A Life By Design

CHAPTER 1 TWO MINDS (September 1972) Elena flicked open the envelope, her heart racing. Her fingers trembled as she slowly pulled out the piece of paper and unfolded it. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and willed herself to take a peek. Was she ready? Had she got in? What if her dream was shattered? Only one way to find out. Here goes. Summoning the courage, Elena glided her fingers over the letter and read the first few lines. It said, “Congratulations! You have been accepted into Istituto Marangoni in Milan to study our Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fashion Design.” Elena swallowed, her body frozen in shock. She had finally been accepted to study fashion design in Milan. That meant her days in Laurino were numbered and she’d get the chance to explore another part of the world. Her chance to move away from the family farm. Her time to leave her stifling part-time job at the clothes shop, where every day was just like the one before. Sometimes she thought another day in Laurino would kill her. But now she’d have the life she had always dreamed about. Reading the rest of the letter, she felt a lightness over her body and drew a hand through her long, chestnut hair. Only recently, she had convinced her father to let her put crimson highlights into her hair, which had made her feel like an adult. At twenty years of age, Elena dreamed of bigger things than the village. She wanted to spread her wings and study what she loved. She loved reading anything, but she was most inspired by her love of fashion, and read all she could about it. Even her sister Valeria inspired her, sending letters describing the successful dressmaking business she’d started in Melbourne. Valeria had escaped, and now it was Elena’s turn. Elena watched the backs of her father, Enzo, who was drinking a glass of wine, and her mother Graziella huddling over the sink washing dishes. Their small kitchen featured an elongated table with a small bench space, and a wood fire oven. New pots and pans hung above the bench, replacing some rusty and old ones they’d had. The weathered crockery looked ready to be thrown out too, but their limited funds meant they would make do with the old and worn kitchenware. Her mother made the best of her equipment by cooking simple, yet tasty foods made with organic, home-grown vegetables from their farm. Her father slouched at the table and flicked through the newspaper. He thumbed through the pages and turned to Elena with a curious stare when she cleared her throat. He laid the newspaper down and squinted. “What’s with you, Elena?” Somersaults in her stomach plagued her. She swallowed and wondered how to broach the subject of moving to Milan. Taking a full breath, Elena drew a shaky hand through her strands. “Mama, can you sit with us? I need to talk to you both.” Her mother turned off the faucet, wiped her hands on a tea towel, and sat at the table with a frown. “What’s going on, dear?” Elena picked up the letter and handed it to her father. She waited until he read it, his body flinching, and his mouth curling downward. He threw it over to her mother with a grunt. Her mother scanned it, then looked up at Elena with a worried glance. Her father clenched his hands and shook his head. “There’s no way in hell you’re going to Milan. Not while I’m alive, you’re not.” Elena flinched, but held his gaze. She knew she’d have a fight on her hands, but she wouldn’t give up. Her mother tilted her head. “Elena, this is far away. You’re only twenty, and this is a place without anyone we know. How can we let you leave on your own?” Elena braced herself. “Please, Mama. This is a chance of a lifetime. My dream. If I could study fashion in the village I would. But for me to have a real chance at a profession, I have to leave the village. There’s a big wide world out there.” Her father smashed his hand against the table, sending a tremor through Elena’s body. “Over my dead body! You are not going to Milan, and that’s final. I’ll hear nothing more about it.” “But, Papa, this is my dream.” She pressed her hands against her sides to keep them from shaking. “This is the only place I can study. Can’t you at least think about it? I am an adult now. You can’t expect me to work on the farm or in the shop my whole life. Don’t you want me to have a future?” He glared. “You never once complained about your life here. This is just about Valeria leaving, but she had Roberto to marry, and we trusted his family. In Milan, you have no one. This is out of the question.” Elena’s stomach clenched. “Papa, please. Just think about it!” Veins popped out on his head. “Enough!” He stood up and stormed out of the house without a further word. Elena turned towards her mother, who stared into the distance. Elena’s voice seemed to draw her back. “Mama, can you please convince Papa. Please, Mama!” Her mother clasped her hands together. She reread the letter, and tears streamed down her cheeks. With a wistful look at Elena, she said, “I don’t want you to give up on your dreams, Elena, but I’m frightened for you. This is so far away from us, and you’ll be on your own. How would we know you’d be safe?” Elena leaned in. “I can ring you every day until you’re sure I’m safe. Until I’ve made some friends. Please, Mama, think about it, and try to convince Papa. I still have time before I make a decision.” Her mother nodded. “Leave it with me, darling, but I cannot make any promises.” “That’s all I ask.” At least now there was a semblance of hope.