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June 11, 2003 In 1878, Genevieve Dove,' because of her beauty and talent as a student of the opera, was chosen as one of the first scholarship students to study in the newly renovated University of Theatro La Scala, in Milan She was given room, board and a regiment of coaches. Her daily schedule was grueling, academic; opera studies, voice, dance training, and acting classes filled her every waking hour. After months of this schedule, she yearned for some personal time, some time to reflect and catch her breath. Finally, she found her personal hideaway, a small balcony that looked out over the city of Milan. Here, she could steal a few minutes and be left alone, free to read, write, or just daydream without being noticed. After a few weeks, she could hardly wait to seek her personal shelter, her balcony, and her window to the world. From the beginning, her favorite time was that of the official changing of the carabinieri (police). Every day, she waited with great anticipation, the horses and police riding under her balcony as she watched with great pride and enthusiasm, this daily ritual. One day, as she was reviewing the passing formation, she noticed a young carabineri that was watching her. Embarrassed, she tried to take cover. As she peeked out from behind the stone column, she saw him again. However, this time when he saw her, he tipped his hat and smiled. She smiled too! Nearly a year had gone by since she first saw her handsome young carabineri, it was their daily ritual, they smiled, he tipped his hat, and she curtsied. Soon, it would be one year and as she waited, she gave thought about how to commemorate this, their first anniversary. Finally, the big day had come, and she had planned a surprise. Pretending to be ill, she missed the last few minutes of her daily voice lesson. Racing, she made her way to the rose garden and searched for the perfect rose. On this day, every rose was perfect. She picked her rose, and made her way to the balcony. As she ascended the stairs, she could her the hoofs of the horses leaving their official stamps in the cobblestone streets below. Panting, trying to catch her breath from the race to the balcony, she looked for her friend. She could not find him, she started to think, something must have happened to him. Determined not to give up her search, she spotted him, his wonderful smile; she showed to him the rose. He smiled, tipped his hat, and watched her as she kissed the rose and tossed it gingerly to him. From his mount, reaching out as far as possible, he caught the rose. He smelled it, kissed it and placed it inside jacket, next to his heart. Again, he tipped his hat, and she shyly curtsied and blew him a kiss. Several days had passed since he caught the rose; she had not seen him since that day. She was sure she had lost him forever, distraught, fighting back the tears, she began to accept the reality that something had awful had happened to him, her hopes diminished, with each passing of the guard. Sullen; she knew she would have to accept her fate. Tears formed in her eyes as she decided this day would be her last day to look, if he was not there today, he would never return. This would be her last visit to the balcony. She watched as the guard came to a halt. An unusual movement for the column to stop, she leaned forward trying to see. She could only hear, there were several officials talking to someone from the school, then, her name was being he yelled within the stone halls of La Scala by the theater pages. Gathering herself, she followed the page to the Head Masters office. As the page opened the door, she spotted him, he was alive he was handsome and he was smiling at her. She entered the room and was officially introduced to the Mayor of Milan. He in turn, introduced her to Anthony Lala, who only smiled, he knew, that it would not be long, before he would marry her so he could become, my great grand father. They lived a wonderful life. She was always happy, even in hard times. They had eight children and as she tended her chores, she was always humming a beautiful tune. She loved her husband, her family and her life. Many years later, after the children where long grown, my great grand father became ill. She took care of him and loved him deeply; finally, softly humming her tune, holding him in her arms he looked up lovingly at her and smiled. Peacefully he closed his eyes, he was gone. As the family remembered their father, someone asked how she knew he was the right one for her. Her face brightened as she told them, because from the moment I saw him smiling, I heard a beautiful song, you know, the one I always hum, I call it, the song in my heart. the end I hope someday to find my special someone. I wonder if I will hear the song or she? No matter, when I meet her I will know, because I believe! Do you believe? A wise person once said, “Don't settle for someone you can live with. Wait for that someone you can't live without". ------------ About the author: Jeff D. Riley is a second generation Italian American who lives in Texas. Riley lived with his grandparents who taught the value of a loving family. A member of Actor's Equity since age 16, Riley grew up on stage. After a four year tour in the Navy, Riley co-founded a regional ballet company. Ballroom dancing and writing are his hobbies, his four children his loves. The original Mr. Mom, Jeff has been single parent for nearly 15 years. You can contact him at: Tango6000@hotmail.com Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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