Back To Earth. Danilo Clementoni

had accompanied Elisa earlier was still standing near the car outside.

      â€œYou can go, son,” ordered the colonel. “I’ll take Doctor Hunter back.”

      The soldier stood to attention, saluted, and saying something into his communicator, disappeared into the shadows.

      â€œIt’s been a marvellous evening, Jack,” said Elisa as they left. She inhaled the fresh night air deeply, adding, “It’s been a long time since I spent an evening like this.” Thank you so much,” she said, with another of her wonderful smiles.

      â€œCome on. We're not too safe standing out in the open here,” and so saying, he opened the door of the car and helped her in.

      With the colonel at the wheel, the big dark car pulled away quickly, leaving an appreciable cloud of dust behind it.

      â€œI had a good time as well. I would never have thought that an evening with a ‘presumptuous professor’ could be so much fun.”

      â€œPresumptuous? Is that what people think?” and she turned away, pretending to be offended.

      â€œPresumptuous, yes. But also very understanding, intelligent and definitely sexy.” Seeing that she was facing away, he took the opportunity to stroke the hair at the back of her neck.

      The contact sent a series of shivers along her spine. She could not surrender so soon, she thought. But she could not help but feel a growing sense of anticipation. Not wishing to say anything, she allowed herself to enjoy this short, soothing massage. Jack, encouraged by the lack of reaction to this gesture, continued to stroke her hair for a while. Suddenly, he began to slide his hand towards her shoulder, then ran it down her arm until he gently reached her fingertips. Still facing the window, she took his hand and squeezed it firmly. It was a large, strong hand. The contact made her feel safe.

      Not far away, another dark car was following the couple, its passengers trying to eavesdrop another interesting dialogue.

      â€œI think that ten dollars is now going to end up in my pocket, old friend,” said the fatter one. “He’s taking her to the hotel, she’ll ask him up for a drink, and that will be it.”

      â€œI hope it doesn’t end up like that, or else how are we going to copy the data on that handheld device?”

      â€œMan. I never thought of that.”

      â€œYou never think of anything that isn't going to wind up in that bottomless stomach of yours.”

      â€œCome on, don’t let them get too far away,” said the fat guy ignoring the provocation. “I don't want to lose the signal again.”

      For a while, they remained hand in hand, without saying anything, both staring through the windscreen. The hotel was getting nearer and nearer and Jack began to feel awkward. This wasn’t the first time he had been out with a woman, but that evening he felt the shyness that had tortured him in his youth resurfacing. He had thought he’d overcome that. He felt paralysed by the prolonged contact. Perhaps he should have said something to break the embarrassing silence, but, fearing that whatever he said would ruin the magical moment, he chose to postpone this.

      He was grateful for the automatic, which meant that he didn’t need to remove his hand to change gears and drive in the night.

      As for Elisa, all the so-called ‘men in her life’ were starting to come into her mind, one by one. So many stories, dreams, plans, so much joy and happiness, but always ending up in disillusion, bitterness and pain. It was as though destiny had already made its decision for her. On a professional level, she had certainly led a life of satisfaction and recognition, but it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that no one would be at her side to share it. Now she was there, in a foreign country, travelling hand in hand with a man who, until that day, she had considered merely as an obstacle to her plans, but who was treating her with such tenderness and affection. More than once she asked herself what she should do.

      â€œIs everything all right?” asked Jack, worried at seeing her eyes become increasingly damp.

      â€œYes. Thank you, Jack. Just a moment of sadness. It will soon pass.”

      â€œIs it my fault?” asked the colonel anxiously. “Have I said or done something wrong?”

      â€œNo, quite the opposite,” she replied suddenly. Then, in the softest of voices, she added “Stay close to me, please.”

      â€œIt’s okay. I’m here. You don’t have to worry about anything. I’m not going to let you come to any harm, okay?”

      â€œThank you. Thank you so much,” said Elisa, whilst she tried to wipe away the tears that were slowly rolling down her cheeks. “You’re a real treasure.” Jack remained silent and held her hand even more firmly.

      The hotel sign appeared at the end of the road. They travelled from one end to the other without a word. Eventually, the colonel slowed down and pulled up just outside the entrance. The two looked at each other intensely. For several long moments, neither dared to speak. Jack knew that it was up to him to make the first move, but Elisa beat him to it. “Now you should tell me that it’s been a lovely evening, and that it would be wonderful if I invited you up for a drink.”

      â€œThat would require a little practice,” said Jack, a little blown away by her words. “That’s how it would go if you were like all the others, but that’s not what I’m thinking.” He took a breath, and continued. “I think you’re a very special person and spending this evening together has given me a chance to get to know you better, and I've discovered many things I would never have expected to find in an ‘archaeologist’.”

      â€œI’ll take that as a compliment,” she said, trying to lessen the drama a little.

      â€œBehind that outer image of a strong and indestructible woman, I think there’s a tender, frightened puppy. You're a delightful person, with a sensitive nature.” Perhaps he would later regret what he was about to say, but he took courage, and went on. “Frankly, I have no interest in one night of sex that would then be filed away, as pointless as many others, leaving me feeling nothing other than an immense emptiness. I need more from you. I confess I’ve always liked you.” Now he could no longer stop himself. He took her hands in his own and, squeezing them, continued. “Since the first time we met in my office, I’ve known that you were something special. At first, I was attracted to your beauty, but then your voice, the way you spoke to me, the way you moved, the way you walked, your smile...” He paused for a moment, then added “I’ve been bewitched by your charm. You’ve stolen my heart. I didn’t know how I would live without you any longer, and this evening hasn’t changed my mind.”

      Elisa, who was not expecting a declaration of this kind, was speechless for a moment. Then slowly, without looking into his eyes, she drew close to him. She hesitated for an instant, then kissed him.

      It was a long and lingering kiss. Emotions, both old and new, were resurfacing in both or them. Suddenly Elisa pulled away. Staying only a few centimetres away from him, she said “Thank you for your kind words, Jack. I wouldn’t have wanted our meeting to end up as a sleazy night of sex either. This evening has given me the chance to find out more about you, and to appreciate what kind of man you are. I would never have thought that behind that severe “colonel” there was a tender and sensitive person. I must confess that I haven’t felt my heart beating so fast for a long time. I know I’m not a girl any more, but I wouldn’t like to ruin everything by making you come up with me now.” She paused for a long time, then said “I’d really like to see you again.”

      Kissing him again, she got out of the car and ran into the hotel. She was worried that if she turned back she would not be able to keep her word.

      Jack