Authors: Lucy Appadoo
Images of her father flashed before her eyes. The physical pain of his belt, the lack of control she felt when she was younger. She couldn't get the image of his belt out of her mind. She couldn't go through the pain at the hands of a man again. Valeria realised with certainty that he would now try to kill her with the crowbar, but she couldn't see it anywhere. Luca was crouching, but then he grabbed the crowbar, which had been on the other side of the bed. Valeria gasped, but she could protect herself. Quickly grabbing a small beer bottle, she hid it behind her back while he approached her. He was lifting the crowbar above his head to strike her across the legs, but Valeria hit him on the side of the head with the bottle. He fell limp onto the carpeted flooring. Valeria gasped. She felt uneasy. She didn't mean for him to die.
Brushing away those thoughts, she noticed the telephone on the bedside table. Grabbing the telephone, she used what she'd learned in English class. She dialled the operator, asking for an ambulance and the local police. She spoke in broken English to the operator. “2 mans hurt. Need police—and ambulance.” She gave the operator the addresses.
Valeria walked back to her house and stayed with Roberto. Her heart ached at seeing Roberto again. She fell down to her knees and rested beside him, stroking his head. So many thoughts and emotions ran through her, and she cursed herself for bringing him into this situation. He had risked his life for her, and she hated seeing him in this immobile state. A strange emotion ran through her as she realised she couldn't live without him.
After what seemed like hours, the police and ambulance staff were at the door and entered Roberto's house, assessing the scene before them. From what the police were saying, she understood that they were arranging an Italian interpreter for her statement. After the ambulance staff checked his vitals and lay him on a stretcher, Valeria made her way into the ambulance with Roberto as they took him to Royal Melbourne Hospital. As she was getting into the ambulance, she turned at the sound of Luca's ranting and raving at the policemen. He was alive, and she felt relieved she hadn't killed him. He was in handcuffs, being pushed by policemen into a police car. He stumbled a few times but luckily he didn't see her.
Chapter 8
New Journey
Valeria arrived at the hospital and sat in the waiting area. Her stomach was in knots with worry as she wondered whether Roberto would make it. What if he died on her? How could she cope with the guilt of putting him in harm's way?
The doctor arrived with a nurse who spoke Italian. She explained to Valeria that she would be acting as an interpreter.
“How is he?” Valeria asked.
“We performed the surgery and managed to control the bleeding in his brain. He should make a full recovery.”
Valeria breathed a sigh of relief. “Can I see him?”
The nurse nodded in response after speaking to the doctor.
“Thank you,” Valeria said. Before she rose, the nurse told her about the police statement, and that she would be her interpreter once they arrived.
Valeria nodded. “Just call me once they arrive.”
Heading towards the ward, she saw the machine monitoring his oxygen levels and the bandage over his head. He was half asleep but when she approached, he woke up.
“How are you?” Valeria asked.
“A little drowsy from the medication but I'll be okay.”
“Good.” She held his hand. “You gave me such a fright.”
“Are you—okay?” He said groggily.
“I'm fine.”
“And Luca?”
“He's been arrested. The police will want to talk to you later, to get your statement. When you're up to it.”
He nodded. “Valeria. I—I'm sorry. I tried to help but I failed you. So sorry.”
“Don't be silly. You cared enough to come home. You were obviously worried about me.”
He grinned slightly. “Of course I was worried. I do care, you know." He paused. “He threatened you, didn't he?”
Valeria turned away. “He threatened to hurt my family, and you, so I had to lie. Luca did hurt me. A few times.”
He nodded. “I suspected as much. I know you. Valeria, I—.”Roberto had fallen asleep.
“You what?” She asked silently to herself, feeling disappointed.
Valeria sat by his side and watched him sleep, wondering what she would've done if he’d died. Maybe now they could live their lives free of Luca.
Valeria turned to find Angela and Marco enter the ward. Angela and Marco hugged Valeria and waited by his side.
“Is he going to be okay?” Angela asked.
“He's going to be fine. Just sleepy from the medication.”
Marco asked, “What happened today?”
“Luca happened,” Valeria said. She explained the whole story and saw them both flinch. In the end, they embraced her warmly.
“He'll be fine now, and Luca will hopefully pay for his sins,” Valeria said.
“I'm sorry for not believing you at first. I just never imagined he was like this. He was always there supporting us. I never would've thought.” Angela said.
“And I'm sorry too,” Marco said. “But he'd been a friend to us and helping us over the years when we needed his help. We never realised he was sick like this.”
“These kinds of people are skilled at wearing a mask and fooling people. I'm sure he still cared about you guys. He just needs help,” Valeria said.
“Anyway, from now on, we'll believe whatever you tell us,” Angela said.
“I could lie,” Valeria said.
Angela and Marco both laughed.
Two weeks passed when Roberto and Valeria were returning from dinner at a local restaurant. It was the second time in three days they had gone out as a couple. Roberto wished to court her, and Valeria had agreed. As they got to know each other after sharing the traumatic situation with Luca, feelings had started to develop between them, which caught them both by surprise.
When they arrived home, they entered the bedroom. Roberto stared at Valeria as he pulled her close to him, and stroked her arm. Gently, he kissed her on the lips and she was giddy with emotion.
“I love you, Valeria.”
“I love you too, Roberto.”
He pulled her towards the bed. “Why don't I show you how much I love you.”
“I'd like that,” Valeria responded.
Gently and slowly, he undressed her and himself. Valeria could barely breathe and told Roberto to go slow.
“I'm sorry, Roberto.”
“It's okay. Just relax and we'll go at your pace.” He kissed her gently again, and then stroked her cheek. Valeria suddenly felt things she'd never felt before. She allowed Roberto to take the lead as he stroked her in all the right places. She was becoming aroused, and they eventually made love. Valeria experienced some pain but there was mostly pleasure, with the certainty that she loved Roberto.
Chapter 9
A Walk to the Other Side
Nine months later Valeria had a baby girl named Maria. She was named after Roberto's mother. The hospital sent her home two days after the birth, and she’d felt fine at the time. She’d had a difficult pregnancy with labour lasting almost twenty-four hours. She’d never experienced such pain but the reward was worth it.
A few days after arriving from the hospital, Valeria was lying in bed with Roberto, who was sleeping. Maria slept soundly in her bassinette. Valeria was lying awake in bed thinking about her pregnancy and how she wasn't ready to be a mother at 19 years of age. She hadn't had her business for long and wanted to settle in a new country. Her English was improving every day, and she was grateful that the language would help with her career. She had been shocked at the news of her pregnancy when she was tested at the local clinic. Roberto had encouraged her, giving her the confidence she needed to be a new mother, but the self-doubt lingered. However, with help from Roberto, Angela, Marco and her new friends, Valeria slowly came to terms with the pregnancy. Then after Maria's birth, she felt such a surge of joy and love that no amount of words could ever describe. She realised that love was all she needed to raise her daughter, and that she would be fine. She had all the required domestic skills. She was not alone.
As Valeria felt warmed by her memories, she suddenly felt sick in the stomach. The stabbing pain caused her to moan and she pressed hard on her temple. Then her head was throbbing. Eventually, Roberto stirred and was quickly wide awake.
“What's wrong?” Roberto asked.
“I've got such a bad headache. My stomach's killing me too.”
“I'll get you a tablet.” He rose from the bed and headed towards the kitchen.
As Roberto was leaving, Valeria suddenly felt a gush of blood pour out of her and the sheets filled with it. She felt light-headed and was in and out of consciousness. A gentle hand tugged at her. “Valeria—Valeria, oh my God. You're bleeding.”
Valeria could barely hear Roberto as he rushed out of the room and called out to the others. She was barely conscious when he returned and carried her outside to his car.
“The baby,” Valeria said.
“Don't worry. Angela will stay here with her. We're taking you to the hospital.”
Valeria felt dizzy and blacked out.
When she woke up, she realised she wasn't at home in her own bed, but in some other place filled with noise in the background. She heard scurrying feet and muffled voices, but didn't know where she was. What bed was she in? She was half-conscious when suddenly she noticed a woman beside her. She was wearing a white old nurse's hat, and looked angelic and surreal. She had never seen a woman look so lovingly powerful through her presence alone, and it evoked a strong feeling of rightness and love in her. This woman's energy was so strong, she could barely breathe. The woman approached and stroked Valeria on the face.
“
Povera ragazza
,” the woman said in Italian. She sat by her side for a few minutes, then left. Valeria found she couldn't speak. So this was what heaven was like. She must've been dead as she felt detached from her surroundings. Everything looked blurry around her, but she felt a sense of pure love inside her. If this was what heaven was like then it wasn't too bad. She was sure that Roberto would take good care of their daughter, Maria. They would be okay without her, and they had Angela to help. Besides, she knew that Roberto would find someone else to take her place. She wanted that for him. He deserved to have a loving, generous woman beside him.
Some time later, Valeria noticed another woman coming into the room, but this woman looked different. She was wearing a striped uniform but no funny looking hat. She remembered seeing the show
The Flying Nun
, and that woman she had seen previously wore the same kind of hat. Where was she now? Where did she go?
“How are you feeling, Valeria?” She realised the woman spoke to her in Italian.
“What?” Valeria was confused. “Where am I?” She suddenly felt different. She was more immersed in her surroundings.
“You're in hospital.”
She struggled to lift her body. “Why?”
“You were taken in by your husband. You were bleeding heavily. We managed to control the infection you caught after you had your baby. I think you were taken home too soon, and your body couldn't cope.” The nurse was checking her chart.
“So—so—I'm not dead? I'm not in heaven?”
The woman laughed. “No, you're not in heaven. You're very much alive—and I'll be your nurse for today.”
“But what about the other nurse that was here before? She was wearing an old nurse's hat, almost like a sun hat. She looked quite old too. Where is she?”
The nurse knit her brows. “I'm sorry, but there's no nurse here that looks like that.”
The nurse left, and Valeria felt cold all over. What was going on here? She was sure the woman was real. Yet, there was that strange feeling of something unreal about her. Was she an angel reassuring her that she'd be fine? Valeria could've died, and maybe at that time, she had been close to death. She had certainly felt weightless, like being in another dimension. She realised now that the woman had been sent here to give her the message it wasn't her time to go yet. It was an amazing thought. She would hold this situation close to her heart.
Valeria's reverie was broken when Roberto arrived and kissed her warmly on the lips. He brought Maria in the pram and lifted her out so that Valeria could hold her in bed. Valeria stroked her daughter's cheek and kissed her lovingly.
“How are you feeling, darling?”
Valeria recounted her experience, and Roberto smiled. “You have an angel by your side.”
Valeria's heart warmed. It had felt surreal and magical. “How are you?”
“I'm fine, but missing you.” He winked. “Anyway, the doctors say you don't have to stay more than a few days.”
“That's great. I miss you all so much.”
“And we've missed you too. More than you know.” Roberto lay beside her on the bed and they gently embraced.
Valeria looked back over the past year of her life and realised that she'd achieved quite a few things. She thought about how her business was slowly building and how she would eventually need another seamstress to keep up with the increasing orders. Angela was helping out on a part-time basis. Roberto was also starting his carpentry apprenticeship soon, and Valeria was planning to get her driver's licence. She realised that Australia was her new, cherished life and she would be forever grateful to her parents for the experience.