CHAPTER X - Mary
Mary, a 95-year old, looked sadly at the
feet swollen that he could not longer vation in
shoes. Sometime on those legs run nimble as a
deer, she remembered disappointed. All his life
he worked in education, math teacher was one of
the best teachers in town, then was promoted
directly to a school teaching. There he remained
until he retired. His only mistake was to put
work first, and thus neglecting personal life.
He did not even notice how quickly the years
have passed and I woke up alone. The few
fleeting love ended in tears and a few episodes
of jealousy, then found himself in a lonely now
hope.
" Trebiue walking in slippers and I do not
really trust in this slippery soles ," she
thought while putting their feet swollen some
felt slippers.
Hardly able to get up from the bed and
leaning on a cane, walked to the door. He woke
later than usual lately was forced to remain in
bed, pain in chest and legs do languish until
later. Only took a few steps as already feel
tired and enter private bathroom and bent back
as usual, keeping a hand on his chest. Heart
struggles so hard that afraid to not jump out of
my chest. From the medicine cabinet took some
pills you swallow quickly. It looked hastily in
the mirror hanging on the wall and scares. His
face became cyanotic eyes were hidden in the
back of the head and hair in disarray slipped
forehead.
" Where did you disappear Mary? You left and
you left behind you just a wreck. What have
chosen out of all my life? Only money and wealth
... the rest ... are alone, sick and helpless. "
Dissatisfied with the image in the mirror,
stepped carefully, her head spinning whenever
make sudden movements in and out.
Now three days, had announced in the
newspaper wanted to rent one of the rooms. He
hopes to find a good girl to take care of it in
exchange for property that would leave him soon
after he dies. Feel that they have much to live
and did not want to leave all state. The short
time that we have one worry, he thinks it will
find the right person and I'm sorry I did it
before.
Just as he was preparing to ask for a coffee
pot on fire at the gate sounded shaky one. Hands
quite weak, barely able to open but left
pleasantly surprised when they appeared in front
of a beauty girl with her black hair and rich,
simple but tastefully dressed. Her smile warm an
old conquer the first second but Mary decided
that it's time to abandon caution. Seen many
smile that hid bad intentions.
-With I I spoke yesterday on the phone? He
asked the girl after her throw some poignant
black ochiade with two small eyes and sharp.
-Yes, you are Mrs. Mary?
-I'm not think of coming to them ... in May
said she coldly.
A little after the gravel yard, not before
closing the gate and climbed the steps to a
wooden porch that almost withered few flowerpots
hanging on wooden cradles.
-Here is room available, she said she as
cold, while the first door and pushed her face
gave way to look.
The girl enters the room pungent mold
probably had not been aired for some time and
take a look. Single small or does not need more,
I have someone to share it, a table against a
wall, in a corner armchair once beautiful now
red in the corners, a wardrobe of wood and about
so. Unwittingly imagine how they will look brand
new laptop on the table seems fragile hundred
years old.
-Here's nice, that's room. If I were younger
and healthier, it looks different. Now ... I'm
sick and elderly, I need help.
But how old are you?
-I long gone 90 I 95.
- Oh ... Well look too good for these years,
ever before!
She nodded her head dissatisfied taking face
more insulting words than real. Young shook a
peek at paintings hung on the walls, where the
majority discovers it and admitted the thought
that old lady was once very beautiful.
- Madam Mary as I ask for the room?
-Nothing baby girl, I just want to not be
alone, to have someone change a word, and you
will not be able, to have someone to give me a
cup of water. I'm old and what scares me most is
the disease. Speaking, he studied her face with
those dark eyes, spies, too sharp for her age. A
youth scare the girl and that's why trying to be
more cautious.
Joyful girl rushed to her neck, hugged and
kissed her cheeks cheerfully child.
-Slow baby girl, I break those bones so
shaky, she said smiling and trying to delete
their cheek.
- Madam Mary, thank you very much!
- Come, come to the kitchen, mention if you
have time. What did you say your name? I
forgot...
-Diana my name.
-Where did you live before?
-One a studio, but the rent is high and can
not face, I was without work. I put aside some
bucks but I will not get to stay there long if
not I can afford this luxury.
-Let co to get around both of us May said she
looked at her old saying.
At the end of the porch, they entered a
small room that you place small kitchen. Near
sink stainless stove which are supported two
clean plates and on the opposite wall, below the
window through which sunlight enter freely, a
table with two chairs that barely keep feet
timber.
-take place face be careful to not fall off
the chair are broken and not have someone else
to fix it. Opened small refrigerator crammed
into a corner and pulled out a bottle of cherry
liquor from pouring two glasses.
While she poured liquid ruby, Diana thought
weigh all the advantages they could have if they
stay here, in the box on its outskirts.
-Cheers Mrs. Mary, good luck!
-Cheers sweetie!
And all the stories liquor from the bottle
until completion. The girl noticed that the old
man liked to drink and still, her eyes glassy
black charcoal penetration as a drill, ransacked
it so deep down. Seeing that he had already made
later, Diana told him that he would go to bring
things from the apartment and return before
dark.
He walked for a good street on foot noting
the more deserted than inhabited, a few houses
and low walls shriveled, besides dust rises
thick curtains, stifling .
" Probably few people are also as old as
Mary " think Diana thanks.
After gathering his things and leave the key
small apartment owners, "Eve" was gone forever
and Diana set her room on the outskirts of the
box where he sat the few things in the closet.
Mary reminds than grandmother, only their
health a concern. Observed that women taking
pills, and have moments when the blue face like
they have asthma.
Still hear scraping hallway slippers and
bocanitul baton on cold tiles when you feel that
fatigue begins beat her eyelids become lead. He
likes to sleep without dreams, without
nightmares that woke up at midnight and without
thinking Dorian.
When he awoke the next day, a little giddy
with so much sleep, Diana, looking clock that he
knew on the table and do not find. Then, turning
his eyes around the room understood that in fact
no longer in the small studio. Now he has a bed,
what right therefore small, dark room and quite
cool, purring kitty without bothering. Mary
slippers hear scraping and bocanitul baton as it
was based. There's an immense joy, start a new
life, a life that's reminiscent of copliarie. In
addition, he slept pretty well all night and now
feels full of energy and very refreshed.
Remained slightly below the sheets, enjoying
the silence, it's still early.
At nine o'clock get out of bed and put his
robe and then head to the bathroom in the lobby.
The smell of fresh coffee prepared her nostrils
and a flood urges to approach the kitchen, where
old was waiting impatiently.
Good morning, Mrs. Mary, she said the old
woman in the doorway.
-Hello my girl, come on, the coffee is ready.
-I scent come immediately.
A cold water well dezmeticii expel all
traces of sleep. He returned to the kitchen and
took his place beside the table in front of
women. What sweet smell that taste great old
really knows to prepare a coffee pot, coffee he
likes most.
Madam Mary, this coffee is a delight!
-You like? asked a woman smiling happy.
- Yes, it's the best coffee I ever drank!
-Thank you my dear! And me all the pot I like
most.
-What you do now? asked Diana.
-Eh, anything that you wants to make a
helpless like me ?! Want to cook something? You
know, I like to cook, do it with passion even if
it too can not stay on his feet.
-Will help and I get bored without doing
anything useful.
Diana continues hesitantly some seconds:
Madam Mary, what health problems you have? I
saw that taking some pills.
-many my face, but what torments me most is
heart ... One day I hope to stop, I have lived
enough.
-Don't say that, I feel good here, everything
reminds me of the box where I lived and where I
was happy until mom and grandmother left me. I
was alone, I do not know how I managed to keep
going though often occurred to me to put my
suicide. Live for myself, I know that the
disease is hard, suffered greatly, but you are
close.
And as he spoke, does not even realized that
two tears is sneaking cheeks and old, moved by
words of wisdom on the face, left speechless and
just shook his head as if to tell him that not
It depends on it.
-Let's leave, we will see what the future
holds, we are now better, come to live every
moment with pleasure.
Diana looked wonderful woman with her eyes
full of surprises and that scared at first. He
opened the door in front of a stranger, took a
lot of courage, of course, she thought, is
afraid of loneliness. She looked tiny hands with
blue veins throbbing beneath the translucent
skin, hair in a bun at the nape, beautifully
groomed, colored gray sky full of clouds and
girl wrinkles a sharper eye to tail. Oval face,
still retains something of its former beauty.
How much greatness in this fragile body, crooked
and tortured by illness and infirmity, how much
goodness crammed into a chest feebly that rises
and falls because of irregular pounding
heartbeat. And above, the heavy crown of 95
years, however difficult it may hang on her
forehead, has not yet managed to crush mind
remained lucid until now.
Quiet days passed, Diana bring order
everywhere, washing, ironing clothes to the
satisfaction of the rejuvenated old man like
being in charge of food all the time, putting
passion in cooking. Diana thinking to try to
forget what a grind disease and which he still
improve with the pills they swallow every
morning and evening. Yet knowing smile all the
time and her face urge to go out, have fun, to
make life beautiful.
-Are the hour I was saying it, I have to live
and do not want to get older and you near me, go
and live your life.
But after a couple of days after that
conversation, in one of the mornings, although
woke up quite late, Diana did not hear any
bocanitul scraping slippers and stick the tiles
in the lobby. Heart as a flea girl listening to
several minutes, every sound lurking only just
be heard. Nothing! Everything seems frozen in
the cold and dark house. Diana scared jump out
of bed and put her robe out in the lobby. Enter
the kitchen, she is not there. Like a whirlwind
burst into the room where he knew and saw her
lying asleep under the covers, breathing hard,
his eyes full of tears made efforts terrible
coughing.
- Madam Mary, you bad? Call an ambulance!
-Not my face ... A ... Let me go. Better make
my tea ...
Diana struggled least until a rise so sit
leaning against the pillows and ran into the
kitchen where tea, striking. He was stuffing his
lips and an aspirin, then touched his hands and
head hot.
-Do fever, it would be better to call the
doctor?
-No ... I have been there and escaped.
A few days Diana did not move from the
bedside of women than to prepare tea or
something light to eat. How much longer enjoy
old when he saw that made such a choice, Diana's
face that he always wanted. It's beautiful,
gentle and loving, perhaps better than had been
her own daughter if he had one. No minutes in
which not regret it did not have a daughter. And
eventually, after a few days they had put a
fierce battle with the disease, Mary defeated
able to put up, there's only happy and confident
especially Diana.
But all the happiness crumble in an instant
when a new cold time so much stronger a try
mercilessly old. Only shoot his legs and
breathing is too hasty. Coughing and her face
darkens and his eyes are full of tears. Fears of
pneumonia, which would be fatal to her body and
so too frail. Alarmed, Diana called an ambulance
and taken to a hospital, hoping to be able to
prolong life a little longer. Does not want to
imagine another loss, old is support them,
otherwise they would feel again thrown into the
vortex of life and no longer has the strength to
go out to the shore is too much for her in a
very short time .
In room after a thorough consultation, doctor's
announcement that woman's heart does not want to
fight and that soon will stop. Desperate, Diana
would not leave her side, lurking Every bit of
heavy eyelids, hoping that eventually will open
your eyes.
He looked imploring her not to left, too
early, could remain a while with her.
Madam Mary, do not leave, stay with me, I
want to go home together, I imagine the house
without you.
She tried to move her hands loose but not
too great achievement. Girl trapped in her hands
that hand skin transparent and shook vigorously,
hoping that she will react. Feel her hand a weak
gasp and a few whispers, her lips were purple.
-Diana ... My daughter, I ... I leave, I
leave you ... Forgive me ...
-No Mrs. Mary, I do not do this ...
Old is so pale and lost among white sheets,
and breathing is so hard.
Perhaps too many years and too weighty a
crush now, think Diana. Suddenly everything is
felt in the little room, where struggling soul
leave the body, air, light bulb low death that
lurks hidden near the bed. The girl sat on a
chair better hand squeezing her hands frail
elderly. Flashing her life as flames lit the
match held in front of the open window. Eyelids
like lead and no longer poses increased heart
rate break the silence, the silence before
death. He remembered the pain of death of the
mother and then the grandmother of lost hours at
their bedside, praying not to die, but all of
them were in vain. With their death and buried
and the joys and hopes, to anyone staying in a
cruel and ruthless world.
Boards more, her tears falling into the
hands of the woman and she was not little
surprised when he saw that almost extinct in
those eyes, under thick lashes out two tears
trickle slowly down her cheeks. He stood there,
near the old, her thoughts arguing with
oppressive silence, death whose presence feels
until it gave up the ghost. Grasp see her for
the last time in my life, to shake the weak
hands, to wipe the last tears. Woman or going
beyond, in the world where they say there was no
pain, is so pale and blue, all the burden of a
whole life disappeared. And with her, Diana
dispel all hopes and joys which managed to
gather in a short time. Fortunately for her
there is only a brief illusion.
Another black day in her life ... Mary was
buried at the cemetery near his home as he
wanted. Rain drops as small and cold coffin next
few women that Diana had not seen before.
After having been thrown and the last clod
of earth over the grave, Diana all wrapped in
black, call a taxi and returned to the old house
that seemed empty without. He closed his phone
to not be disturbed. Slamming the bed still
complaining opened for the umpteenth time pain.
After lingered a few hours in the dark,
clutching her side one soul that I had left,
kitty always understanding, no longer feel
hungry. And forgets to eat, and the poor kitten,
abandoned for some time, no longer have a voice
to miaow. Prepare a snack in a hurry and eat
fast feeling co stomachache. Not knowing how to
forget about despair and sadness wander around
the house aimlessly and without knowing what to
do and whom to notify the "departure" of the old
fast. He enters the room and stood with eyes
stuck in the wall where a few paintings still
keeps alive the memory of the woman. He touched
fingertips cheerful image of a picture frame,
then look at the rest of things. The room is
quite simple, two armchairs covered in red
velvet, quite worn, a canopy bed covered with a
blanket simply a table on which are strung
several magazines and the window a thick curtain
of macrame.
Something kind of envelope seemed remote,
his attention. The girl winced when she saw the
name on the white envelope and thought that her
eyes playing tricks. Contact the envelope that
you weigh in your hands, not daring to open it.
Then he decided, broke one edge and maps out
some written and signed by a lawyer. Studied
them better and discover that it's about a will.
His legs trembled, hastily thrown on the bed
that will not fail. Some tabs may find the will
and a letter. Mary recognized the writing and
jerk pleasantly surprised. Strange how well
makes everything touched her hands loose!
Disordered ranks opened the letter, written in
haste, imagining Diana.
" My dear Diana,
please forgive me as I went so fast and you
do not have time to let yourself enjoy my
presence. I would have liked but it was up to
me, I knew I was dying, I was pretty sick, but
hopefully not so soon. I loved since the first
sight, you're so sweet and beautiful and
especially your soul is so full of sadness that
only he who does not want can not see. Your
mercy and love that I have cared for you I have
rewarded leaving you tie everything. You deserve
it, you're the girl I wanted all my life, too
bad you came so late. Who knows how many great
things we did together ... I love you more, take
care of my child you love and do not forget me.
"
The girl remained speechless. Letter old and
that held so much to enjoy it a lot. Feel Tears
flooded my eyes and longing for old strangle.
Read the letter several times, carefully
analyzing each letter. The word "everything"
left her mind like an echo. What means
"everything"?
Remaining in bed crucified with papers in
hand, crying, not knowing what to do the next
day. Old woman asleep in bed hoping it still
feels warm and fragile hands that comforted in
times when she felt sad.
Time is running hard days like crawl like
snails, drain a channel too narrow channel time.
And just when it seemed that life becomes
unsportsmanlike receive a call from the woman's
lawyer. A phone not understood much, than you
have to meet to discuss important issues.
Not in the mood to leave the house but
curiosity pushes her to go. So in a rainy day
Monday, Diana was introduced in the lawyer's
office, a man around 40 years old, tall, dark,
with a pretty girl 'square' and very energetic.
-You're very lucky, your age ... He said he
was Diana after the presentation.
N would not say face to the voice
replied ... that feels overwhelming sadness.
Yes, that's right, forgive me! But to
explain what it is.
I read the testament old woman looking at
her after each item or amount mentioned. He
thought that the girl does not understand
anything or is totally indifferent. So finally
asked,
-Now you understand why I say you're lucky?
Almost $ 800,000 a young woman like you ... If
you're wise enough and invest them well ...
I did not know what to say. Everything
seemed unreal. He thought that after death old
takes care of it. So after leaving the lawyer's
office to sign some papers wandering the city
streets not knowing what to do, where to go.
Windows look looking unwittingly prices. He
realized that only some numbers have suddenly
become irrelevant. Another time would have
happily spent the last few bucks on a dress
extravaganza, now that finally can afford almost
anything, realize how insignificant are these
joys.
And after several days of anguish, days
where you thought a lot about Mary but also to
their future, especially after life was changed
for the umpteenth time, Diana decided that the
death of the old woman and her inheritance will
not stop, will lead the "mission" to finish. And
for that now needs a cottage. And it was not
hard to find one. A simple search on the net was
enough. She decided to go and see, must ensure
that everything is okay, it's really suitable
for her plans.
Call a taxi and explains the taxi driver
where he wanted to reach. They walked some few
kilometers when the driver bit scared of the
route that would make him, asked:
-Ms you sure you want to go there? he asked a
hectic and uncertain one next to it.
- Yes, do not worry, I know exactly where to
go.
The road goes into the coil and loop after
loop climbing, you feel that you climb to
heaven, crush under wheels clouds clinging to
your seat car as not to roll back, then you
suddenly throw down forced is to stick your feet
on the floor as not to capsizing. Then entering
a gorge as a sort of way thin as a huge snake
that crawls among white rocks and threatening,
among ravines and slopes, rising suddenly,
seeming reach distant mountain peaks. Clouds of
dust long untouched, swirl atmosphere. Car
approaching forest edge, where the field opens
in all its splendor, and where you can see the
lake from which you can hear ducks cards. Face
down giving the driver the amount claimed after
the car incite, Diana was heading towards the
much desired cottage.
CHAPTER XV - GIADA