Some Sixty Years Ago
Sami watched her grandfather walk away. She could see he was holding back bitter tears but she was also anxious to find out what had happened so many years ago. Sami took the pile of the letters and counted them. Twenty-four pieces of paper filled with writing. Sami took the first letter and saw that it had been written little over sixty years earlier. The first letter was filled with descriptions of everyday life of an nineteen year old girl and questions of friends life and adventures in her new home far from home with her new family. Sami had to smile at the innocence shining trough in the letter. Colleen had had something Sami had had to let go all too soon in life.
The second letter had the first signs of a young woman's first crush and in the third letter, after some convincing from Bridget, Colleen told everything she knew about this new handsome foreigner she had met in town while running some errands for her father. He was tall dark and handsome with a smile that took her breath away. Colleen had stumbled and he had caught her. Only when thanking him she had realized that he was foreigner, an Italian. He had smiled to her and said something in Italian and handed her her package. Colleen had thanked him again, blushed and run away thinking she would never see him again. The next letter proved that she had been mistaken. Shawn had found a new friend, a little Italian boy called Stefano who just happened to be the son of the man Colleen had seen in the town. She had learned that his name was Santo.
Going through the old letters was fascinating and Sami couldn't stop reading. She learned how slowly Colleen had fallen for Santo even after she had learnt he was married. Then they had been caught in the rain in the middle of Santos gardens and they had found shelter in a gardeners shed. He had acted very gentlemanly offering what he could find to help Colleen warm up. Colleen explained in her letter how she couldn't stop shivering until Santo had held her in his arms and patiently explained his marriage. It had been arranged when they had been children and though he had tried he had never really learnt to love his wife. All that he had ever cared about was his son. That night had been filled with realizations for Colleen. She had learnt that it was possible to love someone though she knew it was wrong and against everything she had been taught to believe in. She had learnt that sometimes passion takes over and overruns the best intentions. That night she had taken the first step and seduced the man fighting with himself to keep away from her.
Sami read on and learnt how Colleens love had grown and how she had fight for every short precious moment she had spent with Santo. The young girl had grown into a blossoming woman that summer and Sami relived with her words the happiest moment of her life.
Colleen had been feeling sick for few days but she managed to sneak out to meet Santo again. She had known this would be the last time they would meet for months since it was time for Santo to return home. Somehow Santo had organized a fancy meal for them and had pampered Colleen with his affection. He had confessed his love and sworn to return to her. He had needed time to end his marriage and assure his family that he knew what he was doing. Colleen had believed him and they had made love for the last time.
The next letter was dated two months later than the previous one and the tone had changed. Sami saw that this letter was not written by a young woman in love waiting for her beloved to return but it was written by an anxious and troubled woman with everything to hide and fear. Colleen had been pregnant and she had feared the day her father would find out. In the letter to Bridget Colleen confessed her terror and worry for Santo. She had written him as soon as she had found out about the baby but he had not written her back. Colleen explained how much she missed him and even his ridiculous moustache.
In Colleens last letter to Bridget Sami found hope. Santo had finally contacted Colleen promising her to return soon and to take her away some place where they could be together. Though her father had disapproved of it Colleen had believed in Santo and waited. Actually Colleen was about to go and meet Santo that day and she was in a hurry. Promising to write more soon Colleen had ended the letter and mailed it. What had happened next was for others to tell. But what ever it was, Sami could no longer believe her grandfathers claims of Santo raping Colleen. Sami flinched. It was like the past had reached out to the future to show Sami where she had lost the way. She took a deep breath. There were still questions to be asked and Sami trusted in only one person to tell her the truth.