A Twist in My Story

Joe adjusted his bag on his shoulder as he stepped out of the hotel he slept in last night. It felt weird to be on a backpacking expedition and sleeping in a nice hotel. Luciana had suggested it to him without him knowing how fancy it really was. It was nicely furnished with patterned prints on everything that fit the elegancy of London. If he had any bags but his knapsack he would’ve had it taken to his room by the bellman. However he didn’t and for that he was grateful; the grandness intimidated him. Luckily there was no doorman or he wouldn’t have been able to handle that.

Observing the gray sky filled with clouds, Joe walked down to the little café Luciana agreed to meet him at. Fighting the urge to be a total tourist and pull out his map he just kept walking in the direction the concierge had pointed him in. He walked ten more minutes with no luck finding the tiny café. His stomach grumbled with hunger as he looked at his watch which he remembered to adjust to the correct time last night. He was nearly 20 minutes late meeting Luciana. Sighing in slight frustration with thoughts of his father being right about him being a failure (he’d voiced this once in a “discussion”), he looked up and saw his destination across the street. Smiling to himself he dodged traffic, hoping no cop was around to arrest him for not walking on the humped zebra areas. He stepped in the café and immediately spotted Luciana sitting at a table sipping a hot drink which he assumed was tea, the British choice of drink.

“You’re late,” she commented bluntly as he sat down. “Do all Americans make it a habit to keep people waiting?”

Joe would’ve been put off if he hadn’t seen her mouth tweak trying to hide a smile. “Only the cocky ones from the cities and those riding tractors everywhere. I am neither. I simply got lost,” he leaned his elbows on the table as hot tea and a muffin appeared before him. He cast an easy smile at the waitress before she left.

“I ordered for you. If you don’t like either you can always re-order something else. It’s on me,” she casually sipped her tea, trying discreetly to look over her shoulder.

“They’re fine. Thanks,” he smiled, sugaring his tea. “Are you expecting someone else?”

Luciana swiftly turned her head back to him. “Ex-Excuse me?” she choked on her tea.

Joe furrowed his brow with humor lacing his eyes, reaching over to pat her back. “You keep looking towards the door. Are you meeting someone else here too?”

She shifted uncomfortably from under his hand as she forced herself to calm down. She wished she wasn’t so jumpy. “Um…no. I just thought I…My, your muffin looks good. Is it blueberry?” she changed topics.

Joe studied her for a minute, not fooled by her obvious subject change. “I think it’s cranberry, but close guess. You want some?” he offered her a piece.

“Oh no, thanks. I already ate while I waited for you,” she fingered her tea cup. Joe nodded and leaned back in his seat to give her more space he sensed she needed. “Do you like your hotel?”

“Yes, it’s nice. Not what I had in mind for backpacking through Europe though…”

“Well London doesn’t have much “roughing it” – is that how you Americans term it? Once you get out in the country and other countries you’ll have more of what you expect.”

“You sound like you speak from experience,” Joe noted her tense up.

“Just an observation,” she finished her tea, back to her casual cool. “So are you ready to conquer London, Joe?”

He smiled at her ease into humor again with the subtle hint of coolness still there. “I don’t know if ‘conquer’ is the word so much as ‘experience’. But sure I’m ready,” he agreed, stuffing the last of his muffin in his mouth and picking up his bag. “Can we stop somewhere I can get Euros though?”

“Of course. Come on, O lost American boy,” she teased easily and walked out the door with him into the somber London air.

With a decent amount of Euros in his pocket, Joe and Luciana began their tour of London. It had been Luciana’s idea that they start at one end and work their way across the city so they weren’t bouncing back and forth. To accomplish this they utilized the Underground. Joe found the experience of British transportation to be more enjoyable than riding the metro in New York City (which he’d done a few times for school at NYU). The Underground was much easier to follow and the people were fairly nice too; not all in a rush as NYC usually is.

The first stop on their London experience was the Tower of London and, consequently, the London Bridge since it was right there too. The Tower of London sat on the Thames River, the main river all the bridges crossed. Walking into the gates beside Luciana, Joe was enthralled. True he never really liked history but this building fascinated him. This is where several monarchs were beheaded under King Henry VIII’s rule. Joe felt a twinge of sorrow for the unfortunate queens who fell out of King Henry’s fickle grace, but he was equally fascinated.

“Hey look here, Luciana. This must’ve hurt to have been used on someone,” Joe pointed to a spiked ball on a chain.

“I suppose so. I also suppose that executioner’s blade over there didn’t give people the warm fuzzies either,” she commented, subconsciously holding her purse a little tighter.

“Yeah that might sting a little,” Joe consented. “Oh man look at this massive lock. It’s as huge as my hand. There’s no way anyone could’ve picked this to get out. I wonder if he used it on some of his wives before he killed them. You know, lock them up to make them go insane.”

A silent shudder went down Luciana’s spine. “I hope he didn’t. No one should be locked up like that,” she said solemnly.

“No, you’re right. It’s horrible to think he could do something like that. I’m sorry if I offended you by thinking it was fascinating or something. It’s just curiosity leaking out. Don’t mind it,” Joe touched her arm with sincerity in his words.

“Oh no, Joe, don’t be sorry. Have your fun. It’s what you’re here for,” Luciana waved his concern away, braving herself once again.

“Luciana, we’re tour buddies. If you don’t want to be here we can leave.”

“No, it’s fine. Let’s just keep walking,” she gave him a half-smile.

Joe watched her take a few steps away from him before he made his legs walk to catch up. “You just need to relax, Luciana. No one’s following you so loosen up and have fun. Act your age, young lady,” he scolded playfully.

She couldn’t resist letting out a laugh at that one. It was the first time she’d been told that in that context. So she pressed her fear aside and did as he said. “Joe, I’m 21. And we usually act like…this!” She shoved him into the open torture chamber adorned with spikes.

“Hey!” he yelped feeling the dull pricks of the centuries old device. “Get back here, Luciana!” he shouted, chasing after her down the narrow hallway, earning disapproving looks from other tourists.

After he caught up with her, they reigned themselves in to act like civilized adults, but Joe had to admit he liked the fun his foreign girl provided at times she felt like. They took the Underground over to St. Paul’s Cathedral and wandered inside the huge church for a bit before heading across the foot bridge to the Globe Theater, Shakespeare’s theater.

“It’s so weird to be walking across this bridge after seeing it twisted and broken to shreds in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” Joe commented as they walked over the Millennium foot bridge.

“You watch too many movies. It’s just a bridge,” Luciana shook her head.

“Possible, but any British person would know that too,” he said in his defense.

“I’m not British.”

“I know. Still trying to peg you down,” he pursed his lips in concentration as he examined her profile once again.

“Don’t try too hard. Nothing good will come of it,” she said simply.

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

They toured the rest of the long day, hopping on and off the Underground while they saw sights like Fleet Street (the setting for Sweeney Todd), the British Museum, and finished in Trafalgar Square. For food Luciana raved about a restaurant nearby that was authentically British so that’s where they ate lunch; eel and all. It was dark with stars glittering above them as they walked through Trafalgar Square enjoying the busy peace.

“So where are you staying?” Joe asked. “I’ll walk you there.”

“No, that’s okay, Joe. I’m a big girl. You on the other hand have a tendency to get lost so I’ll walk you to your hotel,” she smiled easily at him as she was almost completely relaxed and tired.

“Why thank you, kind lady,” he bowed to her, making her laugh. He smiled knowing she was having as good a time as he. For some reason that was important to him. “So tomorrow we meet at the same café as today?”

“That’ll be fine…since you know where it is now,” she couldn’t resist another jab.

“Okay, okay, so I got a little lost. Happens to the best of us.”

“Uh huh, if you say so,” she bit back a laugh.

“I do, thank you very much,” he tilted his chin up with over-exaggerated pride as they came upon his hotel. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Luciana. I had fun. Thanks.”

“I did as well. You’re very funny, Joe. Are all Americans funny?” she stopped beside him.

“Nah, only the best,” he tossed her a teasing smile.

“Ah, well goodnight then,” she instinctively leaned up to kiss his cheeks as she was accustomed to doing, but at the last minute settled for grabbing his hand and shaking it once. She internally scolded herself but smiled at him as she turned and walked away.

Joe was left in confusion to her actions, but told himself he was reading too much into things.

The next morning Joe got up early and headed out to meet Luciana at their café. This time he made it in decent time because he knew where he was going. After getting a quick breakfast they were on their way. Secretly Joe admired the chic casual look Luciana was sporting with a ponytail. He thought it suited her well.

Their first stop today was a tour through Buckingham Palace. In August and September tourists were allowed in because the Queen wasn’t in residence there; she was off visiting Scotland. Joe resisted the urge to try and make one of the Royal Guards talk though he thought it would be fun. He sensed Luciana wasn’t in the mood for games today. She wasn’t as easily talkative today as yesterday and he questioned the sudden mood change. All the talking she did was about the landmarks and even then she said it with lack of true emotion. Joe was slightly disappointed about it, but didn’t let it show and didn’t push her. He didn’t want to lose his London companion before it was time.

Inside Buckingham Palace Joe was floored by the elegance of it all. Of course he expected it to be grand but what actually was floored him. The ceilings were magnificent with all the details painted on them. The rooms were themed with history. And the pictures…he could observe them all day and still not comprehend all the subject’s thoughts based on their expressions. Joe noted as they traveled to each site the things that made London tick. He catalogued them in his mind as any international studies major would.

After a silent stroll to Kensington Gardens (their next stop after the Palace), Joe was a little miffed at today’s touring. It didn’t feel like any heart was in it and that bugged him. Luciana hadn’t felt the need to break her silence and he didn’t want to ask her to since he barely knew her. It would seem inappropriate on some level. Strolling along the Serpentine, a lake in Kensington Gardens, he stopped at the statue of Peter Pan. Luciana walked ahead, lost in her thoughts, but stopped and looked back when she realized Joe was no longer beside her. She walked back to him and stared up at the statue like he did.

“When I was little I wanted to be Peter Pan,” Joe said in a near trance-like voice. “You know, never needing to grow up and take on responsibilities. Did you?”

“No, I suppose I was more like Wendy, always fulfilling her obligations. No time for dreaming. What is, is,’ Luciana answered solemnly.

“That’s sad. I’ve always hated obligations, but I’ll help people in a heartbeat. Dreaming is what life is all about to me.”

“Obligations are a part of life. Everyone has them whether we like them or not,” she murmured absently a phrase that was told to her often throughout her life as a tear fell down her cheek.

Joe looked down and frowned, spotting the tear. “Luciana…” he raised his hand to wipe it off.

She jolted out of her memories and hastily wiped it away, avoiding his gaze. “Do you still want to be Peter Pan?” she asked to shift the focus away from herself.

“At times. I guess I’m in limbo right now. I’m 22 and I don’t know whether I want to stay put or go forward,” he sighed turning back to the statue.

“I know where I want to go, it’s just a matter of getting there,” she responded as they lapsed into more silence, both of them sealing themselves off.

They continued doing more sight-seeing throughout the day, stopping in a fancy restaurant for dinner. On full bellies they walked over to the London Eye to get a view of London from the air. They made the last round and watched the city get smaller as they rose. They city lights shone against the dusk sky. Big Ben appeared with its giant clock-face.

“It’s breath-taking,” Luciana sighed. For as long as she’d been in London she’d never taken the time to ride the Eye.

“It is. If only we had a camera to capture it. Why don’t we have a camera?” Joe asked mystified.

“You used the last of your film on the way here. And no camera could ever capture this raw beauty,” she replied, laying her hand on the curved glass.

They admired the view for the next 30 minutes. When they stepped off there was a slight breeze. Joe noticed Luciana lightly rub her hands on her arms. Without a word he draped his light jacket over her shoulders. She looked up at him in surprise.

“You shivered,” he said in way of explanation. If his mother taught him anything it was to be polite to women.

“Thank you,” she answered softly, pulling the material around her tighter.

“I’m sorry you can’t come with me to see the rest of England. It’ll be weird to experience the countryside and the other countries alone,” he put his hands in his pocket. “I enjoyed sight-seeing with you.”

“I’m sure you’ll find other backpackers,” she kept her gaze on her feet.

“None like you. I really appreciate you taking me under your wing and showing me around.”

“What are you asking, Joe?”

He took a deep breath and just let it all out. “Will you come with me to the countryside, Luciana? You don’t have to go to the other countries and I wouldn’t ask you to, but I want to sight-see more with you. Please, Luciana, just the countryside,” he pleaded almost to the point of begging. He confused himself with the feeling of why he felt as if he needed her along and he could tell she was baffled too.

Luciana was silent as they approached Joe’s hotel. She pulled him to a stop at the doors. “I’ll go to the countryside with you – on one condition,” she held up a finger. “Don’t get attached to me. That includes love.”

Joe wrapped her in an impulsive hug. “No problem, Luce. You may be beautiful but I don’t see myself falling for any girl that quickly,” he chuckled. “Night. See you tomorrow.”

With a smile on his face Joe turned and went inside, completely forgetting about his jacket and focusing on the upcoming days with Luciana.