after he’d moved into his Verona apartment, he’d fully expected her to be disgusted with his state. But she’d been nothing of the sort. In fact, she’d shown him patience and a gentle kindness that was both calming and healing. At the end of that first weekend, before Sofia left to return to London, she made sure that Charles felt ready to be alone.
“I’m fine, really, I’m fine,” he’d responded, and he’d meant it. He was amazed at how much stress, fear and emotional pain he was able to let go of in one weekend just by having someone understand him and validate his feelings. Sofia was easy to talk to, and the stress of trying to live up to his father’s demands was released as the two talked throughout the weekend. By the time she asked him if he would be okay when she left, Charles felt he was ready to begin a new life outside of his father’s shadow and was thankful to have a wonderful new friend.
Since then, the two had kept in touch by phone. Charles told Sofia about his explorations of the city, and Sofia filled him in on all the comings and goings in the bank office, letting him know that his temporary replacement was not a joy to work with as Charles had been.
“I’ll make it up to you with dinner the next time you’re in town. Would that do?” he’d asked her during their last phone conversation.
“I’m not sure dinner will pay the entire debt,” she teased, “but it’s a good start.” Instead, they’d be attending the dinner at the apartment building. He’d have much rather had Sofia to himself, but meeting the other neighbors was a good idea. They’d just have to dine alone another night.
Charles was growing fond of Sofia; he didn’t want to let on because he’d come to treasure their friendship and didn’t want to spoil it. He looked forward to the occasional weekend visits and late-night phone calls, and they meant a lot to him. But he didn’t want to push his luck and take the chance of ruining a good thing when he had it. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like if Sofia were more than just his friend.
“Charles, are you going to help me with these vegetables?” Sofia smiled at him, giving him a friendly elbow in the side. “You’re off in your own world, aren’t you? Come back and help me make this salad.”
He looked at the array of fresh cucumbers, eggplant, ripe red tomatoes, olives and leafy romaine lettuce on the counter and shook his head, smiling. Sofia stood near the sink in a simple blue cotton dress dotted with tiny flowers. Charles chopped the vegetables as she directed, while holding up his end of the conversation about what the other tenants might be like. But his attention was on Sofia, the musical sound of her voice and the sweet, fresh smell of her hair. For the moment, nothing else mattered; Charles was content just to enjoy her company and the wonderful effect she was having on his life.
Chapter 8
Eva stood in the middle of the rear courtyard and looked around. Her modest but festive decorative efforts had turned the simple courtyard into a garden with a relaxed dinner party ambiance. Three bouquets of fresh flowers from the market decorated the long wooden table she’d managed to inch out from a closed storage space underneath the steps. The table sat in the middle of the yard with several mismatched chairs around it. Brightly colored paper lanterns were strung along the top of the courtyard fence. When the sun set, Eva knew their colorful light would reflect and dance throughout the yard. Simple white column candles in small grapevine wreaths decorated each place setting on the table, ready to add a bit of classic beauty to the table when it grew dark. All she needed now were the guests.
Glancing at her watch, Eva decided to go upstairs and get the lasagna she’d just taken out of the oven. It was 7 o’clock and the other tenants would be arriving soon. She expected them all to come, whoever they were, because the
“I’m fine, really, I’m fine,” he’d responded, and he’d meant it. He was amazed at how much stress, fear and emotional pain he was able to let go of in one weekend just by having someone understand him and validate his feelings. Sofia was easy to talk to, and the stress of trying to live up to his father’s demands was released as the two talked throughout the weekend. By the time she asked him if he would be okay when she left, Charles felt he was ready to begin a new life outside of his father’s shadow and was thankful to have a wonderful new friend.
Since then, the two had kept in touch by phone. Charles told Sofia about his explorations of the city, and Sofia filled him in on all the comings and goings in the bank office, letting him know that his temporary replacement was not a joy to work with as Charles had been.
“I’ll make it up to you with dinner the next time you’re in town. Would that do?” he’d asked her during their last phone conversation.
“I’m not sure dinner will pay the entire debt,” she teased, “but it’s a good start.” Instead, they’d be attending the dinner at the apartment building. He’d have much rather had Sofia to himself, but meeting the other neighbors was a good idea. They’d just have to dine alone another night.
Charles was growing fond of Sofia; he didn’t want to let on because he’d come to treasure their friendship and didn’t want to spoil it. He looked forward to the occasional weekend visits and late-night phone calls, and they meant a lot to him. But he didn’t want to push his luck and take the chance of ruining a good thing when he had it. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like if Sofia were more than just his friend.
“Charles, are you going to help me with these vegetables?” Sofia smiled at him, giving him a friendly elbow in the side. “You’re off in your own world, aren’t you? Come back and help me make this salad.”
He looked at the array of fresh cucumbers, eggplant, ripe red tomatoes, olives and leafy romaine lettuce on the counter and shook his head, smiling. Sofia stood near the sink in a simple blue cotton dress dotted with tiny flowers. Charles chopped the vegetables as she directed, while holding up his end of the conversation about what the other tenants might be like. But his attention was on Sofia, the musical sound of her voice and the sweet, fresh smell of her hair. For the moment, nothing else mattered; Charles was content just to enjoy her company and the wonderful effect she was having on his life.
Chapter 8
Eva stood in the middle of the rear courtyard and looked around. Her modest but festive decorative efforts had turned the simple courtyard into a garden with a relaxed dinner party ambiance. Three bouquets of fresh flowers from the market decorated the long wooden table she’d managed to inch out from a closed storage space underneath the steps. The table sat in the middle of the yard with several mismatched chairs around it. Brightly colored paper lanterns were strung along the top of the courtyard fence. When the sun set, Eva knew their colorful light would reflect and dance throughout the yard. Simple white column candles in small grapevine wreaths decorated each place setting on the table, ready to add a bit of classic beauty to the table when it grew dark. All she needed now were the guests.
Glancing at her watch, Eva decided to go upstairs and get the lasagna she’d just taken out of the oven. It was 7 o’clock and the other tenants would be arriving soon. She expected them all to come, whoever they were, because the
Similar Books
