Page 155 of Play of Love
There were lots of people on the bridge too. Lots of couple. I couldimagine this to be the perfect romantic getaway. Or, somewhere to go on a honeymoon. It was definitely somewhere to experience with someone you loved.
Sometimes I wondered what it must be like to be in love and happy like that. I'd been too focused with my music to give myself that chance. While I had dated a lot, I'd never been with anyone in a serious relationship. There never seemed to be the time for that.
It would be nice, though. To meet someone and have the kind of love Lucy had for Angelo. The kind that was lasting, and would make you leave whatever you were doing to find that person even after seventy years.
The atmosphere and beauty that surrounded them made me feel alive, free, and relaxed. It felt like one of those times when you were given something you didn't know you were missing but needed. It was truly refreshing.
We covered a lot of grounds and got so absorbed in the surroundings that time escaped us. We gazed heavenwards at the incredible Pantheon, walked the grand stairs of the Spanish steps and since St. Peter's Basilica was closed we walked around for a good while in the square, mesmerizing ourselves with all one hundred and forty saints that guarded it.
Gage dared to tell lies at the Bocca della Verità and had the ague to pretend his hand had been hacked off. I believed his dramatization too, simply for the fact that it washim, and if that was going to happen to anyone he'd be the first.
I felt for sure that myth would hold true to the mouth of the huge face feasting on his hand. However, I found myself mildly surprised as I laughed when he revealed his hand was still with him and in perfect order.
From there we went to the Trevi fountain, where I did indeed throw in all the coins that I had in my purse. Gage laughed at me and said I'd probably end up living in Rome and not just visiting again as the saying went. I didn't think I would mind that, as I was besotted with what I'd seen so far.
We finished up by hanging out on Piazza Navona where we enjoyed the circus of street performers and artists while we sat by one of the ornate fountains.
It was after two in the morning when we ventured back to the hotel, and instead of going to our rooms we went to the lobby to finish eating the ginormous ice cream cones we acquired on the way back.
Gage was on his second cone.
"I wish I could have two. The ice cream here is so good." I commented snuggling against the cushions on the sofa. We were alone, so it felt more like a room than a public area.
"Evie you would burst. There's a chance I still could, and the worse thing is I want another one." Gage nodded.
I laughed at him as he took a bite and came away with ice cream on his nose. He tried to wipe it off but ended up smearing it across his cheeks.
"Oh my gosh. I think I'm tired. My hand to eye coordination is completely off." He sighed slumping his shoulders.
I retrieved a tissue from a Kleenex pack in my purse and without thinking I leaned over and wiped away the ice cream from his cheeks and nose. It felt like the natural thing to do, but then I saw the way he looked at me, and my awareness returned. My cheeks warmed as he continued to stare and I sat back down adjusting myself.
"It's gone now," I said nonchalantly.
To regain my composure, I looked away and resumed eating my ice cream. When I was finished I'd go to bed. Clearly, I was tired. Very tired.
I'd slept on the plane but the time difference was throwing me off my game. I was certain Gage would have managed to clean his face himself. He didn't need me practically pampering him.
"Thanks." He was still looking at my even though I was staring ahead at the reception desk. "So hey, you didn't tell me what you were working on. Sounded interesting."
I looked back to him and saw that he'd straightened up and seemed quite interested.
"It's about water," I replied. "It's calledWater Notes."
"Water?" He narrowed his eyes not quite understanding.
"Yeah."
When I thought about how I composed my music, it made sense in my head, but usually when I tried to explain it to someone else they never quite understood what I was saying and ended up looking at me like I was crazy. Lucy was the only person who got me, and understood me completely.
The way that my talent worked was that I actually saw music in objects and things around me. It was even more intense when I felt inspired or strongly about something. My emotions would transpire into music.
It was why I played so well and could write music effortlessly. For me, my violin was a living thing that translated what I saw into what it sounded like. It was a part of my soul.
"Okay, you have to explain." The corners of his mouth lifted into an easy smile.
"When I look at something I can see and hear it in the form of music. My piece is about how water sounds." That probably didn't offer the best explanation because everyone knew how water sounded, and it generally tended to sound the same to everyone. "It's about how water sounds tome, and the way it changes. Water is transparent, but you can see it, it flows and goes wherever it wants. It's safe when you can control it, but dangerous when you can't." Maybe that was a little better. When I spoke to Lucy, I would have explained more about what musical notes I saw.
He was listening though, really listening. "You can come up with a whole composition from that?"
