Mirror, Mirror at 1600 D.C.. Edward Galluzzi

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СКАЧАТЬ of Harrison and Hannah and said, “Yes, Miss Littleton. Your visit has been confirmed. Pope Josetta is ill although seems in better spirits today. He always looks forward to a visit from Mr. Rossetti. He will be disappointed that Mr. Rossetti was unable to attend this morning. I’m sure, however, that he will be happy to meet with you. Please have a seat and we will call for you when the Pontiff is ready.” The priest motioned to a row of chairs across from the desk. Hannah thanked the holy man and took a seat as indicated.

      As Hannah waited, she occupied herself by looking at the various paintings and carvings on the wall. That the Vatican had one of the best art collections was well known and from what little that Hannah observed from her vantage point, such a claim was not an unwarranted one. Behind Hannah was the Lord’s Prayer written beautifully in Italian. She read the words to herself:

      ‘Nostro Padre, che arte in cielo, ha santificato è il Suo nome il Suo regno viene, Suo sarà fatto, Su terra come è in cielo. Ci dia questo giorno il nostro pane quotidiano E perdona noi le nostre trasgressioni come perdoniamo quelli che va oltre i limiti del lecito contro noi E piombo noi non in tentazione, ma consegna noi da cattivo. Amen.’

      Hannah’s thoughts suddenly turned to Harrison. ‘The human mind was so amazing; someone or something can be so far away and yet so nearby in one’s mind’ she thought to herself. She took a moment to pray for her beloved’s safe return to her.

      Hannah’s prayer was interrupted by a short, thin cleric. “You must be Miss Littleton,” said the priest. He reached out his hand and introduced himself, “I am Father Alan Pusniche. Harrison did not exaggerate his claims about you.” Hannah was somewhat taken back at the clergyman’s familiarity, but managed to reach for the cleric’s hand and shake it firmly. “You know my fiancé?” she managed to ask with some humility. “Oh, yes” said the priest. “Mr. Rossetti has visited the Holy Father for many years and is quite familiar to those of us in the Holy Office. Is Harrison not with you?” “No,” Hannah replied conveying disappointment. “He received an urgent call early this morning and is flying back to the States as we speak.” “It’s always urgent for your Harrison” commented Father Pusniche. Hannah was unsure as to the tone of the comment, but agreed, “Yes, it seems to be.” The priest motioned Hannah to follow him as he walked ahead of her.

      Hannah and the priest walked down a long passageway that led to a door protected by a Swiss Papal guard. Neither the sentry nor the priest spoke, but the guard stepped aside as they approached. Father Pusniche opened the door and Hannah found herself in the outer office of the Pope’s private quarters. The priest motioned Hannah to sit at one of the office chairs and said, “If you will sit here, I will check if the Holy Father is ready to receive you.” With that, the cleric disappeared behind a second door.

      The papal office was not what Hannah had expected. It appeared stark in contrast to the ornamental trappings of the Vatican proper. The office reflected the life of a simple, humble man. A wooden crucifix hung on the wall above the door. A picture of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns adorned another wall. The papal desk appeared to be that of highly polished walnut. Three stacks of paper were neatly arranged on the top of the desk along with the usual office supplies. There was an overstuffed chair behind the desk that appeared out-of-place, perhaps used temporarily by the Pontiff since the onset of his illness. Hannah wondered how often Harrison sat in this very office awaiting his holy friend.

      Within 15 minutes, Father Pusniche returned to the outer office. He smiled at Hannah and then he asked her to follow him. The priest walked through the archway of the inner door with Hannah immediately behind him. They entered a narrow passageway that was dimly lit. The walls were bare and peeling in several places. Hannah was surprised at the distance traveled down the corridor. They finally reached the end of the passageway and proceeded through another archway. Hannah found herself in a small waiting room that contained three chairs and nothing more. Father Pusniche requested that she sit one more time as he entered the Pontiff’s bedroom. Hannah smiled at the priest and complied with his request.

      Hannah sat for a brief minute and was then motioned by Father Pusniche who stood at the doorway. She walked through the door as requested. As Hannah entered the room, the priest smiled, bowed toward the Pontiff and quietly left the room.

      Hannah was mesmerized as she first gazed on the Holy Father. He was sitting up in his canopy bed with a broad smile on his face. His complexion was pale and he seemed tired. She walked the few steps to the side of his bed and sat in a chair used apparently by his guests. Josetta spoke first, “Buona mattina [good morning]. Welcome to Vatican City, Miss Littleton.” “Good morning, your excellency. Please call me Hannah” was the woman’s simple request. The Pontiff shook his hand and said, “And you, please call me Josetta.” Hannah shook her head affirmatively as the Pontiff continued, “I’m sorry that Spia is not with you. How is Harrison?” Hannah was somewhat taken aback at the holy man’s use of Spia, but she was beginning to understand why Harrison preferred that she herself did not identify him in that way.

      The genuine warmth in Josetta’s voice reflected the intensity of their friendship. “Harrison is fine. He so much wanted to be here today and asked me to be sure to convey his respect and best wishes to you. He received an urgent message from Washington early this morning and flew out immediately.” Hannah’s face could not hide her disappointment and concern for Harrison. Her expression also did not go unnoticed by Josetta. He attempted to comfort and assure Hannah, “Spia is highly trained and can take care of himself, Hannah. You may have to get use to this worrying about Harrison given his occupation.” Hannah appreciated the holy man’s concern for her whom he just met for the very first time. She was also comforted by the passion in his voice. Josetta continued, “It will take a special woman to care for him and adjust to his lifestyle…a woman with, what did Spia say, a woman with moxie? He told me that you are that woman, yes?” Hannah smiled as she remembered her first encounter with Harrison. She replied with confidence, “Yes, I am that woman.” Josetta smiled and nodded in approval at her conviction.

      “Tell me about yourself,” the holy man said although he knew much about Hannah already as she was one of Harrison’s favorite topics and certainly a healthy diversion from the rest of his lifestyle. “Well,” Hannah replied, “I was born in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States. My father was editor-inchief of a Boston newspaper before he retired. My mother was a housewife and took care of my two older brothers and me. Although my brothers did not, I guess I got the newsprint bug early. The newspaper fascinated me. My dad read parts of the paper to me each evening. I seldom asked questions about the content of the articles, but always wanted to know how the writers went about drafting their stories.” Josetta was vitalized by the passion in Hannah’s voice. She continued, “I studied journalism at Harvard. I was hired as a journalist by the Washington Sun five years ago and now cover special assignments.” “Like the death of a Pope?” interrupted Josetta with an uneasy smile. “Harrison and I pray for your recovery and hope you have many years. You’ve been quite progressive, you know.” “Progressive?” uttered Josetta with disdain. “There’s that word again,” he muttered with a push of his hand.

      Hannah asked, “Harrison told you how we met?” “Yes,” said the Pontiff with a broad smile. “I guess I’m somewhat responsible since he met you after a…shall we say a dejected visit with me?” reflected the holy man. “Then maybe you will finish the story about how you met my Harrison?” begged Hannah. “Did Spia not say anything about our early partnership in crime?” queried Josetta. “Partnership in crime?” the betrothed lady asked in turn. Josetta stared at Hannah, but did not say anything. She clarified, “Yes, in a manner of speaking, he did; however, my dear Harrison did not finish the story and apparently left out more than I suspected. Harrison thought that perhaps you might give me a first hand account.” Hannah paused and then continued, “He told me that he was on a mission in Italy that had gone badly. He was wounded and found his way to your church in Carrara. Harrison stated that you bandaged his wounds as best as you could given the severity СКАЧАТЬ