by C. M. Carpi
Daniel
The house was perfect. Although the wooden floor was old, it was well conserved. The walls had been recently painted white and the furniture was covered with white sheets. Everything was very clean.
“Did you ask anyone to come before you?”
“No, but I think my grandma took care of it after I told her we’d come here.” — She went back to the kitchen. — “I loved this kitchen! There’s an old-style fridge.” — She pointed and passed by me while going up the wood stairs to the second floor.
There were three big rooms and just one restroom. Not surprisingly. The house was very old.
“I liked that.” — I pointed to the Victorian style bathtub. She smiled and came to my direction, but something in the other room stopped her.
“I can’t believe this was here!” — She went inside a room. Her hands ran over a white sheet covering another piece of furniture. She revealed an old piano by pulling the sheet.
She seemed very happy, almost hypnotized while walking around it and touching the keys. She kept a smile on her face, but I couldn’t tell if she were happy. I walked to her, but I decided to wait.
“It’s been years since I saw this piano.” — She said almost in a whisper and I don’t think she was talking to me. She pulled the sheet covering the bench and sat. She kept her hands over the keys and her eyes closed as if she were saying a prayer. Suddenly her fingers started moving like magic and I felt the room being filled by the music.
She plays the piano!
I leaned on the wall and admired her concentration and her flippancy in front of the piano. Her eyes were still closed and her body moving back and forth while she played Moonlight sonata from Beethoven.
When the song was over, she stared at it for some time before closing it and covering again.
“You are a magic box, Elena.” — I went close to her as she smiled embarrassed; she looked as if she felt guilty for not telling me before.
“My mother was a pianist and this was her piano. It was in our house in Beaufort.”
Suddenly she looked sad and moving away, she went to the window to stare at the street. She always did the same thing when she talked about her parents, but when she talked about her mother she seemed devastated. I cuddled her and she leaned her head on my chest while she was holding my arms.
“I started playing when I was six.My grandma was a great pianist and she was the one who taught me.” — She was silent again and took some deep breaths before talking again. — “At first I wanted to learn because of her, because I wanted her to notice me, but then I started to love music.” — Her voice choked and I noticed she was crying. I held her closer and kissed her head. — “I thought she would love me more, but she never made me a compliment nor a negative comment. I’d be happy even if she’d told me I wasn’t good because then I’d know she was paying attention to me.”
“You don’t have to talk about it, Elena.” — I said facing her. I caressed her face and kissed her tears, her eyes, and her mouth gently. She continued absorbed in her thoughts staring at nothing. I hated to see her like this.
“After she killed herself I felt so angry!” — She bellowed and then tried to control herself. I embraced her and she cried even more, the way she cried at the hotel in Florence after having the nightmare about their deaths.
“Elena, please don’t cry.” — But she cried even harder. Her body seemed to lose strength and I sat on the floor to let her cry with her hands around my neck.
When she finally calmed down I pushed her back gently to look at her face. She looked away and leaned on the wall beside me, exhausted. Her eyes continued fixed at the piano and then she said something while pointing to it.
“After her funeral when I came back home I tried to destroy the piano with a hammer.” — She looked at me and smiled, but I didn’t like her bitter expression. I touched her hand and kissed it while she laid her head on my shoulder. — “My grandmother didn’t let me destroy it and the next day it was gone. I never thought I’d find it here. That’s the first time I play since that night.”
“You play very well.” — She timidly smiled. — “I don’t like to see you bad.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just…”
“You don’t have to apologize, love, but you need to get over it.”
“I know.”
“You can’t deal with the mess your mother brought over you.”
“Look who’s talking.” — She tried to look serious and I laughed at the irony in my comment. — “We’re such a great couple, aren’t we?”
I couldn’t agree more.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to live here?”
“Don’t start this again, Mr. Marshall.” — She touched my nose with her finger. — “I won’t change my mind.”
“Just gave it a shot.” — I shrugged. — “Let’s have lunch?” — I reached the door and she followed me.
“Can I choose the restaurant?”
“No.”
“Please?”
“No.” — I said while we were going downstairs holding hands, but she stopped and pulled my arm really hard making me stop.
“Daniel!”
“The last time you chose hamburger.”
“And today I’d like a hot dog.” — I opened my mouth to protest, but she was so beautiful with that smile that I couldn’t say no.
“Today you’ll eat the best hot dog you’ve ever had in your life.”
“I’m sure I will.”
* * *
We chose a table outside Nathan’s Famous and she devoured her hot dog.
“Did you like it?”
“Come on! This is the best hot dog ever!” — She pointed to the plate in front of her. I smiled at her enthusiasm and reached out to clean the mustard on the corner of her mouth. — “Can I try yours?”
“Sure.” — I gave her my hotdog and she took out a great piece.
“Hum, this is much better!” — She said while returning my hot dog. I bought one with cheese and chilli while she preferred the original. — “Let’s switch.”
She isn’t real, I thought while handing her my plate.
“Can we go to the Statue of Liberty?” — She asked while we finished a huge glass of coke.
“Did you bring your camera?”
“Always.” — She said putting her hand inside the purse.
We crossed the Brooklyn Bridge by car and spent the rest of the afternoon visiting the touristic places of New York. After we spent some time sitting on the ground zero.
“Were you here when it was attacked?” — She asked in a whisper.
The silence there was incredible. I’ve been here some times since they inaugurated the memorial but I couldn’t get used to the atmosphere of sadness involving this place, and I believe everyone felt the same.
“Yes, it was a little before my trip.”
“Did you know anyone?”
“My uncle.”
“I’m sorry.” — She held my hand and caressed me with her thumbs.
“He was my mother’s youngest brother.”
“Did he have a family?”
“He was divorced by that time, but I have a cousin who is Sophie’s age.” — She looked carefully at me. — “He lives with his mother in Toronto.”
“Do you see each other often?”
“Three times a year or more. My mother is his godmother.”
I think this was the first tragedy I lived thru. September 11th was devastating to all of us. People from all around the world suffered with us, but only the ones who knew this pain close,or knew someone who died in that fateful day can understand what that really meant.
“Did you know anyone?”
“No.” — She whispered while looking away
. — “Let’s go?”
Elena
He was right. Everyone should go to New York at least once. I’ve barely seen the place and I was already in love with it.
“My parents will come to dinner today.” — He said casually while looking at the clock. — “We still have a few hours.”
“Your parents are coming?” — I stood in front of the elevator with hands around my waist.
“What’s the problem?” — He grabbed the control on the couch and turned on the radio. It played Scorpions ‘When you came into my life’. This became one of my favorite songs since Daniel introduced me the band. It was perfect for me, and I’m sure he felt the same.
“No problem… it’s just…”
“What, Elena?” — He pulled me and touched my body with his.
“You will introduce me to your parents.” — He nodded and touched my nose with his while slowly kissing my lips. His body went back and forth slowly in the rhythm of the song.
“My mother is dying to meet you.” — His lips touched my neck.
“What if she doesn’t like me?”
“That’s impossible.” — He bit my lips and his hands pressed my body while his erection showed through his jeans. Wow! He opened his lips and he picked me up and led me to the couch. He didn’t lay over me, just stared at me.
I started undressing slowly, unbuttoning my shirt while looking at him. His eyes filled with desire in a deep ecstasy. I unbuttoned my trousers and took them off slowly along with my panties while raising my hips. He took off his shirt through his head and I was breathless. His abdomen looked like one of Michelangelo’s works.
He turned to take off his trousers and lay over me supporting his weight on his elbows and kissing me fervently. Our teeth touched, then, our tongues met. With one hand he caressed my breasts under the fine lace of my bra. The other held my hair strongly.
His lips were warm and soft against my skin making my desire increase. He was breathless and I turned on just to think what I was capable of doing to him. I sat abruptly, and pushed him against the couch and sat on his lap. He widened his eyes with desire.
His hands went down to my hips as I kissed his neck, his chest, and his belly while caressing his groin. I kissed his mouth again while he embraced me with strength and raised his hips against mine.
“I want you now, Elena.” — His voice was croaky and clipped as I bit his ear.”
“Not yet.” — I whispered and kissed him before he could answer. He moaned inside my mouth and pressed his fingers on my back.
I released from his embrace and kissed his belly again while putting my fingers inside his underwear and removing it through his legs. I kissed every centimeter of his body and went up and down while biting his thigh, then I finally went up his belly with my tongue until I got to his neck.
“You’re driving me crazy.” — He whispered in my ears and pressed his teeth while he kept his hands on my face. I ran my hand down his belly and grabbed his erection while he moaned and put his head back. He raised his hips to touch mine and I started moving up and down slowly, he looked at me with dark eyes and I went faster. He started to move my hand breathless as his groans echoed all over the apartment.
“I can’t stand it.” — I smiled triumphant. — “Elena…”
I raised my hips and let him go inside me. His eyes were closed and his mouth half-opened. I got his hands to the top of his head and released my weight against them while moving my body over his in a really slow movement as he followed. When he tried to go faster I’d stop and kiss him. He was too excited and watching him like that gave me a different kind of pleasure.
“Love…” — He said, but his voice choked. I noticed he was at his limit. I let him grab my hips and press my sensible skin. His movements were faster inside my body and his eyes shone with lust and excitement.
I released my body and supported the weight on his thighs. I was ready, I’m always ready for him. I felt the electricity going all over my body. I closed my eyes and let the orgasm take control of every piece of my body while I called his name.
“Elena, ah!” — He cried out in ecstasy while reaching the top of pleasure with me.
I fell over him without forces, almost paralyzed. He embraced me with strength and kissed my hair gently.
I couldn’t speak, I just felt like I was outside of my body and he seemed to feel the same. I closed my eyes and slept in his embrace. This was my favorite way to sleep.
* * *
“Shit!” — I woke up and Daniel sat beside me on the couch very upset. He grabbed his clothes on the floor and he was completely naked. — “Elena, get up!” — I stretched slowly and admired the tasteful man in front of me. — “We blanked out. My parents will arrive at any moment.”
I got up startled and grabbed my clothes. I laughed when I imagined the scene: the two of them getting inside to see both of us completely naked and sleeping on the couch. Caught in the act, like teenagers. I couldn’t stop laughing while thinking about it.
“What?” — He smiled when he asked. I shook my head and my hand in the air and he turned. — “I’ll have a quick shower.”
While he walked fast through the hallway I admired his beautiful ass. Wow! And it’s just mine!
“I thought we were going to take a shower together.” — I made an innocent voice while getting in the room after him and teased him. He stopped and looked at me with his eyes shining.
“Are you teasing me, Elena?” — He said slowly while coming to my direction and picking me up.
“You bet I am.” — He smiled. That half smiled has always made me lose control. I kissed his lips slowly while pulling his hair.
“I believe they can wait a little.” — He said inside my mouth and pulled me inside the bathroom.
The intercom rang at the very moment he put his black t-shirt on and his dark jeans. As usual, he wore his white All Star.
“I’ll wait for you in the living room.” — He was already leaving when I called him back.
“What should I dress to meet your parents?”
He looked at me and shrugged.
“Anything.”
I raised an eyebrow and he came closer pulling my towel.
“You are beautiful anyway.” — The intercom rang again. He kissed my mouth quickly and shouted. — “Don’t take too long!”
I chose a dark green long skirt and a white sleeveless shirt with laces. I put on my brown heels and a belt marking my waist. My biggest problem was my hair. I pulled a side braid and put big earrings with jewels I made during high school.
I walked to the living room and tried to listen to their conversation, but the voices were too low.
“There she is!” — Daniel said while placing his glass of wine on the bench and looking at me. — “Dad, mom, this is Elena.”
His mother was tall and had herblonde hair peaked very discreetly. She was very beautiful and when she smiled, I could see Daniel in her. She had brown and expressive eyes. She wore a dark blue long dress with a discreet cleavage, pearl necklace and red shoes. Simple and elegant.
“Elena, dear.” — She hugged me and kissed my cheek gently.I hugged her timidly. — “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Is that so?” — I asked looking at Daniel. He smiled.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Marshall.”
“Oh, please. Call me Olivia.” — I assented.
“Elena.” — His father kissed my cheek. Now I know why Daniel has such beautiful eyes. He had gray hair, but one could notice it’s been dark before. I don’t know if it was the occasion, but his hair seemed messed. — “Very nice to meet you.” — He touched my arm and turned to Daniel. — “She’s much more beautiful than you mentioned, Daniel.” — He just nodded and kept his hands on his pockets while looking down. I felt my heart ju
mping from my chest and I believe that’s because Daniel spoke about me to his parents like he had never talked about another woman before. Or it’s because I felt completely loved.
“Nice to meet you, Mr.….” — I started but he interrupted me.
“John.”
“Nice to meet you, John.”
“Would you like a glass of wine?” — Daniel asked.
“Please”.
“We need music.” — His father got the iPod connected to the speakers and started searching for something nice. I could hear a guitar riff very low, changing the atmosphere.
“Do you like Pink Floyd, Elena?”
I looked at him embarrassed for the fact I’ve only listened to ‘Another brick in the wall’.
“Elena has a very particular taste for music, dad.” — Daniel said while sitting beside me on the couch and giving me a glass of wine. — “But I’m taking care of it.” — He blinked and I smiled.
“So, are you an architect?” — His mother changed the subject.
“Yes. I graduated last year but I haven’t started working yet.”
“She’s an excellent photographer.” — Daniel interrupted me again. — “You need to see the pictures she took during the trip.”
“I’m sure they’re beautiful.” — She said looking at me and pointing to the picture of theStatue of Liberty above the fireplace, and continued. — “Did he show you his paintings?”
“Yes, he did. They’re amazing.”
“He was very talented since he was a child.” — She said as a proud mother looking at the picture and then at him, who smiled timidly.
“Do you intend to stay in New York?” — His father asked while sitting beside Olivia.
“That’s the plan.” — Daniel put his hand on my leg while I answered and I had to restrain the impulse of taking it out. Although it was a soft touch, it gave me chills. — “I’ll look for a place to rent, like a hangar where I can base my architecture office, expose my photographs perhaps.” — I stopped drinking the wine and felt my face going red while everybody paid attention to me. — “I want to teach photography to children in need. Perhaps I’ll teach music and acting all in the same place.