The Train to Orvieto by Novelli Rebecca J.;

Author:Novelli, Rebecca J.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Heron Press
Published: 2016-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

6

FIRENZE, FALL 1948

From a distance, Losine watched the passengers disembark from the train. Against his better judgment and after putting it off for a time, he had begun a correspondence with Willa, formal and businesslike at first, but increasingly personal as time went on. Meanwhile, in the months since their first meeting, Gabriele had, after protracted negotiation, agreed to sell the fresco to him, but under the table and at top price, without permits, insurance, stamps, bribes, or proof of ownership. Losine would take care of all of those himself, and at last, the fresco would finally be his. That is, as soon as Willa delivered it.

Still, there hung in the air the obvious and troubling complications arising from his having become more deeply involved with a married woman. It was true that he had written first and also true that he had continued the correspondence using a false address in another town. He had done so when he was inexplicably upset. No, lonely. She had responded quickly, before she should have, before he was ready to take responsibility for their relationship. Yes, he had to admit that he had kept up their correspondence as a shipwrecked man hangs onto a life raft in a dark sea. Nevertheless, if she hadn’t responded... No, he could not deny his culpability or hers. He had acted consciously. Clearly an affair with her was impossible. When they concluded their business, he would simply tell her, politely of course, kindly, respectfully, that their relationship must not continue. The matter would be finished. Furthermore, he could use this time in Firenze to contact potential clients on the Ponte Vecchio. The gemstones would be delivered soon, and the Florentine goldsmiths were eager to return to their pre-war levels of production. With Willa’s share of the gemstones invested and as a supplier to the goldsmiths, he would certainly profit and so would she. The risks had been worth it, and he would leave investors better off than when they started. No fault, no penalty, he told himself.

Then, he saw her. She stepped down from the train and sought an open spot on the crowded platform. Her breath left small white clouds in front of her. She set her two valises down next to her with great care. The significance of the valises showed in her constant attention to their whereabouts, her protection of them. Excellent, he thought, she has brought the fresco with her. He was surprised that he had forgotten how she looked. She was smaller than he remembered, pale and freckled, her auburn hair a penumbra of fire under her dark green hat, which lodged to one side of her head, its iridescent feathers curling around her brow. Would she notice him in the crowd? It had been nearly a year since they had seen one another. He watched her movements, curious to see her reaction when she recognized him. She glanced around, then picked up the bulging bags, and, despite their obvious weight, strode toward the station.

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