Confessions of a Wild Child Read Online Free PDF Page B

Lindsay Farrell, was discovered drowned in the family swimming pool by a caretaker at 3:00 a.m. this morning.
     
    I choke back a scream. My eyes fill with tears.
    I SHOULDN’T HAVE LEFT HER. IT’S ALL MY FAULT.
    I slump down in my seat and do not utter a word until the plane lands, whereupon I spy Olympia in the waiting area and fall into her arms, sobbing my heart out.
    *  *  *
     
    For the next few days we mourn together. Olympia is a true friend. She keeps on assuring me that it had nothing to do with me, that I wasn’t Liz’s keeper, and that what happened to her was a freak accident.
    I am not convinced, but what the hell, I have to learn to move on. I moved on after my mom’s death even though I was just a child. I clearly remember Gino’s words – ‘Don’t ever forget you’re a Santangelo. Never let ’em see you crumble.’
    Yes. I am a Santangelo, more like Gino than I care to admit.
    Gradually I put what happened to Liz out of my mind and begin to enjoy the summer.

Chapter Nine
     
    T he Stanislopoulos villa, located on its own private island, is spectacular. Perched on a bluff overlooking the azure-blue Mediterranean, there are endless terraces and incredible views. The Stanislopoulos luxury yacht rests in the bay. Olympia’s dad, Dimitri, is an imposing man with a deep suntan, craggy features and a prominent nose. Handsome, I suppose, in an older-man kind of way. He greets me with a kiss on each cheek, then a third one for good luck, followed by an all-enveloping hug. He smells of very expensive aftershave, cigars and strong liquor.
    ‘Welcome, my dear,’ he says in a loud booming voice. ‘Any friend of my Olympia’s will fit right in here. We are all one big happy family.’
    After that he more or less ignores me, which is OK because Villa Stanislopoulos is teeming with people. Relatives and house guests, attractive older women in designer beachwear, and a bunch of noisy kids. Apart from a sour-faced French girl we are the only teenagers.
    ‘Who are all these people?’ I ask. ‘They seem to change daily.’
    ‘I know,’ Olympia agrees, with a nod of her blonde head. ‘All you gotta do is smile while attempting to avoid the old letches. They’ll try to grab your ass given half a chance, so move quickly. They’re ancient and not so nimble.’
    She was right. The older the man, the more his hands seemed to be about to wander.
    Gross! Ancient Greeks in mankinis exhibiting protruding bellies and pathetic packages while lying out by the infinity pool to further their leathered suntans.
    This is not the vacation I had hoped for.
    ‘Isn’t there anywhere else we can go?’ I ask restlessly after a couple of days. ‘Y’know, like take off for the day? Explore somewhere different?’
    Olympia gets the hint. ‘I was waiting for you to give me the word,’ she says. ‘After what happened to Liz and all . . .’ she trails off.
    ‘I’m about ready for some fun,’ I say, determined not to feel guilty about Liz for ever. Unfortunately Liz chose the path she wished to take, and much as I’ll miss her, it’s time to move on. I refuse to keep blaming myself. Besides, I know how Gino would act, and some times I’m more like my father than I think.
    ‘Not to worry,’ Olympia replies with a jaunty wink. ‘I’m plotting our next move right now!’
    *  *  *
     
    Our next move suits me just fine. A Riva motorboat trip from the island to the mainland – a popular vacation resort teeming with tourists and boys, boys, boys!
    We’re supposed to stick with one of Olympia’s aunts who has accompanied us, but that’s not the way it’s going down.
    Aunt Alethea is a blonde languid woman, who seems more interested in perusing the shops than spending time with us. She graciously hands us money, tells us to go enjoy ourselves, and reminds us to meet her at the dock at six thirty p.m. ready to return to our island.
    ‘Your aunt is way cool!’ I enthuse.
    ‘That’s ’cause she has a boyfriend