All the Way to Heaven

Chapter 5

"Mi scusi?" I had no clue what she'd just hollered at me, and I was seriously considering forfeiting a breakfast of fresh pastries in exchange for the comfort of my room upstairs, another packet of soup, and a cup of the instant coffee I'd brought for emergencies. One such as this was turning out to be.

"Ella vi assista. Help." The woman reached over with her gnarled hand to pat my fingers where they still gripped the counter. Remembering Fabio's consoling touch on my leg last night, I was beginning to feel like a daft tourist who was simply being tolerated by the locals.

"May I help you?" A girl dressed head-to-toe in black and bulging in all the right places, came hip first through a set of swinging doors from the back of the shop, her arms laden with a huge tray of fresh-out-of-the-oven pastries. The aroma clambering to keep up with her was nutty and sweet, making me think of my dad's favorite chocolate toffee and almond candy.

The old woman nodded vigorously and raised both hands toward the girl, repeating, "Madalina vi assista. He help."

"Oh, my. I want one of those." I eyed the tray she set on the counter, my mouth watering. It came out in English, but I tried again in Italian. "Vorrei... uno..."

"I understand. I speak English. You do not speak Italian so good, no?" The buxom beauty grinned. I was pretty sure her teasing was intended to be friendly.

"No. It's not so good." My stomach growled loudly in relieved anticipation. Apple lady chuckled behind the hand she brought to her mouth.

"You are the American girl from up the stairs?" Madalina pointed at the ceiling with a flour-dusted hand. "Alla Dolce Vita?"

"I am." News traveled fast in this neighborhood. Maybe Fabio asked her to keep an eye out for all his guests as a general courtesy.

"Signora Adimari told me you need my special coffee this morning."

"Who?"

"Isa Adimari. Our neighbor." She jutted her chin toward the front door.

I could feel my eyes grow round. "The woman at the window?" It was my turn to point in the general direction of the second floor. I must have looked quite a sight for her to have taken it upon herself to order me coffee. How embarrassing.

"You go sit outside in the sunshine," Madalina ordered. "I bring you coffee and some special sweeties, yes?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed, glad to be leaving the fate of my breakfast menu in the hands of an expert. I turned to the older woman before heading outside. "Grazie, signora."

Still nodding, still smiling, apple lady said again, "Madalina help."

I chose a pink-clothed bistro table out under the awning, and Madalina followed right behind me with a thimble-sized mug of coffee.

I was going to need seconds.

"Do you require to have con latte? Cream? Or sugar?" The look she gave me was almost a challenge, daring me to taint her brew with additives.

I shook my head. "I like it black, thank you." I cradled the miniature hot drink between my hands, giving it my full attention. I made the decision not to let the gossip bother me, especially if it was going to inspire this kind of attention. Of course, they were going to talk about me; I was the stranger among them. Fresh blood.

As Madalina pushed the jingling door open to go back inside, she began to sing, her voice echoing the fullness of her figure.

So it was Madalina who sang so boisterously outside the window this morning, just as it had been Madalina whom Isa Adimari called out to from her second story window. It was Madalina who declared it a glorious day, and I was still inclined to agree with her.