Chapter 12
12
PINOCCHIO
I shake the patron’s hand and take the gold pieces from them. “ Grazie mille , have a good evening!” They wave and walk away, and I take in the scene. The Autumn Festival in the town square is as lively as ever. Tapestries of green, orange, and pink line the walls and lampposts, forming a wonderland of color all over town. Italian flags accentuate every corner and several of the makeshift wooden vendor stalls. Our booth is in the middle of a lineup, facing the center square that doubles as a stage and performing arts space. Crowds stroll about, watching the dancers, eating seasonal baked goods, and chatting with everyone. Patrons from all over Tuscany have gathered to spend their hard-earned gold, and we’re more than happy to greet everyone.
And by “we” I mean Papa, Lampwick, and myself. In the few weeks since he’s moved back, my best friend has learned so much from Papa. While he’s no expert craftsman yet, he’s become a bona fide member of the “Geppetto I know he wasn’t exactly young when he brought me to life over a decade ago, so his health has recently been at the forefront of my concern. The man never takes breaks, and now his body is forcing him to.
But still, there is business to attend to. So, as Papa instructed, I nod and then straighten my back. “How can I help you, Signora ?”
“Yes, I’d like to know about these puppets!” The older woman picks up one toy shaped like a little boy in a red cone hat. “They almost look like they could come to life!”
We share a chuckle. “You have no idea,” I reply with a grin.
Two hours later, the sun is down and it’s time for the booths to pack up. I insist on sending Papa home early with a box of our earnings so he can rest. With him gone, it’s simply me and Lampwick packing up unsold wares. We work in quiet cohesion, content to not talk after a long day of describing our carvings to the public. I place several unsold clocks into a wooden crate, and when I step back, Lampwick places another crate on top of it. We get along so well together; I can’t help but want to work with him until I’m as old as Papa.
The evening gives way to the nighttime band playing violins in the town square. We pause to watch for a moment, leaning on the wooden booth. To my right, I subtly glance at Lampwick. With the new electric lights surrounding him, he looks absolutely radiant. I catch myself gazing at his pink lips more than once, and I wonder what he tastes like. Seeing him naked has me considering him in a whole new light. At this angle, I can count the freckles on his face.
His gaze catches mine. “What?” he asks with a smile, and I shake my head.
“Nothing.” I clear my throat and look out at the people dancing to the music. “Um…what book do you want me to read to you tonight?”
“I don’t know. Something to make me sleepy.”
“ Amico , you’re always sleepy! You snore before me!”
“Shut up, no I don’t!” We both laugh as I jovially shove him with my shoulder.
“You’re so lazy!” I’m cracking up as he shoves me back.
“I am not!” he says between laughs.
I calm down and reply, “You’re right. You’re not.” I clear my throat, and he gives me a serious look. “You’re a great worker. Lampwick, I couldn’t have done this without you tonight.”
“Oh stop,” he says demurely. I don’t miss the cute blush on his cheeks. Cute ? Since when do boys think other boys are cute? Sure, we masturbated near each other that one time, but we were just friends trying to relax. Do I think about the way his muscular, naked body looked by the water? Okay, sometimes. But it’s not like he and I touched, because that’s a level of intimacy for more than best friends.
I clear my throat, then nod. “I’m serious. I know it’s only been a few weeks, but I can’t imagine Geppetto behind her, several young people, kids I went to school with, are dancing a waltz. Those kids never wanted to be my friends—I was a talking puppet to them, an oddity to be avoided, even when I became a real boy. They wouldn’t care if I didn’t dance with them, but Giovanna clearly wants this. But do I?
Discomfort itches at my soul. “I, uh…I need to clean up the wares.”
“I got it,” Lampwick says. “Go have fun with your friend.” He smiles and takes out another empty crate.
I don’t have time to discern his look before Giovanna all but yanks me away. “You heard the man, Pinocchio. It’s time for our dance! Andiamo !”
Gripping my hand, she pulls me toward the dancefloor, and I have no choice but to comply. I turn back to see Lampwick avoiding my gaze. Disappointment gnaws at my bones; he was so quick to let us go on this date I never even agreed to.
Wait, why am I disappointed? Giovanna is a good girl, and a pretty one, too. I’m twenty-one, so I should finally take her up on her advances.
The others laugh and sway to the music as we make our way to the very center of town. Giovanna moves my hand so that she holds up my left, while my right lands on her waist. She guides me into a slow dance in time with the music. The accordion and violins make a romantic tune, but I can’t seem to get into it. My heart wishes I was somewhere else.
“This is all so perfect, Pinocchio,” she says with wistful contentment. I keep trying to lock eyes with her, but the intensity forces me away. My pulse pounds faster with fear. Her soft skin burns mine. This isn’t right.
Everyone around us claps twice, then the music picks up. The other couples twirl faster, and after a moment, Giovanna is spinning us around as well. My breath quickens as the music speeds up. The twinkling lights become streaks of brightness surrounding me, ensnaring me. My shirt feels suffocating as we dance. I crane my neck to glance over to where I want to be. I’m moving too fast, spinning too much, but my vision locks on one thing in the distance.
My anchor. My comfort, my home. Lampwick is staring at me, green eyes piercing through the crowds. His face is inscrutable from here, but I know he can see me.
And I know what I want—I want out. I want to be with him.
“Giovanna, I have to stop,” I say. After spinning us around twice, I plant my feet to end our twirling.
She looks up at me and beams. “It’s happening isn’t it?” she whispers.
“What…what’s happening?”
That’s all I can say before she lunges into me. Her face pushes against mine in what might be considered a kiss. My instincts shove her off, but not before one long second of her mouth on mine. And everyone in town witnessed it.
I look away, but Lampwick’s gone. Shit, he saw it, too—I can’t have my best friend thinking I’m dating someone else, not when he’s the person I prioritize. I dash to the booth, dodging past the dancing couples and ignoring Giovanna’s voice. Lo and behold, all the merchandise is gone too. Lampwick did what we asked; he’s gone, but he most certainly saw that ill-fated kiss.
“Pinocchio?”
I turn to see a concerned Giovanna. In all my years of knowing her, she’s never truly frowned in front of me.
“Giovanna, what was that?!” I whisper.
“It…well…” She lunges for me again, and I get my fingers in the way of her mouth just in time.
“Stop it!” I wipe my hand on my shirt, clearing it of her saliva, and frown.
I step back and she pouts. “Do you not…want it?”
“Want what?” I’m so overwhelmed, and I look around, hoping in vain that Lampwick is nearby.
Giovanna sighs. “It…it’s not going to happen, will it?”
“What’s not going to happen?” I look out at the crowds, then down at her. “Why do you keep kissing me?”
She rolls her eyes and then sits down on a nearby barrel. “Because I like you, puppet boy.” She laughs a self-deprecating sound and leans her chin on her hands. “But if dancing at the Autumn Festival didn’t make you like me, then nothing will. Clearly, it isn’t in the stars.”
I frown and the fight drains from my body. Stepping forward, I say, “I’m sorry, Giovanna, but I only see you as a friend.”
“No, I’m sorry,” she says quietly. “I shouldn’t have thrown myself at you like that.”
Against all better judgment, my sympathy for her grows. “I didn’t mean to lead you on.”
“You didn’t,” she replies. We spend a moment gazing out at the throngs of couples dancing, kissing, and laughing. “The funniest part about all this?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m not even as disappointed as Papa will be. He really wants us to be a star couple.” She laughs and I giggle alongside her. She and I have had some good times, and I have no reason to think she’s lying.
“I really do want to keep being friends with you, Giovanna. You’re kinder to me than anyone else our age, and I do value you.”
“I know, Pinocchio.” She studies me for a moment before shrugging. “Someone else has your heart. She…they…are a lucky…person.”
My eyebrows scrunch. “Um…what?”
She snickers. “The world is a big place, Pinocchio. There are so many different types of people, types of families. Open your eyes, amico .” She gives me a coy smile and hops up. “I’ll get you and Signore Geppetto some croissants next week!” she hollers while walking backwards.
I wave and grin. “Thanks!” With that, my only female friend disappears into the crowd. She’s close with all of them —they never saw her as a puppet freak—so she’s off to have a good time. But now I need to find my people, or rather, my number-one person.
Minutes later, I creep into the house to find Lampwick asleep in the living room. He’s snoring with Arpeggio curled up alongside him. I smile and gently walk into my room. While I’m glad my buddy is back home safe, I can’t help but wonder why he chose tonight of all nights to sleep outside of my room. Maybe he saw Giovanna kiss me. Perhaps he wants to spend some time apart from me. That stings, but I need to make sure to clear the air first thing in the morning.
I strip off my clothes and lie on my bed in the moonlight. I need to sleep, but my brain keeps replaying the anxious moments of tonight. Giovanna’s mouth on mine felt wrong, just like every other time I’ve kissed a girl. The idea of spending my days being intimate with Giovanna leaves me aching with need. What is it about me that makes me not want to settle down with a woman?
I turn onto my side and stare at the empty floor bed. The room feels so barren without my buddy here. As I drift off, I hope my dreams bring me back to that blissful moment he and I shared together on the grass a few days ago. Now that is a life I want to settle down with.