In the wake of Bella's smileA Poem by Throwing Romeo escape with us
And there I was....
staring out of my inharatance, a three hundred year old diamond cut glass lead came window. High on a steep terraced hillside overlooking this early morning sweeping sun drenched Tuscan village. Someone's almost perfect villa wrapped around my lonely undeserving sense of self. I say almost"because of the roof, it lay crumbled beneath my cocked sideways terracotta dust covered boots. Open to the early morning sky I too was bathing in amber light. After clearing rubble and broken weathered bones of left behind old world furnishings, I dreamt close to lathered embers crackling in the blackened smooth stone fireplace under familiar stars. The next morning I hiked down to the village cafe where I rented a room with a small balcony over this quaint garden dining area. Arousing wafts of expresso, hints of live rosemary and fresh baked croissants. Lucky me, the rental sign had just been put in the window. I was perfectly situated across from my beautiful Tuscan villa! My imagination reached vividly over my watery gray existence. All this money falling into my lap, some foreign land... a home.... A few weeks later Bella the daughter of the cafe's owner, called out to me from the street. In her stern yet charming accent informed me that the crate partially blocking the patio dining entrance was for me. Myself, the dishwasher Carlo and Bella stared into the opened crate. It's this old hollywood movie prop, the one and only iconic sea green vintage Vespa scooter used in the 1953 film Roman Holiday. Twenty two bids and it was all mine! With his mouth open Carlo's eyes swelled. Bella turned away angrily.... I wasn't sure why. In his excitement Carlo informed me that his older brother Tommaso restores and rents vintage scooters near the Piazza Venezia in Rome, and that I should trust only him to put it back together. I agreed, Carlo arranged for it to be shipped toTommaso in Rome. The old me had all the trust issues, somehow the new me just let it go. I applied for citizenship and was told I was not to leave the country until a decision was reached. I felt strange about giving up on America, at the same time I felt that I would not live to see her truly united. The colors of the flag seem to be disembodied from the whole symbol. Some white separating red from blue. Weeks turned months as curious Caffè Piaggio's patrions and I gazed across at my little piece of heaven. Measuring with my feet and sketching plans turned into jumping through the hoops to meet the strict renavation codes. About the time I became a dual citizen my new home had a reclaimed tile roof and a balcony too! Unfortunately Carlo disappeared around the same time the cafe was broken into and the cash box was cleand out.... Bella told me she knew someone who knew Tommaso and we should go to Rome and possably find the Vespa. She told me that vintage Vespas have a way of disappearing from this part of Toscana. She was too beautiful and a little too young. I wasn't sure whether I was more afraid of getting us deep into trouble in Rome or forgetting how older men can become creepy to a youthful irresistible beauty. She took my hand and pulled me on to to the southbound train. For the next hour and a half she lived in her phone. It was getting dark and I was feverishly pacing in my head. She was twirling her arms length braid around pearlescent lavender polished fingernails. Her glances,soft fluid Italian voice and reassuring smile helped keep me seated.I was just getting adjusted to the incredible speed of the train as it trembled into Rome. A short taxi ride later in a sparkling blur of beautiful lights, she said "Whatever happens never say my name." "No Bella" "No Bella".... Her glossy brown eyes locked with mine as I gulped air and swallowed. The car door flew open and four shapely legs appeared in red tail light glow. Out of thier steamy silhouette in a rushed wispered voice"veloce veloce." We followed them across the street and climed into a gleaming sliver convertible. In the back seat Bella pulled my head into her lap.... Silenced bracelets pressed into my neck; her forefinger touched to her lips 'shushed' I layed there witnessing the emanating light and shadow rome over her full lips as her long eye lashes aimed steadily through the sporty windshield. Nestled below her ribs I felt her racing pulse gaining in stride with mine. The weight of her cool black braid rippling across the bridge of my nose heightened my senses as the topless night air swirled. That full moon loreded over the branched veining old world roads beneath blue black cloudless sky. After a few harsh turns we pulled into a villa's garage and came to a slow stop. Bella kept me in a tight grasp as four girlish footsteps disappeared behind a softly closed door. She wispered "it's under that blanket by the work bench." We gently lifted the cover and for the first time I saw my 1946 Vespa the first of it's kind. As we quietly attempted to push the Vespa out into the moonlight I stumbled over an oil pan and toppled a dirt bike onto the rear bumper of the convertible snagging me down with it. I could hear Bella kickstarting the Vespa. My attempts to stand seemed futile as my feet slipped in the spreading oil. We could hear dogs barking as a man shouted "Silenzio! Silenzio!" I "gulped " Bella's struggling figure desperately kicking away. The door thrust open.... On went the light. I ripped away my sleeve rolled over and got to my feet. The little scooter fired up! Bella took off.... I ran out of there as a crowbar just missed my head violently tumbling across the stone paved drive. Bella skidded to a stop. I slid onto the fender, looking back as we pulled away fast moving shepherds closed in. Full throttled dirt bike screams.... Whoever was coming after us certainly could outrun two on a little vintage scooter.... Out of that blue smoke filled garage came a roaring thunderous wound out of control head-on smoke trailing slam' into a stammered parked primer gray work van. I was furled around Bella's slender waist as gnashing fangs flanked our tucked elbows.... they tore away Bella's hem I could see her exposed scratched thighs pressed together as I screamed, kicked and pounded thier mussels. Cutting through open yards we smashed through patio furniture, then plowed through a field of deep white lillies. Earthy tasting blizzard of delicate soft waxy petal flesh on my tongue, as honeyed spice mist rushed over us in white flickering headlight flurry. Soon after we made it to the road leaving the dogs behind. I kissed her on the cheek. With Bella's braid alive over my shoulder, we leaned into the night, into the pulsating arteries of Rome and at times with airplane arms. The rush of the night air foiled away my thief of time. Her creamy white silk blouse whipped away at the years between us.... I so didn't want it to end. Then; I wondered what Bella was... The purr of the engine slowly dissolved to a lonely hum.... ... I could not help the fact that I had become infatuated with Bella, after all, in that fleeting moment with her in my arms... she filled the void carved out by my life's unfurling circumstance. The night air mixed with the lavender growing along this winding path. We leaned in softly to each curve, following small ground lights leading to a stone arched gate vine wrapped in blue moonflowers. We stopped. After a curious lengthy pause.... ....."let me introduce you to my mother." That was the third time I gulpt air that night. This time her eyes smiled as I fell into her lovely expression. I nodded yes. As we approached the doorway the intricate cut glass door and matching side lights warmly sparkled like candlelight through brilliant cristal. Her name is Serafina. Sweetly greeted by her firmiller glossy brown gaze,delicate hands and full lips. Thier resemblance rekindled hope infused smooth blackened stone dreams. Her voice was distinctly unique, a kind and gentle colored rasp with a refined finish. I noticed thier matching braided hair taken in both sides of their embrace. I was enchanted. Over the most delicious crusty torn pieces of sourdough plunged in perfectly peppered tomato soup; my half empty glass brimmed as that night spiritually poured on. I was taken aback as Serafina was excited to explaine how she was the mastermind behind this well coordinated plan to recover my specail storied little sea green Vespa! Bella's face lit with joyfull retelling of our bumbling escape as the beautiful smatter of white lillies still adorned her hair. My second chance life... out of a iconic film and it's timeless little heart warming machine that bonds it's wishful rider's together. I graciously thanked them both. Then offered them to go for a ride anytime. I could see my pining eye's reflected in Serafina's. She tilted her head adorably before saying, "let me drive" The room glowed in the wake of Bella's smile. "Fine' © 2024 Throwing RomeoAuthor's Note
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12 Reviews  Last Updated on December 21, 2024 Author
Throwing RomeoSE, KSAboutI've been writing at this cafe since 2013 I have struggled with the idea of writing this profile. My particular mix of untreated learning disabilities has held me back fourty years. .. more..Writing
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