Good days

5.6 Mae West

Summer 1996, The Mudhole

Mae couldn't believe she would meet Francesco here, of all places. He looked better than back then in Paris, less skinny.

"So you made your dream come true?", she asked. "I read about your band in some magazine."

"It's not big yet", he said. "But we're working on it! The next album is in progress, and it will be awesome!"

"You should meet my band members. They're great guys!", he kept going on. "Oh, and my wife of course. I got married two months ago!"


"Aww, congratulations!", Mae said.
He seemed to be so happy, she had to smile.

"I should look for them, we wanted to leave a while ago...", he said, as if he was not too content about it.

And after a few seconds he added: "Mae, how about you come to my birthday party next weekend? Rosa insisted of throwing one, and I would like to introduce you to everyone!"

Mae guessed Rosa was his wife.

Francesco scribbled something into a notebook that he pulled off his jeans' back pocket, and ripped the page off.

"Here's the adress", he said, giving it to her.

"You're still always prepared for song ideas?", Mae asked with a teasing voice, taking the paper.

"You never know when you get one", he smiled at her.

He looked like he wanted to turn away already, but then he pulled her into a tight hug.

Mae breathed into the smell of alcohol, cigarettes, and something that flushed a bunch of memories over her. She put her arms around his back.

Definitely less skinny.

"You have to come", he said softly. "It'll be great to have you there, too."

Then he left.