by Lucy Scala
“Easy guys. I came here for an important announcement,” Vittorio began, sipping from his cup. “We have a new associate at the Central. He’s called Diego, he comes from Gallipoli and I must admit that I haven’t had a colleague like him for years.”
“Vittorio, never a woman?” asked Antonio.
“Stop it! Why is it so hard for you to be serious?” I glared at him at once.
Vittorio cleared his throat. “No women for the moment, maybe it’s better that way. How could you concentrate, otherwise?” He shook his head. “He is a very reserved man and apparently rather detached, but a person with extraordinary determination. He seems born for this job.”
“He may be as good as it gets, but he remains a stranger. I am used to having you by my side, and we had established a certain rapport,” I added.
“I understand that very well and that’s why I’m here. I want Diego to help you as much as possible; I’m sure that you’ll get onto the same wavelength. I’m never wrong about these things. I’m going to retire and I need to know that someone will take my place.”
I was puzzled. I nodded slowly, although I wanted to beg him not to abandon us. “Agreed. Then I’ll meet him soon.”
I tried to hold my displeasure at the news. I knew that, sooner or later, this moment would come, but didn’t think it would be so soon. Over time, we had established a unique bond with Vittorio and his colleagues, and I wasn’t ready to give it up.
Vittorio seemed sorry for my change of mood and hugged me tightly. “Look, I’m not leaving you alone. You’ll just have to get used to a new commander, who is a bit grumpy and always in a bad mood,” he concluded, amused.
Exactly. I sighed, “Grumpy as well? That’s good…” I looked up at the sky.
Vittorio freed me from his embrace and glanced at the clock. “I hope you won’t bear a grudge for life. I must go now. See you soon and good luck,” he said, heading for the exit. “Mia, one last thing. Do you know that you’re also next door neighbours? I discovered it by chance reading his application. If you need to, you can just take a couple of steps out of your front door and knock on his.”
The news left me speechless and with an ominous feeling. I felt antipathy before even meeting him. Not only was he replacing a good colleague, but he also had the cheek to move in next door to me. I felt vulnerable. I took a deep breath to regain my rationality.
Antonio gave me a pat on the back. “Now, that’s lucky,” he said, before walking away and leaving me on my own.
*
Two hours later I was driving. While travelling at a constant speed, I turned on the radio. I raised the volume when I realized that they were playing hits from the eighties.
For a while I admired the countryside brightened by the clear sky of early spring and nature awakening after a long hibernation. Then I left the landscape of flowers and fields behind, replacing it with the city. Shops, traffic and concrete were mirrored in my eyes. I lowered the window a little to let some air in, and as I approached, my heart awoke suddenly. I was almost there.
I parked in the shade, in the only free place between the wall of a low modern building and a large green military jeep.
I walked towards the main entrance, through an automatic door, and went to reception. They invited me to sit down in the waiting room and after a few minutes a nurse appeared to inform me that the Director was waiting to see me.
I followed her down a narrow hallway and knocked on the door twice. I tried to stifle my sudden shyness. I felt awkward: perhaps it was a natural reaction to that unfamiliar situation which made me excited and disorientated at the same time.
“Please, take a seat. I was waiting for you,” said the Director, rising from his swivel chair. “It’s a pleasure to see you again,” he said, shaking my hand.
It had been several months since I had entered that office for the first time to propose my project. Everything had remained the same: the tidy desk, two chairs and the vase full of fresh tulips. The Director had shown an interest from the start, but had preferred to deliberate a little before giving a definite answer. I couldn’t believe that I was in his office for a ‘yes’.
“You’re always so nice to me. I’m the one having to thank you for believing in me and in pet therapy, I will not let you down,” I said, full of enthusiasm.
The Director smiled and touched his chin. His intelligent eyes were hidden behind a pair of modern glasses. “You shouldn’t be afraid of disappointing me, but the children to whom I have promised your visits. They can’t wait to meet you and to start the activities that we talked about during the last meeting. I chose three patients of different ages and problems in order to get a broad view of the benefits.”
“I can’t wait to start. I’m sure it will be beneficial.”
The Director tried to summarize in a few words the reason why I was there.
“Like I said, if everything goes according to plan, we will be able to review the project and expand it,” he said, placing a stack of papers on his desk.
Someone knocked on the door and opened it a few centimetres.
“I wanted an opinion on this report—” He ended the phrase abruptly when he noticed my presence.
“Please, Alberto, come in. You’ve come just at the right moment,” said the Director, asking him to take a seat next to me. A charming man of about forty entered, rather tall, with broad shoulders, a lean physique, sculpted jaw and short hair. He stretched out his hand to introduce himself and smiled, showing white teeth that contrasted with hazel eyes framed by fine lines. “Pleased to meet you, Alberto,” he introduced himself in a deep voice.
I bowed my head slightly. “Mia,” I answered.
“Mia, I’m happy to introduce you to one of our best doctors. Alberto will be happy to show you around and if you have any problems, please ask him,” and then he added, “I really admire your determination with this project.”
I got up and shook his hand. “Thank you for your compliments and especially for this wonderful opportunity.” The Director handed Alberto a folder. “Now, I’ll leave you in good company because I have to attend to some business. Call me when you’re free for an interview with the children and their parents,” he concluded, before the phone rang. I smiled, hoping to appear re-assuring, and waved at him. I left the office following Alberto, who was walking swiftly towards the right side of the hospital, which was so white it was blinding.
“So you’re a vet…”
I always felt embarrassed to talk about what I did. Not because I didn’t feel satisfied, but because it was like displaying an intimate part of me.
“Yes, I manage a little clinic outside town.”
“As a child I dreamed of becoming a vet,” he said.
“What made you change your mind?”
Alberto shrugged and didn’t answer immediately. He was thoughtful. “I gave up. My father was a famous surgeon, now retired, and he wanted me to continue in his profession,” he answered softly. “In the end, I thank him because I really love my job.”
I observed the serious expression on his face. A note of regret had appeared in his voice.
Hearing that story reminded me of when I was an adolescent. I knew perfectly well what it meant to clash with the expectations of one’s family, even though I had succeeded in acheiving my dream.
Alberto changed the subject and flipped through the file in his hand. “You will have three patients to attend to. One is called Lukas and has had leukaemia for several months, then there is a little girl with deteriorating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The last one is an autistic eleven year old boy.”
I nodded, continuing to follow him. “Do you already know where I can carry out the activities?”
“Weather permitting, the garden is at your disposal and you may organize it as you see fit. It’s not possible to introduce any animal into the patient’s rooms, but there are some common areas that we could equip. What do you think?”
I tried to fight back the emotions that thr
eatened to overwhelm me.
Alberto stood in front of my silence. “All clear?”
“I think so.”
For a moment our eyes met. Alberto continued to stare at me with a serious look, his eyes were penetrating.
The sound of his pager broke that moment of embarrassment. “I’m so sorry, I really have to go.”
“No problem, I’ll see you soon. Thank you, Doctor, for your kindness and patience,” I said, holding out my hand.
A long silence.
Alberto squeezed it firmly and his face broke into a sweet and seductive smile. “Call me Alberto.”
I bit my lip and watched him walk away one step at a time until he turned and slipped into one of the rooms. I stood there for a moment wondering what Fiamma would have thought. Certainly he would have passed with flying colours.
*
When I got home that evening, my back ached. I sat down on the sofa to catch my breath, stretched my legs and let myself fall into a stupor.
The sound of nails on the floor startled me. I looked at the clock and realized it was almost time for dinner.
“What now?”. I scolded Bubu, who was running impatiently around the room. To be honest, I knew what he wanted. With time, I had learned to recognize every signal.
“Can’t you wait for five minutes? Or better still, you’re free to go out and come back whenever you want, you’re of age now, at least according to the age of dogs,” I muttered, frowning.
Bubu didn’t seem to like the proposal and jumped on the sofa, scratching my arm with his paw.
I laughed and hugged him. “Okay, message received and understood. Come on.”
I pulled on a hooded sweatshirt and took him for a walk.
I inherited my love for animals from my grandparents. I used to spend entire evenings in my grandfather’s arms, sitting on the sofa watching documentaries and bombarding him with questions like a small machine gun. I was a very talkative little girl.
I shivered and pulled up the hood, taking care to cover my ears.
Bubu would stop at every tree to mark his territory.
The street lamps shed a dim light along the road. Many windows of the houses nearby were lit, illuminating the night. I let myself be carried away by the jazz music that filled my ears from my inseparable iPod. I walked slowly, swaying my hips to the beat, letting my body follow the rhythm of the notes.
A black car raced by at high speed and stopped in front of the house to the right of mine. At first, it didn’t seem to be slowing down, but then it braked suddenly with a loud grinding of tyres.
The darkness of the night didn’t help to identify the face of my new neighbour, but I was sure that from the passenger’s side a nice pair of female legs had dropped out.
Oblivious to the situation, Bubu went to sniff whatever he met along his path, then raised his nose to look at me, nostrils flared to catch the air, and continued undaunted, jumping from one puddle to the next, splashing mud everywhere. It was just what he did.
That must be Diego, I thought. Curiosity was eating me up.
Chapter two
I woke up with a start from a strange dream. It was summer and I was resting on a sun bed on a beach, and a flock of seagulls were drawing straight lines and spirals in a sky free of clouds. I was surrounded by palm trees and colourful houses, and seemed to be the only tourist there. In the distance, the sea was dotted with boats with sails swollen by the wind. Everything was muffled and quiet.
When the stranger emerged from the water, I didn’t think twice. I ran to him and finally saw his face. With one hand I touched his cheek and felt his stubble against my fingers. He reciprocated with a look of appreciation. Did he want me as much as I wanted him?
I turned towards the alarm, yawning, with the feeling of not having rested at all. I snuggled under the duvet: it was too early to come back to reality. I closed my eyes, hoping that the dream wouldn’t fade away, but I could feel it disappearing quickly and becoming confused.
With my head buried in the scented lavender pillow, I tried to fall asleep again and to focus once more on the beach. Bubu’s whining made it impossible.
I got out of bed and walked to the window. The sun was high when I threw open the shutters and from the end of the road came voices. I peered out and saw that the black car in the driveway had gone leaving deep ruts in the wet earth.
I didn’t understand why, but the situation began to tickle my curiosity.
I took a hot shower, shaking off the remaining traces of the dream. The water slid over my body, re-awakening it. I breathed in deeply. Why was I so fascinated by my new neighbour, without having even seen him? How pathetic.
After quickly drying my hair, I put on the clothes I had laid out the night before and walked towards the hall. I was about to slip my jacket on when I heard a knock at the door. I opened it, I raised my hand to protect my eyes from the light, and in front of me appeared a man, haughty, with bold features and an important nose, which didn’t look at all out of place on that face.
A strong fragrance invaded my nostrils. A familiar fragrance, which brought me back in time, awakening childhood memories. I remembered the games under the arbour of the house in the mountains, the soft slices of apple pie and my grandfather’s jacket, with pockets always full of mints. Then, suddenly, I recognized him: he was the man that haunted my dreams. I couldn’t believe I had met him and he was just as I had imagined him. What were the odds?
I was so stunned, that I remained motionless with my mouth half open. I tried to convince myself that it wasn’t him and it took me a few seconds to be able to articulate any words. I must have seemed like a real idiot.
“Hello…” I stammered, in surprise.
He glanced at me with an indifferent look, and leaned against the doorway with his arms folded.
“I just moved into town and I appear to be your neighbour.” The voice was contemptuous and inspired anything but friendliness. He seemed so sure of himself.
“Mia, it’s a pleasure. And you are…” I said in a small voice, holding out my hand and disguising the slight embarrassment.
“I’m Diego,” he said, drily.
The handshake was firm and an Apulian accent marked his voice.
Diego took his hand away from mine, he tucked back a lock of hair and looked at me with an anxious air. I had the impression he was nervous, he kept putting his hand on his belt and tapping his foot on the ground.
“Look, we have little time for small talk, let’s talk about work straight away,” he said, sharply and impatiently.
I felt an unexpected anger. How arrogant. That man had created a barrier between us from the outset, making me uneasy. He lowered his sunglasses and I met his gaze: he had cold grey eyes, impossible to read.
“Ok, I’m listening,” I said seriously, putting an end to that silence.
“Vittorio just called me to inform me of a clandestine dog fight in an abandoned shed along the Highway. Two men are already on the spot, but we need your help.” He had regained the professionalism of a real police officer.
“Oh, my goodness! Give me five minutes to get the car keys and the first aid kit.”
“We have little time, come with me. We’ll get there faster,” said Diego, indicating the motorbike, parked just ahead. Panic. What was I supposed to do? I wouldn’t have got on that bike willingly even under the influence of some narcotic substance.
“Wow. It’s impressive,” I said with mock admiration. Slightly too much emphasis, but overall, a good act.
His expression became attentive. “Really? Are you an expert in the field?” Diego’s mouth contracted in amusement on seeing my expression.
“Excuse me?” I answered vaguely, acting as though nothing had happened.
“You’re a bike fanatic?”
“Oh, yes… I love them!” I agreed, almost shouting, although my expression suggested otherwise.
Damned asshole, I thought. And why had I decided to lie like that? It wasn’t the right time
to boast of non-existing passions.
Diego held my gaze with determination. “Then hurry up, you’re still here Do you want to drive it or not?”
I wanted to sink in shame. With what right did he dare make fun of me like that? Oh, yes, I would definitely talk to Vittorio regarding the new addition at the Central.
I tightened my lips and, irritated, turned and went into the house slamming the door. Diego, who was standing on the step, dodged deftly. What a shame it didn’t hit him!
I was panicking. He must have realized that I was improvising. I didn’t want to make things worse than they already were. There was nothing to worry about, it was just my new colleague and neighbour who invited me to tackle one of my worst nightmares. But who did I want to fool? I couldn’t tell him that I had never placed my backside on a bike again after having nearly destroyed my ex-boyfriend’s one.
“What now?” I just mumbled.
I looked through the peep hole and saw Diego with his ear resting on the door.
“What the heck?” I whispered, stifling a groan with my hand.
I ran the chain to open it just a crack.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
Diego almost fell over, then walked away a few paces. “What’s up?”
“Shit, you were eavesdropping?”
“Sorry, but I can’t hear you very well, I was noticing that the front door is in very poor condition. Look here, there’s a stain. You should see to it, it might be mould! Bad thing—”
I closed the door and through the peephole I saw that he had knelt to look at a specific point of my house, and was scraping off plaster with a fingernail.
“Ah, ah. I have to tell Vittorio that among other things, this guy is also loopy,” I muttered, annoyed.
I stood with my back against the wall, then I collapsed on the nearest chair. I looked around, as if the solution could materialize at any moment. I closed my eyes, trying to regain control of the situation. I opened them and met Bubu’s gaze, he was lying under the table.
“Just do it,” I said decisively.