Granny here,
Out of the Past by Billie Smith
Chapter 3
Daisy was awakened by the sound of a ringing telephone, she scrambled for te receiver, the voice on the other end sounded as if she had heard it before but it really wasn't familar. "This is Leslie, remember we met on the plane," came the voice that woke up Daisy's memory. "Hi, Leslie, how are you this morning?" Answered Daisy as she threw her feet onto the floor. She grabbed her robe and opened the curtains overlooking the city. "Would you like a guide today? I would be more than glad to show you the city." Came the voice again and brought Daisy back from her drifting. " I would love that, are you sure you have the time?" "Yes, my family is busy with appointments today and I am on my own. I'll pick you up in an hour, will that be ok?" "That would be great, see you then, bye," and Daisy hung up the phone and made a beeline for that gorgeous shower that she needed to fully wake her up.
That was so nice of Leslie to invite me to go sightseeing thought Daisy as she showered. she had her outfit already laid out; she had bought practically a whole new wardrobe for her life in Italy. Today she was going to wear a yellow polka dotted sundress and white sling back sandals; she put her golden locks into a ponytail to keep the maintenance down to a minimum throughout the day. She was just finishing her makeup when she heard a knock at the door, it was Leslie "I see that you're ready, I have the day all planned."" I can hardly wait," replied Daisy, this is so thoughtful of you." "Oh, it's nothing, I'm more than glad to do it, let's get going."
As they made their way through the lobby, the desk clerk, a very handsome young gentleman bid them farewelll and wished them a good day. Leslie unlock the doors to her red sports car and Daisy slid in on the smooth, soft black leather seat, I could get use to this she thought, it was so cute and just the right size for the two of them. "Where did you get this little number?" Asked Daisy as she buckled her seat belt. "Oh, this baby belongs to my brother, Victorio, I borrow it when I come to visit he has lived here for the last five years with my Aunt Maria and Uncle Joe. It gets me lots of attention from the guys around town and makes the girls jealous," said Leslie with a laugh that made Daisy laugh with her.
Leslie slid under the wheel and off they went, up and down the streets, each sight was better than the last. "I'm taking you to the best places to shop, said Leslie, every girl needs that information, don't you think?" As they drove up and down the streets of the city Leslie filled Daisy in on her family history. Her father had met her mother when he was stationed in Italy, they had married and moved to America but had continued to come back and visit on a regular basis through the years. Victorio had come over to attend the University and made the decision to stay. Her mother, Gabriella, Gabby to the family, was one of eight children, four boys and four girls. There was Maria, Anna, Sophia, Antonio, Mario, Vinchenzo and Vito. Aunt Maria had married an American soldier also as many Italians had during the war. Gabby and Maria had remained very close even though Gabby was the only one of the eight that had moved to America.
"How did you wind up with the American name Leslie and your brother ended up with an Italian name?" Asked Daisy. "My real name is Maria Leslianno after mom's sister Maria, but everyone calls me Leslie," she replied. Leslie whipped the little red sports car into the parking lot of what looked like a place Hollywood stars would shop. "This is our mall, Daisy what do you think?" Asked Leslie as she parked the car. "I think I need my dad's checkbook," she said laughing.
They spent the day trying on all the latest fashions by some of the most famous Italian designers with prices to match. Daisy tried on a top with a price tag of three hndred dollars, a dress that cost eight thousand and a gorgeous pair of stilettos that would empty her bank account. She was having so much fun, she didn't purchase anything but it was so much fun just trying it on. Leslie was having just as much fun watching Daisy act like a kid in a candy shop. "You're coming home with me for dinner tonight and I won't take no for an answer," said Leslie as she looked at her watch. "I can't impose on your family, Leslie." "Don't talk nonsense, girl, they will love it, Aunt Maria always cooks too much anyways, now let's get going."
Daisy wanted to freshen up so Leslie drove back to the hotel for a quick change. She wanted to look her best when she met Leslie's family, her mothr would be disappointed in her if she didn't put her best foot forward. As she came out of the bedroom Leslie said, "Wow, are you going to turn heads! You look absolutely stunning." Daisy had chosen a red, sleeveless dress that went around her curves without missing a turn, to accentuate the scooped neckline she had chosen a single strand of pearls given to her by her dad for Christmas. She grabbed a long sleeved lace sweater on her way out the door just in case the night turned chilly before she returned.
The drive to Aunt Maria"s was delightful; the countryside was filled with vineyards, lovely stone houses, and the most beatutifl gardens. Daisy had chosen well, Calabria was everything that she had expected it ot be and maybe even more. Leslie sang all the way there when she wasn't answering Daisy's questions. Just as she hit a high note she pulled into a driveway that stretched before them as if it would reach into tomorrow. It was long and winding with vineyards on either side. As they approached the house, a beautiful mansion that sat in the valley, it stood as if it were a monument to the wine that came from the grapes grown in its soil. It was so beautiful that Daisy almost lost her breath, it was the loveliest home she had ever see.
The butterflies in Daisy's stomach were making it hard for her to focus on the business at hand, meeting Leslie's family. Leslie parked the car in the garage that already had several expensive vehicles parked there, this let Daisy know she was not the only guest for dinner. As they walked up the winding brick sidewalk, Daisy oculd see an older gentleman standing on the verand and assumed it must be Uncle Joe waiting to welcome them. "We've been looking forward to this day, young lady, he said as Leslie introduced Daisy, we weren't sure Leslie was going to make it, she loses track of time when she gets in the mall." "Uncle Joe, Daisy will think I'm an inconsiderate, spoiled brat." "Well, aren' you?" He laughed. "Come on in and meet the light of my life, Maris, this is Daisy, Daisy this is the light of my life, my wife Maria." "Don't pay him any mind Daisy, he gets carried away sometimes trying to convince everyone that I'm the only thing that keeps him going, but, then again he may be right, I don't know where he would be without me," laughed Maria, making light of Joe. "Come here, sit beside me while Leslie freshens up before dinner, it will give us time to ge alittle better acquainted." The two continued talking as Leslie ran upstairs to change clothes, on her way she passed her brother on the stairs. "Where is your dinner guest, Leslie dear?" he asked as she passed by. "She's getting acquainted with Aunt Maria and Uncle Joe in the living room." "Well, are you saving the best for last", he said meaning himself to which Leslie replied, "Go introduce yourself, you're a grown man." She began laughing and ran to her room. Victorio made his way down stairs taking two steps at a time; he caught a glimpse of Daisy as he peeked around the corner, and thought, hmm, not bad. He composed himself and entered the room and suddenly, for Daisy, the world had a population of two.
Victorio, better known as Tory, stood before a speechless Daisy. Standing six feet tall, he had the darest brown eyes she had ever seen, they had the appearance of two chocolate diamonds set in a sea of sunkissed flesh that made her temperature rise. She finally caught her breath and responded to the introduction she had barely heard.
Uncle Joe, making a joke, as only Uncle Joe could, said, "Ok, Tory, you can takae your eyes off her, she's not going anywhere, she has moved to Calabria to make a new life, you'll have plenty of time to get acquainted.' Daisy blushed and affirmed Joe's comment. "Nice to meet you, Tory, Leslie says you have lived here for five years, I will be looking for my own place soon, any ideas?" She askes as she tried to regain her composure, her heart was racing so hard that she could hardly breathe. Why am I reacting to him like this she thought as they made their way to the dining room? Tory pulled out a chair and motioned for her to sit down. Leslie had finally trturned and she looked lovely in a pink chiffon dress that would turn any man's head but there didn't seem to be one in her life at the moment. She sat down on one side of Daisy and Tory took the other side making it very uncomfortable for Daisy to enjoy the lovely meal that had been set before her.
After stuffing themselves on pot roast and all the side dishes that would appear on a smorgasbord, Daisy and Leslie's family retired to the back veranda that overlooked the valley inthe distance. Daisy was having a hard enough time breathing and this view was not going to help her, because it too was breath taking. Before she knew it , the evening was gone and the moon had been hung in the sky far above the beautiful valley that lay beneath. "I must be going, I have overstayed my welcome," said Daisy as she broke the silence of the evening. It seemed as if everyone was enjoying the scenery so much that the conversation had been held to a minimum and Daisy was thankful for that, it gave her a chance to bring her girlish emotions under control.
Leslie started to get up to start the car, "Oh, no you don't, said Tory, I'm driving Miss Daisy tonight," and he took the keys. Daisy almost lost her balance, what was she to do now? How was she to handle the drive all the way back to the hotel? "Are you sure?" Daisy interrrupted. "You bet I'm sure, I wouldn't be the gentleman that I am, he joked, if I passed up such an opportunity." He took her by the hand and led her to the car. Opening the door for her as any gentlelman would do he came too close for comfort, at least for Daisy, his cologne made Daisy just a little light headed as if she needed anything else, just being near Tory made her light headed enough.
As Tory whipped along the highway that he knew all too well, Daisy was holding her breath, the sports car made it's way under the direction of what proved to be a very experienced driver. The sky, full of stars lay over them like a blanket. Tory was the gentleman he said he was and they arrived at the hotel better acquainted but there was so much more to know. Daisy couldn't wait to see him again or would she? What was she thinking, she had just met this man and she already wantd to see him again, only time would tell if she would or if Tory had any interest in wanting to see her again.
Tory parked the car and walked around to open the doorfor Daisy, she took another whiff of his mesmerizing colone as he took her hand and lifted her out of the car. They chatted as they walked to the elevator and Daisy was dreading that ride again tht put her in such close quarters with Tory. She was having enough difficulties dealing with her own emotions without these continuos encounters with him but how could she avoid it? She couldn't be rude and refuse his gentlemanly gestures but he sure was making things hard for her.
They arrived at the door to her room and the time had come to say good night, how was she going to handle this? She hoped her diplomacy would kick into gear and it would go smoothly but she had no guarantee that Tory wouldn't see through her act and realize how nervous he actually made her. Even if he did he probably would think if a joke andmake fun of her and that would be more embarrassing.
Tory took her key and unlocked the door as any gentleman would do, he escorted her in and turned to leave. "Thanks for the lovely evening Tory, you have a wonderful family, thank them for me will you?" Said Daisy as she close the door and took a deep breath.
Daisy leaned against the closed door and closed her eyes thinking only of her emotions that were running rampant at this moment. She thought of the evening and what an affect meeting Tory had had on her, she knew that she was letting her feelings carry her away and that she should be in more control tha she appeared to be.
Tory was all that most young ladies Daisy's age dreamed about and Daisy was no different bt now that she had met him how fr was she willing to let her emotions take her? She had only met him, she didn't know anything about him other than he appeared to be well mannered, from a nice family and as handsome as any guy would want to be.
Daisy was too bright and intelligent to be caarried away by the first guy that she ran into, at least she had always thought herself to be. But the heart is hard to restrain when it comes to emotional involvement and it knows no timeline and Daisy knew as she felt her heart beat even faster that this tall, dark, stranger would now haunt her.
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