MARISA SANTI
DANCING TO HAPPINESS
A NOVEL
Translated by: Loredana Meleo
Publisher: Tektime
This novel is a work of fiction. All the characters and the events described are the result of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to living or dead persons and facts is totally fortuitous.
Dedicated to my beloved daughters and to those who still have the courage to make their dreams come true...
“There’s an end to every storm. Once all the trees have been uprooted, once all the houses have been ripped apart, the wind will hush, the clouds will part, the rain will stop, the sky will clear in an instant. But only then, in those quiet moments after the storm, do we learn who was strong enough to survive it.”
Taken by Grey’s Anatomy
I
It’s a beautiful Friday with a very clear sky, you could not help but to remain with closed eyes and nose up to inebriate yourself with that crisp air. Infrequently, in the middle of July, the city offered something different from the mugginess. We had to take advantage of it.
We are all gathered on the terrace for lunch when the awkward silence is interrupted by Alex: <<Hey Isabel, you still have not told us the date of your next competition!>>
I look at Alex giving a hint of a smile; I would prefer not think about the competition on this wonderful day.
<<I know few days left and I have not yet said anything, but for the moment I don’t know the exact time... There were problems with the organization of the event so they’re leaving everything to the last minute. As soon as they will tell it to me, I will explain everything in detail to you. You know I could never do without “bearing” your presence and that of the others who cheer for me>>, I wink and smile.
I return to enjoy the wonderful day even though I should train instead of staying here and relaxing. In the last few days I really worked hard. It may well be legitimate to laze and spend free time enjoying my friends’ company! I would like to do something different. I feel strange for days now; I am a little out of sorts without knowing why. I feel like Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde!
I should consider myself a fortunate young woman. I live in Turin, city I love, and I have loving parents who run a boarding house for university students which allows me to make friends with peers and to exchange experiences with them. I participate in many competitions in order to increase my experience and to develop my determination with new challenges but above all because I love to give my best to accumulate confidence and to prove myself that, if I want, I can!
During the week I go to the university, help my parents to manage the boarding house and some nights I allow myself a little fun going out with my friends or my boyfriend Max. Sometimes I think my life is a little tiring because I always have to find the time and the energy to conciliate everything and for exercises and dance school. Above all it’s tiring when I approach the competitions, more the event approaches and more my competitiveness grows and with it the anxiety of not being up to it. I don’t like to lose and even be second. I think I am a perfectionist but all this gratifies me and I believe it pleases my parents too. It’s a way to pay them back for all the sacrifices they have done and continue doing to help me realize my dreams. My existence is very calm: I have parents who love me, we are well fixed financially, I have many friends and a boyfriend who fills me with attention and who many envy me. So why do not I feel satisfied? I feel as if my life is missing a piece to complete a puzzle.
I have to do something to distract myself from this useless and dangerous melancholy and I want to involve my friends too. I have to work hard to contrive a way to escape this routine!
Well, I got an idea: It’s been months since Frances, “my mother’s best friend”, spurs me to go visit her.
While we are all still at the table I propose: <<Folks, what about going on a trip to the seaside this weekend?>>
Alex and Vanessa stay amazed by my proposal looking at me as if there was someone else with my appearance before them; both know that in this period I dedicate myself only to gym and university. Usually, when an exam or a competition approaches I don’t even go out for an aperitif or a beer at the pub.
<<Are you really sure you want to “waste” two whole days without trainings and pirouettes?>> Vanessa asked, still puzzled and incredulous to my request. I nod with an expression amused by the faces that they all have at this time; their expression is astonished as if a ghost has appeared in front of them.
The kids confront each other to decide whether to accept or not my proposal depending upon their commitments. They look quite ambushed but also euphoric for the pleasant newness. Sun, sea, friends and revelry. Finally they stop looking at me as if I was just out of the insane asylum and give me their verdict.
<<Yes, for me it’s fine>> Rebecca says enthusiastic.
<<And you?>> I ask the others.
<<We’ll all come>> they answer, singing in chorus.
And then I would be the strange one! Alex, Vanessa, Rebecca, Victor, Lara, Rossana, Matthew, Claire and Mark have for years been the tenants of the boarding house, we have connected so much that we behave as if we are all brothers and sisters: we are a big family, united by a deep friendship.
<<So it’s settled, we’re going to leave late in the afternoon!>> I exclaim happily.
After lunch, we soon get ready to leave.
In the meantime, I take my mobile phone and call Max and Roberta, my best friend, to invite them too. Roberta accepts immediately but unfortunately Max is forced to pass up reluctantly because of work commitments. I’m sorry he can’t be with us, I won’t see him for two days.
I close my bag and hasten to join the others in the living room.
<<We are all here, only you were missing and to discover our destination! We’ve got everything, now would you mind telling us where we’re going?!>> Claire asks more and more intrigued.
<<To the sea! Oh... Maybe you would like to know the place too... To Alassio in Liguria. There’s a dear friend of my mother who is waiting for us with open arms! She is always happy to have guests, especially if they are nice boys and girls. She always asks me to go visit her because she feels a little lonely and she would like that I bring some friends with me. She has a very big house with a lot of rooms. Have I clarified your ideas or do you still think that we’re going towards the most mysterious unknown?>> I ask making fun of them. <<Come on, let’s go!>>
<<Tell us what’s your friend’s name at least!!!>> Roberta exclaimed.
<<Her name is Frances and she’s a very sweet and nice woman. Ah... Maybe you fear she may be the evil witch of Hansel and Gretel, don’t you? Who knows, maybe I have made arrangements with her and today’s lunch may be a way to fatten and prepare you all for her magic oven...>>
Finally they have stopped bombarding me with useless questions and have decided to head for the parking. We pack up our cars and then we leave.
I decide to get in the car with Robbie who, worried about having to face the highway, asks me to use my car and to drive, as always.
<<Robbie, you have to overcame this absurd fear of driving on the highway. For this time I go along with you but on the way back you’re going to drive!>> I tell her reproachfully.
<<You know I haven’t the knack...everybody is not like you, Miss-do-it-all! You’ll drive on the way back too!>>, she replies, ducking out of the responsibility towards herself to overcame her fear.
<<Okay.>> I answer snorting.
We