Licorice 3
Author: sunsetsinthewes
Challenge: Licorice 3. Three bags full
Extra: Sprinkles
Word Count: 814
Rating: G
Story: Polyfaceted; the title of this story is Clucking.
Summary: A brief glimpse into a weekly lunch date between Arianna Fabrizi and Flavia Marini, two of Augusto's girlfriends.
Notes: This takes place in the end of May, 1995.
***
This week, they meet at Arianna’s for lunch. Now that all of their kids are in school, they have enough time to linger over their meal and still enjoy a relaxing cup of tea afterward. It’s a weekly appointment that they both eagerly await and the novelty of extra free time only sweetens the experience.
“Kathleen’s kitchen renovation is done,” Flavia remarks, blowing across her tea.
“Oh, is it? How did the cabinets turn out?” Arianna glances around the room with a slight frown. “I was thinking of doing something similar in here. There’s so much space in here that just goes to waste.”
Flavia nods, gesturing toward the row of cabinets over the kitchen sink. “You could extend those into the corner. Maybe redo the counters while you’re at it. Kathleen had this beautiful marble installed. I think she said it was imported from Italy, but you know how her husband likes to spoil her.” She takes a long sip from her mug, contentment radiating from her. “I missed you at the christening last weekend. It’s a shame you were ill.”
“It is.” And Arianna means it-- any missed opportunity to spend time with Augusto is always devastating. “How’d little Vito do?”
“He took it in stride. I think he was thrilled to have so many people paying attention to him at once.” Flavia grins. “Violetta looked stunning, as always. I don’t know how she manages to look so glamorous so soon after her second child. You could practically see her pride from the back pew.”
Arianna’s pleased to hear that-- she’s always liked Violetta and Elisa, even while a part of her envies their beauty. “And Elisa? How’s the pregnancy going? Last time I saw her, she wasn’t even showing.”
“Oh, she’s showing now, that’s for sure. She still has a few months to go, of course, but she seemed to be doing well enough.” Flavia thoughtfully cocks her head. “As unusual as their arrangement is, you have to admit that it seems to work well for those two.”
“It must be nice,” Arianna agrees, “having someone around on a regular basis. Not having to be alone. Sometimes, I wonder...”
They fall silent, ignoring the overwhelming sense of pity lingering between them. After an awkward beat or two, Flavia cries out, “Oh! I almost forgot! Gabriella came to the party afterward.”
Arianna’s eyes widen as her mouth falls open. “No. She wouldn’t dare, would she?”
A curt nod is answer enough. “She would, of course. It sounded like she wouldn’t let Augusto rest until he relented and let her come along. Mrs. Corlioni was livid. I was positive that they were going to come to blows over the cake, but the older boys mostly kept them apart. I think Gabriella’s currently angling for a Christmas invite.”
“It’ll never happen,” Arianna replies with confidence. “Not while Mrs. Corlioni is still breathing.” She sighs. “I know that it’s none of my business, what goes on with Augusto when he’s not here. I’ve got no place butting into his affairs. But I just can’t stomach the way Gabriella treats him. He doesn’t deserve so much trouble.”
Flavia shrugs. “No, but he doesn’t seem to mind. I don’t pretend to understand why he puts up with half of the things she does. Mrs. Corlioni will never let it go too far, I’m sure. As long as he’s happy...”
“Yes.” Arianna stares at her hands, folded upon the table, and wistfully murmurs, “As long as he’s happy.” She glances up after a moment or two, blinking as she tries to clear her thoughts. “Oh, my, is it really almost three? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize-- I’ve got to go.”
Standing, Flavia stretches to loosen the kinks in her back. “Of course, I didn’t mean to stay so long. I should be home by the time the kids arrive. Mind if I call for a car?”
“Go ahead, you know where the phone is. Excuse me.” Arianna quickly gathers the dishes from the table, hurrying to straighten the kitchen. When she joins the other woman in the living room, Flavia’s replacing the receiver.
“There’s a car nearby,” she explains. “It’ll be any minute.” As she reaches for her purse and prepares to leave, she suddenly clasps a hand over Arianna’s forearm. “It will never be enough to make up for what you’re missing, I know that. But remember that I’m just a phone call away and I’ll always have the time. You don’t have to be alone. Neither of us do.”
It takes a full ten minutes after Flavia’s departure for Arianna’s smile to fade.
***
Challenge: Licorice 3. Three bags full
Extra: Sprinkles
Word Count: 814
Rating: G
Story: Polyfaceted; the title of this story is Clucking.
Summary: A brief glimpse into a weekly lunch date between Arianna Fabrizi and Flavia Marini, two of Augusto's girlfriends.
Notes: This takes place in the end of May, 1995.
***
This week, they meet at Arianna’s for lunch. Now that all of their kids are in school, they have enough time to linger over their meal and still enjoy a relaxing cup of tea afterward. It’s a weekly appointment that they both eagerly await and the novelty of extra free time only sweetens the experience.
“Kathleen’s kitchen renovation is done,” Flavia remarks, blowing across her tea.
“Oh, is it? How did the cabinets turn out?” Arianna glances around the room with a slight frown. “I was thinking of doing something similar in here. There’s so much space in here that just goes to waste.”
Flavia nods, gesturing toward the row of cabinets over the kitchen sink. “You could extend those into the corner. Maybe redo the counters while you’re at it. Kathleen had this beautiful marble installed. I think she said it was imported from Italy, but you know how her husband likes to spoil her.” She takes a long sip from her mug, contentment radiating from her. “I missed you at the christening last weekend. It’s a shame you were ill.”
“It is.” And Arianna means it-- any missed opportunity to spend time with Augusto is always devastating. “How’d little Vito do?”
“He took it in stride. I think he was thrilled to have so many people paying attention to him at once.” Flavia grins. “Violetta looked stunning, as always. I don’t know how she manages to look so glamorous so soon after her second child. You could practically see her pride from the back pew.”
Arianna’s pleased to hear that-- she’s always liked Violetta and Elisa, even while a part of her envies their beauty. “And Elisa? How’s the pregnancy going? Last time I saw her, she wasn’t even showing.”
“Oh, she’s showing now, that’s for sure. She still has a few months to go, of course, but she seemed to be doing well enough.” Flavia thoughtfully cocks her head. “As unusual as their arrangement is, you have to admit that it seems to work well for those two.”
“It must be nice,” Arianna agrees, “having someone around on a regular basis. Not having to be alone. Sometimes, I wonder...”
They fall silent, ignoring the overwhelming sense of pity lingering between them. After an awkward beat or two, Flavia cries out, “Oh! I almost forgot! Gabriella came to the party afterward.”
Arianna’s eyes widen as her mouth falls open. “No. She wouldn’t dare, would she?”
A curt nod is answer enough. “She would, of course. It sounded like she wouldn’t let Augusto rest until he relented and let her come along. Mrs. Corlioni was livid. I was positive that they were going to come to blows over the cake, but the older boys mostly kept them apart. I think Gabriella’s currently angling for a Christmas invite.”
“It’ll never happen,” Arianna replies with confidence. “Not while Mrs. Corlioni is still breathing.” She sighs. “I know that it’s none of my business, what goes on with Augusto when he’s not here. I’ve got no place butting into his affairs. But I just can’t stomach the way Gabriella treats him. He doesn’t deserve so much trouble.”
Flavia shrugs. “No, but he doesn’t seem to mind. I don’t pretend to understand why he puts up with half of the things she does. Mrs. Corlioni will never let it go too far, I’m sure. As long as he’s happy...”
“Yes.” Arianna stares at her hands, folded upon the table, and wistfully murmurs, “As long as he’s happy.” She glances up after a moment or two, blinking as she tries to clear her thoughts. “Oh, my, is it really almost three? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize-- I’ve got to go.”
Standing, Flavia stretches to loosen the kinks in her back. “Of course, I didn’t mean to stay so long. I should be home by the time the kids arrive. Mind if I call for a car?”
“Go ahead, you know where the phone is. Excuse me.” Arianna quickly gathers the dishes from the table, hurrying to straighten the kitchen. When she joins the other woman in the living room, Flavia’s replacing the receiver.
“There’s a car nearby,” she explains. “It’ll be any minute.” As she reaches for her purse and prepares to leave, she suddenly clasps a hand over Arianna’s forearm. “It will never be enough to make up for what you’re missing, I know that. But remember that I’m just a phone call away and I’ll always have the time. You don’t have to be alone. Neither of us do.”
It takes a full ten minutes after Flavia’s departure for Arianna’s smile to fade.
***