Anna Maria

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A journey of fear, hope and finally, love.
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coaster2
coaster2
2,590 Followers

I have recorded the past eight years of my life in this journal. It has been a remarkable time in my life. I wish to share it with you. It is a fairy tale, I think.

My story has been translated from its original Italian to English. I apologize if some words or phrases are incorrect. My friends tell me that the meaning of the story will come to you easily. I hope that is so.

*

There are certain days when god smiles upon me, Pietro Trigiani. Such a day was the Monday in April, 2000, when Anna Maria Maraj entered my office. She looked very uncertain. She looked about, to see who was in my modest room even before she entered.

"You are Avvocato Trigiani?"

"Yes." I believe I was smiling at the woman. She was very lovely, even though she wore the cloth of a vedova, a widow.

"Come in please."

"I have no appointment."

"You do not need one today, Signora Maraj."

"You know me?"

I smiled again. I wished her to be at ease.

"I know you from the town. I see you in the market each day."

"Do you know my husband, Ridvan?"

"No, I do not. Is it important?"

"He is lost. Many days now. Weeks even."

"Ah yes. I remember. I read it in the newspaper. I am very sorry for your loss."

"They say he has drowned ... at sea. He was a fisherman. He and his brother. They are both lost."

"It is a great tragedy. Is there some way I can help you?"

"Yes. I wish to divorce him. I wish to have my name back."

I was startled by her request. It was very unusual. I did not understand.

"Signora Maraj, you must tell me more. What you ask is unusual. I must know more."

"I want to divorce Ridvan Maraj, my husband. I want my good name returned. Perhaps, if I am fortunate, I can have my dignity returned."

I opened my journal and began to write. Anna Maria Maraj. Divorce?

"Signora, will you please hand me one Euro or one thousand lire."

She looked at me oddly for a moment before opening her purse and finding a one thousand lire note, handed it to me.

"Excellent. From this moment, you are my client and I am your lawyer. Anything you tell me will be held in confidence. No one else will know unless you choose to tell them. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Very well. I must know all the facts. Everything. Can you do that?"

She nodded. Her face held no expression. No frown, no smile. Her eyes told me nothing.

"Why do you wish to divorce your husband if he is lost?" I began.

"I do not believe he is lost. I believe he has returned to Albania."

"Why do you think this?"

"He is a criminal. He and his brother are using their boat to do illegal things."

"What manner of illegal things?"

"Smuggling people to Italy. Perhaps drugs as well."

"How do you know this?"

"He has caught no fish for many months and yet he has money. I heard him talking with his brother Olek. I know they have been bringing people from Durres to a place near Vieste." She paused for a moment, he eyes searching for something.

"These people they bring. They are criminals too. They pay Ridvan much money to be transported in secret. They must pay in either American dollars or Euros. Nothing else."

"I see. Do you know why he has not returned to his home?"

"No. I am not sure. Perhaps because he knows I do not love him. I have never loved him. I kept my part of the bargain. That is all. I have paid the debt."

"Tell me about this debt ... this bargain." The woman was now quite fretful and unsettled. She was wringing her hands and pursing her lips as she looked downward, swaying in the chair. I wanted to know more about her and this strange situation.

"My parents got into some trouble with Ridvan. I was never told the nature of this debt. I was given to him as his wife in payment. It was against my will, but I could not risk him doing harm to my family."

"I see. Has something changed?"

"My father died suddenly and my mother left to be with my brother in America. She is safe now. My other relatives live in Campania, away from his influence. Ridvan knows he cannot hold me, despite his threats."

"What are his threats?"

"He said he would kill me if I tried to leave him."


I was shocked. I had never encountered such a thing before in my career.

"Did your parents know of his activities?"

"No. I did not want to upset them."

I sat back, thinking. I was drawn to this woman. I did not know quite why, although she was very lovely. I thought that she was not much older than thirty years. She was dark, southern in appearance, but much more refined and exotic, almost like an Egyptian queen in ancient history. There was a deep, golden cast to her perfect skin with very straight, long hair as black as coal. Her eyes were so dark, I was sure they were black as well. I had no choice. I would help this woman.

"Signora Maraj ..."

"Please, Signore Trigiani, I wish to be known again as Anna Maria Delvecchio. That is my family name."

"Of course. May I call you Anna Maria?"

"Certainly."

"Very well, Anna Maria. Have you reported the activities of your husband to the police?"

"No ... I do not trust them."

"I see." I stopped for a moment to think. "If I could find someone in authority that you could trust, would you be willing to tell them about your husband and his activities?"

"Perhaps. Provided he cannot find me and hurt me."

"I would never allow you to be in danger. I could not forgive myself if you were harmed by something I did."

She looked up at me now, and I saw the beginning of a smile. I felt my innards tighten and my head swim. She could destroy men with a smile. Why was I burdened with a faithless wife when a beauty such as Anna Maria was here, living in the same little town?

"I will prepare the papers for application to divorce Ridvan Maraj right away, but as you know, it will take three years for it to be legally acknowledged. I can tell you that from my own experience. There is no shorter method. However, we can date the separation to the day he disappeared."

"What if he did disappear at sea? If he never comes back, will it still be three years?" She was anxious again. Frustrated? I believed she wanted this over with much sooner than three years.

"That will take some investigation on my part. I do not know the law on such matters. I will study that and tell you what I have learned. It may be much quicker and less difficult than divorce."

I saw a look of hope on Anna Maria's beautiful face. I would treasure that moment. I felt the stirring in my loins and cautioned myself. She was a client and not available to me.

"Anna Maria, how are you living? Do you have sufficient money to survive?"

"Yes, the money in the bank has not been touched. There are over twenty million lire in the account. I can live for many months without concern."

"So, you have access to that money then?"

"Yes. There was never very much money in that account until last year. I was using it to buy food and necessities. Then, last year, I noticed a large amount appear unexpectedly."

"Did you ask your husband about it?"

"No. I was sure it was illegal money. I did not want to know."

"Yes ... probably wise. Your husband sounds like a dangerous man. Did he truly threaten to kill you?"

She nodded, her head down, looking at her hands folded in her lap. "I had no doubt he would. He saw me only as someone he could use for his own pleasure and to keep our home."

"I can only hope he has truly gone," I said. I wondered if she could understand my sincerity.

"No more than I," she replied.

"Anna Maria, I will look into the law on his disappearance and tell you of your choices. I should know by Thursday, this week. Can you come to my office that afternoon?"

"Yes. I am anxious to have this marriage end. It matters not how that is accomplished."

She rose and after I gently held her hand for a moment, I said goodbye. She turned and left my office.

I stood for several moments before walking to the window to watch her leave the building and walk slowly toward the piazza. I would do whatever I could to rid her of that black cloth and return a smile to her face.

Chapter 2

When I said that god was smiling on me that morning, I might have said that he was visiting me much more often than in the past. While I found no simple answer to the question of having her husband declared dead, other events made all my work unnecessary.

I was sitting at an outdoor table at the café, with my morning paper and espresso. I looked up to see Anna Maria hurrying toward me, her face quite contorted, but in what mood, I could not tell. She rushed to my table and sat, breathlessly waiting to recover. I rose to take her hand and calm her.

"Anna Maria, what is it? What has happened?"

"The police. The police in Foggia called me. They have found my husband. He is dead! Do you hear? He is dead!"

Her eyes were wide and alive, but not with fear or regret. It was excitement I saw on her face.

"Did they say how his death came about?"

"No. They did say it was a homicide and they would contact me soon to discuss matters with me. Why would they want to talk to me?"

"It is normal police procedure. If a crime has been committed, they must contact all the people who may be involved with the victim. Did they tell you any more than that?"

"No. Nothing more."

"I see." I thought this was a serious matter and required my intervention. "Anna Maria, I have a friend in Foggia. I will contact him and see what I can learn. Please do not talk to anyone about this matter until we meet again. Do you understand?"

"Yes. I understand, but does this not mean that I am now free of him?"

"Yes. It certainly does, but there may be other things to consider. The money for example. We do not know what questions the police will ask. Allow me to learn what I can. Please be patient," I pleaded.

It required but one telephone call to my cousin Aldo to determine what the Apulia regional police knew. The bodies of Ridvan and Olek Maraj were found washed ashore a few meters apart near Easano. Their hands were bound behind their backs and there was a bullet hole in the back of their heads. They had not been in the water for any great length of time. Their boat was nowhere to be found.

I considered the information. How much should I tell Anna Maria? Would she be upset or frightened if she knew the manner of her husband and his brother's death? And what of the money that had mysteriously appeared in her account? I sat in my office for some time, thinking of how I should deal with this situation.

The Maraj domicile was away from the water on a hill at the north end of Calva. It was a ten minute walk from my office to Anna Maria's casa, although the hill was steep and I was breathing heavily when I knocked on her door. She answered promptly.

"Signor Trigiani, come in," she smiled. I was at a loss for words to describe this woman. In the privacy of her home, she had discarded the black cloth and wore a white blouse and blue-jean pants that fit her very closely. It was the first time I had seen her true form and she was even more beautiful than I had imagined. I was at a loss for words as I entered her home.

"You have news of Ridvan?" she asked, getting directly to the question.

"Yes. He is certainly dead. However, there are things that I believe you should know. They are unpleasant things, I am afraid."

"Please. Do not spare me the facts."

"Your husband and his brother were murdered. Of that there is no doubt. In the manner which they were found, it would appear to be an execution. I'm sorry that I have to shock you this way." I tried very hard not to upset her, but I knew that she would learn these ugly facts soon.

She had put her hand to her mouth and her eyes grew large as she understood my words. There would be no tears. These were not men she loved. In truth, she might be secretly happy at these events.

"It is now time for me to advise you, Anna Maria. The police will be coming to talk to you. To ask you questions. I want you to tell them the truth, absolutely. Do not lie. However, answer only the questions they ask you. Do not volunteer information. Simply answer only the questions they ask, truthfully. Can you do that?"

"Yes. I understand. Answer only what they ask and tell only the truth."

"Excellent!" I will be with you at the time. When they come, tell them you wish my presence. You have that right. Do not talk to them without me."

She nodded, a smile now more evident on her lovely face. I was feeling very optimistic.

"Anna Maria, this is a terrible crime and I would not wish this fate on any man. However, it has resolved your problem and you are now a free woman. You are no longer bound to anyone. I am sure you will be happy with that result."

"Of course, but I had no idea that it might happen so quickly. I am pleased, but a little frightened. Do you think those who killed Ridvan and Olek might come for me?"

"No, I do not expect they will. You have not been involved in their criminal affairs. They may not even know of your existence." I smiled at her and took her hands to reassure her. I had that tightening feeling in my stomach and the dizziness in my head once more.

"Anna Maria, I would like to invite you to dine with me at Trattoria Adriatico. We can celebrate your 'divorce' in private. It will be a consultation meeting to anyone who should question. Will you join me tonight?"

She hesitated. She seemed to be surprised, but she agreed. "We can partake in the Passegiatta. I would like to rejoin the living once more." Again, her smile devastated me. I could not recall my walk back to my office that afternoon. I was elated and excited. The solution to her problem might mean the opportunity for my return to the living as well.

I drove my old Fiat to her home before eight o'clock and we rode the short distance to the piazza and the ristorante. Paulo and Teresa welcomed us with smiles, as I knew they would. We were given a table away from the windows and away from other patrons. Anna Maria had tied her long, beautiful hair up in an elegant way and wore a dress as blue as the Adriatic. There was no black for mourning this evening. There was no pretense.

"You look very lovely, Anna Maria." I spoke from the heart. She was truly exceptional and I could feel my heart beating strongly.

She smiled at my compliment, her face relaxed and happy as if she was without a care.

"When I was little, my mother called me 'Mia' because that was all I could say of my name. I have not heard that name for a long time. If you like, you may use it," she smiled.

"Thank you, Mia. I am honored and I think, very fortunate. I have not had the pleasure of ever being with such a beautiful woman as you." She may have blushed at my flattery, but I could not tell in the low candlelight.

"You are married, but seeking a divorce?" Her question was quite unexpected.

"Yes. My wife left to be with another man. I expect the judges to grant my divorce by the end of the year. I will be a free man once more." I was smiling at the prospect.

"Your wife must be very foolish. You are a kind man and an important man in Calva. Many women would consider themselves blessed to have a husband such as you."

I could feel the blood rush to my face. No woman had ever paid me such a compliment. Again, my heart was beating almost through my chest.

"Mia, we have not known of each other for a long time. I am very taken with you as you must surely know. You have endured a miserable life with your late husband and I want to show you what a man such as I could give you. You have earned happiness and I would do anything to bring that to you." My confession surprised me. I was speaking from the heart without thinking of what I was saying. I do not believe I was breathing at the time.

"Pietro, you are very kind and I am attracted to you. We must take our time and be certain of our feelings. We have many months before you are once again a free man. We have time to know each other fully. We have time," she smiled.

I nodded my agreement. She was cautious, but I was optimistic. We could be together and allow our love to grow, I thought. It would be a wonderful time. I was certain of it.

Chapter 3

The police came to see Anna Maria on the following Tuesday. She called me immediately after talking to them on the telephone. They had requested that she come to the local police station to give a statement concerning the death of her husband. I was familiar with this method. The interview at the local commissariato was a way to intimidate the innocent. I would try to put a stop to this and have the interview in my office.

I telephoned the local polizia and identified myself. I was told to wait, of course. I could hear conversations in the background but I could not understand what was being said. At last, another man came on the telephone, identifying himself as Inspector Lucci of the Polizia Regionale.

I explained my concerns and we argued for several minutes before he agreed to meet in my office. However, he would be accompanied by a Capitano Candiotti of the Guardia di Finanza. That told me they might be aware of the activities of the Maraj brothers. I would have to caution Anna Maria once more before the meeting.

I telephoned Anna Maria and told her we would set the meeting for three o'clock that afternoon, but it would be in my small, very warm office. With good fortune, the two investigators might have a large meal with wine and perhaps be in a more contented mood. My friends at the ristorante would alert me if this was so.

Anna Maria arrived early, as instructed, and I told her about the Guardia di Finanza and what they would want to know. The G di F had control of customs and finance. Smuggling would be their interest.

Again, I instructed her to answer truthfully, but only the questions asked. If I were in any doubt about what was being asked, I would interrupt. If she was uncertain, I would let her know with only the movement of my head if she should answer or not. My client appeared to be quite unsettled and I tried to calm her before the two men arrived.

Shortly after the appointed hour, there was a knock on my door and I welcomed our guests. As I expected, the two policemen had dined well at the ristorante and had more than a glass of wine. Indeed, they were dressed in suits and since I had closed the windows in my office, I expected the warmth of the room to sooth them. It was to prove a useful strategy.

Inspector Lucci began the interview, placing a small recorder on my desk in front of Anna Maria. The questions were straightforward and not dangerous at all. Anna answered them promptly and clearly. She offered no embellishment. The inspector concluded the interview after twenty minutes and thanked Anna Maria for her cooperation.

Capitano Candiotti was a different matter altogether. He was seeking much more detailed information, giving the impression that he thought Anna Maria was withholding important facts. He was an older man, quite stout and wearing a three-piece suit. By the time the first interview was completed, he was perspiring abundantly.

"Signora Maraj, do you know how your husband earned his money?" he began.

"He was a fisherman."

"Did he catch many fish?"

"I do not know. I did not go to the docks to see."

"Would you be surprised to know that he had not landed any fish in Calva in many months?"

"Perhaps he landed them elsewhere."

"I think not. In fact, signora, I do not believe he has been fishing for some months. Do you know anything about that?"

Anna Maria looked toward me and I nodded for her to answer.

"I heard him talking to his brother one night. They had been drinking and boasting of their success. They talked of bringing people to Italy. People who were hiding in their boat. These people would pay Ridvan to bring them from Albania."

coaster2
coaster2
2,590 Followers
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