by Mae Temson
“Now I have found you again I don't intend to lose sight of you any more. Do you know what I just thought of? What picture came to mind?”
“Your little bedroom at your Grandparents.”
“Yes! Wow I..”
“Us sitting so close, just like this. Me terrified, exactly like this and.....”
“Me kissing you...like this.”
She turned to me and cupped my face with her free hand. She looked at me so intently before leaning in and pressing her lips to mine. Another wave of desire swept through me and I returned the kiss.
I felt her hand tighten on mine as our kisses grew deeper. I was almost lost to her when she pulled away,
“Not here.” She breathed, “It's a little too public for both of us I think.” She squeezed my hand again and let go to sit a little further apart.
The sound of the square began to filter back in to my consciousness and I realised she was more than right. Neither of us needed our private lives bandied across the internet or social media. We had done well to separate public and private persona’s and had maintained an almost impossible level of privacy so far.
“Well, Ms Falcone” I said, leaning back to take her in all over again, “What the hell do we do now?
“Well I know what I'd like to do. “She grinned, “but this time let's be sensible. I have to go to see my Father tomorrow and you have a date in Rome right?”
“Right...but I...”
“How about I get you back to your hotel. You rest, I drive to Talamone tomorrow and see Papa and Samuele and then maybe, if it's what you want, I will come and find you in Rome?”
“Of Course that's what I want. I'm not sure I'll last out two days till I see you again but yes that is what I want.”
“Dear Delta, We have waited fifteen years. Two more days will be a cinch.”
18
She was so right and so wrong in the same instance. Yes it probably was the right thing to do. We had only just reconnected, a small break to take stock was advisable but waiting two whole days to see her again was as far from a cinch as I had ever been.
She walked me to the hotel that night and we exchanged phone numbers before parting again. Not before another kiss though. Another kiss that sent me straight back to sixteen again. Life may have contrived to keep us apart but as far as I could see it had not quashed our feelings at all. Not for me anyway.
After a restless night full of dreams filled with Abrielle, I spent the next two days travelling to, and then sightseeing a little bit of Rome whilst convincing myself, despite her texts to the contrary, that she would have regretted kissing me and that I would never see her again. I was beginning to realise that my glass is perpetually empty never mind half full.
I would have loved to explore Rome with her but she wouldn't be arriving till the day before the first concert and by then my schedule would be hectic. I had sound checks to do and the Record Company, in their wisdom, had arranged several fan meet and greet sessions which would keep me tied up on and off for quite some time.
We are playing at the Orion Club on Viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 52. It's in a district about half an hour from down town. I have never been there but Dave went to a gig there a couple years ago and he said he loved it. When the record company suggested adding Rome to the tour dates this was the only place Dave would agree to. It holds a crowd of just over one thousand which is perfect, he said in affording everyone the best view. The fans can get really close to the stage too which is always great for interacting. I always preferred the small, intimate gigs in the days when I was still able to go to them. I loved the feel of being able to be that close to someone I admired. I hope our fans feel the same way. We have a small band of dedicated followers that are at almost every gig we do. They call themselves Delta Devotees. I don't know how they do it but they do. If any have made to the Rome gigs then they will love this venue.
The low capacity is also the reason we are doing three nights here. The first date sold out in less than an hour and both the record company and the venue were keen to add further dates. Mick would only ever agree to three in any one place. He wont stay in a place for longer. I don't know why. It's always been a thing with him, we have never questioned him. We love him and so we have always respected it.
The boys are due to fly in this morning and hopefully Abrielle will get here later today. I still can't quite convince myself that she will turn up.
19
It's so good to see the boys again. Everyone in their party is very tight lipped about what they got up to in Vegas although Mick is keen to tell me how much he won playing Craps. He has doubled his playing money and the others are certain they came back with over half of theirs. Whether I believe them is debatable but it sounds like they all had a fantastic time and that is what matters right?. No-one has even the hint of a tan though so I am guessing there wasn't much time spent outdoors. For now though, it's back to business.
We work through our our usual pre-gig routines. Luckily we are able to set up in advance. There is no gig at the Orion Club tonight and the venue has let us in early. My stomach is in knots and for once it isn't pre-performance nerves. I feel like I am sleep walking through everything, certain I will wake up to a reality I won't like. I can hardly concentrate on anything but the thought of Abrielle.
Our support band, Flight at 9, has arrived. They are a nice bunch of lads a four piece from Ireland. Really talented with a unique vibe that I love we heard them playing somewhere along the line and kept them in mind for our next tour. They were available when asked and so joined us for the long haul. If I am honest they make me feel incredibly old and a little out of touch but I love them all. Their antics take me back to our early days and their enthusiasm is great to be around. They are just starting out and it's great to be able to give them a hand. They have a very minimalist set up which slots in to our more complicated one with no need for major instrument shuffling or rearrangement at the end of their set.
I really like this venue. It takes me back to some of our early gigs. Small intimate places. I am excited by the prospect of the atmosphere we should be able to generate and I'm excited for the run of gigs. I love performing but everything seems unreal right now. Like I am in limbo. It's getting late now, not that late I guess but I am beginning to get despondent. I am beginning to convince myself that she has bailed, that she has decided not to come to Rome after all. Other than our usual pre-gig routines which are almost habitual now I can't settle to anything. I am certain Dave knows there is something up but so far he hasn't said anything.
The boys are all ravenous and a little jet lagged so they are heading back to town. They want to eat and explore Rome a little but need to change and refresh a little first. Our hotel for the duration is situated on the outskirts of Rome. I am contemplating whether to go with them or not when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. Please let it be. Please let it be. It is.
Abrielle has just arrived in Rome and will be checking in to the Hotel Locarno. Do I want to meet for dinner? Do I? Before I can even text a reply I am in the van with the boys on the way to our hotel to shower and change before catching a cab to the Locarno.
20
It's super classy. You can feel the history oozing out of the door before you even go in. It's like stepping in to the 1920's as soon as you enter. Time warp or what. I can't say I feel dramatically out of place but but the surroundings profess a sophistication I have always felt I didn't have. I cross the dark parquet floor of the reception and ask the dapper, exquisitely smart young man behind the desk to please let Ms Falcone know I have arrived.
“Do you have a bar or a place for me to wait?”
“Si certo signora. Locarno downstairs or the rooftop.”
“Please tell Ms Falcone I will meet her up on the rooftop bar.”
I made my way up, passing a few well dressed, elegant couples of all ages. Aside from a young couple the rooftop bar is empty. Its beautiful space. Chic white umbrellas and flowers everywhe
re. I made my to the far end of the terrace and stood drinking in the stunning view. Rome is as beautiful from up here as it is on the ground. Pink, yellow, terracotta and cream. Ornate roofs mixed with simple structures. An artists dream. I begin to wish I had ordered a drink when I hear footsteps behind me. Turning I find a sophisticated looking waiter placing a silver ice bucket, two glasses and a very expensive bottle of vintage champagne on the table next to me,
“I...I don't think...I,”
“Miss Di Noia?” he enquired,
“Yeah but..”
“Then enjoy.” He said opening the bottle, “Courtesy of Ms Falcone. She wishes you to relax and enjoy. She will join you shortly.”
I didn't know how long she would be and it seemed a shame to watch a good vintage go flat and an ice bucket melt so I poured myself a glass.
“Cheers!” I said to no-one. The young couple at the other end were far too engrossed in each other to be taking any notice of me.
I sat back, feet on the parapet, eyes closed behind my shades and soaked up the evening sunshine taking the opportunity to totally relax for the first time since I had laid eyes on Abrielle again. I was on my second glass and feeling nicely mellow when I heard footsteps once more. Fearing a rogue fan or the waiter I didn't move,
“Someone looks at home.” Arms slide around me from behind and a kiss is planted on my neck. The scent of sunshine and flowers mixes with the champagne and I am suddenly even more intoxicated. Abrielle.
“So Sorry I left you up here all alone Darling. The journey from my fathers was awful. Took far longer than usual.”
The word Darling rolled off her tongue so easily and hit me in places that needed no encouragement. She, again, looked stunning, incredible. So incredible that I didn't think my legs were going to hold me as I stood to pull out a chair for her and pour her a drink. Gallant to the last me.
“Cheers!” She grinned and chinked her glass with mine, “Made it here at last.” She lent in and kissed me. She tasted of pleasure.
As we sat there, taking in the view, she explained that her father had been worse than she had anticipated and so she had stayed longer with him, then the journey to Rome had been horrendous.
“You could have stayed with your father if..”
“He is with my brother. It's fine. I was never going to miss seeing you.” She reached over and took my hand. “I told you, I am not letting you go again.”
We sat there in silence for a while, holding hands. Her thumb rubbed the back of my hand. It was comforting and reassuring and I realised that I had not sat with someone close and quiet like this since “us” all those years ago. As teenagers it had been thrilling, wild, covert. We had felt alone in our love if that's what it had been. We felt different and apart from other people our age as we held hands under our coats in the park or our feet touched under the table of this café or that while we slurped our thick shakes and smiled at each other as we kept our closeness a secret. Snatching our moments together and enjoying the thrill of it all. Now, as she held my hand I realised I wanted the certainty of someone I could trust. Someone who would love me for me. Someone to talk to, to return to. Someone to love.
I realised too though that I didn't know what she was wanting from our reunion. We hadn't spoken about the personal lives we both had had in the intervening years. She is a wonderfully attractive woman there must have been someone in her life at one stage. She wanted to see me again and that is more than I had hoped for but beyond that our situation is not that clear.
As if sensing my deepening thoughts she squeezed my hand,
“Improvviasmente ho fame. I am suddenly hungry. Let's go eat.”
From the Album “Viper Moon” Track Eleven
Devil Dreamer
In the depth of your eyes a reason
a reason to venture, to strive.
With your arms strong around me, a loving.
Can you feel my desire? So alive.
Dancing on cut glass,
love left me so fast.
Sleeping in crushed ice
I feel my heart slice.
Your sex and your soul they surround me
to capture and hold me yet still
your passion is all I could live for
you're my purpose, my devil, my will.
Dancing on cut glass,
love left me so fast.
Sleeping in crushed ice
I feel my heart slice.
The ache for you blinds me and sears me
I scream but there’s no words to say
still searching, still needing, still sorry.
Since the day that love died away.
Dancing on cut glass,
love left me so fast.
Sleeping in crushed ice
I feel my heart slice.
© Delta Di Noia
21
Our cab winds its way south. Abrielle explains that she made a reservation at Da Felice. It's in Testaccio apparently. Where you get the best Roman cooking she says.
“Cucina Romana.”
This restaurant is somewhere she has wanted to come for a long time. It's all Greek to me, or Roman for that matter. Despite my Italian heritage I am quite ignorant of Rome and its culinary delights beyond the family staples that my mother brought us all up on. Her priorities when cooking for her brood was whether it was filling and cheap. I could, however, take Abrielle to the best pie and mash shop in London should she so desire. She is turning out to be quite the foodie which is incredible considering her amazing figure. I doubt whether pie and mash would be her thing.
“I wanted to be a food critic for a while.” she laughs “No seriously, Mio prozio zio, my Great Uncle, my Grandfathers brother knew Felice Trivelloni.”
She explained that Felice Trivelloni was the guy that started Da Felice. Her Great Uncle Umberto was a road worker in Testaccio. Felice Trivelloni took over his fathers established Wisteria, a place where people would go to have a drink but take their own food. After a time of doing this Felice opened up a kitchen and started serving his most favourite traditional dishes. He was quite a character by all accounts. He would put reserved cards on all his tables so he could pick and choose who he let in. If you were local you were favoured and a recommendation from a market trader or a road worker went a long way to getting you a table. He has long since gone but his son still runs it and it has become quite the popular place. Great Uncle Umberto was a regular and took Abrielle's Grandfather in to eat whenever he visited him. She says she has been waiting for a chance to try it.
We are seriously not disappointed. Abrielle is in her element. Boy does this girl appreciate her food. There is so much choice. It all sounds so good and the smell as we came in was divine. The décor is simple but classy. Bare brick walls along side wood, plain white table linen, suspended lighting, black and white floor tiles. There are books in the hollows of the walls and old photographs of a man I take to be Felice himself. As we wait for our main courses to arrive the place is slowly filling up. I notice that one or two of the younger set are glancing my way but so far no-one has approached us.
“Is it okay?” She suddenly looks so worried, “In my eagerness to eat in this place I totally forgot that you are doing three nights here.”
“It's fine. Please don't worry. I am used to it after all this time. We will ensure they don't take pictures of the two of us.”
“Don't you want to be seen with me?” She asks, looking crushed. I hope she is feigning sadness at the thought of it, “I am insulted.”
“It's not that. Seriously you don't want to be dragged in to a media frenzy. It's..”
“Angel, I am kidding. I don't care. If we have to leave we have to leave. If we can stay we can stay. All I want is to be here, with you, right now. In this moment.”
“We haven't talked about..”
I don't get to finish as the main course arrives sending Abrielle in to squeals of delight.
“This looks amazing! Don't you agree?”
&
nbsp; The waiter leaves us with our meals. Breaded cutlets of lamb with fried zucchini and roast potatoes for Abrielle and oven baked cod with tomato for me with sides of seasonal veg and beans with oil, vinegar, parsley, salt and vinegar. The food, as it was in Grosseto, is astounding. I can't help but wonder what the boys are eating right now. Beer, pasta and pizza seems about right to me. I can't help but wonder also if food will always get in the way of me raising the subject of what we are both expecting or hoping to get from our reunion.
We chat about the concert venue. Abrielle has seen some bands there, local and more famous. She says that she and her school friends would scrounge lifts or hitch-hike up from Grosseto to see their favourites. All a long time ago she says. Everything about us is a long time ago. Everything about us is in the past. I want to know what the future holds.
“Do you want to have the fan experience tomorrow at the gig or will you watch from backstage?”
“Ooo, I hadn't thought about it! I guess I hadn't pictured being crammed in the mosh pit! Why do you ask?”
“Well I knew someone once who preferred to watch from the fans point of view. She liked the full experience. I..”
“I bet she did.” Abrielle grinned “So there have been other people in your life then? I was beginning to wonder. You haven't mentioned any one.”
“Neither have you.” There, it was out there. Here came the truth. “You could be married for all I know. I don't know whether you are looking for a friendship or more...I. really don't know anything bout the adult Abrielle. There must have been someone for you too. I...”
“Not here. Let's not discuss this here.” Abrielle stood suddenly and signalled for il conto, the bill.
“I should pay....you paid in Grosseto...let me..”
“No, Delta. My choice, my treat.”
“But I should....”
“No buts Delta, I'm paying.” She looked so stern I didn't have the heart to push it.