Peccatori | Damiano David [ENG]

XXXIII

The need to be in control of everything, everywhere and at all times can drive a person crazy, especially a chickenshit like me. That is why when we entered a huge traffic jam on the highway leading to Florence I was quite annoyed. At least the weather, which was supposed to spoil us for the next few days, was somehow positive.

The sun was streaming on my cheek while Damiano held my hand.

We were just driving to my father's villa, which was a dozen kilometers outside of Florence, where he had been conducting his business since he and my mother separated.

We decided that we would each arrive at the place in our own cars. Unfortunately, a few days before departure Thomas' car broke down and the mechanic said that it would take about a week to repair it. It was only natural that we took him and his new friend with us. Although the word "friend" may be slightly over the top, as I suspect he is merely knocking it on the side. I'm not going to judge that, after all, everything is for people.

Since we're already driving at tortoise speed and the traffic jam seems endless I decided this was the perfect time to get to know Thomas' chosen one better.

- We could have taken the train or considered another route. - Thomas said from the back seat.

Damiano looked at him in the mirror.

- If I had known there would be a giant traffic jam, I would not have gone this way. - he said.

I leaned my back against the side door and looked surreptitiously at the two men.

- Don't you know that long journeys bring people together? - I said quickly and looked at Gabriella. - I would like to know more about Gabriella.

I looked at the girl and gave her a small smile. The girl was a few years younger than me, to my eye she was about 19 years old. Short, slightly wavy shoulder-length blonde hair matched the oval of her face. Blue eyes adorned with a fan of eyelashes gave her an innocent look. Her figure was slim, but not skinny. The girl may not have been one of the most beautiful women in the world, but she was not ugly either.

Most importantly, Thomas liked her.

- Exactly Thomas, I would also like to know something about your friends. - she said and smiled broadly. - I'm going on a trip with you, and we don't really know each other very well. - she said.

I nodded. It surprised me a little, because Thomas was rather one of the more outgoing people. He was a real extrovert, who befriends everyone who stands in his way. I once left him at a club for literally fifteen minutes and when I returned he already had an invitation to some random couple's wedding.

- Of course I told you. After all, you know so many stories with Damiano or Vic or Ethan. I once told you how I put my luggage over Ethan's seat and when the train braked too quickly and violently it fell on his head and I thought it was the last moments of my life. On top of that, the last thing I would see before I died was Ethan's enraged face. - Thomas said, and we burst out laughing.

I witnessed that situation. When it is recounted it is not as funny as it was in that moment. The sight of the guys racing around the compartment will probably stay in my memory for a long time.

- How did you meet? - I asked and turned down the radio in one motion.

- You know, it's not some phenomenal story. We met once in a club, then we went out for coffee together and then Thomas accidentally took something from me and I had to come back for it. I told you, nothing special. - she waved her hand

She left something with Thomas.

- Oh, and what did you leave with him? - I asked politely, as if I hadn't guessed what it was.