Going Home

Part 43

Looking at him with suspicion again, Grace asked “what?”

Laughing Josh moved towards her, “don’t worry it’s out in the open.”

Then putting his arm around her shoulders he kissed her head and opened the door of the shed.

Walking up the gentle slope beyond the shed Josh stopped at the dead tree at the top and sitting down with his back against the trunk pulled Grace down to sit between his legs.

“So what did you want to show me?” Grace asked, sounding bewildered.

Pointing upwards Josh indicated the night sky “that.”

As Grace leant back against Josh and looked up she couldn’t believe how different the sky looked out there. There were so many more stars visible. And it was so quiet, having lived in the city all her life she loved how peaceful it was and so beautiful.

As Josh wrapped his arms around her, Grace reached behind her and hooking her hand behind his neck, said “thank you.”

Resting his chin on her shoulder Josh smiled, “no worries.” He was happy she liked it. He’d always loved night time in the country and after everything she’d done for him, he wanted to share it with her.

Going Home

Part 42

Later Josh helped Grace down from the bench and watched her in the moonlight coming through the window. As she fixed herself up Grace admonished “Josh what are you doing to me? I have to go back and face your parents now. How the hell am I supposed to do that after what we just did without it showing?”

Laughing Josh pulled her into his arms “would you prefer to do that in our room with them next door, trust me those walls aren’t that thick. And it’s not like we’re kids Grace, besides they’ll never know.”

Looking at him, suspicion in her expression, Grace asked “how do you know?” Her eyes narrowing she continued “how many girls did you work your magic on in here when you were a teenager that they never knew about?”

Smiling Josh tried to be evasive “only a few.”

“A good few I’d say.” Grace said. Angry, she pulled away from him. All of a sudden it felt like he was using her to relive some old memories and she resented it.

Liking the fact that Grace was jealous but not wanting to upset her Josh pulled her back into his arms. Serious now he replied “yeah maybe but none of them made me feel like you do, so as far a I’m concerned this is a first.”

Searching his face in the dim light for a minute Grace calmed down and decided she’d probably over reacted. But the thought of those girls in Josh’s arms didn’t sit well with her. Putting her arms around his neck she conceded “okay just as long as I’m the last.”

Josh sighed “Grace you know how I feel about you, there’s no going back from there. In fact there’s no going anywhere from there so you are first, last and everywhere in between.”

Smiling Grace pulled his head down and kissed him slowly. But as she tried to move back moments later Josh stopped her. “Now you shouldn’t have done that Grace because by the time we’re done this time my parents will definitely know something is going on.”

But managing to move out of reach Grace laughed. As she backed further away from him she said “no you don’t we are not starting that again now.”

Groaning Josh agreed with reluctance, “okay I’ll take a rain check but only because I want to show you something.”

Living La Dolce Vita

Day 7

© A Product of Silence

Today we toured Florence taking in the Ponte Vecchio again and a square where a replica of the statue of David stands outside a government building. We then saw the original statue that is housed in the Galleria dell' Academia. It was an amazing sight. I keep having to pinch myself to believe I am actually seeing these pieces of history I have read so much about. Next we toured the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore situated in the Piazza San Giovanni and the neighbouring Baptistry dedicated to St. John the Baptist which houses the Gates of Paradise, incredible doors made of gold that depict scenes from the Old Testament. The Cathedral and Baptistry are the most beautiful Marble buildings. I never knew marble came in so many 
incredible colours. 

Piazza San Giovanni

© A Product of Silence

After being immersed in history all morning we then undertook some retail therapy in a market, full of leather goods. 

Pitti Palace Gardens

© A Product of Silence

On the way home we toured the Pitti Palace, originally the town residence of Luca Pitti, an ambitious Florentine banker but was bought by the Medici family in 1549 and became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. We also toured it’s lovely gardens before returning to our hotel which was situated across the road from part of the walled grounds. 

What I found most interesting was that we were told that in the 16th century, the Duke of Florence, Cosimo I de' Medici had a corridor built above street level, the Vascari Corridor , connecting the Uffizi with the Pitti Palace across the Arno River, over the Ponte Vecchio. It was constructed so that he didn't have to walk with his subjects across the always crowded bridge while commuting between his residences. This corridor is still visible about the city.

Florence is a lovely city, immersed in history and great shopping.

Going Home

This part is in two pieces. The second half of this part is more adult in nature and will be posted elsewhere. If  you'd like to read it, message me and I'll send you the link.

Part 41

Finding Grace alone in the kitchen Josh smiled at her and said “hey feel like a walk?”

Smiling back at him Grace stood up, “sure.” She sensed a change in his mood and she was pleased to see it. This feeling that things had changed was reinforced when as they stepped outside he reached over and pulled her close giving her a quick but hot kiss.

Looking at him with a smile as he lifted his head Grace asked “what was that for?”

Josh smiled down at her “no reason, just haven’t been able to for a while.”

“Oh okay, well where are we going?”

Turning her to the right Josh pointed toward some out buildings as they start moving in that direction “over there.”

As they walk along Grace tried to make out the buildings that were barely visible in the dark “what are they?”

“Just sheds” Josh said.

“And what’s in them?” Grace asked as they neared the buildings.

Josh shrugged, “don’t know.”

Laughing Grace turned to him as he opened the door to the nearest building and followed her inside closing it behind him, “then what are we doing here?”

“This” he said and moving forward he pushed her up against the wall of the shed. Then moving in so his body was hard up against hers he leaned down and kisses her until the only thing that exists in her world is him.

Going Home

Part 40

As Robert stepped outside he saw Josh sitting on the veranda steps staring out at the night. Taking a seat next to him Robert hoped that by choosing a subject that matters to him he could draw him out and get him to talk. So, with caution, he broached a subject that was obviously close to Josh’s heart. “I like Grace” he said “your mother tells me she’s a police officer too.”

Without looking at his father Josh said “yeah we work together.”

“Well she seems a lovely person and she’s smart, I can tell that.”

“Yeah she is.”

“Have you been together long?”

“A couple of years.”

Looking straight ahead Robert said “well I’m glad you found each other. From what I can see you do a good job of making her happy.”

Turning his head at the unexpected praise Josh looked at his father’s profile for a minute then turning back and looking straight ahead again he said in a quiet voice “thanks.”

After a few minutes Josh broke the silence with a question “you’ve been sick?”

Shrugging Robert played down his recent illness. He was touched by Josh’s concern but he didn’t want his son to feel more guilt, he’d had enough of that to deal with as it was “It was a warning the doctor said and I’m doing my best to heed it.”

Frowning Josh said “do you have any help on the farm?”

Shrugging again Robert chose his words with care. He didn’t want to lie but he didn’t want Josh to worry either. “When I need it” he said.

Turning to look at his father Josh was not entirely sure he believed him but he didn’t feel able to push for answers yet. So standing he said “I’ll see if they’re finished.” Stepping away he headed back inside to find Grace.

As he watched Josh leave Robert sighed. He was disappointed Josh had brought their conversation to an end.

But for Josh things couldn’t be more different. Despite his abrupt departure Josh found for the first time that he was leaving a conversation with one of his parents feeling relaxed. For once he didn’t feel like he was been torn apart and all of a sudden his mood was lighter.

Living La Dolce Vita

Day 6

Leaving Venice

© A Product of Silence

Today I said good bye to Venice. It was sad leaving, but I am excited to see more of Italy now. After getting a boat over to our bus we set off for Florence. 
  

 

Verona

© A Product of Silence

  




Our first stop was Verona. A city that looks a lot like Venice, with similar painted facades on the buildings. In Verona we saw the Arena di Verona, which is a Roman amphitheatre and said to be the third largest Arena in the world. 

Arena di Verona

© A procuct of Silence

  We also saw the balcony at Juliet's house the sight of the famous balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. This balcony is my profile picture.

After some shopping and a quick lunch at what seemed to be Italy's version of McDonalds, we set off once more bound for Florence. 

Arriving in Florence at about 4.30pm we had to lug our cases down a narrow street that the coach couldn't navigate, to our hotel where we checked in only to find we had to lug them up three fights of stairs as well. The hotel had no lift. The climb however was worth it. The hotel, an old convent, was very beautiful. After catching our breath we set off for a walk into the city centre arriving on the Ponte Vecchio at dusk. The view off the bridge was magnificent. I love Italy. 

The view from the Ponte Vecchio

© A Product of Silence

Going Home

Part 39

On reaching the house again though Robert found the situation was not quite the way he had imagined. Looking over at his son Robert said with pleasure “thanks Josh, this was good.”

But without looking at him Josh said in an impersonal tone “yeah no worries, it was good to see the farm again.” He was still struggling to come to terms with this new contact with his parents. Even though he accepted their explanation, he was not ready to drop his guard entirely. He had had it up too long.

Robert was disappointed in Josh’s response but could understand that it was going to take more than one conversation to repair the damage caused by such a long separation and so many misunderstandings. So swallowing his unhappiness he left it there and led the way back into the house.

Later as they finish dinner Grace offered to help Margaret clean up but Josh, not ready to be part of such a domestic scene, thanked his mother for the meal and took his beer out onto the veranda.

Watching him leave Robert decided to try again to make some head way, and picking up his own drink he followed his son outside. Over the course of the day he had watched Josh and had noticed how he behaved with Grace. He was different with her, less intense more playful. He’d give anything to see that side of him again when he was interacting with them but he could see that was going to take time.