FORAY
VITTORIA LIKES TO HELP EVERYONE. AT CHURCH SHE IS ONE OF THE youth ministry leaders on Wednesday night services twice a month. Tonight she was off-schedule, so she would attend to the sermon.
After sermon, for Vittoria's surprise, the youth group - THRIVE, did a special homage to her for the years of service and her continuous passion and hard work with the youth group ministry at church. The youth group entered the temple, leaded by PJ - Joey the youth group pastor. The one's walking in the front line were holding a wrapped gift box and an arrangement of her favorite flowers, a dozen of huge sunflowers mixed with half a dozen of red, unopened roses. When almost all the group had come to the front of the altar, behind the last one followed Rachel, Joey's wife who's also a lead teacher of the youth group, carrying a small personal-cake with a candle in the center. Then they all started singing Happy Birthday to Vittoria, who was now walking dumbstruck, as two of her students came and took her by her hands while they sang. It was an early surprise celebration of her 25th birthday, as it was tomorrow.
This was something she wasn't expecting and she was all tears now, maybe this was why when they passed her the microphone she found herself without much word to say.
"I'm very, very happy, and of course, completely thankful to the Lord for this family he had provided me with. There are no bigger words for me to let you all know how much I appreciate each one of you than saying I love you." A sob escaped her and then speaking almost in a whisper, "I love you all so much... Thank you, thank you for everything!"
And then a procession of hugs: first the entire youth group gave her a "big bear hug" - as they called their group hug; followed by Rachel and PJ; and then the church pastor - Pastor John Mark, and his wife Natalie.
There was a bigger cake for everyone to munch on in the reception area.
When the party was over, Vittoria headed to the metro station accompanied by Daniel and Josie, though they all took different metros, as that they lived on different directions.
Ben and Julie approach them with their car and offered Vittoria a ride to her apartment since it was on their way home.
"Thanks Ben," but, given that she was chatting with Daniel and Josie and she loved the warm weather of summer at night, decided to continue walking to the metro station with them, "but it's a splendid weather out here tonight." Gazing up to the starless sky continued, "We should all enjoy it while it lasts." Then she beams at them.
"Vittoria," started Julie, then hesitated, but kept on, "your parents would've been so proud of you," she paused; her eyes started watering, and then continued "I mean, you have become such a wonderful woman with what all that you went through." then sighed in frustration, "but the Lord has always been with you." She finished with a kind smile on her face and one tear rolling down her cheek.
They stared at each other for a moment. Vittoria found no words to reply, she felt as if a knot had formed in her throat. Her faced turned gloomed for a second but then she forced a smile, which turned out to be a half heartedly smile, and not the shimmery smile she always does.
"Good night then" Said Ben, who didn't seem to notice any of this, for it was dark and dim.
"'Night" she said in a lower voice.
The car sped up and turned in the next light, living the three of them there standing; now looking onto the silent night, just where the car just disappeared.
"I think I'll just follow my own to my apartment." Said Vittoria; trying to hide her pain.
"Weren't you going to take the metro?" Asked Josie.
"Yes but like I said, it's a nice weather outside. I'd rather walk home tonight." She lied.
"OK. We'll see you on Sunday then. Happy birthday!" Said Josie.
"Take care of yourself. God bless you. Have a wonderful birthday tomorrow!" Said Daniel.
"Thanks guys." She replied, looking at them, but then turning her face away. She knew she would crack soon, so she just stared at the sky, searching for the moon, who decided to hide itself from view behind the old buildings.
They parted to their different ways. Vittoria started dragging her legs to her way back home. She had so many thoughts on her mind.
As soon as she got home, half an hour later, feeling all sad for not having her dad with her tonight, she started seeking the coffer that contained all the hollow memories of her father.
After founding it she blows away the dust from it, caresses it - knowing she should not do it, but with her mind full of emotions, she gives in to her weakness and opens it.
Taking out all the news reports, looks at them carefully, and without thinking submerges herself in the story reading it again and again through the various versions of the different clippings of newspapers. When she finished reading it for the third time she found some pictures of the scene - one of them with her, Vittoria, holding her dad's hand on his final hours.
That was it - she couldn't contain herself any longer, tears now poured along her cheeks and into the coffer, now placed on her lap. A break of emotions slipped through her. She was sorry for herself, for all the sleepless nights she had been through when she was just a child and not able to mourn her father's loss properly. She had not been able to slip a tear for her dad. She had wanted to be strong; she would accept the will of God in her life, and would continue delivering the good news just as her father had been doing until his last day.
Her head felt as if ripped apart - it was throbbing. Sobbing she put aside the coffer, dizziness overflowing her senses, she stood up and had to grasp to the nearest counter to not tumble. Went to the medicine cabinet, took out some Tylenol-PM and drank three pills, the pain was too much to withstand. She thrashed at her bed.
