Absolute silence.
“I think. don’t you think, my dear, if this is his will it seems…”
“I don’t know dear… it’s all so horrible… I don’t think I could… you could do it…”
The child interrupted them. “I have one last thing to say. Maybe you didn’t understand, but I want to be clear. There will be a new life only for the person who kills me, for the other, unfortunately, I can’t do anything.”
The hands which they had them tight together detached in a bang. “What do you mean?” asked the woman.
“If you want my power you have to kill me. Whoever will succeed in doing so will inherit it.”
“We can kill him together”, she suggested.
“I’m sorry, it doesn’t work like that. It will always be one to ensure the death.”
They forgot about him, now the couple stared at each other. “His joking”, said the husband. “Surely it’s a joke. We don’t have to believe a…”
And the wife: “What would be the point of being young and beautiful without you? I would never do it…”
“Let’s pretend nothing has happened, let’s go home.”
The wife nodded firmly. “That’s right, let’s leave everything.”
He put his hand in his pocket to get the wallet, and her in her bag. What they took out, however, were two identical daggers
Otis remained motionless as the woman lurked over him, but her husband was faster and slipped the dagger into the woman’s back. He pushed it deep, while she gurgled.
“Forgive me dear, But I cannot let you do that. There is only one, you heard.”
The woman’s look was in disbelieve, while her life abandoned her body. In front of her eyes she had the innocent look of the boy’s face.
The man pulled the dagger from the woman’s collapsed body. He smiled at the child. “It will be me, then.”
Otis surprised him, because he jumped to his feet and shuddered, dropping his chair. “Help!” he shouted. “This man has gone mad, he killed his wife!”
The man went mad. “What are you saying? Are you kidding me? Now you don’t want to be killed anymore?”
“Help!”, the child continued shouting. “His crazy!”
Nico had sensed the smell of trouble from the beginning and was ready to intervene. He took the baseball bat he had hidden behind the counter and went forwards. “Calm down, you, and put that knife down.”
The man looked at him desperately as the boy ran to hide before the waiter. “You don’t understand, I have to do it! I don’t have a choice!”
It was pathetic when he tried to hit, Nico hit him on the wrist with the bat, fracturing it. The dagger well to the ground.
“Call the police”, said Nico to the bartender. “I’ll keep an eye on this one.”
Behind him, the child was crying, terrified.
The police came, they took the corpse and the killer, and soon after Otis mother, who they tracked down.
“What else has he done? I can’t turn for a second that this little pest disappears.”
The police officer had yet to establish, the acts of the assassin didn’t make sense. “Do you have any idea what your son is doing here?”
She was a stubborn woman, older and resigned to everything. “He has done another of his things. His always attached to the computer, that disgrace. I told him not to give confidence to anyone, but he does nothing more than talk to strangers and pretends to be someone who he’s not. He has fun picking on them.”
“What has he done?”
“How do you want me to know! Who knows what he has done this time! Last month, he pretended to be a kidnapped woman in a cellar. It was close to get arrested.”
The police officer began to understand: The game took a bad turn. He had found a crazy man. That poor child was terrified and was still crying. After such experience, he would stop making these kinds of joke.
“Can I take him home?”, asked the woman. “It’s nearly midnight.”
“Tomorrow you will have to come to the police station, but”, the police officer granted. “Bring your husband.”
“In what mess have you put me in!”, she screamed at the kid, who sobbed.
They watched them go away, hand in hand. “Poor kid”, said the police officer.
Nico preferred the silence, better not to get into trouble, but to him that poor kid gave him Goosebumps.
“Have you got it?”
“Of course I have.”
In the alley, just outside the room, Otis and his mother stopped.
“What we are doing is horrible”, said the mother.
“We have never killed anyone”, said Otis.
“That doesn’t change anything, we provoked these deaths.”
“Sooner or later the same thing would have happened. They are the evil ones, you know that.”
The woman sighed. “Nobody saw you getting it?”
“It was a piece of cake.”
The woman set aside her scruples and let the excitement kick in. “Let me see.”
The child opened his hands slowly. Inside there was a red drop shinning with its own light.
“Life”, she murmured. “It’s so beautiful, so wonderful. Even from a woman so pitiful.”
The child lifted his hands and the woman drank it. The drop disappeared through her lips.
“Does it work?” he asked.
Her body mutated. She was rejuvenating.
“It always works, my love. It will work always, for eternity.”
She waited until the transformation was completed, then he holds the little girls hand and they disappeared into the darkness.
September 2012
HANDS IN PASTA
Translation by Talida Mantegna
I was kneading, and in the mean time I was calculating: we were six, but down in reception there was three, and they had done so many favours, so I had to keep them happy. Then there were the neighbours, another two, and when Gianna cooked she always brought some for me. Then there’s Fernanda, upstairs, I had to ask that favour, so it was better to make a good impression. And then Rosa and her family, I couldn’t forget them. Sixteen, better do twenty to be sure, someone who I can give a plate to of tortellini is always good, they all become loved, after it.
“Mum, bring me a glass of water!”
Luigino, poor creature, he was doing his homework. He also put effort into it, the little angel.
“Can’t you get up and get it yourself? Can’t you see that I’ve got my hands in pasta?”
“I would never dream of it, mum! That’s your task. Mine is to study, isn’t it? I’ve only asked you for a glass of water, what does it take?”
The mother interposed, like always. “But how have you taught these kids to talk? You think it’s right?”
“Mum, don’t meddle!” I said, and immediately tried to take advantage. “Why don’t you get it.”
My mum got mental. “Me? I wouldn’t dream of it, that’s your duty! It’s never said that I get involved in the education of your children!”
“Mum!” I shouted, but she grinned with her arms crossed.
Then I turned to the oldest one “Cettina, get a glass of water for your brother.”
Is not that I asked for the world!
“I wouldn’t have expected that from you!”, she shouted. “To be his servant? Me? I’m not the oldest one! He should be the one helping me!”
I tried not to scream. “Dad, please. You can finish the crosswords later. Give Luigino a drink.”
It looked as he just fell from the clouds. “I don’t work anymore, Maria, you should remember that. I’m retired. I spent forty years paying tax, I’ve finished.”
“Well, then an extra minute. Give something to drink to your grandson his thirsty. Your grandson, remember?”
He stood up muttering. “Water! Water!”
Luigino started screaming. “His getting it from the toilet, I don’t drink that stuff!”
“From the fridge,
dad! The fridge! And make sure it’s the fizzy one, he doesn’t like still water.”
“Ah, what times! Everything is going downhill! In the fridge, you said? There isn’t any, it’s empty.”
Did I forget to buy it? “Look at the sideboard, over there.”
“Also!”
“If you want the tortellini you have to obey!”
“It’s empty.”
Yes, I forgot it.
“Could you please go and buy some. Just down the road.”
“I’m thirsty!” shouted Luigino. But dad went back to his seat.
“Dad!”
“Don’t annoy me! I told you, I’m retired!”
“Luigino, could you go?”
“Do you want to get paid? Just because I asked you for a glass of water you want me to work for you? This is exploitation!”
“No, no, forget about it. Cettina, what about you, that you aren’t doing anything…”
“I do the shopping Tuesdays and Fridays! What day is it today? Wednesday! Arrange it yourself!”
“Mum!” I shouted.
She disappeared. A voice was heard from the bedroom. “I’ve gone on strike!”
“Well, I can’t!” I shouted. “If I go, who will make the tortellini?”
My dad answered. “Why don’t you call that good for nothing that you married. He should be finishing work at any moment now. Tell him to go by and get some.”
“Cettina, could you at least get me the phone? Can you do this? Remember that Saturday night you will moan wanting to go out, so try to be kind.”
“Blackmail! We have arrived to blackmailing!”
“Put it here, on my back, and put the number in that I can’t touch it.”
“Maybe you want me to scratch your nose at the as well!”
“Yes, what’s wrong?” was the answer on the phone. He recognized the number.
“My dear, when you come back could you get a bottle of water? The baby is thirsty.”
“Don’t give me responsibilities, Maria, you should know this! I already bring money home, of these things you should be the one to do all this.”
I counted to five before answering. “Didn’t you want to do that specific thing?”
“Eh? What are you saying? Today is not Saturday.”
“Well, I promise to fake that it is. And tonight, with the lights off, you and I…”
“But it’s not Saturday!”
“If you don’t want to do it, for me it’s the same.”
“This is corruption you know? Beautiful and good corruption!”
“Don’t worry about it, I will ask the milkman as soon as he arrives! Maybe in exchange he can do me a small favour.”
“Don’t be so vulgar! What do you want me to get you?”
“Water, w-a-t-e-r, you know what it is o you want me to send you a fax?”
“Go to hell!”
“Is he getting it?” shouted Luigino.
“Yes, his getting it. His arriving in ten minutes.”
“Is this how you guide your family?”, shouted my mum, appeared from nowhere. “With corruption, blackmail, with…” Pointed at my tortellini. “With bribes!”
“You are on strike, did you forget? So, don’t get tired and go back to bed!”
“Ah, poor kids! What an example they have in front of them!”
“Did you tell him that I wanted it fizzy?” asked Luigino.
“He has lived in this house from before you were born, he must have learnt something, I hope!”
Luigino snorts.
“Yes, now I should make double request, and maybe this time even in paper!”
My husband arrived ten minutes later, with a box with ten bottles of natural still water.
I swallowed my anger. “For ones, just be happy with it, Luigino!”
“No! No! No! I’ve done my homework! Ask me if you don’t believe me! And I demand that you do yours! You are my mother, damn! Not even a glass of water for your son! Do you want me to tell everyone what kind of mother you are?”
I left the tortellini there and I went to wash my hands.
My mother was horrified. “What are you doing? Are you mad! I promised a plate to my friend Anna, you know that she loves them!”
“Mum, shut up unless you want to end up in hospital!”
My husband looked at me languid. “You going out? But didn’t we have to…?”
“For tonight you will have to be happy with a solitaire!” I cried. I got my coat and bag and walked away.
Heck, how much did it cost! The shop was literary in front of us!
I crossed the road and went in. In the water section, all I could find was boxes and boxes of still natural water.
I called the owner. “And the fizzy water?”
He said: “They have just emptied the ban, come back tomorrow.”
He couldn’t talk to me like that!
“So, you are telling me that you have some! Could you get me a bottle then!”
“There’s certain things that I don’t do, there’s the boy for the manual labour!”
I counted to five. “I’m making tortellini. As soon as they are ready I can send you some for yourself and your wife.”
“Oh! Thank you so much, Mrs. Maria.”
“And that water?”
“Ah…I’ll go and find the boy and send him to you.”
He arrived after a couple of minutes. He looked like an idiot, just looking at him, he was chewing something that couldn’t be named and his nose was running.
“You are Cettina’s mother?”
I was horrified. “You know her?”
“She’s a good one. But she doesn’t go out with me.”
I thank God for that. “You have to go and get me a bottle of fizzy water. Fizzy, understood?”
“I’m out of service.”
“What?” I shouted.
“I’ve finished my shift a minute ago.”
I closed my eyes for an instant. “Do you like tortellini?
“Naaa! They make me sick!”
I took a long breath. “What are you doing this Saturday evening? Do you want to go out with my daughter?”
“Cettina? She doesn’t like me!”
It would of cost me a lot, but it could be done. “So? You want to?”
“OF COURSE!”
“Go and get me that stupid water bottle then!”
“Ok! Ok!”
I got back home more effected. Nobody was doing anything. And I couldn’t complain as they would reply with, they have finished they tasks. I was the one late, the tortellini weren’t ready yet.
I poured a glass of water for Luigino and took it to him.
“Happy now?”
“It’s warm!”
“I can put some ice, if you want.”
Cettina horrified. “But the ice you make it with tap water from the toilet! You know what’s in there!”
Luigino shook his head with resignation. “As a mother you are crap, you know that. You just don’t work.”
I went back to the tortellini before choking him.
“For tonight…” my husband started.
I ignored him. “Cettina! You still want to go out Saturday night?”
A grunt. “What’s the catch?”
“At what time is the curfew? At eleven? And if I moved it to one?”
“You can corrupt me, I know! What do you want me to do, who do I have to kill?”
“I’ll tell you later, you will see that we can come to an agreement.”
“This water is disgusting!” shouted Luigino. “We haven’t got any orange juice.”
“Orange Juice”, I repeated, shocked.
My husband in the meanwhile he was serving himself from the fridge. Getting the spicy peperoni, in preparation for our crazy night. He answers. “No, no orange juice. Mum forgot to buy it.”
I knew what the next request was going to be. “Forget it, not even a week of unbridled sex!”
I looked around, found myself bei
ng watched by frozen eyes.
“The tortellini…” I started, but without any wants.
God, how the days had changed! And to think that before you only needed a plate of tortellini for each to straighten the rights! Never a complain, all happy! But now…
September 2010
THE LESSON
Translation by Ale
“Guys, please! Would you be quiet?”
I keep on writing down on the blackboard. I know that’s only the first period, they’ll soon calm down. After all they are already sixteen.
I write the last digit and turn myself. “You have an hour of time to solve these equations. Don’t mess up….”
There’s something odd. Of course, some of them are chatting, but that’s not it. There’s something more, but what is it?
A girl is sitting in the front seat. A cute blondie, with a nice little light blue dress. I don’t recall having seen her before.
“Who are you?”
The girl stares at me in the eyes. “Bandini, teacher.”
I don’t understand. I don’t have any pupil with that name. Not a girl, at least. I frown. “Davide?”
The laughter of the classmates cover the answer. “If you think it’s a funny joke…”
He’s deeply serious. “No joke.”
“Then, what does it mean?”
A prideful glance. “I’m tired of hiding, teacher. Tired to pretend what I am not. That’s my true nature, under the clothes that I’m wearing.”
The whispering of his classmates intensifies. I keep his stare. That guy has chosen my lesson as to declare the world that he’s gay? Couldn’t have he done it during another class? Even more, in which way!
“You don’t understand…”
“Does it bother you?”
“The fact that you come to school dressed up in that way? Yes, a lot.”
“I, instead, truly feel myself for the very first time. I have disguised myself my whole life, and now I’m tired.”
He doesn’t understand what’s he doing, how he’s destroying his life. I speak to the others. “What do you think about this?”
The Prison Page 70
