"Absolutely perfect." Dante claimed as he held up the finished work. A myriad of Hockney-esque colors and shapes did indeed suggest a cake on a platter with a slice removed and even a waiting fork on the side. I stared at it in complete disbelief. I could barely conceive that the work had actually come from my own hand...
"And now it's time for you to meet my wife." Dante said. As in an English comedy, she appeared perfectly on cue from the archway behind the counter and swept around to the front as though she were late in meeting me for a lunch date.
"If it isn't Bryan-with-a-Y! Welcome home Bry. My husband and I have been following your career. We loved that comedy you did with Joan Cusack." she said as she slipped her arm in mine and strolled with me down the isles as though we were walking through Lincoln Park on a sunny afternoon. She rambled on about my performances in various pictures I had done but I couldn't pay full attention for the warmth of her at my side suddenly made me wonder if I had left my oven on at home...
I shyly avoided eye contact as I had no clue what to say and didn't want to embarrass myself in front of such a great talent. When I finally got the nerve to cast a shy glance in her direction I was shocked to notice how truly ordinary she looked. I looked up at her photos to make sure it was the same person. It was like identical twins where one is just a little more polished, a little more gleaming, and a little more perfect than the other. She was still tall, beautifully proportioned, elegant and amazingly attractive but something was missing...
We arrived at the junction of the store which was actually t-shaped and we took a left and walked towards the far wall where a large platform about 3 feet high extended from one wall to the other and about 10 feet in depth almost like a stage. In fact that's exactly what it was, for as I looked up at the barrel ceiling, a lighting grid hung there laden with assorted lighting instruments. Giant twin speakers stood at each side of the rear of the platform and towards the front, a carved mahogany desk stood with a matching ornate chair. On the desk lay a hand mirror, a quill pen, a rolled up parchment document and several other smaller props. A various array of easels, benches and chairs were strewn about the perimeter of the stage. Late afternoon beams of sun from the skylights above draped themselves effectively across the scene, placed there by the ultimate lighting designer Himself.
"Our little classroom area has grown into quite the little underground theater Bry." Dante said suddenly appearing behind me and speaking into my ear. "What began as a place for Angelica to practice has become a very popular theater space. In fact, I never know when a performance is going to break out." He said this directly to his wife and a knowing smile suddenly broke out across her exquisite face.
"Is Celeste still here?" Dante asked his wife as he searched through a pile of CD's near the sound equipment.
"No, I cut her lesson a little short honey. Doesn't she have an amazing voice Bry? I'm sure you must have heard her." Angelica said as she walked about the stage adjusting props.
"I thought it was you singing...."
They both laughed at this apparently stupid comment as they walked about preparing. But for what? I thought to myself...
Dante appeared behind me again, took me gently by the arm, and led me to an easel set up center stage. He motioned me to sit on the bench. I moved up towards the front and he then sat behind me. "Do you know the story of Tosca Bry?" he whispered in my ear. I nodded my assent. The Puccini opera about a heroine who sacrifices her relationship with her lover to keep him alive only to be tricked and lose him in the end was very familiar to me. I had even performed in its chorus a few years back... "Then you're in for a treat Bry." He said as he pressed a remote control in the direction of the sound system. An orchestra began to play...
I looked around wondering where Angelica had disappeared to. As soon as the music began, she suddenly appeared in a beam of her own light. She was dressed in a bronze colored velvet costume of Empire style with gold sleeves and a gold circlet around her head accented her auburn hair now piled high with curls cascading down. The very instant she took the stage she suddenly ceased to be an ordinary woman. This was the woman of the photographs, the woman known as La Divina...
And just when my heart and soul were so full of the very sight of her...
She began to sing.
Vissi d'arte
Vissi d'amore
Non feci mai male non anima viva
Con man furtiva
Quante miserie connobi, aiutai...
Dante's warm hand made small circles on my lower back as he leaned forward and whispered in my ear...
"Draw her."
I have lived for art...
I have lived for love...
And never harmed a living soul
The poor and distressed times without number I have aided...
Ever a faithful believer,
I have sincerely offered up my prayers to the saints.
Ever a faithful believer, I have laid offerings of flowers on the altar.
In this my hour of trial and bitter tribulation,
why hast thou my Father forsaken me?
Jewels I gave to Our Lady's mantle,
I gave my songs to the stars in tribute to their brightness.
In this my hour of grief and bitter tribulation,
Why, oh why hast my Heavenly Father forsaken me?
