The sun had already peeped when Paolo and Francesca returned to their home. A light breeze had lowered the temperature. Paul, after he changed, he lit the fire, reorganized market purchases made in the pantry and started cooking.
Francesca had remained silent throughout the journey back, so many were his thoughts. He was working at the birth of a novel. A good novel. He had read the proofs, some had corrected, others had commented on what was wrong with writing, most, however, could be considered ready for publication. Paul drew on the facts but it would take his, some characters were already well defined and, in her opinion the public would be enthusiastic, others were in the process of writing, but with the facts come to light that day, Paul would have had a lot of material available to complete them.
do field research was news to Frank, she was used to working within the confines of a library where you can consult the archives, translating ancient texts, studying the writers and their works. He found that interviewing people and visit the places where the action takes place, it was fun. It was like living the story that is intended to tell. That morning was so identified with the robbery in which, for a moment, he thought someone was following them with a car.
Francesca was also shaken. His heart was in turmoil. He could not control their feelings. During the day the work was partially distracted but now he was alone in the house with him. He should talk to him. Here's what she would say: I'm glad to be your assistant, I'm happy to work with you but know that between us there can be nothing. What happened last night is wrong, it was our weakness caused by fatigue. Will not happen again, will not happen again. Yes, he actually said those words, tone, decided to look in the eye, with arm still. Will no longer happen, or even had the fear of doing violence to think but she went on, or I'll have to leave.
Paul was at work in the kitchen, she put two slices of marinated swordfish in a bowl with olive oil, garlic and oregano, finely chopped, after an hour would have grilled. He wanted to make a risotto with shrimp and zucchini and fried whitebait. He needed some advice he decided to call the Tata.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Hello Tata, everything fine there?>> Heard the answer, then continued:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Yes, all right here, too, the novel goes on, I have various stuff ... Yes, yes, Frank's all right, but tell me I'm preparing the risotto with shrimp and zucchini, can not remember the recipe, what should I do?>>.
Paul loved to cook, recalled that as a child went into the kitchen and watched the Tata, little more than a teenager, while he was preparing to eat for the whole family. Usually the Tata follow the other was the mother of his head. I still remember when my mother got angry because had prepared something that had not commissioned, telling her not please anyone, Tata because you have not prepared what I asked? Then, however, forgave her immediately because he had invented some new dish that she or he had read in some magazines and was always very good. Paul had learned from her how to cook and became a good cook. That evening he made a delicious dinner, after which, he talked to Frank. Told him everything I thought.
began to prepare a comic with the heads and shells of prawns and then put a pot on heat, melt the butter you made, adding the finely chopped onion and fry made. When he realized the onion started to brown rice added that he began to roast, pour the white wine. He took the balloon from the oven and added to rice, stir into the pan several times, slowly with a wooden spoon, the spoon to his mouth and tasted it. He smiled. She was always so, when the palate felt something good's opened my heart felt light and smiled. He looked at the clock, the time was right, joined the chopped zucchini. He continued to turn the rice, and ran with other comics, make sure that the rice was almost ready but still al dente, adding the shrimp, then cook now finished, he added saffron, mixed one last time and then put out the fire under the pot.
had to also think about the table. He fumbled for the entire kitchen until he found a nice tablecloth, arranged on the dining room table by the fireplace in the center lined up some candles. He remembered that out into the meadow, he noticed several flowers, came out, picked them up, then, finding no vessel available, put them in a jug of water placed on the table. Try turning off the chandelier, the environment was right, would have liked to Frank and he would be able to find the right words. Before starting the dinner he wanted to prepare the mix for the pancakes. He picked up the ingredients: flour, eggs, whitebait, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper, put them in a large bowl and began to stir until the mixture reached the desired consistency and amalgam. Cover the container with a lid, the dough was fried at the last moment, he knew that pancakes should be eaten while still hot.
While stirred, thinking about what she said to Frank. He loved Francesca, with all your heart, with every fiber of his being, but when that morning she had taken her hand and she had abruptly removed from her, he noticed his face and he understood the reason for that gesture: Frank is not she loved him, he would never have loved. Too beautiful and intelligent to be with him, to the secretary onwards. No, some day she would go and he could not stop it. Was right, he thought. Would say that that night had made a big mistake, he would not repeat again. Yes, that was the right thing to do.
Frank came into the kitchen along with a nice dress that left the backless, had gathered in the hats a lock. Paul heard her and turned toward her, looked at her and was speechless, the security of a moment before vanished. E 'was really a mistake, the night before? I really want you to go away one day? He wondered. His heart knew the answer.
returned to reality, just had to enjoy a good meal together with a beautiful woman.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Ecco giusto, you arrived at the dinner we pronta, iniziare?>> he asked her soft voice.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Certainly I really hungry. What a beautiful table and feel good odorino. You really are a good cook!>> Frank said. The dinner was exquisite, Paul opened a bottle of White Raven, which had found in the cellar, poured in two crystal glasses, one offered it to Francesca the other kept it for himself. During the meal discussing the day, people met, places. None of them wanted to talk about what he had in mind. Frank thought, after, after, now is not the right moment, Paul looked into her eyes and tried to guess his thoughts.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Before spada, I go to the fish fry these fritters are really pesce, see squisite>> Paul got up, went into the kitchen and turned on the pan with plenty of olive oil. Frank followed him.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Can I help you? I want to learn how to do>>. Francesca picked up a spoon and tried to make a pancake.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Not so, I'll show you how do you>>, Paul took the spoon and shook her hand, her eyes were those of one other. The two shook hands, Paul shook, she did not walked away. At that moment the cell phone rang Frank.
Francesca took the phone, looked at who he was, briefly paused, his face turned red and then a voice that concealed emotion, said:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Scusa is my fidanzato>>. He went into his room, locked the door and answered the phone. For a moment Paul understood a few words and then there was silence. He
feel good? She said her boyfriend? Not my ex, a friend of mine or other? No, said my boyfriend! Paul felt faint legs and sat down, he did not know what to think. He did not want to think. He returned to the preparation of pancakes.
The call lasted for ten minutes, Frank returned to the moment when Paul finished frying.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Ecco are pronte, assaggia>>. They were the only words that Paul could say.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Squisite, really squisite>> Francesca was the simple answer. The dinner went on in almost total silence. The embarrassment was dropped between them. None of them wanted to speak. Neither of them had more hunger. Both wanted to be alone at that time. The swordfish was very good but neither of them tasted properly.
tidied up the kitchen quickly.
\u0026lt;piuttosto, stanca, 'I am going to dormire>,' said Frank.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Anch'io>>, "said Paul.
The doors of both rooms were closed, the lights went out, there was silence, but their hearts and their thoughts were troubled.
Lying on the right flank, Paul thought. Francesca had lied, had not left with her boyfriend, that was just an excuse. He did not understand him because he did believe. Maybe to get a job more easily. Yes, certainly had to be that the real reason. He had cheated. All the same women before and now Anna Francesca, seeking to exploit them for personal beauty. I do not need any, they said. Can I do it myself, as before, as I always have. Francesca had lied to him and loved him.
back against the mattress, eyes on the ceiling. Perhaps he had really left then, before leaving for Catania, were back together. Yes, that was the sensible thing. He did not say anything because was right, they were not his business. The night before what had been, then? All a joke? Animal instinct and that's it? For he had not been so, he thought that among them there was something different, something more. Could be wrong? Once he was wrong. He is always able to intuit the feelings of others? It was wrong twice. It happens. I have to sleep on.
left side. I must not deceive myself, I do not love, I must accept it. He loves another, this is a fact. Why so much pain he felt at that moment, then? He knew why. He had become a coward? One who does not fight for what he loves? No, he would fight. Would do anything for it, with all its forces, with all his heart. The thought cheered him, got up and sat on the bed. Would not wait the next morning.
When Frank had heard the phone ringing and saw that she was the mother on the phone, she thought a moment, then he found that excuse. Paul wanted to prevent that suffering for her and if he had not done something, it would end like the previous night. Now he was regretting having said that sentence. He had lied and that was a bad thing. He now he was angry, she was sure, had seen his face when he was back in the kitchen, and this was something even more ugly. Now he had ruined everything, between them there would have been the same harmony, it was better leave immediately. At dawn he would have packed up and went home. He left the only man who truly loved and where she felt loved. Why then? He tried to think of a rational reason. Did not find any. A job or a brilliant career could never repay them for that loss? He knew the answer. He knew what to do.
standing Francesca opened the door of his room. Paul got up and left the room. Both were standing face to face.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;It was not my boyfriend on the phone, was my mother! I do not have a boyfriend>. Paul walked up to her, stared into his eyes, he would wanted to strangle.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Ti amo>> he said. He took her in his arms and kissed her.