“Everyone’s mood was spread in the air, the tiny streets of Panarea were filled with amorous expressions heard at full volume”.
Michelangelo Antonioni, Italian film director
(This short story was inspired by my visit to the Aeolian Islands off the northern coast of Sicily last year.)
She was definitely in her element. Though her occupation was humble, she not only owned it, she radiated enjoyment. It’s what attracted him to her, a waitress in a tourist bar on the Italian island of Lipari.
From the moment he sat down at the outdoor table for a late lunch, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. As she made her rounds, he was mesmerized by the way she swayed and smiled at customers and how men’s eyes followed her. Dressed in strappy sandals, an inexpensive black mini skirt, and a simple black tee, she looked both sexy and hip. The women he often dated had their own money and were impressed with his family history. He hoped this one would be lured by the obvious luxury of his Bruno Cucinelli boat shoes which cost more than she would make in a week. In truth, money was his main asset, and he hoped it would suffice to charm her.
“Buongiorno, Signore. Cosa vuole?”
Her arrival at his table and the sultriness of her voice disarmed him. What did he want? The truth would have been, “Come away with me!” but he was bred not to be impulsive. He requested a menu. “La lista, per favore.”
While perusing the offerings, he explained it was his first time in port.
“You came by ferry?” she asked in Italian.
“Yacht.”
Her eyes grew as large as saucers. “How exciting it must be to cruise on a yacht!”
“You never have?”
“For me, it’s only a dream to cruise our islands, Signore, especially to Panarea.”
He made a quick mental change of plans, and his face relaxed into a benevolent expression. “Then I must make your dream come true.”
“You are a genie?”
“I’m cruising to Panarea this evening. You’re welcome to join me.”
She pouted and fluttered her eyes. “But I don’t know you, Signore, and I could lose my job if I’m not back by morning.”
“Stop calling me ‘Signore.’ My name is Sandro, and I have many friends in high places if you need references.”
“A man with such friends must have a big yacht, no?”
“Sixteen meters—big enough for entertaining but small enough for comfort.”
“It sounds amazing, but I fear Panarea is too exclusive for me. I wouldn’t fit in….”
“You’ll be the most beautiful woman there, and you’ll be with me.”
“If you’re sure….”
“I’m positive. Besides, this job isn’t worth missing out on A-list, yacht-hopping parties. You’ll love it.”
“You make it sound so exciting. How can I refuse?”
“Come to the harbor tonight at eight and look for the ‘Bella Figura’ at the end of the third pier. I’ll be aboard waiting to whisk you away for an unforgettable night. Trust me.”
A satisfied smile spread across her lovely face. “I’ll be there.”
“Perfetto. Now I will trust you. What do you recommend for lunch?”
“The pasta with swordfish is our local specialty.”
“Excellent, and bring me a half-liter of your local red wine.”
“Malvasia. Excellent choice, Sandro.”
He watched her sashay away with a predatory look of satisfaction. That was easy and I don’t even know her name.
#
The sleek, white body of the ‘Bella Figura’ looked splendid gleaming in the evening light. As Elisa strode closer, she saw Sandro on the deck eyeing her. It was time to reel him in a little more. She placed her overnight case on the dock, put her fist to her heart, and pointed to his love boat. He blew a kiss and rushed to meet her at the aft boarding platform.
“You look ravishing this evening. Bellissima.”
“Grazie, Sandro. I hope my dress meets the standards of a Panarea party.”
Heat rose to his face as his gaze raked over her form, rendering him speechless. Instead, he bunched the fingertips of his right hand together, drew them to his lips, and kissed them.
“I hope that means I’m permitted to come aboard.”
“Yes, but please remove your shoes.”
Her questioning eyes prompted him to explain, “The teak decking scuffs.”
Fussy for a party animal, she thought. She complied before offering her hand. He took her bag and steadied her as she boarded. He was all good manners after that, showing her where to leave her belongings in her own quarters. Then he led her to the helm and offered her a seat next to his own. Thus, they began the short trip northeast on the dark sea, to the smallest Aeolian island—he waiting for her to want him and her wanting something else.
As they rounded the island, the view revealed a hillside dotted with twinkling lights, and the surrounding waters were awash with yachts glittering in the night.
Elisa gasped. “It’s like a fairyland.”
Sandro leaned close to her ear and whispered, “And we can fulfill our dreams here.”
Elisa shivered. I hope so.
Sandro maneuvered the ‘Bella Figura’ into a skerry-fringed cove where dozens of yachts were moored side-by-side and rafted together. The party was in full motion with pulsating music and lights and oodles of people.
“Ready to join the party?”
“Sure, but how do we get there? Swim?”
“Of course not. I’ll deploy the fenders, move in close to one of the boats on the outer edge of the group, lasso its cleats, pull us close, and secure the ropes on our end.”
“Sounds daunting.”
“I’ve been doing it for years, so a piece of cake. Watch and be impressed, bella.”
His deft execution proved he was indeed an old hand at yacht-hopping. She had chosen well.
“Voila! We can now step into the party instead of swimming to it.”
Elisa’s heartbeat ramped up as she stepped across to their neighbor’s yacht and scanned the faces caught up in the frenzy. Sandro placed his hand on her waist and steered her forward.
He shouted to be heard above the din. “I’ll get us some drinks then we’ll circulate. Okay?”
She flashed him a thumbs-up. Circulating was exactly what she needed to do.
Before he pushed his way through to one of the crowded bars, Sandro said, “Wait for me here while I order. I recommend a White Lady cocktail made with Panarea Island gin, but if you prefer champagne, just say the word.”
“I’ll trust your recommendation.”
She had a moment of freak as he disappeared into the thirsty throng. I used the word ’trust.’ I’m losing my edge.
She was torn when Sandro returned bearing two frosty cocktail glasses with frothy, pale-blonde concoctions topped with lemon slices. I’m parched and they look appealing, but are they safe? I need my wits about me. I’ll err on the side of caution.
Sandro handed her a glass.“Cin cin!”
She held her glass high, repeated the toast, and touched the rim to her lips without taking a sip.
“Let’s circulate,” she said. “I want to see everything.”
Sandro took her hand and weaved through the revelers, taking time to introduce her to people here and there, including a French Count who embraced him as a close friend. She was surprised. Many people seemed to like him and he acted like he was proud to be with her. What’s up with this guy? she wondered.
After one go-round, he said, “You’ve barely touched your drink. Would you prefer something else?”
“It’s fine,” she lied. “I guess I’m too excited to drink.”
He set her glass on a nearby surface and drew her close. “Let’s dance.”
“Only if we dance our way to the next boat. I want to take it all in.”
“It will just be more of the same. Let’s enjoy the moment here.”
“But Sandro, you’ve seen it before. It’s all new to me and I need to see for myself. Please!”
“Sorry. I’m being selfish. As you wish.”
He took her hand and they stepped across to another boat. Her search began once more.
His brow wrinkled. “Are you looking for someone?”
“Just committing it all to memory.”
At her insistence, they yacht-hopped several more times, and she pretended to sip a few more drinks, always scanning the crowds.
Around midnight, she pointed to the next one on their path and urged Sandro forward.
“Not a good idea.”
“Why not? Are you bored with me already?”
“You, my dear, remain delightful. That boat has a bad reputation.”
Her senses switched to alert mode.
“Are they into something illegal?”
“Perhaps, but I have no firsthand knowledge. Friends have heard rumors of ill-treated women and other unsavory things.”
“Yet they allow them to be part of this… this party?”
“The owner of the yacht is well-connected in nefarious ways, or so I’m told. People are afraid to make a fuss.”
“So, he gets a free pass to do whatever he wants? Unacceptable!”
“Take it easy, bella. We came here to enjoy ourselves, no?”
“I need to see what’s over there, Sandro.”
“That’s crazy! Are you looking to be mistreated? I can’t let you put yourself in harm’s way.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’ll go on my own.”
Sandro’s voice rose. “Just like that, you’d abandon me? I confess I enticed you to join me to seduce you, but you’re nice and I’ve done my best to treat you with respect tonight. Have I been so boring? Are you one of those women who craves a bad boy experience?”
“Shhh! Calm down, Sandro. Tonight, you’ve surprised me in a good way, but I have a confession to make too. I came here for an ulterior motive.”
“Let me guess. You were interested in my money.”
“No. I was looking for a way to come to Panarea.”
“You want to find someone richer than me?”
“No. I want to find my sister.”
“She’s lost and you think she’s here?”
“She fell for a nasty piece of work with a big yacht two years ago. She said he was taking her to Panarea. I haven’t heard from her since. That unsavory boat I want to hop onto sounds like his kind of operation. I need to know if she’s there.”
“And then what?”
“I’ll rescue her.”
“It’s a noble idea, but even with my help, there’s no chance in hell we can walk her off that yacht.”
“I know that, and I don’t intend to try. Tonight will be a scouting mission. I’ll smile and schmooze and look around, then leave. If she’s there, my team will do the actual rescuing.”
“Your team?”
“I work for AISI, the internal information and security agency. My AISI team is waiting for instructions. If she’s there, they’ll extract my sister and investigate the evil doings on that boat. So, are you up for another yacht hop, or am I on my own?”
“No way am I letting you go over there alone. Just answer me one question before we visit them.”
“Ask.”
“You’re not a waitress?”
“Definitely not and that’s a good thing. I was so out of my element there.”
xxx