Tag Archives: Relationships

- and I quote -

Posted on by
2

Before we actually met – the day of the meeting, actually (10/10/2009)…..

“This one actually seems important but will, in all probability, end up like the rest.”

“because I had moaned at F (via chat) about Italian men and how difficult it was for me to handle them, I am now preparing to go to his flat as I write this”

Taken from I don’t know what to give as a title

The day after we met (11/10/2009)…………..

“I cannot explain how different I feel about him”

“At one point, as he is refilling my glass, he comes over and kisses me”

Taken from What really counts….< And V and I were chatting last night…………..and, yes, this scares me too.  After all, it’s only been a month!

We’re all looking for the same thing really

Posted on by
4

“OK, now I’ll put the animals in order”

Of course, as soon as he had said “I’ll”, he realised his ‘mistake’ and said “we’ll” but that was too late and I was already laughing, since it was my “farm” and not his that we were looking at. He then added “No, I don’t want to be bossy”.  This just made me laugh harder still.

But he is, in a particular way, that could be, of course, potentially annoying but now and for some time to come I expect, very endearing. And with me being a little laid back about this kind of thing, I can, happily, let him do it, without it being any sort of deal for me.  In fact, if he wants to come do that in my house, I really wouldn’t stop him!

And so that you might understand what it was all about, there is this game on Facebook called Farmville. I am playing it because he wanted me to play it. And he loves it. And, like everything else in his life, it is all in perfect order – well, everything in his life except me, of course.

I explained to someone over the weekend that he was not V and that, quite frankly, I didn’t want V. V was then; F is now. But there are some things that are the same or, at least, similar. He likes to spend money. I hope, very much, that that is not ‘over spend’ but it is too early to say that right now. We have not discovered that far. Also, I learnt, yesterday morning that, when he is playing games, he likes to win. I said that he was like V in that respect. But it isn’t just like to win…..it’s almost must win!

So, the dinner. I expect you may be slightly interested in how it went. You have to bear in mind that he is, essentially, superb at customer relations, remembers all sorts of things and can hold a conversation so well.

He admitted to me that he was very nervous about it, before we went. I do understand. These things are important. If you’re together, as a couple, it’s essential that you like the friends and even more, they like you. But I knew they would like him.

So, there was, in the end, FfI (of course, she was the host and did all the cooking), FfCC and CwS. V2 was coming later. So, three women to start with. He had made a CD for FfI. She was delighted. He was, as always, chatty and pleasant and attentive and, well, bloody perfect.  I think they liked him.  Probably, even if they didn’t, they wouldn’t tell me but, you know, obviously, I can’t see how they wouldn’t adore him.

The conversation flowed.  It was easy and pleasant.  V2 arrived.  He is gay and an airline steward with one of the airlines of this country.  He brought wine (even though he doesn’t drink) and chocolate.  Of course, people asked where F was from.  This place is quite famous in Tuscany – or, at least, famous in Italy.  Anyway, during the conversation, he turned to me and said that we will go there in the summer!  So, now we have ‘plans’ for next year!  As long as he is taking it all slowly, that is fine.

All in all a lovely evening.  FfI, when we Skyped the next day, was a little concerned that they were too much for him.  But, hell, he works in the fashion industry and I really doubt that he couldn’t have experienced worse!  The only thing is that he really does know some quite famous people.  It’s coming out, bit by bit.  But, for me it’s like, OK, wow, and that’s it.  I guess I may meet some from time to time but that’s no big deal, really.  After all, they are just people.  I doubt if it would be as important to me as something like meeting Maya Angelou.  That was more important a meeting for me than anything else.  And, anyway, apart from the clothes, I don’t know what these people are like.  It’s not like writers.

Anyway, back to the story.  So, it all went well.  FfI thought he was really sweet, which he is.

We spent, more or less, the whole weekend together.  Saturday we went to A’s place, really to meet F, who I shall now call Fr so as not to get confused with my F.  A had done fish as a main course, which was lovely.  He was nervous because it was his first time doing fish.  He was doing fish because F doesn’t like anything that looks like pieces of meat!  And then, F says, as he did the night before, that he eats everything!  Which he doesn’t but he will if people have done it for him.  But I love him for that too.

So, Friday night was my place, Saturday his which meant that we had breakfast downstairs again.  “Our thing”, remember?  Although, really only ‘our thing’ for me, of course, since he is Italian and it’s quite normal for him.

Over the weekend we watched some films and generally had a lazy time.  I introduced him to Wallace and Gromit, which he instantly loved  We watched some more on Sunday when I brought the other DVD over from my place.

Then Sunday evening we were invited out with his friends, R&Al, who were going to a pizzeria with some other friends.  In fact, it was to celebrate one of the guy’s birthday.  So, there were 9 of us in the end. F turned to me and said this was why he didn’t want to come out like this.  Gay people are really not his cup of tea (and, yes, he used those exact words).  I agree with him.  R&Al are really nice though.  Then, later in the conversation, they were all talking about relationships and whether they should be ‘open’ or not.  And faithfulness and whether that was important or not.  F has very strong views on this, as I knew from the very first time I met him.  Luckily they completely correspond with my views.  That was one of the reasons that I liked him, even that first hour (although I had liked him before, anyway).

I must point out that, this pizzeria sucked. It is Donnarumma.  I had Diavola.  I think I have only tasted one other so bad in all the time I have been in Italy.  It was as if they had used the oldest salami in existence and it almost tasted off.  F had warned me that it wasn’t so good and he was right!  We both agreed that we shouldn’t go there again – but it is one of R&Al’s favourite as it is near their house and they like the food.  Boh!

During the evening he mentioned ‘we’ several times.  R&Al took the pith a little but softly and in a friendly way.  When R & I went out for a cigarette at one point, R was asking me how it was going.  I told him that it was going very well and that F really did make me so happy and that I understood F’s reasons for wanting to take it slowly, even if it is not really slowly.  I also explained to R that I didn’t have the experience that F has had and so, for me, it’s like ‘do it now’.  I think R understood my reasoning.  I hope so.  R did say ‘but you’re seeing each other almost every day!’.  Which is true, of course.  I hope they can see how much I love him.  Still, the ‘trust thing’ takes time and I still have to prove that.

And I know that you may think it’s not so slow, but it is.  There are many things we have yet to discuss and, like on Saturday night, he learnt that I make deserts and, of course, real English Trifle (not the Zuppa Inglese that Italians think is English Trifle – a bit like Roast Beef Inglese which any English person would be, quite frankly shocked to see, since, other than it being beef and roasted, is absolutely nothing like we would consider as Roast Beef).

And this morning, we both had to get up early.  So we were up at 6.  F made me coffee whilst I did Farmville.  It’s nice.  It’s domestic.

>On Friday night, after we left, V2 apparently said that what we appeared to have was exactly what he wanted and was asking why he wasn’t able to find it.  And the making of the coffee in the morning is what we are really talking about.  The little things that you do for each other.  The things that you do because you love the person (even if F hasn’t said that yet – I know it’s the same for him – it’s like he doesn’t want to take the risk of breaking the spell and me walking away); the little things that make a relationship.

But as FfI was explaining this to me, I said yes, but it’s like F had said to me on the chat, before we met, ‘we’re all looking for the same thing, really’

What one does

Posted on by
6

It seems that many people want to come to the dinner.  It’s like F is in a zoo or something!  I suppose it’s understandable.  It’s been almost a month and, so far, only A has met him.  However, it seemed a bit freaky that so many people wanted to come.

It scares me a little in that, I do love him (there, I said it, finally, to you) but I don’t want him to become, like, something exotic for others to stare at, if you see what I mean.

A said ‘you seem very easy with him’.  I’m not sure what that meant exactly.  Perhaps it meant you seem very at ease with him.  Which would be true.  It’s not ‘difficult’ but cool and very laid back.

Last night, the intention was to have an early night.  And I nearly did that – except that, when I got to bed it was cold and there was no one to snuggle up to and keep me warm.  I heard, on the radio, this morning, that it will be 0° tonight.  Brrr!  And I also found that, probably, the radiators (or some of them) are turned off so I need to fix that tomorrow.  And, I’ve been thinking of getting at least one portable heater.  I just can’t do the cold!

We spoke on the phone a couple of times.  He was so tired and it does make me feel a bit guilty – but, he has to be aware that I get up early and, as a consequence, need to go to bed earlier – although the night before was, to be fair, mostly my fault.

So, I got in bed and it was cold.  And I missed him.  And then I just kept thinking about him.  Worrying (as that seems to be my normal state of mind and is soooo annoying) that tonight would be difficult for him, even though he is well able to take care of himself.  He had said on the phone that I could go over.  He even offered to come over to mine!  That is really something as I know that would have been a great effort for him.  I told him to stay there, in the warm and get some good sleep.  Wow!  I can’t believe I said that!  That’s about the most sensible thing I’ve done since the start of my crazy period in April/May!

Of course, I really did want to see him, want to hold him, want to be with him but I had already decided, during the day, that I would not – and I was determined to stick to it.

But the offer from him to come over was really something.  It’s not like we live far away from each other but it’s still 10 minutes by taxi.

He wanted me to give a big kiss to Rufus after I explained that, unfortunately, I got in last night to find that Rufus had not been well.  I am surprised how fast he seems to be deteriorating and a little sad but that is the deal if you have dogs!  I am reminded of how wonderful a dog he has been.  You can actually leave open chocolates or biscuits on a table (or, within reach) and he won’t touch them!

I suppose I should tell V about it but I don’t want to tell him too early – and, right now it seems too early.

F wanted to give a smaller kiss to Dino – who, although a bit calmer now with F, is still maniacal! I hope he stops soon although, to be honest, F was playing with him for a while.

I like that he likes my dogs, obviously!  I like that he is comfortable to come and stay at the flat even if, the night before last, he did put the ashtray from the kitchen, outside on the windowsill – which is his thing!  It makes me smile.  I note that, already, I have started to change some things to accommodate him better.  They’re not a big deal for me but not things I would normally do.  I know he will do the same.

It’s what one does.

Walking away from me but not out of my life

Posted on by
2

OK.  Now it’s my turn.  The ‘meeting of friends’.

I told FfI that we were ‘on’ for dinner.  She suggested Friday or Saturday.  F agreed to either.  Now, all we have to do is fix it up.  With any luck FfC will be there too as I would love him to meet her as well.

I decided during the day that I really should be home with the dogs – at least for one night or, even better, every other night.  I thought that, as the cleaner would be in and the place would be reasonable, I should invite him over.

And then I thought about A and whether I would invite A to come too.

About 4 p.m. I sent F a text to ask if he would like to come over and stay at mine so that I could spend time with the dogs.  I promised him a cheap pizza (at Time Out 2 (Via Eustachi)).

Just after 5, I sent another text to say that I was leaving work.  I had had no reply.  As I was driving back I checked my phone regularly.  Nothing.  I started to worry.  Perhaps he didn’t want to stay at my place?  Perhaps he was just being kind and now working out a way to say ‘no’?  In my mind I went through the conversation (another one of those ‘serious’ ones about how he should always tell me the truth – even if he thinks it would hurt me because the truth was so much better than lies or half-truths).  The conversation that, probably, would never happen, like most that go through my mind.  Like the other conversations.

I got out of the car and walked the short distance home.  Because of my problems with 3 (who have got to be almost the worst telephone company in the world, now close to beating Telecom Italia), I texted V to see if he was receiving my texts.  At least, then, I would know if F had got my texts.  V replied that, yes, he got it OK.

I got into the flat and said hello to the dogs and the cleaner.  Offered the cleaner tea, as usual but he said he was in a hurry.

Then, F phoned me.  I was so relieved to see it was him calling but also there was a tinge of fear as to what he would say.  Instead, he asked what he should do – go home first or come straight to me!  I said he could come straight to me but he would need shower gel and a toothbrush.  He said OK.  He said it would be better because if he went home and had a shower, he would not want to come out later.  If the cleaner had not been there I think I would have shouted ‘YES!!!!’.  The cleaner was there.  Inside I shouted, at the top of my internal voice, ‘YES!!!!!’.

I decided that I would not phone A after all.  This time would be for us.

A called.  ‘What are you doing tonight?’, he asked.  I explained that F would arrive in about 10 minutes but that we intended to go out for a pizza and he could come too, if he would like.  It would mean that he could meet F.  He said OK and he would call shortly to confirm it would be OK, after I had told F.

F arrived.  It is so difficult to explain in words how happy I am to see him, every time.  I look at his face, his eyes.  I want to hold him.  We hug and kiss almost before he has got in through the door!  I tell him about A calling.  He says OK.

A calls and I tell him to come here and we can have a quick drink before going for a pizza.  I so want A to like F and vice versa.

We have a glass of wine and sit in the lounge.  Dino is over excited.  First there is F and he hasn’t really got used to him yet.  Then there is A and so, two new people.  I sit on the footstool and try and give Dino enough affection to ensure he doesn’t bother the other two.  They talk almost exclusively in Italian.  I understand some of it.  I think: I wonder if they will talk about me or talk about what F thinks of me?  But, F thinks that I understand more than I do, so maybe not.

They seem to get on.  F is charming and they have a long (I also hope good) conversation.  We go for a pizza.

F orders beers, even if A doesn’t really want beer.  Well, it’s not that he doesn’t want beer, really, and so, I think he is quite pleased, secretly.

F starts to translate the menu.  I’m not sure that it’s for me really, but more to check his English.  For me, of course, it is not necessary.  I translate some of the words for him.  I have explained that food translation is, generally not a problem, as it is my favourite subject!

F says that he knows which pizza I will have.  I am surprised that he thinks he knows.  But then he correctly guesses – Diavola – with salame piccante – ‘hot’ salame although for you English and Americans you wouldn’t really notice it was ‘hot’!  I am surprised and then think that, actually, I almost always choose this pizza.  I choose to have Volcano (Diavola with an egg).

Sometimes F can be quite ‘strong’.  As usual, he orders everyone’s food.  I find this endearing – as if he needs to order for me because I can’t speak Italian. But I also find it strange that he should order for A.  Normally this is A’s job.  But I quite like that F is strong enough that he just does it and A doesn’t complain.

They do a lot of talking in Italian.  I notice (notice being a strange thing to say but, just for a moment it seems like it is ‘just notice’, like for the first time, even if this is not true) F’s hands.  I want to hold them.  They seem small and delicate and lovely and sweet and I want to grab his hand and kiss it and kiss the palm, like I do when we’re alone.  And as I write this I realise I didn’t do that last night and know that I should have.  He likes it.

But, I notice the hands; his hands; his beautiful hands.  I look at his face as he speaks to A.  It’s true, he is not the most beautiful man in the world but, to me, he is.  I am sitting next to him and listening to him talk to A and thinking that we are not close enough; we can never be close enough or, at least, not right now.

We finish the pizzas.  I stretch my arm over the back of F’s chair, resting my hand on the back but now being able to stroke his back with my thumb.  It will do but even this act makes me want more!  I notice that there is a mirror by the side of him so that all the other people in the restaurant can see what I am doing, if they were to look; I find that I really don’t care.  I am proud to be with him; to have him here at my side; to let everyone know that I adore him.

A is hungry – which is not really a surprise.  F wants a sweet.  They bring the sweet menu.  A doesn’t normally have a sweet but will in this case.  He would prefer another pizza.  The sweets arrive.  I leave some of mine, partly because I am not really hungry and partly because I know that F will eat it – but only if I say I don’t want any more.  It’s what A’s F does with A.  I wonder if she does it for the same reason?

A is still hungry.  Again F is very strong – and how I love this!  He insists that A has another pizza.  A fights this – but not too hard and, anyway, F makes it like ‘fun’ and tells the waitress that A lost a bet and now has to eat another pizza.  F and I have another beer.  Then F & I have a mirto – this is nowhere near as good as the Sardinian restaurant of Friday night but still……

A doesn’t want a mirto – until we have ours.  So a third is ordered.  F complains that he hates the glasses (tall and thin) because it is difficult to drink with his nose the way it is.  He does have a large, Italian nose.  I see how it is difficult.  I think: even his nose is beautiful.

He kisses me in front of A – not something I would normally do but F is less frightened of showing affection than me and, anyway, I like it and not only let him do it but reciprocate willingly.

It’s not a long, lingering kiss – that will come later when we’re on our own.  But it’s still there.  Out of the corner of my eye, I see A, a little uncomfortable and think: well, you need to get used to it because this is what F does and why not?

We leave.  I think A likes him.  F does ask me, at one point, if he is being ‘too much’.  I tell him that no, I don’t believe so.

I know I am biased, but I loved him for being so wonderful with A and told him so.  I hope that he feels the same about me with his friends and think that, probably, he does.  As he has said from the beginning, really, we all want the same thing – and both of us are working hard to fit into each others lives – and it is such a pleasure; it gives us such pleasure to do so.

This morning, I do my new plan, allowing him to sleep for over an hour more.  It’s not enough for him but it’s better than nothing.

I drive him home this morning.

As I drive down the road to work, I watch him in the rear-view mirror, walking away from me but not out of my life.  No, no, not at all.

So much to explain

Posted on by
4

I keep meaning to have this serious conversation.  But it would be better in bed.  It would be better when I am holding him, loving him, looking into his eyes, so that he can see that I am ‘true’.

And then, when I am not with him, I think about how I can talk about it.  How I can start it.  It’s not easy.

“I want to have a serious conversation about x”.  That seems easy but far too direct.  I need to be more subtle, I know.  But, as V reminded me the other day, I’m not always so good at being subtle.

Of course, there is more than one of these conversations to have.  And there will be more to come, I guess.  I am procrastinating for sure but also because I don’t want to spoil the mood.  When I’m with him, we kiss (often), cuddle (often) and generally just like to touch each other.  I don’t want something I say to make him pull away.

As I’ve said before, as if, by touching we can get closer still, as if the closeness that we feel is not enough, as if it might go away if we do not touch.

He made dinner.  He doesn’t cook often, he says.  It was lovely, of course.  It would have been lovely whatever it was.  We drank wine.  We talked about his ex and what used to happen and about how, now we are older, we are both more set in our ways but how it will be important to ‘close one’s eyes’ or compromise.  We aren’t stupid.  It’s like a ‘grown-up’ relationship and I like that.

He wanted me to get up at the normal time I do as I had told him that I was getting up later when I stayed with him.

“But it’s OK”, I said, “I can get in later”.

“Yes, but I don’t want you to finish late” he said.

I wonder if that’s because the time I get home, if I go in early, suits the timing for him too.  I smile at that, pretty sure that it’s partly selfish on his part that I get up earlier.

Still, let’s not run, shall we?

“I’ll cook Christmas Dinner”, he says during our conversation.  I’m finding it difficult to react in the right way.  I’m staying impassive.  It’s not a good thing either but I’m frightened of scaring him, wanting everything.  It’s another of those ‘serious conversations’ that we must have.

Later still I say the three words again.  I don’t think he’s so scared by them now.  I’m still here, the next day – unlike the last time they were said to him.  I understand why he’s scared.  He doesn’t trust me yet.  He doesn’t know me, of course.

But, there’s just so much to explain!

A Close Run Thing

Posted on by
4

It was a close run thing.

I don’t know why but there was a photo of this other guy that kept on appearing on the screen saver.  I need to change that when I get home tonight!  Luckily, that had gone by the time we had got back home.

Then of course, there was the blog.  But I’m not stupid.  I remembered that!

Whilst I had a shower, I thought it would be nice if he could do his Facebook Farm (isn’t everyone doing that, now?).  ‘You can use the computer’, I said.

As I went to open it up, I remembered to close the blog.

A few moments later, whilst I was changing into my bath robe for the shower, I saw he had managed to open up the document I keep open and, in which, I write my posts!  Bugger.  But then I could hardly turn round and say, excuse me please, whilst closing it down.

And, so, I wondered if he had read any – or gone back to look when I was in the shower?  And then I got to thinking – what if one of his colleagues reads the blog and then recognises him or other people in the blog and then tells him.

I can only hope that, if they do find it, it gives the name of the organisation so I can phone him first!!!!!

Perhaps I should just tell him about it and get it over with?

Now we have Christmas and New Year together

Posted on by
6

“…then we can spend the night together!”

The voice was hushed and, yet, excited.  Bless him.  Still there is the ‘not running’ thing.  See, that’s what I don’t quite get.  Again, it’s my mild autism coming into play, I guess.  Run!  Don’t Run!  Run!  Don’t Run!

‘Would you like to come to dinner with me and MM [his colleague with whom he goes to Tango lessons on a Monday night] or pick me up after the lesson?’, he asked earlier.

‘I can do both’, I reply – not telling him that every moment I spend out of his presence is a moment too long.

And so, last night, I got home and went almost straight away to pick him up from work.  The plan was that we would go for something to eat, he would go to Tango lessons with MM and then I would drive down about 10.30, pick him up from the lesson and we would go to his house.  I would have taken the dogs out before I left, of course.

The reality was a little different.  First, I went to his office and I quickly tried on a suit jacket – just to see if the standard size fitted me.  It was absolutely perfect!  I am so lucky like that.  He was pleased.  These are samples, made for the buyers.  They come in one size and, very fortunately, it’s my size.  And I mean, so my size it looked like it was tailored just for me.  He said that I could also use his discount as he’s not buying anything this year.  That’s an extra 50% off!

Then, because it was a little early to meet MM, we went for a beer.  We talked about A.  A was funny on Sunday because he felt he should get changed if we were to meet F, which in the end, we didn’t.  I said that F wouldn’t mind and it was fine.  A seemed nervous about meeting F.  F is also nervous about meeting A (and all my other friends).  I explained to F that everyone will love him because he makes me so happy!  This is true, I know.

We went to the restaurant/pizzeria.  MM was already there, on her first beer.  She drinks beer like an English person.  And smokes as much as I do.  I love her already.  We order and, she wants meat but they only do it for 2.  F asks if I will have that and I am pleased to do so.  The meat was perfect.

MM understands English quite well but doesn’t speak it at all.  The conversation is difficult to follow at times but I get most of it.  MM asks if F is going to Austria for Christmas.  He says that no, we are going to R’s birthday dinner and then we shall spend Christmas together.  He turns to me and says ‘Is that OK?’.  I smile and say ‘Of course, that’s OK’.  In my head I am already dancing on the table!

MM says that perhaps we should go to Vienna for New Year.  F thinks this is a good idea and says we could drive there.  It’s his birthday just after New Year.  It would be nice.  I say that this would be lovely but I have to sort out the dogs.  He understands.

We have another beer each at the restaurant and then go outside for a cigarette.  They talk about Tango.  The problem is that F (and MM) will miss the next two weeks.  MM suggests that, as they are supposed to pay this week, it seems quite mad that they are going anyway – missing so many lessons already.

They decide that they won’t go after all.  MM suggests going for a drink.  She lives not far from me.  We walk up towards Via Eustachi.  We go to Bar Aurore on Via Castelmorone.  This is one of the more famous bars in Milan.  Very old fashioned and, to me, it seems almost French in style.

We order beers.  We talk.  Occasionally we go outside for a cigarette.  I try to talk Italian with MM.  F smiles (almost laughs) as I am talking.  I stop and ask why he is laughing at me.  He explains (mainly to MM) that this is the first time he has heard me speak Italian, which is probably true and it’s not wrong just strange to him.

We have several more beers.  I go to the bathroom.  Afterwards, F explains that, whilst I was in the bathroom, MM had exclaimed ‘Why, F, you never told me he was gorgeous!  If he wasn’t gay I would be interested in him!’  I think this pleases him.  I like MM very much (apart from the beer drinking and smoking) – she is lovely.  I think she likes me too.  I think I’m doing OK!

I have to go and walk the dogs.  He says we should walk the dogs together.  I am happy about that, except that, when I rushed out, I left the cleaner doing the ironing and knew there would be ironing left all over the lounge, the bedroom with sheets not changed; I had no idea that he would come over tonight!

I try to explain that the house will be a mess and why it will be so.

We get home.  He loves the dogs although Dino is, as usual with someone new, over excited.  We take them out.  We get back.  We go to bed.  We talk.  I so love having him with me.  I just so love it.

Again he talks about going slowly.  I wonder at what point that will change.  He explains why (again) and I do understand.  But then there are the Christmas and New Year arrangements.  But these all come from him.  I cannot make suggestions (I feel) as I do not know how fast/slow such arrangement-making is!

This morning, I get up early but let him sleep in whilst I take the dogs out.  I go back and make coffee and then have a shower.  I explain how, next time, I will alter the arrangements and have a shower before coffee so that he can get up later.

Dino is over excited as normal.  He really likes Rufus, who is quiet and calm.  But I think he likes Dino also.  Dino will be calmer when he gets used to him.  I must remember to tell him that.

I drive him home.  He says that he can catch a bus.  I tell him that no way and, anyway, this is on my way to work.  He is ready to get out at Piazza Loretto but I say that I will drive him up to his house.  He says that the traffic will be bad for me.  I say it is far to early and it will be fine and point this out as we drive towards his place.  I am right.

I drop him off.  We kiss, briefly before he gets out of the car and blow kisses to each other as he walks to his building.  He says he will call me.

Now we have Christmas and New Year together.

Sardinian restaurant; V update and advice; my wine shop

Posted on by
2

Italians, as I have said before and as you would expect, have a thing about food. And, unlike the UK, it’s all very regional – however, I live in Milan and, here, we have restaurants from all over Italy. Last night we went to a Sardinian restaurant (Baia Chia – Vai Bazzini, 37).

It has, mostly fish (I guess because Sardinia is an island) although there are a few meat dishes. However, I decided on grilled Sea Bass for the main course and some raw tuna mixed thing for antipasto – this I shared with F who had chosen some prawn thing.

I have to say it was all delightful. When they came with the Mirto at the end of the meal it was, truly, the best Mirto I’ve had.

Not a big restaurant but well worth a visit – even if it is a little off the beaten track.

F admired the jumper some woman was wearing and said he wanted it…….so, partly as a joke and partly because it’s me….I went over and found out where she had bought it and gave the info to F – he seemed pleased but it may have been just because I had the nerve to ask in the first place :-)

AfL was lovely. F paid for the whole meal which annoyed both of us – but what was done was done…….it just means I have to be better at spotting what he is doing.

We walked part of the way back together and then I left them and went home.

____________________________________________________________________

Earlier, I had texted V to wish him well for Monday when he said he was going to go back to work. He said he wasn’t going back as he had had some results from the tests.

I phoned him. It seems he has a problem with some nerves in his wrist, which is why his arm keeps going numb and they have also found a problem with one of the valves in his heart!

I don’t know whether it’s serious or not. He would probably never tell me. We chatted for a bit, easily with many laughs.

I told him about the problem with the kid. He told me that, perhaps, I shouldn’t be my usual self and should be a bit more like him…..letting the guy down very, very gently. His opinion is that Italian men are about 10 years less mature than British men…..which would make the kid 20! Scary!!

I got him to promise that, in future, he would keep me up to date about his tests and health and joked that I would need to know so that I could come over and put post-it notes on the furniture I wanted!

He won’t keep me up to date, of course. I know him better than that.

_________________________________________________________________________

Later. I go to the wine shop. We are supposed to be going to his friends’ place for the meal tonight. I ask the guy for a really good bottle of dry white and a good bottle of sweet white. He has some expensive wines in the shop. By expensive I mean €60 plus. He points me to one costing €28 and says that is particularly good. More or less the same with the desert wine. It’s why I keep going back. And his choice is almost always perfect.

He tells me that he has some more Macallan 7-year-old whisky (I had bought for a colleague once) and would knock something off the price.

Really, this guy is good. Of course, it’s all in Italian and I don’t understand everything he says but I can rely on him. If you tell him exactly what food you’re going to eat he will pick the wine to accompany it. Love it.

Then F phones to say that we are now going to a restaurant anyway. Well, it’s not as if the wine will go off, so there’ll be another time.

The royal “we”?

Posted on by
2

He calls. “Ciao Bambino”, he says.

He tells me that he has had lunch with the potential future landlady and has decided to take the flat. I tell him I am really pleased and hope he is pleased too. He says he is, although there is a hint in his voice that he is not. He signs the contract at the end of November.

“And we will be close to each other”, he says, excitedly, the smile in his voice apparent. Yes, we shall be 10 minutes walk away from each other. I don’t say so, but I think that is 10 minutes walk too far. But, for him, he needs this space. For me it is not necessary.

He is not dog sitting after all. The woman is not going away as her one son is ill. However, AfL is still supposed to be there “Unless she says she is going back to London”, he says. “I will phone you later and tell you where we are going with AfL”, he adds.

Now, in case you have missed the important choice of words, I will spell them out.

Before it has been he and AfL going somewhere and me tagging along. Now it is “us”, the royal “we” that are going somewhere and “we” are taking AfL out!

Of course, I must remember – “LOST IN TRANSLATION” – and, therefore, it may be of no significance, however, it’s nice to think like that, for me.

And this in spite of the post below!

From the first kiss, he was all mine

Posted on by
8

From_the_first_kiss_he_was_all_mine

Well, here goes.  The meeting of the important people.

We spoke several times, on the phone, yesterday.

A came over and we went for a pizza at Time Out 2 in Via Eustachi.  A liked the pizzas and I was very pleased about that.  After all, he’s Italian and I really get so nervous about recommending anywhere to Italians.  The pizzas are cheap and, it being A, we ended up with one and a half pizzas each.  And a bottle of wine.  A said that he shouldn’t be drinking at all and was going to have just a glass of wine but they don’t do wine by the glass and he didn’t want the house wine (and I don’t really blame him as it’s not that good) so chose a bottle of wine – and then, instead of having a glass, had half the bottle.  I’m really a bad influence!

He’s going through a bit of a tough time at the moment.  We talked crap and about him and his F, about me and my F and so on.  It was a nice evening and, ever since that time when he was unexpectedly so supportive, I really have a lot of time for him.  In fact, here, in Italy, I would say he’s my best friend.  He doesn’t get along with everybody but that’s OK, my best friends aren’t your usual people – they suit me and that’s all that counts.

I rang F after I had taken the dogs for a walk but he was in the restaurant.  He phoned me back when he had finished and then phoned me again when he got back to his hotel.

We talked about Thursday.  He hopes to be back by about 8.  I will probably go over about 9.30, if that’s the case.  We shall see.

Then he asked that, if I had no plans for Saturday, we had been invited to go out with his ‘friends’ – the ones from the last post – and AfL.  Apparently they ‘really want to meet me’.  I bet they do!  I said, of course, that would be fine.  I joked that they would be wanting to ‘check me out'; ‘to see if I was good enough for their F’.

He got a little defensive but he knows it’s true.  It’s true of all friends, not just them.  My friends want to do the same.  They are intrigued by how someone can be so important in such a short time.  They want to see if the attraction is valid; see if they can detect the feelings are genuine.  I understand.

So, Saturday night will be important.  I said that I would be on my best behaviour, which I will.  I must select the right things to wear and be able to come up with good conversation.  I will use V’s technique – be interested in them and get them to talk about themselves – it works a treat.

I am so looking forward to tonight.  This will be our last night together until at least early next week.

A is still amazed by how I went about all this.  How I was so selective and treating it like a purchase or selection of something else.  That’s true except that, when it came down to it, F doesn’t have all the things I would have chosen; is not the perfect person, perhaps, but it just felt (and still feels), so right at the time.  From the first kiss onwards and ATN.

Yeah, from the first kiss, he was all mine!