A Circle of Strangers
Italy, on summer evenings, has a magical atmosphere. From the primeval darkness of peaceful rural nights, accompanied by crickets and nocturnal birds, to the dazzling, colorful LEDs of the city, the sea, the venues of recreation, accompanied by music and laughter. The climate is almost always mild, pleasant. An invitation to be outdoors.
And that is why, on these evenings, my wife and I often go out. A stroll, savoring the lights, the colors, the sounds, and the scents that we have always, inextricably, linked to summer.
On Friday evening, one of these venues was playing music, with a great many people dancing. We, on our stroll, stopped to watch. People of all ages, strangers to one another, but united by the same feeling: the desire to relax, to have fun, together.
We stood and watched for a while, entertained by the music, by the constant, pungent smell of toasted bread, of cotton candy, by the sound of corks, deftly removed from bottles. By the contagion of the laughter and the movements (often clumsy, but spontaneous) of the people taking part. By life itself.
Suddenly, the music stops, to everyone's amazement. A few seconds of silence. The gazes of strangers meet. Everyone asks the same question, beyond any language barrier. Suddenly: "Is there a doctor here?". Silence again. The gazes, now, are worried and frightened. Those who did not understand the question, understood the atmosphere. No one steps forward. That silence, at that point, seemed as if it would never end.
A murmur begins. A young woman had felt unwell. "She's a young woman with cognitive disabilities - she had an epileptic seizure". Once again, worried and silent glances, yet deafening in their intensity. Passersby begin to draw closer, curious. Interminable moments.
And yet, in a few seconds, something happens. All the 'dancers' join together. They form a circle, their backs to the young woman in distress. Protection. They did not organize themselves; it happened instinctively.
Many took out their smartphones, but for one purpose: to call the emergency services immediately. No photos, no videos, no attempt to sensationalize the moment. Composure, respect. Protection. The paramedics arrive, and the wall opens and closes again.
After a few minutes, the young woman is accompanied by a friend toward her hotel. Visibly confused and frightened, she was nonetheless doing better. The paramedics, as they left, reassured everyone: "She's going to be fine. It was just a bad quarter of an hour".
The group disperses, each person returning to their own table. Without another word, without another glance.