The more you know, the more you love, and by loving more, the more you enjoy.
Dinner began at 7 p.m. sharp at Le Antiche Sere in Sogna, Italy in the Tuscany region. It was April, and Spring was arriving. The olive trees were beginning to be full. The white linen tablecloths were fashioned at the outskirts of the town with its two streets and where delicious wine was made and cherished by the locals.
The lights were dim and the atmosphere spoke of a relaxed congenial mood. If Timothy had needed to look in the local telephone book, he would have discovered that regional art was featured in it each year!
His dinner companion, Emily, had arrived from Rome on a fast train and walked into the restaurant looking just like a vision in gossamer pinks and accentuated with gold jewelry. Her dark tresses were upswept in a fashionable bun and gold leaves were interwined in it. Emily was born into a wealthy Rome banking family and walked with the assurance of a person well-bred and well-educated. She did not tolerate fools.
The old friends greeted each other with hugs and cheek kisses of an affectionate kind by those who have trusted and known one another for a long time. They had not seen one another for two years because Timothy travelled the world and very seldom was staying in Italy. So this was their chance to enjoy an evening’s repast and converse as only they could.
They knew one another’s secrets and would never divulge a single word of any of it. They both knew to do so would break their bond. They made quite a handsome couple, but romance did not enter their friendship. Timothy had a woman in Brussels and Emily had her man in Rome. These were just two good friends enjoying an evening together.
They ordered a sea bass appetizer and a rose wine. They talked of the new Pope’s installation and the crowds around Rome to bear witness to it. They talked about the Italian lira and the American dollar. They knew one another so well, they could finish sentences, or anticipate what the opinion to yet be expressed would be. They were comfortable with one another.
For dinner they ordered lasagna which was a specialty of the house, a small Caprese green salad and a side of crusty Italian bread slathered with honeyed butter. For both it was the first meal that day so talking-ceased and eating began. They sat in a leather covered booth and had complete privacy.
As such beautiful evenings go, it went too quickly.
It was nine o’clock when they ordered dessert and tea and coffee. Emily particularly liked the Panforte fruitcake and Timothy ordered a decadent chocolate cake. They exchanged small gifts which was a custom when they met. Timothy gave her a gold bracelet fashioned in Florence and Emily gave him a gold tie clasp and an art deco tie she had found at a favorite Rome men’s shop. Both were delighted with their gift and promised to see one another the following February when Timothy would have a stopover in Rome for two days. They could see some sights together.
The table candles had burned low. It was almost parting time. They gave one another a letter to take with on their journeys home, another custom of long-standing.
They both loved the written word.
Out into the pine-scented air, the couple paused.
Arrivederci, Timothy.
Arrivederci, Emily. Until we meet again.