Roman Holiday

Summer Loving

That summer was the happiest Jess - or Tom - could ever have imagined.  

They moved into a little rented flat not far from Mama and Papa, spending hot lazy days in the Italian sunshine and hot sensual nights in the Italian darkness. No official announcement was made about their engagement and after the first few times they were pictured out and about, the press left them alone. They fell more and more in love every day.  

But every day brought them closer to September. To Tom going away.

At first it had seemed so far away, just something hovering in the distance like a dark spectre. Now, it was only days away and the atmosphere seemed to change with the season.  Jess became worried as Tom started to become more withdrawn.  No less loving, not that, just quiet and seemed to disappear into his own world more and more.

"Darling, you have to speak to me.  There's something up, I know it.  Tell me please?  Is it the trip?" she gently confronted him with it one evening as they sat sipping espressos on their little balcony overlooking the Palatine hill.  The view, once to die for, now seemed to reinforce what they stood to lose all too soon.

Tom put down his cup with a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. He turned to Jess and took hers in his. "I'm sorry love, it's just, well yes, this trip.  I have a bad feeling about it.  No..." he squeezed her hand "not about us before you say anything, just that it's so far away and these things run over time more often than not..." he stopped and looked at her. "How will I survive without you?" 

Jess smiled.  She had felt exactly the same but hadn't wanted to be the one to say it. "Oh Tom, 3 months isn't so long. We have facetime and phone calls.  I won't sleep anyway so the time difference wont be a problem." she shrugged and a ghost of a laugh came from his lips.

"I suppose you're right" he admitted "I just love you so much." 

She stood up and came and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around him. "and I love you Tom, always remember that." she stroked his cheek. "now, didn't you say you wanted an early night if we're going to Pompeii again tomorrow?" she winked and kissed his neck. He groaned and stood, his arms scooping her up.

"You are wicked, how can I take on the might of Rome when you weaken me like a kitten?" he growled and she giggled as she tugged lightly on his hair, pulling his head back exposing his neck more.  As she nibbled his earlobe she whispered, 

"Yes, but you love it my General." they may have gone to bed early, but sleep ended up the last thing on their minds. Everything seemed perfect again.

A month after Tom had gone, Carrie was working in the restaurant when she started to feel very unwell.  The room spun and she crumpled to the floor in a dead faint, taking a table cloth and the contents of a very surprised customer's lunch with her.  Papa ran from the kitchen and scooped her up, taking her to the store room while Mama cleared up and apologised and generally worried herself sick.

Once the customer was settled with a new lunch and some very nice red wine, she joined Papa in the back.  Jess was sitting, ashen faced but recovering, on a box while Papa force fed her some water.  

"Are you sick Cara?" he asked worriedly, "Why didn't you tell us?  You shouldn't be working" he held the glass as she sipped, much as you would a child. Jess shook her head.

"No Papa I'm fine... I'm not sick" she looked over at Mama and as their eyes met, the two women smiled at each other. Mama rushed over and enveloped her in a warm hug.

"Oh Cara Mia!" she exclaimed, beaming "Cara, cara, cara." she kissed her forehead and Papa just stood looking puzzled, making no sense of the scene.

"Guiseppe!  Are you REALLY so dense?" Mama turned and looked at him as if he were an imbecile.  "Why do you think our little one fainted when she's NOT SICK" she emphasised the last two words and he still shrugged.