Gianni Truvianni's "New York's Opera Society" Chapter 23
Gianni Truvianni's "New York's Opera Society" Chapter 23
Barbara's and Gosia's apartment was a two bedroom apartment with two bathrooms, one for guests and a large kitchen which was connected to the living room/dinning room. It was not that this apartment was big or that is was particularly stylish but there was a certain casual comfort about it that made visiting and spending time in it a nice experience. This was the feeling I had always had about Barbara's apartment even before Gosia moved in.
Another thing that helped to create the mood in this apartment was the way in which Barbara had decorated it; which was what I would care to classify as tasteful in a very modern style, resembling something futuristic. Naturally there was a piano to be found in her living room, whose large presence did not leave her room to have much in the way of furniture.
The piano I am referring to was a "Steinway and Sons" baby grand, which had become in many ways the life of every party and get together that had ever taken place at Barbara's. For me, merely the sight of this piano was enough to bring back memories of all the times that either Barbara or Arturo (who before Gosia's arrival had been the best piano players in our group) had guided us through those opera arias or songs; we all knew so well and loved to sing. This list of songs and arias included such classics as the gypsy chorus from the opera "Il Trobatore", "Libiamo en el Caleti" or "La Donna e Mobile" by Verdi or "Moon River" and other popular classics which were always a lot of fun to perform. How many times had all of us done songs, where we had all joined in just for the fun of it.
The following morning being a Saturday; Gosia and I woke up early to have breakfast with Brad and Barbara, who had woken up specially early to make breakfast which included ham and eggs; as well as the usual American breakfast trappings for not only themselves but for Gosia and I as well. "Good morning to you and glad you could join us for the first meal of the day." was Brad's way of greeting Gosia and I to the kitchen table on which breakfast had been served.
Gosia and I had to rush through breakfast as did Brad and Barbara, who had also made plans of their own; which included going bicycle riding in central park and then for lunch at "Tavern on the Green", after which they were going to take in a movie. Brad and Barbara were going to be joined by two friends of Brad's; whom he worked with at the bank and were planning to get married. I could tell by how enthusiastically they referred to their friends that they were really looking forward to not only spending the day with them but attending their wedding which was to take place the following week.
Our conversation at the breakfast table centered around what present Barbara and Brad should get their friends for the wedding. I not knowing these people did not really know what an appropriate present would be, so I asked the first question that my mother would have asked according to the game plan she always followed when trying to decide what present to get someone. "How much do you intend to spend on this gift of theirs?" was the question my mother always asked first when trying to help someone who was having trouble choosing the
right present for that certain someone. I could tell by the way that Brad and Barbara looked at each other and then at me that my question had caught them of guard. Brad after having turned his head to me turned to Barbara and said "You know, come to think of it that's something I didn't even take in to consideration but now that you mention it we should set an amount of a minimum and a limit.".
His comment brought a slight laugh, as that was exactly what my mother always told people to do. My laugh made Barbara look in my direction with a smile and ask "What's so funny?". "Nothing really; it's just that is what my mother always suggests people to do when present shopping.". "Oh, so it seems that your mama and I think alike. I always knew your mom to be a woman of wisdom." was Brad's way of complimenting more himself than my mother which I took as one of the friendly comments he tended to make.
Gosia who had been listening to the conversation then simply asked "Since you are going out shopping with them why don't you buy their present today and just ask them to help you pick it. Of course it will not be a surprise but maybe a surprise is not always such a good idea because you might get them something they don't like or already have." in an attempt to help out. Gosia's idea made Brad and Barbara stop and think, as did I. "You know if you think about it, that would be the most practical thing to do. As this way you would not spend a lot of time looking for a present that at the end of the day you really never know if it will be liked or perhaps it will be something that they already have or that somebody else is getting them, after all how many toasters or irons can one use?" was my follow up to Gosia suggestion that made all present chuckle.
"I like Gosia's idea, as it would be a way of avoiding those doubts one can get but one thing about it troubles me, that if we did it that way and I am not saying we shouldn't but how do we avoid them knowing the cost of the gift we are getting, not that it would bother me if they found out but perhaps they might feel uncomfortable and another thing is that if they chose it themselves or help us chose it then it will be more or less like them buying it themselves and us just giving them the money for it." at that point Barbara stopped and thought about what she had said almost, as if she were arguing with herself and continued by saying "But you know, I have an idea on how we could do it; why don't we tell them that we have decided to get them something; let's say a kitchen appliance but we want them to come and help us pick it as we don't want to buy something they wont be using or that they have already asked someone else to get them.".
Gosia, who seemed to have been hit by an idea, I could tell by the look on her face as she said "You should also ask them if they want a present that is perhaps less useful but more shall we say more decoration.". "Who says a present can't be both nice as well as useful?" was Brads words to suggest that he had something definite in mind. "Do you have anything in particular in mind?" Barbara then questioned with an air that let Brad know that she had picked up on his intentions. "Yes, actually I do." stopping long enough to let us look at him "Why don't we get them lamps for their night tables? This is something that most people have use for and we could say that the reason we want them along is because we want to be sure to get them something they will both like and if worse comes to worse; they will tell us that they already have all the lamps they need and then they will tell us what else they need to furnish their apartment." was Brad's long and thorough answer to Barbara's question which he finished with that certain sense of self-confidence that comes from having understood a situation well and having taking everyone's ideas into consideration. "I think that is the best thing we can do, I like your plan and like you say if they don't have any use for lamps, we could just ask them to come out and tell us what their heart's desire is." were Barbara's words of approval.
I, who had kept silent for most of this conversation added with a tone that contained a touch of comedy "And this way their gift won't set you back too far.". "Yeah, that is true, but I think we were set to go up to 100 bucks on this present." was Brad's reply to my comment which had bought a polite smile to everyone's face except Gosia's, who had not understood what had been said but would go on to ask me.
"We should also be careful to get them something good as we hope they will return the favor when they come to our wedding." were Brad's words to Barbara who just laughed as if she had had the same thought.
"Now, that we are on the subject of shopping, by my calculations isn't it time that your mother took your family on their yearly shopping spree?" was what Barbara suddenly cried out, as if struck by the thought. "As a matter of fact today is that day of days on which my mother takes the whole family to Macy's to get everything we will need for the fall and winter seasons and Gosia will be joining us today." was my reply.
"I hope you like shopping Gosia, cause if you don't you are going to be bored stiff. I've heard from Amanda and take it from her, if there is one thing that Mrs. Albert likes; it is shopping." was Barbara's way of warning Gosia that shopping with my mother was an all day affair. She continued by telling her as she used her spoon to get at the last spoonful of frosted flakes in her bowl "Amanda told me that Bill's mother practically tries on every garment in Macy's before she makes up her mind to buy anything.". This was the sort of comment that typified Barbara's sense of humor, which was never intended to offend anybody but to accentuate the different ways that people had that made them the people they were.
As I looked down at the table I could see that our hunger had been consumed by our morning breakfast. "Now, Gosia and I will return the favor by doing the washing up of our morning meal." was my way of showing gratitude to Brad and Barbara, who chose the next words to tell me what had been on their minds; "Thanks, I was well, we were just about to ask you that.".
Suddenly, Gosia who had been silent through most of our breakfast conversation asked with enthusiasm, as well a smile on her face "When are you guys going to the opera? Ok, I know tonight but what about next time?". I remember everyone being taken by surprise. As Barbara, the one in our group who was often referred to as the "organizer" because of her skill in remembering the dates of not only the performances we had to attend but the ones the rest of us were due to give at school said "We have a date to see "La Boheme" this evening and after that, well I would have to check my agenda.". "You know this will be the first time we go to an opera with someone new, well the first time since we were joined by Arturo, in what seems like an eternity ago." was Barbara's welcome to Gosia, who was going to be joining us at the opera for Puccini's "La Boheme". It featuring Jose Carreras (in the role of Rodolfo) and Ren Fleming (in the role of Mimi) singing with Amanda's father; who was going to be Marcelo.
"If you will excuse us, Brad and I really need to start getting dressed in order to be ready to go out soon." were Barbara's words which served as an exit line for both of them.
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