Italian Liaisons

Singing from the Heart Melina was nervous when it came time to audition for the singing job at the teachers’ annual party. But it wasn’t because she was shy about singing in front of others. She’d sung for others all her life. She was nervous because of Ari. The more she fell for the attractive Italian teacher, the more self-conscious she found herself to be. She waited in line with about ten others who were auditioning, all ladies. At one point, she spotted Ari across the room speaking with another faculty member. Their eyes met, and Melina gave a quick wave and smile. Ari waved back in acknowledgment. The first two to audition sang. They were just so-so. Then another one sang. She was pretty good. And then another sang. She was just okay. Now it was Melina’s turn. She stepped up to the “spotlight” and waited for her karaoke CD to begin playing. She eyed her onlookers, who came to about twenty in all, and thought of how surprised they would be in just a matter of seconds, even though she would be performing a song that consisted of English and Spanish. Yes, Melina knew she was a good singer. She may’ve sucked at a lot of things, but singing wasn’t one of them. And surprise them she did. Ari was practically in tears of awe. She hugged her and kissed both her cheeks when she was done, while the others clapped. If Melina was ever glad she could sing so well, it was now—if only because of the attention it brought from Ari. Melina sat by Ari and waited as the others behind her got their chance to sing. Now that she’d tugged a little more at Ari’s heart, she refocused on her main goal: to get the job so she could have the extra money. The last one to sing was a very beautiful girl who was actually very good. “No male,” Melina whispered in Ari’s ear. Ari gave a look as if to say she sort of agreed that the girl wasn’t bad. “Ma lei è più bella,” Melina added. Ari wrinkled her nose and shook her head slightly, disagreeing that the girl was prettier. In the end, prettier or not, it was indeed Melina who got the job. Ari hugged her once again. And once again, Melina was glad to be a good singer.