Groom's Best man
Simone Maldino
"Mother, Simone reads!”
This is the accusation that was moved against me when we were young from an angelic blond Giuseppe who was stubbornly unresponsive to books… So on these occasions I think Silvia would sigh and try to comfort her angelic child, and I think she would also try to explain that there were some very strange kids who read a lot and other who just wanted to play.
This is one of my many memories that I treasure of our childhood friendship started in 1982. Two very different kids: one blond, With curly hair and a lock of them even brighter, sweet eyes, a dreamy look etc. etc.; the other one dark of skin and hair, attentive, a bit hyperactive, obstinate reader (sometimes compulsive). So, the perfect couple!
My memories go beyond this of course, and I have an infinite number of them, not just of our differences, but also and in particular of our affinities, that at that age are fundamental and that become weird projects, often dangerous (of which our parents know nothing or they keep silent about it), colorful fantasies, complicity and secrets that last a life.
A friendship born between Genova and Napoli, with some troubles and many satisfactions and joys, many shared encounters and affections, two atypical but united families, two unluckily absent fathers but very present in the memories and hearts of both. This and much more.
The adolescence, then, lived apart, but always knowing of being close to each other, between confidences and bragging, visits either in Napoli or Genova, our own stories that moving away were getting closer and closer, advices on women, the newly born ambitions and the expectations on the future.
Turning over the pages of memory it comes out a kind of friendship that only who had a distant friend can understand a story that stops and that on the next encounter starts again right there where it stopped. True we changed; maybe we don’t risk our life by launching ourselves with the sled in the middle of the street, slipping through cars (this is not bad, right?), but our bond never faded, it got stronger. Since that distant 1982 (mother of God!!! How many years!!), when our perplexed teacher announced the arrival of a new classmate (He comes from Napoli? A “terrenotato”, a “terrone”… etc. etc.) today as adults we still tell each other our stories through Skype, the friendship is alive and strong.
Since the past we come to today, and what has changed? The distance Genova-Napoli is extended, we have a sea between us, we travel between Italy, United States and Mexico, new and strong affections came in our lives, but in truth the main characters are still two kids that imagine of being the heroes of some world and in the background you can always hear the voice of a child that sais: “mamma, Simone reads!”
Hasta luego, hombre!
By Simone Maldino
I was born in Genova a January of 34 years ago, I live and work (too much) in the same city. Because of many wrong friendships I feel inside a bit Napoletano (Neapolitan) and this causes me quite a few problems.
I play soccer and always will until the complete physical collapse.
The rest of the rime a read of anything and participate in strange marriages oversea.
