Someone to Love

by Lucy Scala

  Gemma stepped forward, shocked. “Mia, wait…”

  My anger disguised the pain. Diego retreated further and gave me an undecipherable look. “We have to go.”

  I couldn’t speak. A heart breaks in silence.

  I climbed into the car and wrapped my hands round the steering wheel. “I just want to go home and forget this day. In fact, I want to forget everything.”

  Could it be really possible that I had made such a colossal mistake?

  Fiamma seemed to read my mind. “You have to forget him, Mia. He didn’t even have the courage to face you.”

  I forced myself to smile. “If these are today’s men, I’m better off single for life.”

  “You’re a beautiful woman, strong and intelligent. You’ll fall in love with another man and you’ll forget him.”

  At those words, I felt a tremendous sense of emptiness. Before meeting Diego I hadn’t realized how much of my life was empty; he had awakened a part of me that had remained dormant.

  “And how can I forget him?”

  The days had slipped away quickly and I continued to live my life as if the lawsuit had never existed. Diego hadn’t even called me once after he left and his phone was always switched off. I felt so stupid for having shared my feelings with him, but I wouldn’t give him the chance to ruin my life. There were moments when I seemed to feel well and others when time seemed to pass very slowly. I went on like this for days, and the pain I felt had become all too familiar.

  Nothing could dispel the gloom that I had fallen into.

  “Do you want another cup of tea?” Fiamma interrupted my train of thought, approaching the table.

  “No thanks, I’m not very hungry,” I said with a grimace.

  Fiamma toyed with her elastic hair band, and suddenly, her expression changed “Of course! That’s where I saw her…”

  I looked puzzled. “Who are you referring to?”

  “That day I didn’t give any importance to the fact that I saw them together, but now everything is clear,” and she burst into incredulous laughter. “Do you remember the blonde full of plastic surgery? The one who abused us because we brought the dog inside the hospital?”

  I nodded. “And how could I forget her.”

  “She’s a doctor! Mia, she’s a doctor,” she repeated. “I saw her in the hallway talking to Patty and their relationship didn’t seem just professional. Indeed, they gave me the impression of being accomplices because, as soon as I passed in front of them, they stopped talking and each one took a different direction. I can bet that it was her that wrote the medical certificate.”

  “Can I be honest? I don’t know who’s helping her in this war. I just know that it’s all absurd,” I sighed impatiently. “Every morning I wake up convinced that it’s all a terrible nightmare, but every time that document and Diego’s empty house remind me that it’s all real.”

  “It’ll be all right…” muttered Fiamma. I was surprised how much she believed in me. She had the power to re-assure me.

  I let the vision of the children resurface in my memory. Feeding on those smiles, so pure and genuine, was the only thing that awakened within me the desire to fight.

  “I know you will be strong and not crushed by this situation. Patty will have to apologize on her knees for everything she’s doing to you. I’m sorry for her illness, but she and her son must get out of your life!” she snarled in anger.

  “I don’t see it that way. I hate to hear you shouting. Who knows, maybe they’re all hurdles I have to overcome…” I whispered. A music filled the room. Not just any melody, I would recognize it amongst a thousand tunes. A re-assuring sound like the wind blowing on your skin and familiar like a friendly voice. That sweet and harmonious melody came from my grandmother’s old carillon. A golden aluminium box on which was engraved a brief dedication: Someone is watching you from above. It had first belonged to my great-grandmother, but it had stopped working years ago. I turned round and saw Bubu near the table. He was sitting down, trying to touch the ballerina dancing inside the music box with his nose.

  With trembling hands, I got up and stepped unsteadily towards the tiny casket. I dropped on the couch with all my weight and stroked Bubu’s soft fur, then thanked him silently and passed my finger around the box. It felt cold and smooth to the touch, despite the signs of wear left by time.

  “Mia, what is it?” Fiamma asked, worried and perplexed, already at my side.

  I leaned forward, taking my head in my hands, trying to suffocate the overwhelming physical pain I felt. How could I overcome the adversities of life without her presence? I desperately needed her. They had left me too soon.

  What law established who to take from the world and who to leave?

  “I hadn’t heard the carillon play for so long… I thought I’d never hear it again.” I whispered softly.

  “You’re upset because of this?”

  I could hardly speak. “I haven’t heard that carillon play for years. I can’t remember the last time I heard that melody. Why today?”

  Bubu came to me, and I hugged him tightly as if he was the most precious thing in the world. When he was tired he freed himself and trotted cheerfully round the table.

  Fiamma’s lips curled into a smile. “I have a strange theory about life. I think people, when they leave us, never really leave completely.” She laced her fingers with mine, and continued. “A part of them stays with us. We can’t see them, but we can perceive them. Your grandmother loved you and I’m sure she’s here, close to you, to protect you.”

  I nodded, partly comforted by those words. “Yes, I owe it to her, I owe it to them and I owe it to those children. Life is testing me once again? And I’m going to prove I’m a fighter.”

  I looked at Fiamma and her eyes answered for her.

  *

  After a quick shower, I went up to my room and got dressed. In the end, I chose a blue suit and sat down on the bed, preparing to face the difficult hearing that awaited me.

  Bubu was staring at me. He had dropped his ball at my feet, wanting me to play with him. Just looking at him gave me positive energy, and at that time, I needed it. Before I went out, I took a last look at him and saw him looking back at me. Once again, I knew he was on my side.

  Outside, the sky was a flat colourless canvas. I would have rather looked up to be kissed by the sun, that would have given me warmth, than be whipped by that cold air.

  The court was a tall, long and uneven building, flanked by well-tended hedges. I left the car in the large parking lot and entered the noisy hall, crowded with men and women looking tense, and had an uncomfortable feeling of suffocation. I slipped into the elevator and pressed myself into the corner, trying to catch my breath. I was hoping that my knees would stop shaking and my heart would slow down.

  When finally, after an unnerving wait, the doors opened, I found myself in front of a female figure, silhouetted against the glowing outline of a window. My mother.

  Why was she here? Federico had assured me of his silence, but obviously he hadn’t kept quiet with his wife.

  I stepped forward and she took my hands. “How are you?” she asked, moving a rebellious lock of hair away from my face.

  “I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck…” then I added. “Lucy told you, right?”

  She chuckled. “Don’t blame her, you’d have done the same, and I thought that on a day like this you needed our support.” She pointed to my father and Federico. “I introduced you to that man. And I really want to believe you, but you realize it’s all so strange…”

  I snorted. “Thanks Mum. I never doubted your support.”

  “I have good news for you,” Federico re-assured me, giving me a sign to follow him and my father to a corner.

  “I really need some…” I limited myself to muttering under my breath.

  “The hearing will be held by the magistrate Andrea Luzzi. He’s not liked very much in general, unfortunately.” he said, moving his tie.

  I blink
ed my eyelids several times and stared at him, shocked. “And you call this good news? If you wanted to make me feel worse, you just did!” I snapped, raising my voice.

  Federico put a hand on my mouth to keep me quiet. “If you let me finish…”

  I crossed my arms and nodded with a sullen air. He put on a pair of glasses and looked around, as if to make sure no one could hear him. “Although the name may be misleading, Andrea is a woman. I’m sure that she will evaluate your case in every detail and will attempt a reconciliation between the parties. You’ll see that everything will be fine and will prove your innocence.”

  “All this is very hard for me, but I’ll win. In fact, I’ll tell you more. Patty will have to apologize to me for everything she’s done.”

  Before I had time to say more, Dad passed an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. And if not, we’ll get back at them somehow,” joked my father, with accentuated wrinkles around his eyes.

  I wiped a tear away and suddenly felt like a little girl. I had forgotten the feeling of security that my father had known how to give me when I was young. It had been many years, but the warmth was still the same.

  When Patty arrived she greeted me with a cold nod. A bucket full of iced water over my head would have been less painful. She remained composed in her impeccable suit, but her sweet scent invaded my nostrils and forced me to turn the other way, to where my parents were sitting. Everyone was there for me and I wouldn’t let them down.

  Alberto arrived soon after. I couldn’t feel even an iota of compassion towards that man who, in order to please his mother, had brought about this scenario. I didn’t recognize the loyal and kind doctor I had known.

  Several minutes that seemed like hours went by, during which I didn’t have the strength to look at anyone, I was so tense. Eventually, a female voice announced that it was our moment.

  I sat down and watched Federico for a glimmer of comfort.

  Patty sat next to me. I turned for one last time and my parents winked at me to re-assure me that they would be there until it was all over.

  The voices faded when the magistrate entered the room, calling everyone to order.

  My lawyer outlined the reason for the hearing, and then read the charges held against me.

  “Miss Vitale, you have been called to answer in court for attacking the lady present here. Is it true?” asked Federico.

  I shook my head. “No, I never attacked the lady. In fact, Signora Patty is a client of mine and our relationship is limited to this. I never had any reason to hurt her.”

  “But the other party says otherwise,” objected the judge.

  Federico picked up the situation and went on. “Would you like to explain to everyone present the reasons for you saying this?”

  “Yes, I run a veterinary clinic and I treated Patty’s dogs, but our relationship never went any deeper than that. Unfortunately, things got out of hand after I met her son.”

  “What do you mean?” asked the judge.

  I looked her straight in the eye. “Patty is ill and wants to push me into continuing the relationship with her son,” I stopped to catch my breath. “To have a grandson before she dies.”

  The whispers amplified in my ears.

  The lawyer of the other party objected. “This assertion is biased and irrelevant to the hearing.”

  “I disagree, since my client insists on being a victim.”

  Andrea Luzzi sighed. “I don’t want a confrontational hearing. I’ll listen to both sides and I will try, if possible, to find a solution.”

  I said, with my voice breaking. “I’m just telling you the truth: I never in any way touched that woman.”

  “Judge, I would like to show you the medical reports that confirm the attack. Signora Dibiasi has suffered from arm injuries and must take medication for panic attacks that came on following the attack,” he added finally, showing the judge a sheaf of papers.

  The judge flipped through them one by one, without betraying any emotion. “Please, continue.”

  “It is true that Signorina Mia Vitale dated, albeit for a short time, her son, but couldn’t stand the idea that their relationship wasn’t official. And when Alberto left her for another woman, she began to get pushy, trying to find help through Signora Dibiasi to get back with her son.”

  “But that’s a lie! Alberto, tell him!” I shouted.

  The judge called me to order, startling me. “Signorina Vitale! Let’s listen to what the lawyer has to say without becoming hysterical.”

  I sighed, unable to utter a word. I felt drained.

  “Certainly,” I said, raising my head.

  “Signorina Vitale could not accept it, and when they met at the supermarket, she couldn’t stand the harsh verbal confrontation and attacked her.”

  “Yes, that’s how it went,” confirmed Patty. “It was a shock to see her so angry with me. I’ve attended her veterinary clinic for years and she’s always been a sensitive and helpful girl. Instead, at the supermarket she vented her anger against me and attacked me,” she remarked, showing the bandage on her arm.

  The judge spoke. “I see. Let’s move on… I see the name of Alice Bellini appear in the witness list, how can she be helpful in proving otherwise?”

  “She works at the supermarket’s information desk,” explained Federico. “Mia had entrusted her dog to her while doing the shopping, and she hadn’t seen anything that could account for the marks that the lady is claiming.”

  “So we have an employee who says she hasn’t seen Vitale quarrel with Mrs Dibiasi. The son was present, right?” The judge asked.

  I replied instantly. “Alice can provide an explanation: my dog jumped on Patty to grab a chocolate. And I don’t know why her son would confirm that, since while I was talking to his mother he was in the parking lot putting the shopping in the car.”

  “Too bad that there were no other employees at the information desk to confirm what you are saying.” My adversary made fun of me.

  “Yes, because Alice’s colleague had gone to verify an error on your receipt. What a curious coincidence,” I said, with a touch of venom.

  “As I thought,” concluded Patty’s lawyer, with a polite fleeting smile on his harsh face.

  Patty faked a compassionate look.

  I felt my heart fall and shatter on the floor of the cold marble hall.

  It couldn’t end like this.

  Chapter twenty

  Suddenly the sound of a door opening filled the hall followed by total silence. I blinked several times to make sure that the vision was real and not a figment of my imagination. It was like seeing the sun rise after a storm.

  “What’s happening?” I heard mumbling from the prosecution, alarmed.

  Fiamma, Antonio and Diego had shown up in the courtroom, with a complicit smiles on their faces.

  Up until a while before I was at the mercy of myself and I couldn’t count on anyone, but now I was no longer alone, and this gave me an intense feeling of relief.

  I fought back the tears and whispered a shy ‘thank you’. Fiamma and Antonio had invented a lot of excuses to not be present at the hearing, keeping me in the dark. How could I have doubted them even for a moment?

  The judge Luzzi looked at those present. “I must courteously ask you all to leave the courtroom, it is not possible for you to stay here until the end of the hearing.”

  Patty stood up from her chair, her face hardened. “You looked for allies?” she challenged.

  “She’s right, let’s leave,” cried Diego, catching my eye. “Federico, tell the judge about the video…” and closed the door.

  “Can I have an explanation?” asked the judge.

  Federico nodded. “I have a tape that can demonstrate how things actually went. I managed to get the video from the supermarket surveillance cameras.”

  At first, Patty was shocked, then angry. “It’s just a stupid video, and it means nothing. It could be the video from any other day, it was not the
first time I had met Mia in the supermarket,” she laughed. “That doesn’t prove anything,” she barked. Then she pointed a finger at Federico’s chest: “You … you’ll pay dearly for this!”

  Patty’s lawyer gave her a reproachful look, and rubbed a hand down his neck.

  “Madam, careful with your words. I think it’s better to take a break. We’ll return in a quarter of an hour,” concluded the judge, without betraying any emotion.

  I walked out of the courtroom through the double doors, followed by Federico.

  My head began to spin so strongly that when Fiamma jumped around my neck, I nearly fell.

  “Mia, have you seen it? We’ll show those guys!” she exclaimed, in a serious tone.

  I held her tight and I stamped a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you for coming. I don’t understand anything any more, what are you doing here? “I said, pulling back a little.

  A hand touched my shoulder. A kind and gentle touch: it was Gemma.

  “Hello, Mia, I owe you an explanation,” she began, with a hopeful look. Her face looked more relaxed and she seemed at least five years younger. I didn’t dare ask, but I was sure they had given her good news about Lukas’s health. At that moment, I couldn’t hate her because my head was too busy wondering why she was here.

  “Excuse me, but you and Diego are the last people I want to see today. I don’t hold it against you, I just don’t care any more, all that counts now is for me to get out of this situation,” I said.

  Diego hugged her, sliding a hand along her head. I was blinded by jealousy, but refrained. “She’s Gemma, Eva’s sister,” he said.

  “Eva? I don’t understand. In fact, now I have to…”

  Diego grasped my wrist and invited me to sit down. He was anxious. “No, you have to listen to me, now.”

  He pulled out a photo from the pocket of his jeans and placed it in front of my eyes.

  That woman looked incredibly like me. My blood froze in my veins.

  “Who is she?” I asked, confused.

  “This is Eva, my wife.”

  I put my hand to my mouth. Diego was married and hadn’t told me anything. I threw myself against him with all my strength, hitting him with my fists.