SAMBA TO DEATH - DIANNA DIVERNO

They were talking about the engagement party, about who was there and who was not, about pearls and wedding dresses, about how Marilyn would get married on a white cruiser if she was in some other situation, in the middle of the Atlantic's, in a champagne-like wedding dress in a wonderful dusk. But the wedding was going to be ordinary with only around twenty guests; she planned to invite Jessica surely but she did not know where she put the invitation. When she was leaving home twenty minutes later, Jessica was glad that she had not heard from her that long, and she was convinced that she would not hear from her in the following thirty years either. When they were saying goodbye to each other Marilyn promised she would send them the invitation for her gala top-notch wedding, and Jessica told her jokingly that she would forgive her if she – again accidentally – happened to forget it.
Then Marilyn sat in her new Land Rover and drove at a high speed as if it was a matter of life or death. As soon as they got back to the dining room, Jessica completely forgot about her former acquaintance. Marilyn was part of the past. It would be best if she stayed there.
- I’ve always wanted for you the life that Marilyn has – her mother said calmly and poured some soup in her plate. Jessica did not know how to take her words.
- Life in a new Land Rover, on a picnic on Sunday morning and with a new scarf of some new Paris designer?
- Something like that…
- But…
- But you’ve always preferred samba and fun. As Marilyn said, and I agree with her, you should have stayed devoted to ballet – it sounded like some casual observation.
- Could be – Jessica said calmly. “I should have stayed devoted to many other things” – she thought. Lunch was delicious. She was aware how long she had lived without that wonderful family comfort, Sunday lunch and chit-chatting about everything. There was no Sunday lunch with Steven. Enough with Steven! May he rest in peace!
- And how is Steven? – when they got to dessert Eveline finally asked.
- We… - Jessica started confusedly. Would it make any sense to hide it? Something would come out definitely. – We broke up.
Eveline looked as if a lightning stroke her, twice.
- Broke up?
- Yes.
- Unbelievable. But how… When?
- Two weeks ago – Jessica said calmly playing her role of an abandoned lady. – Or somewhat less than two weeks.
- But – why? – Eveline was truly interested.
- He… there are some insurmountable differences between us – Jessica patiently explained her and then stopped eating and starting making it all clear. – It simply was not like it was at the beginning. The primary thing in our relationship was physical love – attraction – and then everything else. We are not for each other anymore. He started having a crush on some red-haired girl and we… We simply got into a fight and he is now at her place temporarily – she explained without a blink.
- Red-haired girl?
- Yes.
- But just like that… All of a sudden… Before all darling, I have to tell you that it never comes suddenly. There must have been some intro prior to that.
- Intro?
- Regarding that red-haired. First I have to emphasize that I am absolutely sure that Steven has always been faithful to you…
Jessica backed away for a moment.
- And why do you think so?
- Because he loved you very much from the beginning. And he listens to heavy metal.
- So?
-I read in the papers about that. About the personality profile – her mother was explaining it to her patiently. – Those men who listen to heavy metal are mostly faithful.
Jessica remembered those nights when there were home parties and Steven on their bed with various naked women…
- Yes, you are right. Such men are more than faithful – she said. It was no appropriate to talk about that with her mother.
- Then why a break up?
- Well, I told you. We are not anymore for each other.
- And?
- I agree with that – she continued with her convincing explanations. – He is devoted to his new love and he temporarily moved away, probably to be closer to her, until…
- Until what?
- Until I decide about my further move. I will probably move away.
- Move away? – Eveline looked nearly freaked out.
- Yes, to California.
- California?
Jessica rolled her eyes over. – Do you really have to repeat every word that I say?
- Sorry, darling – Eveline made it somehow. – But this is all very sudden and unexpected to me.





Translate: Katarina Milosavljević