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

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СКАЧАТЬ between the rustic pews. The bulges in their jackets did not go unnoticed by Josetta. He knew that they did not come to his church to pray, but rather they came looking for their prey.”

      Harrison’s recounting was interrupted by Paolo who observed much food still on their plates: “The food… You don’t like?” Hannah and Harrison said together, “The food is wonderful. Grande!” “Ah, grazie” said the restaurateur. In a desire to justify why she still had much food on her plate, Hannah offered, “Harrison was just telling me about the time he first met Pope Josetta.” “Josetta,” said Paolo softly and with respect. He then made the sign of the cross by touching his right hand to his forehead, to his chest, to his left shoulder and then to his right shoulder. Paolo pulled a crucifix from inside his shirt; one blessed by Josetta, and kissed it reverently.

      Upon paying his respect to the Pontiff, Paolo said to Harrison, “You owe much to Josetta—he gets you out of trouble, yes?” “Out of trouble, always” mused Harrison for the third time today. Paolo looked inquisitively at his old friend. Harrison waved his hand as if to say ‘never mind’ and then said, “Si, Paolo, Josetta has done much for me.” Harrison’s remarks brought an approving and knowing smile to the owner’s face. At that, Paolo said, “Mi scusi” and left the couple’s table.

      Hannah was anxious for Harrison to continue his life story. “So?” she asked innocently. There was a pause before Harrison retorted, “So what?” Hannah simply stared at Harrison and he got the message. Harrison took a deep breath and commented, “Maybe we should take a moment to finish our food before it all becomes cold.” A furrow developed on Hannah’s forehead as she gazed intently at Harrison. She said in a loud voice, “Food! Food! How can you think of food at a time like this?” “Because I’m hungry” was the storyteller’s honest reply.

      Hannah did not appear as amused as he did to his response, honest or not. Harrison decided that it was best to comply and recalled, “The men in the church were growing impatient, as they did not find me. They began opening what doors they could in the church. Josetta was concerned that they might find the hidden stairway under the pews. At grave personal risk, he decided to approach the gunmen. As Josetta approached one of the men, the stranger put his hand inside his jacket swelling the size of the already prominent bulge. The holy priest introduced

      himself to the gunman and asked if he could be of service. At first, the stranger said nothing and continued his search. Josetta persisted in questioning the man and asked…” Harrison’s recanting was interrupted once again by Paolo who handed him a message. Harrison thanked the owner who withdrew and then quickly scanned the message given to him. Hannah observed a tense expression on her companion’s face and asked, “Is there something wrong?” There was a pause as Harrison thought for a moment as he stared away from Hannah. He turned toward her and said abruptly, “I have to go now. I’m sorry about lunch. We will have to finish our story later.” Hannah asked hurriedly, “Where can I get a hold of you?” He shook his head ‘no’ and said, “You can’t. However, tell me where you are staying and I will contact you when I can.” Hannah appeared disappointed wondering if she would actually ever hear from Harrison again. “I’m staying at the Albergo Sull’acqua.” Harrison nodded and called for the owner. Paolo appeared and Harrison requested, “Please take care of my friend, Hannah.” He gave Paolo fifty dollars in Italian lire, told Hannah that he would talk to her later and left the restaurant. Hannah sighed as she sat alone at the table. Unbeknown to her, it would be one of many times that she would find herself alone as ‘urgent business’ called Harrison away. She gazed at the exquisitely tasting food on her plate, moving pieces nonchalantly with her fork. “Well,” she said aloud to no one, “No sense in letting this fine cuisine go to waste.” As if receiving confirmation of her thoughts from nobody in particular, Hannah picked up Harrison’s plate of meat ravioli and gently moved the succulent pasta onto her plate. ‘Who said you can’t mix pastas?’ she thought rhetorically. Hannah devoured the food on her plate less delicately than if Harrison were still present. It was almost too much for her, but she managed to consume most of what remained on her, er, their plate.

Chapter 4

       You’re Mine Tonight

      “Roma! Roma!” hailed the train conductor. The announcement jarred Hannah away from the past and back to the present. It took her several seconds to realize where she was and where she was going. Hannah glanced at her watch and noted happily that the train arrived on time in Rome. It also dawned on her that Harrison never did finish telling the story about how he first met Josetta. ‘Well, we’ll see about that!’ she thought to herself and tried to feel miffed without much success. Harrison told Hannah that he would try to meet her at Saint Peter’s Station. Hannah was becoming all too familiar with Harrison’s inability to consistently comply with his schedule. She did not like it, but she was learning how to tolerate it—not accept his inconsistencies mind you, but tolerate them nonetheless.

      The train pulled into Saint Peter’s Station on schedule. Hannah peered through her window seat to the crowd of people who gathered to welcome the rail passengers and board the train for other destinations. Her eyes darted for their full range of movement as she strained to see her beloved Harrison. Disappointment crept inside her, as her eyes detected nobody recognizable. Hannah sighed, grabbed her belongings and bit her lower lip. As she stepped off the train, she heard a charming and familiar voice that brought a smile to her face. “Didn’t think I’d make it, did you now?” taunted Harrison. “On the contrary, I knew you’d be here,” said Hannah although her long face just moments ago masked her true sentiments. She dropped her belongings and reached out to give Harrison a sustained bear hug. Harrison returned the firm embrace and said, “Missed me, huh?” “Actually, I’ve been too busy fitting my wedding dress to miss you too much,” replied Hannah as she continued her nuzzling. The expression on her face and the enduring embrace, however, belied her words. Hannah did miss Harrison. She always missed him. She never knew if the last time she saw him…if the last time she touched him…if the last time she heard him…would indeed be the last time.

      Hannah regretfully disengaged herself from Harrison and peered intently into his eyes at arms length. Harrison decided quickly that whatever that facial expression meant, he took a remorseful offense and asked apologetically, “I know that look and for whatever I did, for what I’m doing now or for what I’m about to do, I am truly sorry.” ‘There,’ thought Harrison to himself, ‘that should cover just about everything.’ Meanwhile, Hannah was pleased with herself in her training of Harrison. She snapped, “You didn’t finish it!” Harrison looked bewildered and asked with genuine naiveté, “Didn’t finish what?” He added quickly, “And please don’t tell me that if I don’t know what you are talking about, you’re not going to tell me!” Hannah was just as quick to stop the smile that was forming on her face and said, “You didn’t finish your story about the first time you met Pope Joseph Josetta!” Harrison shook his head in amazement and quipped, “Hannah, I began telling you that story about four months ago when we first met—over lunch at Casa di Pasta.” Harrison shook his head and said with some irony in his voice, “For God’s sake, it just dawned on you at this moment?” Hannah replied, “No, silly! I was thinking about how we first met on the train ride from Carrara.”

      Harrison smiled, kissed Hannah firmly and said genuinely, “You are indeed a gem!”

      “Well?” said Hannah neither persuaded by Harrison’s manner nor maneuver. “You want me to finish it right now?” asked Harrison rather astonished. “Yes,” replied Hannah. “Right here in the middle of the train station?” Harrison asked incredibly. “Yes,” insisted Hannah. “I have a better idea,” Harrison noted. “Josetta wants to meet you principally because he does not believe that anyone in this world would or could put up with me, let alone СКАЧАТЬ