Posted by I woke up to the crowing of an overzealous rooster, and with the sweet musky odor of Catharina in my nostrils, I opened my eyes, only to find Catharina staring at me with a sensuous smile, supporting her head on her elbow, her legs entangled with mine. The evening before we spent in what the Italians would call “an evening with the family”, but to me it was an affecting event, as I wasn’t brought up in such a warm and emotional environment.
Aunt Claudia, was an absolute miracle worker. She managed an immaculate housekeeping, raising four kids and cooking the most extraordinary dishes. She prepared us an amazing “Linguine alle Vongole” (Linguine with Clams), followed by “Salmone al Limone e Basilico” (Salmon With Lemon-Basil Sauce). Now, 20 years later, I still remember vividly all of its magnificent flavors.
At nightfall, Catharina and I were ushered into a guest room with two beds and a private adjoining bathroom. When we got up, I felt a strong urge to mess up the one un-slept bed in the room, but only did so when Catharina was showering.
At the breakfast table, Uncle Salvatore astounded us both when he told us that he already contacted the Convent and managed to arrange a meeting with Bishop Tarantino. Suddenly wide awake, Catharina started to ask for details, but Uncle Salvatore held up his hand like a stop sign and said “we’ll talk about this when I’m back”, as he continued reading his morning newspaper, as if nothing could possibly change his morning routine.
Lauredana managed to pretend taking her “medicine”, which was nothing less than a heavy sedative, for two days in a row now. After having it administered to her for several months now, she was able to fake the usual effect of the drug, without raising suspicion.
That night, in a desperate attempt to flee from the premises where she was kept, she got out of bed and explored if the corridor connected to her room had an exit she could force open and make her escape. Unfortunately, the only outcome of her desperate action was setting off the alarm, that seemed to wake up the whole convent. Two strong orderlies grabbed her arms and took her back to her cell, only this time in a straight-jacket, which from that day on, they would put her in whenever her door was to remain unlocked for housekeeping purposes.
Lauredana slipped into a drug induced limbo, and was convinced to be trapped forever. The only living soul that would treat her with love and respect was sister Felicitas, but she was allowed access only once a week to bathe her. After a period of time, even though her perception of it became completely distorted, she started to doubt the fact if she had given birth to a child at all. She felt she had no reason to keep on living as a vegetable, and wished someone would put an end to her suffering…
to be continued
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Finally the long awaited sequel!
I need to read the first two parts now -