Elsa
I finally picked up one of Rosa’s calls after her missed calls reached twenty.
“Elsa? Are you on a mission to give me a heartache, if you are you are doing it very well. Why haven’t you been answering my calls?” she says when I pick up.
“Mi dispiace Mamma Rosa,” I apologize.
“Where are you? Why haven’t you come back home yet? I am so worried about you,” she says. Even though she really sounds concerned, I don’t feel it. Did she bring Federico over since I haven’t been home for three days? That would be top-notch ridiculous if she did. He would probably be shot at the gate.
“I am alright, Rosa. Stop worrying. I am with Rita. Stop worrying a lot about me. I am not a child,” I tell her. Why do I have to keep reminding them of this all the time?
“I know that, dear but we have every reason to worry. We can’t be sure you are safe where you are. There are predators all over Sicily who want you, darling. We have to make sure you are safe wherever you go,” she responds. Predators being led by your lover?
“Don’t worry about me. I will be fine. I will come back home when I finish up with Rita. You know very well how much I missed her. I need some more time,” I try explaining to her.
“I know that dear, but try giving your uncle a call. He is also worried. ”
“I already did. Bye Rosa. I have to go,” I say impatient to get off the phone. Rita has already put on the movie with all the snacks we need and it has paused for me to find up. We have decided to spend the whole day today inside, watching movies, eating, drinking, and talking.
“Bye, dear. Please take care of yourself, and pick up your phone. We can’t help but worry when you don’t answer. ”
“Okay. Bye now,” I hang up and roll my eyes. She has the courage to pretend to be so caring even more than my mother. I make a mental note to call up mom tonight. I miss her.
“Hurry up, Elsa. I am tired of waiting,” Rita calls me.
“I am coming,” I respond walking to the couch. I sink in and we cover ourselves with a blanket. She presses the play button on the remote and the movie starts playing. It’s some romantic shit that gets me thinking about Marcello and horny at the same time.
After the first movie, we put on another. This one is even more steamy and heartbreaking, I find myself crying.
By the time we finish the second movie, I am an emotional wreck. I suggest that we put on an action thriller next but turns out there is a romantic background and the hero is shot dead at the end. It’s so tragic it reminds me of when Marcello was announced to have been shot in Naples. What if my love story turns out to have the same kind of tragic ending? One of us might end up dying never by gunshot or poison or choking by our numerous enemies and the other, probably me from a heartbreak thereafter. Our lives are very fragile especially Marcello’s. He is very much engaged with very many people most of them are not very happy to see him that successful at his young age. He is more open to death threats than I am. What if we actually manage to go far enough to carry and I die a mafia widow at a young age?
Fuck life!
Our lives are too short. Rita was right. What if I don’t have Marcello tomorrow? Anything can happen. I can get caught by Federico his men and not be able to see him again. It may be the last time.
My heart starts racing, and I try to calm myself down but in vain. Where is Marcello now? Is he alright? What if something has happened to him? What if he was attacked and shot on his way from the hotel?
I am just getting delusional.
But why hasn’t he called me since I left? He’s probably too busy. I try to talk sense into my head but I can’t seem to stop thinking about it.
When the movie ends, I jump to my feet and pick up my phone
“Where to?” Rita gives me a puzzled look.
“I have to call Marcello. I ain’t know why but I can’t stop worrying about him,” I respond, sailing up his number.
“Oh, go ahead. I need a bathroom break,” she says, getting up.
The number is not available.
Shit!
My body goes into panic mode and my blood pressure shoots through the sky. I take a deep breath and try calling again.
The phone is off.
What’s going on?
I check the time. It is forty-eight minutes past six. Could he be in some important business meeting?
I dial up Gabrielle but his phone is also off.
Oh God!
Are they together? They might be in some important meeting together.
I pace around the room trying to think straight.
Maybe they are alright.
I quickly switch to a news channel. No death announcements or wary news. I even try searching on my phone but no such breaking news is being announced.
“Have you talked to him?” Rita asks on her way back.
“No. His phone is off. I have tried reaching his assistant but his phone is also off. I think they must be in an important meeting if they haven’t died in a plotted car accident or plane crash,” I respond.
“Whoa! Come down, Elsa. I think you are overreacting. You can try again later. Try to think positively or to uh will have a heart attack. Come let’s watch another movie. Maybe you can try calling him again later,” Rita suggests. I place the phone back on the table and sit back on the sofa. We continue with our movie marathon but I am preoccupied by my thoughts half the time.