Upstairs, Downstairs Read online

  Finally, she arrives at Garbatella. The navigation tells her to turn left, but there is a sign saying she can’t. Alessandra backs up, and miraculously finds an empty spot to park in. Walking precariously in her high heels, she looks at the building from outside. “It looks cute, too cute, a bit tacky.” She’s wondering if the inside has been renovated too, when she notices the sign Co-operative Society. “Really?? Did Anita want me to meet her at a community centre?! God – she’ll never change! She really hasn’t shaken Garbatella off…”

  When she goes in she looks around, a group of young boys suddenly fall silent and watch her. She feels like she’s from another planet! Anita’s waving and she joins her at a small table.

  “Hi Allie! You look beautiful… how are you?” She seems to be in a great mood.

  “I’m fine… but where have you been? You know, I called you on Saturday, and you didn’t call me back – that’s not like you!”

  Anita’s lips move slowly into a smile, but her eyes are sharp and shiny like knife blades. “I was at a concert with Daniel.”

  “With Daniel?! Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Really! And why exactly would I have to tell you?”

  “Of course you should! We’ve always told each other everything…”

  Anita knocks back her whole cocktail in one swallow, then she bangs the glass down on the table so powerfully that the group of boys turn towards them full of curiosity. “Alessandra, you have a very strange idea about friendship. I still wonder why you called just to let me know that you ran into Mizuki at the Hotel de Russie.”

  “Why shouldn’t I tell you? I saw your handsome Japanese man with a knockout and they’re gazing into each’s other eyes. You say it was a business dinner, but I don’t think so! You be the judge…” Alessandra touches the screen on her phone and hands it to Anita.

  She looks at the picture and recognises the woman. It’s her! Her heart leaps in her throat. Alessandra has scored a big one on her. She doesn’t know how to respond to the photographic evidence. She feels as if she’s lost in an endless tunnel. She’s now certain that Mizuki has another woman, but she’s furious with Alessandra. A double betrayal: betrayed by her girlfriend and by the man she loves. She begins to feel sick. “I’m sorry. I need to go the bathroom…”

  Alessandra feels excited… like when she was a kid and bunked school without being caught.

  Anita throws something up in the toilet that is exactly the colour of the cocktail she just drank. “Such a bitch! How could I not realise in all these years just how evil she is?” She looks at herself in the mirror, misty eyed – but she’s ready for the fight. Allie can’t win. “It’s not going to end like this. Now I’ll tell that bitch what I think of her!”

  She returns to the table, “Do you think I don’t know?!”

  “Listen Anita, I showed you that photo because…”

  “Maybe you didn’t understand.”

  “Understand what?”

  “I know everything. I talked to Daniel…”

  “But what does Daniel have to do with what we are talking about now?!”

  Anita looks her straight in the eye. “You know, I’ve told myself many times, ‘Allie has a fucking bad character, she’s full of weaknesses, but she likes me and I like her.’ Bullshit!”

  “I don’t understand… what are you talking about?” Alessandra begins to feel nervous.

  “You couldn’t resist, could you? You wanted to destroy my relationship with Daniel all those years ago, and now you can’t wait to destroy my relationship with Mizuki. I’d feel sorry for you, except I’m too angry right now!”

  “What are you saying?” Alessandra feels like she’s sinking in quicksand. “I didn’t do anything…”

  “Do you remember Stefano Nigri?”

  “Yes, I remember him… we already talked about him last week… why are you bringing this up again?”

  “I’m bringing him up again because he was your boyfriend!” Anita raises her voice. “And he knew things about me that only you, my mother, and Daniel knew – and it wasn’t Daniel who spilled all those details!”

  Alessandra feels exposed with all eyes on her. The people nearby are following the fiery argument with deep interest. “You’re ranting and raving, Anita…”

  “Better to lose than to find a friend like you!” Her mouth still bitter with vomit, Anita doesn’t stop yelling at Alessandra – telling all those things she hasn’t said over the years. Finally, she feels light and bursts into a liberating laughter when suddenly a man appears in front of them.

  “Who’s the owner of a black SUV parked outside?”

  “It’s mine.”

  “It was yours.” The man replies with a serious tone. “It was parked in the disabled spot, and it’s just been towed.”

  “Shit!” Alessandra grabs her handbag and rushes outside. She runs after her car, but it isn’t easy in high heels on the gravel. She twists her ankle and hears Anita’s voice screaming, “You’re the biggest bitch I’ve ever met!” She’s been pushed out of Anita’s life for good.

  “Another cocktail?” asks the young waiter with a smile of approval.

  “Why not…” answers Anita, thinking that Garbatella doesn’t forgive. She’s never been so grateful to the parking police in her neighbourhood.

  25

  Tango Lessons

  Everyone is there in the vegetable garden. Pina is with Carlo and their baby Francesca in the pushchair. Matteo Spina, after repairing most of the damage done by the crazy Daniel, sits on the bench enjoying a well-deserved rest. Paolo and Rudy have just arrived with a bottle of chilled prosecco. Giovanna is cutting a homemade apple pie into small squares.

  “We were able to restore the entire garden back to normal!” Matteo can’t hide his joy.

  Rudy is uncorking the prosecco. “What time will the expert be here?”

  “He should arrive at four o’ clock.”

  “Finally we’ll have someone who is an authority, who can tell us how to deal with vegetables properly.” Giovanna says.

  “We always handled it on our own, and I think we did a pretty decent job.” Matteo Spina sounds slightly offended.

  “Yes… but – for example – you always said that the courgettes could have been better if…”

  “Well, then we checked on the internet and found out our mistakes.”

  The conversation between Giovanna and Matteo is interrupted by the sudden cries of Francesca. Who knows if it’s because her milk bottle is empty or because she needs to be changed.

  Carlo takes her in his arms. “I think she’s just tired.” He says to Pina. “You stay here; I’ll take care of her.”

  “Thank you, love,” and Pina kisses them both.

  Carlo walks slowly towards home with Francesca in his arms, pushing the empty stroller. “Let’s see what I can find to cook tonight… maybe mushrooms and pumpkin?”

  *

  Back at the vegetable garden the conversation continues.

  Giovanna is explaining about the expected visit of the garden expert, the nephew of Mrs Anna, a neighbour…

  “Well, I don’t think it’s really necessary for him to come here; however, it’s fine with me.” Matteo Spina has a detached tone.

  “I don’t think it’d hurt to have an opinion from a guy who has a degree in agronomy and a masters in urban vegetable gardens from the University of Perugia!” Giovanna insists. “Also, at this point, it’d be rude to tell her we don’t need him. Mrs Anna has been so kind to offer his help.”

  “Of course! I was joking…” Matteo says. “It’s always good to have an expert’s opinion.”

  “You’ll see! This year, with some advice, we’ll have a wonderful harvest. I really can’t wait for the courgettes…” Paolo is enthusiastic.

  *

  Meanwhile Carlo has put Francesca in her crib, but she seems to have no intention of sleeping.

  “Ok, now I’ll read you the secret book you love…”

  In the past C
arlo had tried reading several different stories to her, but then one night he finally discovered the one that had a calming, almost narcotic effect on his little daughter. He opens Pina’s top secret drawer, takes a box covered with corny roses and little angels, and returns to Francesca’s crib with his wife’s diary in his hand.

  “Let’s see… where did we stop? We can start here.”

  April 22, 2012 – 7:30 p.m.

  Today we had lunch at Paolo and Rudy’s one hundred and fifty square metre apartment with the panoramic balcony! I must say I expected a very flashy place, but instead it’s quite simple. Most of all I loved the old Liberty door that divides the living and dining rooms. The rest really doesn’t convince me although the terrace is magnificent! However, I would’ve decorated the apartment in a very different way – much better I think…

  The guests also included Daniel’s music teacher, Valdo Rosis. An interesting man. He was probablu quite handsome when he was young. I think Paolo had an instant crush on him. I have to admit, Rudy dealt with the situation with discretion and elegance, but I could see that he was furious and madly jealous.

  Anita and Daniel were classmates at high school!! Actually, not in the same class, but at the same school. Can you believe it? I noticed Anita’s embarrassment immediately when she arrived – not to mention when Giovanna dragged her towards him to introduce them. I’m sure Giovanna would jump up and down with joy if he’d court her daughter. But Anita was elusive and aloof. I’m certain that something happened between those two and I’ll find out what it was!

  April 28, 2012 – 12:20 a.m.

  Daniel argued with his Russian girlfriend. Then with some lame excuse he left her to meet Anita who was waiting for him, hidden in the dark. They must’ve had an argument too, because at some point she walked away when he tried to take her hand. I couldn’t hear what they said, but I knew from seeing their first encounter that those two have history…

  Carlo is almost fascinated by his wife’s detective skills. “See little one? The truth is, your mummy is a secret agent, a spy!” He smiles at Francesca, while she gives him a perfect yawn. Carlo yawns too, but at this point he’s too curious to stop reading.

  But Pina’s tone suddenly changes.

  I don’t have time for myself. I don’t even have time to understand what it is that I’d like to do, if I had time… I can’t think. I can’t organise my thoughts. It’d be nice if just for once Carlo would ask me how I feel, instead of me always being the one to ask him… But, honestly, if he did ask, I wouldn’t have a clear answer. I don’t know how I feel. Thank god this complex is always full of surprises, and then I have you, my dear diary. One of these days I should put that flyer about the burlesque class on Carlo’s plate, just to see his face!

  Carlo has suddenly gone pale. He feels a slight sense of guilt and anxiety. If Pina ever shows him that flyer, he’ll have to pretend to be surprised. He stands up and goes to the window to see if Pina is still in the garden. She’s there, laughing. Everything is fine.

  Francesca is still awake and stares at him. All of a sudden she flashes a sweet smile at him. “It’s worth taking the risk of reading your mummy’s secret diary just for that smile!” He flips through the pages and comes to the last part:

  May 14, 2012 – 10:30 p.m.

  Dear diary, this morning I wandered around Rome. Unfortunately, not on a Vespa like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday – just on the subway. I had to go to Electric & Gas about an astronomical bill we’ve received! I left Francesca with Carlo, who’s off work today. Finally, I had some hours of my own! But I never arrived at the Electric & Gas building because something incredible happened. But let’s go in the order of events.

  I got out of the subway and who do I see in the distance? Giovanna and Matteo Spina hand in hand. They seemed to be heading somewhere. I couldn’t resist and followed them until they disappeared into a building in Via Ostiense. I checked the names on the intercom. I didn’t find a little cheap hotel where they don’t even check your documents. Instead I discovered a school of Argentine Tango – Alfonso Gutierrez! At that point I didn’t want to stop investigating, but of course I couldn’t go in. So I followed the music that drifted out of a window on the ground floor.

  Carlo stops to look at Francesca who appears to be enchanted. “What do you think, little one? Aren’t the stories your mummy invents beautiful? Let’s keep going then.”

  I could see a shiny wood parquet floor, and a white wall some people were leaning against. Then the couples came into view, dancing. I was mesmerised. They appeared in front of my eyes one by one; and then I saw them: Giovanna and Matteo twirling, embraced. It’s one thing to watch Tango dancers on TV or at the movies; but it’s another story to watch someone you know, someone you would never have imagined in a tango dance class! They were holding each other tightly, and very seriously, they focused on the dance. Now I know why Giovanna has such beautiful legs: slim ankles and slender calves like a twenty year old! They were lost in their own world, enveloped by the music and by their passion: it was more erotic than seeing them in bed. Their faces touch, their bodies get closer and then withdraw, his arm around her waist, and their legs draw arabesques in the air in a sensual entwining. It’s strange. All of a sudden I felt like an intruder, violating their intimacy, and I ran away. I even forgot to go and ask about my electric bill and took the subway back home almost without realising it. That’s why every Monday morning they leave Garbatella all dressed up! But Giovanna and Matteo don’t simply go to dance class, they go to dance Argentine Tango and if you aren’t already in love – you soon will be! And I can swear it, they are in love. Just thinking about it, my heart still races. It must be exciting to be living a story like this, hidden from everybody else, and real only for them. A wonderful secret. God! This complex is really incredible. You could write a whole novel about it, and only one writer wouldn’t be enough.

  Carlo hears the door open, and quickly puts the diary in its drawer. Then he whispers to Francesca, “End of this episode, stay tuned until the next lullaby.”

  26

  His Longest Hour

  Anita leaves the Casina Rosa looking down, absorbed in her thoughts. She stops at the crossing, takes the phone out of her bag, and walks towards her scooter. “Now it’s your turn!” She thinks, dialing Mizuki’s number. Holding her phone wedged between her shoulder and ear, she unlocks Isotta.

  “Hello, Anita.” Mizuki answers immediately.

  “Are you with her?”

  “With whom?”

  “Don’t answer me with a question!”

  “Anita, I don’t understand…”

  “Listen, there isn’t much to say… I saw you!”

  “Saw me what?”

  “Can you stop these questions and be honest? I know the truth now – do you want to hear it?”

  “Please, tell me – because I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I saw you last night leaving your apartment!” Anita starts the scooter’s engine.

  “Yes, I know, I didn’t tell you I was coming back from London earlier. I did it because I wanted to talk to you.”

  “You didn’t come back earlier to talk to me. Alessandra took a photo of you having fun at the de Russie!”

  “What?! Listen, Anita…”

  She interrupts him. “You’re such a disappointment, Mizuki! I was so naïve to think you were any different from the rest.”

  Anita hangs up abruptly and sets off on her scooter. She drives towards Garbatella, passes through a maze of narrow streets, then turns right, entering the main road that runs parallel to the old market.

  When she passes in front of the Gazometre, she takes one hand away from steering the scooter to turn off her incessantly ringing phone. “I don’t want to hear his excuses.” She thinks, just seconds before a sudden jolt throws her forward. Her body stiffens for the recoil. With just one hand she tries desperately to control the handlebar, but can’t get hold of it. It slips through her fingers like
a fish! Then she puts down a foot to maintain her balance, but it’s worse: the slingshot effect throws her off the seat. Anita sees everything in slow motion. The street asphalt, which spirals closer and closer, looks flat and smooth. She can even distinguish the tiny gravel from the bitumen and see a grease stain on the dark surface. Like always, in the worst moments, one thinks the strangest things. This is happening to Anita now. “Non dicere ille secrita a bboce – Do not say the secret words out loud,” she thinks before everything goes black.

  *

  Some Japanese guys are forty years old, but have the faces of sixty year old men, and the wisdom of an eighty year old. Not Mizuki. He’s a forty year old man in very good shape – but at this precise moment, after talking to Anita, he feels like he’s a hundred! He stands like a statue near the window, exhausted, staring at nothing. He thought that he understood her and that they had a strong, honest relationship. He wanted to discuss London again with her and ask about that male voice that answered her phone. Instead, she accused him about something he doesn’t understand, and without giving him the chance to explain. He’s been trying to call her for an hour – the longest hour of his life.

  Kyoko comes over to Mizuki’s desk and absent-mindedly looks at the business report he was working on. Her attention is caught by a paper filled with Japanese symbols in his handwriting.

  Night is endless dark

  My thoughts are yearning for light

  My longest hour

  Mizuki is still in front of the window dialing Anita’s number. Kyoko looks at him from behind. She doesn’t want to be intrusive, but she can’t keep pretending everything looks fine. Lightly stroking his back, she asks: “What’s going on, Mizuki? This doesn’t seem like you. You’ve been standing there for the last hour, calling someone who doesn’t answer; but you’re writing haikus like when you were a kid and were sad…”