Back To Earth. Danilo Clementoni
had accompanied Elisa earlier was still standing near the car outside.
âYou can go, son,â ordered the colonel. âIâll take Doctor Hunter back.â
The soldier stood to attention, saluted, and saying something into his communicator, disappeared into the shadows.
âItâs been a marvellous evening, Jack,â said Elisa as they left. She inhaled the fresh night air deeply, adding, âItâs been a long time since I spent an evening like this.â Thank you so much,â she said, with another of her wonderful smiles.
âCome on. We're not too safe standing out in the open here,â and so saying, he opened the door of the car and helped her in.
With the colonel at the wheel, the big dark car pulled away quickly, leaving an appreciable cloud of dust behind it.
âI had a good time as well. I would never have thought that an evening with a âpresumptuous professorâ could be so much fun.â
âPresumptuous? Is that what people think?â and she turned away, pretending to be offended.
âPresumptuous, yes. But also very understanding, intelligent and definitely sexy.â Seeing that she was facing away, he took the opportunity to stroke the hair at the back of her neck.
The contact sent a series of shivers along her spine. She could not surrender so soon, she thought. But she could not help but feel a growing sense of anticipation. Not wishing to say anything, she allowed herself to enjoy this short, soothing massage. Jack, encouraged by the lack of reaction to this gesture, continued to stroke her hair for a while. Suddenly, he began to slide his hand towards her shoulder, then ran it down her arm until he gently reached her fingertips. Still facing the window, she took his hand and squeezed it firmly. It was a large, strong hand. The contact made her feel safe.
Not far away, another dark car was following the couple, its passengers trying to eavesdrop another interesting dialogue.
âI think that ten dollars is now going to end up in my pocket, old friend,â said the fatter one. âHeâs taking her to the hotel, sheâll ask him up for a drink, and that will be it.â
âI hope it doesnât end up like that, or else how are we going to copy the data on that handheld device?â
âMan. I never thought of that.â
âYou never think of anything that isn't going to wind up in that bottomless stomach of yours.â
âCome on, donât let them get too far away,â said the fat guy ignoring the provocation. âI don't want to lose the signal again.â
For a while, they remained hand in hand, without saying anything, both staring through the windscreen. The hotel was getting nearer and nearer and Jack began to feel awkward. This wasnât the first time he had been out with a woman, but that evening he felt the shyness that had tortured him in his youth resurfacing. He had thought heâd overcome that. He felt paralysed by the prolonged contact. Perhaps he should have said something to break the embarrassing silence, but, fearing that whatever he said would ruin the magical moment, he chose to postpone this.
He was grateful for the automatic, which meant that he didnât need to remove his hand to change gears and drive in the night.
As for Elisa, all the so-called âmen in her lifeâ were starting to come into her mind, one by one. So many stories, dreams, plans, so much joy and happiness, but always ending up in disillusion, bitterness and pain. It was as though destiny had already made its decision for her. On a professional level, she had certainly led a life of satisfaction and recognition, but it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that no one would be at her side to share it. Now she was there, in a foreign country, travelling hand in hand with a man who, until that day, she had considered merely as an obstacle to her plans, but who was treating her with such tenderness and affection. More than once she asked herself what she should do.
âIs everything all right?â asked Jack, worried at seeing her eyes become increasingly damp.
âYes. Thank you, Jack. Just a moment of sadness. It will soon pass.â
âIs it my fault?â asked the colonel anxiously. âHave I said or done something wrong?â
âNo, quite the opposite,â she replied suddenly. Then, in the softest of voices, she added âStay close to me, please.â
âItâs okay. Iâm here. You donât have to worry about anything. Iâm not going to let you come to any harm, okay?â
âThank you. Thank you so much,â said Elisa, whilst she tried to wipe away the tears that were slowly rolling down her cheeks. âYouâre a real treasure.â Jack remained silent and held her hand even more firmly.
The hotel sign appeared at the end of the road. They travelled from one end to the other without a word. Eventually, the colonel slowed down and pulled up just outside the entrance. The two looked at each other intensely. For several long moments, neither dared to speak. Jack knew that it was up to him to make the first move, but Elisa beat him to it. âNow you should tell me that itâs been a lovely evening, and that it would be wonderful if I invited you up for a drink.â
âThat would require a little practice,â said Jack, a little blown away by her words. âThatâs how it would go if you were like all the others, but thatâs not what Iâm thinking.â He took a breath, and continued. âI think youâre a very special person and spending this evening together has given me a chance to get to know you better, and I've discovered many things I would never have expected to find in an âarchaeologistâ.â
âIâll take that as a compliment,â she said, trying to lessen the drama a little.
âBehind that outer image of a strong and indestructible woman, I think thereâs a tender, frightened puppy. You're a delightful person, with a sensitive nature.â Perhaps he would later regret what he was about to say, but he took courage, and went on. âFrankly, I have no interest in one night of sex that would then be filed away, as pointless as many others, leaving me feeling nothing other than an immense emptiness. I need more from you. I confess Iâve always liked you.â Now he could no longer stop himself. He took her hands in his own and, squeezing them, continued. âSince the first time we met in my office, Iâve known that you were something special. At first, I was attracted to your beauty, but then your voice, the way you spoke to me, the way you moved, the way you walked, your smile...â He paused for a moment, then added âIâve been bewitched by your charm. Youâve stolen my heart. I didnât know how I would live without you any longer, and this evening hasnât changed my mind.â
Elisa, who was not expecting a declaration of this kind, was speechless for a moment. Then slowly, without looking into his eyes, she drew close to him. She hesitated for an instant, then kissed him.
It was a long and lingering kiss. Emotions, both old and new, were resurfacing in both or them. Suddenly Elisa pulled away. Staying only a few centimetres away from him, she said âThank you for your kind words, Jack. I wouldnât have wanted our meeting to end up as a sleazy night of sex either. This evening has given me the chance to find out more about you, and to appreciate what kind of man you are. I would never have thought that behind that severe âcolonelâ there was a tender and sensitive person. I must confess that I havenât felt my heart beating so fast for a long time. I know Iâm not a girl any more, but I wouldnât like to ruin everything by making you come up with me now.â She paused for a long time, then said âIâd really like to see you again.â
Kissing him again, she got out of the car and ran into the hotel. She was worried that if she turned back she would not be able to keep her word.
Jack