November Night

"I have... But one... Heart..This heart i bring you..
I have but one heart.. To share with you..."
I blow a puff of smoke from my pipe. That's one of my favorite records playing. A special record. But this is a special night..
My name is Adamantios, and though fate has been too kind to let it show, I'm in my mid thirties... I am... Not your ordinary man in his middle thirties. Indeed, I am not an untamed beast, and I'm not a brainless klutz that goes about in flashy cars, or with stylish models..
Old fashioned, some people call me. Some just call me weird, or demented, or whatever they like. I just smile and blow another puff of smoke..
"You are.. My one.. Love.. My life I live for you..."
I'm sitting in front of the fireplace, in this cold winter night, and my only friends are this pipe, my Cabernet Sauvignon from my own cellar and ol' Frankie's voice. Oh, here comes the napolitano bit, I always liked that part.
I once dedicated this song to her. I wonder if she even remembers it..
"Ca u mare parla e na' carezza, Ma a tia la brezza, fina murir..."
I smile a bitter smile. I know she doesn't. She never understood, how much she meant to me. Can't really blame her, I guess, it's in the nature of human to forget, or so someone said. Might as well blame someone for having two eyes, right?
I drink some more wine, savoring its taste little by little, like my life hangs from it. Then I turn my attention to the space above the mantelpiece, where her portrait is. I painted that one, long ago. I was never good at painting, or copying faces on the canvas and that sort of thing. But after I lost her, her image was stuck so deep in my heart and my mind, that I eventually learned to paint, only to do her own portrait, from memory. And this was it. The only thing I ever did that I was a little proud of.
Another smile forms on my cold lips. And I did you good, didn't I? Dearest? A toast. I raise my glass. To your beauty. And my love for you.
I drink all the wine that's left in the glass all at once. It's snowing outside. Why does it happen so that it always snows on this day? Maybe up there, you still remember, and cry with me.. My tears are measured with drops of wine, and yours with snowfall.. Each gust of wind that takes the snowflakes with it is another one of your dances, so mystifying and dreamlike, like the gliding of an angel in the sky.
I remember you.
Always.
But this day is special, like I said. This is the day you left me. Alas, I know you didn't want to. I guess it was the mysterious touch of fate that took you from me, that dark November night, when you were hit by that train. And to think you were coming to visit me, after such a long time of working abroad. It was our one chance, to see each other again, like we promised.
My smile remains bitter.
What has fate wrought..
Tonight is your night. Our night. Tonight, you dance for me and I drink to bear the pain of watching you but being unable to embrace you once again.
"More wine sir?" A soft, known voice asks behind me.
Samantha, my maid. You would have liked her. She too plays the piano and loves to listen to songs we like. She also keeps your flowers from dying. She' a good woman, but quite stubborn at times. It's alright though, it's all in the set, as my father used to say.
Yes, please, Samantha. She has the bottle and asks me to fill my glass. I guess she thinks she's taking care of me that way. As if i couldn't order her to just give me the bottle whenever i wanted. But it's alright too, it's better that way.
She fills my glass and then patiently takes two steps backwards, standing there, waiting for my next order.
How many times do I have to tell you, Sam, you can always sit somewhere, we have many sofas, lots of couches, and even more chairs. All those years and still you feel as if standing there and tiring yourself is your duty?
"Well, it is, sir."
That again. My name is not sir, never was, and will never be. Adamantios, or Adam, if you prefer. I think 6 years are enough for you to be able to call me by my first name..
"But, sir!-"
I raise an index finger. Ah, ah! What did I just tell you about that?..
"Yes si- Adam.."
I smile again. Stubborn Samantha. Always the same. Your heart is kind and you restrain it.
"Do you want me to change the record or play it again, sir?"
I let a little sore laugh. Sir. Again. No, I tell Sam. I didn't even realise it'd ended. It's alright, I will be returning to my reading soon, anyway. You know I can't read while listening to music.. I don't know which one demands more attention from me.
She smiles.
"Yes, sir. Do you need anything else?"
No, I believe this night is already at its end. I'm getting weary.. You are not free to take the rest of the night of, but also encouraged to. Another smile.
"Goodnight, Adam."
Goodnight, Samanta. And sweet dreams. May fate smile upon you.
"You know I don't believe in fate, Adam."
Neither do I, Sam. Neither do I. Now off you go.
She nods, and leaves.
Goodnight, Samantha. And good night to you, my dear.