The reader (on the tube). The denouement

After the disturbing look we had exchanged two days ago, I was decided to conceal my curiosity so, next day, when I came into the coach and there were no free seats close to him, I mentally sighed of pure relief.

I sat on the opposite row and, when I was going to open my book, carefully keeping my eyes on my hands, he stood up, walked across the corridor and took the seat next to me. Then, he handed me his book, saying, ‘Here. I think you were interested.’

I took the book and, for a second, I had two books on my hands and I dind’t know what to do with any of them. Without giving me a chance of saying something, he continued, looking directly into my eyes, ‘I’m Alessandro *****, but everybody calls me Corso.’

His voice was low and kind, as it was his look: he was talking just for me, smiling with the tiny smile of someone who knows how things must be done. And then it was when I burst into laughs.

I laughed uncontrollably until the train stopped in the next station, the books on my lap, almost crying. He let me laugh, without saying a word, an amused look on his face, as if he knew why I was laughing my head off.

‘Sorry,’ I told him when I got a grip on myself, wiping the tears from my eyes, ‘you’ll think I’m insane, but… I have a character called Francesca Corso…’

He didn’t look confused at all; without leaving that expression of kind interest, he said only two words, ‘Wow, a serendipity…’

And then it was when I stopped dead in my tracks and gasped of amazement, when I realized that I could fall totally in love with him, when I could have kissed him, right there, without further advice…

Instead, I said, ‘Let me check your book,’ and we both laughed together.

That day we left the station together, walking slowly, holding our books. We had lots of things to say.

Since then we have shared lunches and dinners, ice creams and walks, hours of study in the library and nights of fairs and fireworks.

And books.

Yours,

~Evil Spambot ~