his brain ground to a stop.  No activity was allowed and Ricky tried to understand what was required at the moment.  He knew the answer was a number.  Which number?  He looked at the back of the chair in front of him.  He could feel heat in his cheeks.  This brought more heat which he felt throughout his head. 

Mrs. Anderson prompted, “Come on, Ricky.  You can do it.”

Brittney, the girl behind Ricky whispered, “Nine.”

Ricky looked hopefully at his teacher and said, “Nine?”

His teacher smiled and exclaimed, “Yes!” 

Then she gave Brittney her problem to solve.  As the exercise came to an end, Ricky said a hushed thank you to his classmate.  As the teacher began transitioning to the next topic, one of the smart kids spoke up, “Mrs. Anderson, six plus six is twelve.”

“That’s right, it is.  Good boy, Leroy.”

All Ricky could think was, “Boy, he’s smart!”

Shorties: Number 24

This is an excerpt from my story, The Blind Beggar

Car alarms rang in his ears, and he heard voices shouting in the distance.  His heart pounding, Boulos anxiously contemplated what he should do.  The sound of a crying baby met his ears, and he remembered similar event had happened before his parents died.  He saw the fear in his mother’s eyes and heard his father shout in anger at the damn Israelis again launching some attack.  His father lost both parents during the Israeli occupation in the early 1980s and often cursed Israel when he was angry. 

He could hear someone wailing in a way only those who have lost someone in a horrible fashion can understand.  It is a language all its own but once heard, one never forgets it.  Such primal utterings go directly to the depths of the hearer’s soul.  Fear gripped Boulos as noises outside got louder. 

Sirens from emergency vehicles accosted his senses.  He stood up from the bed and promptly stepped on glass with his bare feet.  He immediately flopped back onto his bed and gently probed the soles of his feet for glass.  Each sliver seemed to go straight to the bone.  Dejected and fearful, he shuddered.  He didn’t know what to do.  Certain there were more seriously injured people outside in the area of the blast, Boulos decided to wait until morning and ask Daiwik what he should do. 

Shortly after that, Daiwik sent a message checking on Boulos.  Boulos explained the situation with his feet and shattered windows.  As this text conversation was going on, Boulos heard the lock to the door to the office open, and Charles entered and called out to Boulos.  “Boulos, it's Charles.  Are you ok?”

“Hello, Mr. Charles.  I am ok, but I stepped on some glass.”

“May I come in your room?”

“Yes, please.”  Boulos was happy to have someone with him. 

Charles entered Boulos’s room from his office.  Boulos heard him stand still for a moment after opening the door.  He believed Charles was surveying the damage.  Then Charles said, “Well, it looks like we lost all the windows.  We’ll need to replace the curtains too.  Let’s take a look at your feet.”

“Your family is ok, Mr. Charles?”

“Yes, we are all fine.  I thought I dreamed the blast.  Too bad it wasn’t a dream, huh?

“Yes, Mr. Charles.  I was dreaming when it happened and it scared me very much.”

Charles placed his hand on Boulos’s shoulder and said, “Everything will be ok.  I believe in a God in heaven who is bigger than the schemes of people who only want to kill and destroy.”

The remark caught Boulos off guard but said nothing.  Then he continued the text conversation Boulos had with Daiwik while Charles removed glass slivers from his feet.  Daiwik wanted Boulos to ask Charles if anything was needed.  Charles had looked over the building when he arrived, and it appeared broken windows were the only issue.  He would address them when the city woke up for the day.  During this time, Boulos received more messages from other people who had helped him.  He was not used to the technology and, due to the delay of having Siri read each message, the whole process was cumbersome. 

After the splinters were removed and feet bandaged, Charles started cleaning up the glass in the apartment.  Once this was completed, Charles began working in the office.  Meanwhile, Boulos lay in the bed.  He could only think of Amal’s safety.  He was sure, due to the approximate location of the blast, her building was not damaged, and she was safe.  Nevertheless, he feared she was injured.  His only thought was, “My Amal, I so hope you are ok.”  Over and over the thought repeated in his mind.  It was his sincere hope, a prayer.  Only when Charles spoke up, did he realize he was actually whispering his thoughts.

“Who is Amal?  A friend of yours?”