The Crocodile Read Online Free PDF Page A

home, so who the hell cares?
    “And what did you tell her?”
    Allegra laughs. She’s sophisticated even when she laughs. That’s the way Allegra is, always perfectly poised, well mannered, meticulous; her delicate features, her neatly coiffed hair, well groomed and well dressed. But Giada knows her well, they’ve been friends forever; she knows what a sewer of filth that pouty pink mouth can turn into.
    “You can probably guess. I told her that if she doesn’t watch out I’ll pop those fake overblown tits of hers, and that if she keeps playing the slut with Christian I’ll tell everyone I know that her mother caught syphilis from the Sri Lankan houseboy they hired.”
    Giada lurches on the couch. “Have you lost your mind? Did her mother really . . . No way!”
    “Of course not. But everyone would believe me; they all know that Marzia’s mother is a slut. And for that matter, like mother, like daughter. Better to be cautious, don’t you think?”
    “Still, if you ask me, you took it too far. Wouldn’t it have been a better idea just to tell Christian that you didn’t like the way the girl was looking at him?”
    Allegra snorts. “Oh, sure, and give him the satisfaction of thinking he’s so important? Darling, you really don’t have a clue how to deal with men. You’re fourteen—when are you going to come to your senses?”
    Giada silently grimaces into the phone; her friend never misses a chance to lord it over her just because she’s a year older.
    “I . . . I don’t feel ready, those hands on my body, those sticky mouths . . . Gross. And after all, you’re into enough filth for the two of us, so in statistical terms we’re right on schedule.”
    Her friend snickers. “You don’t know what you’re missing, girl. There’s nothing like a good healthy fuck to get you over your hang-ups. You think too much, Gia. If I had your blonde hair and blue eyes, I’d be famous all over town. And you don’t even have a father or brothers to answer to: you’ve got a dream situation! By the way, did your dad ever send you your birthday present from the States?”
    There’s nothing on earth that annoys Giada more than talking about her father. Allegra knows that perfectly well, and she prods her intentionally. But Giada decides not to give her the satisfaction, for once.
    “He sent me money, of course. He’s such a pig. Just think, an envelope with a thousand dollars in cash and a note. That asshole doesn’t even realize dollars are worthless these days. It’s been three years since I last talked to him, and I don’t even want to talk to him now.”
    “Sure, I don’t blame you, who cares about him? Still, with that money you could finally get your own scooter, couldn’t you? Without having to say a thing to your mother.”
    At the thought of her mother, Giada instinctively takes her shoes off the sofa. “You know, it’s not a money thing. In fact, my grandparents told me that if I go see them, they’ll give me a thousand euros. I could pay for it no problem. It’s only that my mom’s afraid; she says the streets are full of potholes, people don’t know how to drive. She just doesn’t want me to.”
    Her friend laughs complacently. “Gia, you’re the last woman left on earth who’s afraid to displease her
mammina
dearest. You know, you need to grow up. At your age, there’s no way you can still be not smoking, not having sex, and doing whatever your mamma tells you. Carry on like this, I’ll be ashamed to be seen with you.”
    Giada joins in the laughter. “If you didn’t have me, who would you boast to about all the crap you pull? You know for sure that sooner or later I’ll make up my mind. Maybe sooner rather than later. But I at least want it to be with a boy I like. Do I have your permission to go with someone I like, at least?”
    “You’re too picky. There’s no one you like, but everyone’s dying to take you out. Gianmarco, for instance—he’s so buff, I’d take him to bed