Cronache di poveri amanti Page #8

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And I've already put too much

trust in the Signora.

I've got to leave tonight.

- Where will you go?

- I don't know.

The main thing is to get far away

from Via del Corno.

- Where?

- I'm thinking.

Maybe to my builder friend.

But he told you to stay here!

He said this was the safest place.

Up till yesterday, perhaps.

But today the game's changed.

Look.

See them? They haven't moved

in four days.

Do you still think they're

waiting for Carlino and Osvaldo?

That's not the way they work.

We can lose them at first,

but then...

I'm the only witness,

I don't want to get

caught in a trap, like a rat,

and end up like Maciste!

And if they catch you?

They won't!

I've got to do it, I have no choice.

If they catch you,

what will I do?

I'm coming with you,

I won't let you go alone.

Oh! So this is where we're at?

Wonderful!

Not only have I given refuge

to a scoundrel like you,

I also find that my maid

has turned into a whore.

You miserable pair.

What? Are you offended?

Want to raise your voice?

Or shall I raise mine?

No more excuses, get out.

And you with him!

Out! And if they get you,

so much the better!

- Now you've got to take me with you.

- Don't be afraid.

I'm afraid for you.

And I want to be near you.

The winter of 1926 arrived.

It was a white Christmas.

Coming back from the hospital,

where Alfredo's condition was worsening,

Milena couldn't help casting her eye

into the grocery which was

no longer hers.

Towards the end of February,

Bruno and Clara got married.

A hurried decision

made after many delays.

Staderini had plenty to comment on.

The wedding procession was short;

barely a trip across the street.

Bruno's mother gave the couple

the double bedroom.

I saw less and less of Ugo,

who had married Gesuina

and now lived far from Via del Corno.

Despite the dangers,

the memory of Maciste spurred us on.

Deep down he was like

an older brother, a father to me.

My own father was killed at war

when I was still an infant.

- Who is it?

- It's me.

- Are you mad? What do you want?

- I've come to see you.

- Is that ok?

- You're crazy.

They could have seen you.

Go home!

Why? Aren't you alone?

Have I really caused you pain?

Yes, a lot.

You really are naive.

- Can we make peace?

- Sure, if you believe in such a thing!

Then won't you forgive me?

Listen, Bianca. We need to

clear some things up.

I should have done this sooner...

I don't know...

Are you going to tell me

some bad news?

Look, I know this is going to hurt,

but when you're young,

you make mistakes.

Don't you think?

So, you're done with me?

I love you! I'm not just saying that

to make you feel better.

You're the first girl

I've ever been serious about

But I've realised that love

is another thing altogether.

I still love you, but in a

different way, understand?

I understand.

I already knew it.

- I was destined for it.

- What do you mean, destined?

You're 18 years old, you have

your whole life ahead of you.

And let's be honest, you didn't

truly love me either.

You think that?

Don't worry. I won't throw

any more sticks in your wheels.

I haven't even asked to see you

in ages.

I turned down a very wealthy man

to be with you,

and I never even mentioned it.

Maybe if I had told you,

you would have been jealous.

And then...

I'm sorry.

I'm acting like a child.

You're right.

Excuse me, is the blacksmith's

still closed?

I heard that someone from Pontassieve

had reopened it.

- Excuse me.

- Wait, Signorina! Listen!

I came here for something else.

- I have to go...

- I came for you.

- I'm serious about my intentions!

- Not now, it's a bad time.

I'm a peaceful man!

I don't care about politics.

I've a future!

Soon it was late March, Easter time.

Feeling guilty about an act

we had not committed,

from time to time

Milena and I would get away together.

One afternoon I decided to wait

for her near the hospital.

Milena, we could run away together

like two fugitives.

Let's talk about it for once!

Be honest with each other!

Maybe... maybe it would

be wrong, Mario.

Why? The only thing that matters

is to be honest.

Milena, I love you.

No, I don't mean it was love

at first sight,

but gradually, getting to know you,

to admire you.

Up till the night Maciste was killed

and we saw it.

I love you too, Mario.

I've been thinking so much these

past months, and always wondered

what's holding me back from

reciprocating your feelings.

It doesn't scare me

what people might think.

Nor does the pain I would put

Alfredo through

if I told him the truth.

What torments me is

this permanent doubt.

What if it hadn't happened,

what if Alfredo was fine.

And I was still working on the till.

Would I still love you then?

Would I be able to give up everything

to go with you?

Perhaps not, because back then,

you were a different Milena.

And living as neighbours, we wouldn't

have seen each other the same way.

But I'm still the same Milena.

- I have the same face...

- You've changed, inside.

Just like I've changed, too.

It was circumstance

that opened our eyes.

You mean, we've grown?

That too!

But I can't leave Alfredo

as long as he's still unwell.

As long as he still needs me.

It's normal.

For us what's important,

is that we've talked about it.

Alfredo will get better.

He must get better.

There should be no black clouds

over our happiness.

We can wait.

We're young.

- Is Biagiotti changing the display?

- Yes, every Saturday.

What was it today?

- He made a pyramid of butter breads.

- What else?

Four Parmesan wheels on the corners

and some tins of sardines

placed here and there.

- Which kind?

A new brand, American.

The Nantes are still the best.

Any advertising in the window?

Some banners above the pyramid.

He has no imagination.

You want something related to Easter.

An egg trophy, like I used to make.

You'll see, he'll lose customers.

Don't cry.

If you cry, what am I supposed to do?

I loved you, you know.

I loved you the best I could.

Now I see there's more to life

than a grocer's store.

But I'm too late to start.

But you and Mario

have your lives ahead of you.

I know, Milena. That you and Mario

are in love.

Nobody told me.

I just had to look.

I know you were afraid to tell me.

But don't be.

If I'd recovered, I don't know if

I could have stood losing you.

Now I'm just content to know

that you'll be happy without me.

The bells have tolled.

What a lovely Saturday, eh Milena?

The two of us together.

Remember.

I'll never forgive those

who put me here.

Tell Mario too.

Remember me.

Like you remember Maciste.

- Keep it.

- Thank you sir!

- Morning, Ragioniere.

- Good day.

- Good day.

- Hello.

These'll be ready by tomorrow.

- Great!

- Hey, Ciaba, come here!

Oh, welcome back! At your service,

Ragioniere.

So what's the gossip on

Via del Corno?

The usual things.

Say, Maciste's wife, is she still

going strong?

No! Truth is, she went back

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