Stella Mia (15 page)

Una Grande Sorpresa

 

 

A BIG SURPRISE

 

 

 

 

I
am getting dressed in the small, but very pleasant, hotel room that Signore Conti has given me. Tonight will be my second working at the Villa Carlotta. While I was nervous performing in front of so many people last night, it went well. Everyone seemed to enjoy my performance, and I even had quite a few guests who were interested in having their cards read.

Signore Conti wasted no time in having posters printed announcing that I would be singing at the hotel. He also had flyers advertising my services as a fortune-teller. The posters were placed all around the piazza in Taormina and of course on the hotel's property. Earlier when I was rehearsing, Signore Conti came over and showed me the local newspaper, which also contained an advertisement he had placed about my fortune-telling. The ad included an illustration of a crystal globe with stars floating above it. The headline read,
La Zingara Sa Tutto. The Gypsy Knows All.
This bothered me since I've only been reading tarot for a short time, and I'm not God. I don't “know all.” But of course I cannot say anything to Signore Conti. He is my boss now and is paying me generously.

It was tiring having to read fortunes while taking my singing breaks, but I'm not complaining. I know how fortunate I am to have found work and to be living out my dream as a singer—a dream I thought impossible only a couple of months ago when I was still living under my father's roof. I was sad to tell Maria and the other gypsies that I would no longer be working with them. Though she and Gianni seemed disappointed, they understood that I want to stay in Taormina. They made me promise to visit them a few times before they leave at the end of the summer.

Signore Conti asked Grazia to do my hair. In addition to working as a maid at the Villa Carlotta, she is also attending school to receive her beautician's license. A knock on my door brings me out of my thoughts.

“Come in!” I shout.

“Are you ready to have me do your hair?” Grazia walks over and kisses me on both cheeks. She is a very warm and kind person.

“
Si.
Please do not style it elaborately. Simpler is better.”

“Bah! I am the hairdresser, and as such, you need to trust my judgment. Besides, how can you know if you won't like an elaborate do if you've never had one? I assume you have never had a beautician style your hair?”

“No. I haven't. My family could never afford such a luxury. Not even my poor mama got her hair done. She would give me trims, and since I wear my hair long, that was enough. Of course, she braided my hair and put it up in buns, but that was about it. I know it's not so fashionable to have long hair still.” I look longingly at Grazia's stylish short bob. She has lustrous light brown hair that is thick and straight. A beautiful white sash headband stands in perfect contrast to her dark locks.

“I can cut your hair short some time if you like, but I think you should keep your hair long. It works on you, especially when you sing. There is something very alluring about long hair and even more about gorgeous red hair like yours.”

“Perhaps. I will give it more thought before I let you shear it all off!” I laugh.

Grazia takes the chair at my dresser and turns it away from the mirror.

“I won't be able to see,” I protest.

“Exactly. I want to surprise you. So let me do my work.”

I sit down and remain silent as Grazia tugs at my hair for what feels like forever, but only amounts to maybe twenty minutes.

“Finito!”
Grazia announces. “Are you ready to see my masterpiece?” Grazia smiles. I can tell she's pleased with my hairstyle.

I stand up and turn around. “Ahh!” I gasp, placing my hand over my mouth. “Is this really me?”

Grazia laughs,
“Si, bella!”

“I look like that French actress. What is her name? Brigitte—”

“Bardot. Yes. That is who I was thinking of. But you are a redheaded version.”

My hair is pulled up into a high bun or beehive. Grazia has inserted two yellow roses, which she took from the vase on my dresser, in the side of the bun. Though my hair is swept up, she has managed to loosen it so that it is not pulled back severely. She also coaxed waves and soft curls out of my hair.

“I am just missing the bangs that Brigitte Bardot has.” I tilt my head from side to side, admiring Grazia's work. “You truly are talented, Grazia! Thank you!”

“My pleasure. If you want, I can cut some bangs the next time I do your hair. I am off tomorrow so I won't be able to style your hair. I'm sorry.”

“That's okay. I don't need my hair styled every night. Yes, I think I would like the bangs.”

“That way you will have a new look without dramatically changing your hair by cutting the length so much.” Grazia looks at her watch. “It's almost time for you to go on.” She kisses me again on both cheeks. “Good luck! I'm sure you will be as fantastic as you were last night!”

“If I don't see you later, have a good night.”

I stare at myself one last time. I truly am almost unrecognizable. The two dresses I bought are gowns. One is an emerald green that complements my auburn hair well, and the other an ivory hue. They are both fitted and long. I almost look like a film star. I felt a little uncomfortable at first when I wore the ivory dress last night. But as always when I sing, I am able to completely lose myself in the singing, and I even felt glamorous in the gown as I performed. I could not bring myself to wear the bolder emerald one last night. But Gisella from the boutique had insisted I buy it. I see how right she was now, especially with my hair styled and swept up. Taking a deep breath, I leave my room and make my way to the outdoor dining patio.

 

Tonight is more thrilling for me than last night. And the audience is larger. I sing a few popular songs and even a few of my own folk songs. Everyone seems to be enjoying my original songs as much as the songs by other musicians that I am covering. I decide to end the night with a song I wrote about my cousin Agata and her growing love for Giuseppe. My mind goes back to the night I witnessed them kissing behind Luigi Milazzo's house as the fireworks were erupting and I was making my escape. Tears fill my eyes as I think about my dear cousin and how I have abandoned her, too. Is she angry with me for leaving her? Fighting back tears, I finish singing the last lyrics of my song. The audience applauds thunderously.

“Grazie mille! Mi chiamo Sarina. Spero che tutti voi avete goduto voi stessi.”
Thanking the audience, I express my hope that they enjoyed the performance.

“Brava! Brava!”
they shout, continuing to applaud. I bow my head.

“Sarina, I think they love you more than they did Anna,” Gaetano says as he stands up from the piano and takes his sheet music.

“Oh, I don't know about that, Gaetano. This is a new round of tourists, not the ones who heard Anna. It's not a fair comparison. But thank you for your kind words and your beautiful piano accompaniment.” I smile.

“
Buonanotte.
I see you have a fan waiting to talk to you.” Gaetano nods toward the bar.

I glance over and freeze. Carlo! I had all but given up hope I would see him again. He continues staring straight into my eyes. Slowly, a grin spreads on his face. He steps off the bar stool and makes his way toward me. I do my best to appear calm as if his presence has not completely rattled me.

I cannot help thinking that I am the one who has had a big surprise. But I dare not say so.

“Sarina, I had no idea
you
were the amazing singer my father had hired.”

“Your father? Signore Conti is your father?”

“Yes. I thought I had mentioned to you when we met on the beach that Rinaldo worked for my father.”

“You did, but you never said what you or your father did. Actually, I don't know much about you, I'm afraid to say.” I offer a shy smile.

“Well, we will be seeing much more of each other now that you are working here. So you will get to know me very well. And I hope I will get to know you better, too.” Carlo looks at me intensely.

“Were you away? I haven't seen you.”

“Yes. Perhaps you've heard. My father is building another hotel in Enna. We take turns going there to oversee the construction.”

“I had heard. And what are your responsibilities at the Villa Carlotta? Do you manage the hotel?”

“Mostly. I also help out if one of our staff falls ill. Today, I was forced to deal with some plumbing problems.”

“You even do that kind of work?” I ask incredulously.

“Yes, Sarina. Just because I am the owner's son, I do not place myself above the other workers, although my father wishes I would. But he and I are quite different.”

“I'm sorry. I did not mean to offend you.”

“You didn't. If you aren't too tired, would you like to stay and talk to me for a bit? We could even take a walk to the piazza.”

“All right. But let me change my clothes. I feel too dressed up.”

“No. You are perfect as you are. Truly stunning. Please don't change.”

I don't know what to say to Carlo's request. Although I am pleased that he has noticed how beautiful I look tonight, I feel a bit silly going to the piazza like this. Although many of the tourists get dressed up in the evening, my gown still feels too formal. But I don't want to displease him. “
Va bene.
We can go for the walk now.”

We make our way to the piazza.

“May I ask about your mother? I haven't heard your father mention her to me, and I would think I would have met her in these past two days.”

Carlo purses his lips. His eyes look sad, and I immediately regret asking him about his mother.

“Her name was Carlotta. She died giving birth to me. I was named after her. My father changed the name of the hotel from Albergo Conti to Villa Carlotta after she died, in honor of her.”

“I'm so sorry.” I place my hand on Carlo's arm.

“Thank you. My father's mother raised me. Nonna Lucia and I are quite close. Remember I told you during my reading that she knows the zodiac well?”

“Yes, I do remember. Does she stay at the hotel? I haven't met her yet.”

“She does, but she is getting quite up there in years. Lately, she's been spending most of her days in bed. Nonna has very bad arthritis, as well as a few heart problems.”

“My little sister's name is Carlotta.”

“It must be destiny then.” Carlo's eyes twinkle.

“How so?”

“The irony of it all. The energy from my mother's and your sister's name brought us together.” His eyes lock onto mine. I quickly glance away.

“You believe in the forces of fate? Most men do not believe in such nonsense.”

“Surely, that's not true. Rinaldo said you had many male customers.”

I blanch.

“I'm sorry. I did not mean what Rinaldo was implying. I know you are not a swindler or . . .” His voice trails off. Now he looks embarrassed.

“It's all right, Carlo. I am a fool. I did find it odd when I began giving readings that so many of my customers were men. But I was just so happy to be making money I didn't give it much thought. I know it is usually women who frequent fortune-tellers. I let myself believe the men in Taormina must just be superstitious.”

“I've been guilty of seeing what I want to as well. We all make that mistake.”

Carlo and I pass a bench beneath a large palm tree.

“Do you mind if we sit for a little while? My feet are beginning to hurt in my shoes.”

“Ah!” Carlo hits his forehead. “I should have let you at least change your shoes so you would be more comfortable. Forgive me. Please, sit down.” Carlo gestures for me to sit down and waits until I am seated before he sits next to me. He drapes his arm around the back of the bench. I can see out of my peripheral vision that he is staring at me.

“Sarina, I have never believed in wasting time so I am going to take my chance and be quite candid. I would like to spend more time with you. I like you a lot.”

His honesty surprises me. Again, he's managed to leave me speechless.

“I'm sorry if I've embarrassed you. But I have been thinking about you since the day we met on the beach. I wanted to come see you the next day, but then my father dropped on me that there was an emergency at the new hotel's construction site and he needed me to go take care of the problem. He had another urgent matter to tend to here so he couldn't leave. You cannot imagine my shock and pleasure when I saw you tonight at the Villa Carlotta. Even though your hair is so much different from how you normally wear it, I instantly recognized you. I can't even describe the sense of happiness I felt when I saw you again and then to realize that you were the singer my father had hired. I had never even thought to ask him what her name was.”

Carlo removes his arm from the back of the bench and takes hold of my hand before saying, “If you don't feel the same, Sarina, just tell me, and I swear I will never bother you again. We can be good friends and nothing more. But if you feel something, too, please tell me. I know I can give you whatever you desire and make you happy.”

I swallow hard and remain silent as my shyness takes over. Carlo looks nervous. I've never been romantically involved with anyone. Though I have fantasized like many other young girls about someday meeting someone who would treat me kindly, I didn't give it much serious thought, especially when I was living under my father's roof. As I'd told Agata that day we were in the country, I couldn't envision my father's ever granting anyone permission to marry me since then he would lose another slave in his household.