Brando Marlon - Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

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Copyright 2014 by RCS Libri S.p.A.

English language translation 2014 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Originally published as Ieri, oggi, domani in 2014 in Italy by RCS Libri.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Atria Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

For illustration and photography credits, see pages 331332.

First Atria Books hardcover edition December 2014

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English language translation by Sylvia Adrian Notini

Jacket design by Anna Dorfman

Front cover photograph by John Springer Collection/CORBIS; back cover photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Loren, Sophia.

[Ieri, oggi, domani. English]

Yesterday, today, tomorrow : my life / Sophia Loren.

p.cm.

Includes index.

1. Loren, Sophia.2. Motion picture actors and actressesItalyI. Title.

PN2688.L65A32014

791.4302'8092dc23

2014033515

ISBN 978-1-4767-9742-7

ISBN 978-1-4767-9744-1(ebook)

To my four grandchildren, the great miracle of my life

The doorbell to my apartment keeps ringing while I finish kneading the last of the struffoli , our traditional Neapolitan Christmas pastry. I leave the dough to rest and hurry to open the door, my hands covered in flour, wiping them as best I can on my apron.

The florist, behind a huge poinsettia, hints at a smile.

For you, Signora Loren. Can I get your autograph, please?

The label on the ribbon takes me back to Italy for an instant. I put the plant down on the piece of furniture and open the card. It conveys an affectionate, cheerful thought.

The voices of my grandchildren, who have just arrived from the United States for the holidays, fill the house with excitement and chaos. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and well finally all be together. The truth is, though, that Im not ready. How will I manage to feed so many people? How can I possibly fry all those struffoli ?

The world whirls around me dizzily and I feel as if everything is slipping out of my control. I go back to the kitchen, in search of certainties that I cant find. I head into the dining room, hoping that things will go better there. The table! Yes, the dinner table for tomorrow. I want it colorful and beautiful. In a frenzy, I take out the glasses and arrange the plates and cutlery. I fold the napkins carefully. I have fun deciding who will sit where.

Im a Virgo and, most days, I even manage to bore myself with my compulsive perfectionism, but not today. Today it looks like the messiness is getting the upper hand. I start over again on the table, trying to keep my emotions at bay. Lets see, two, four, eight, plus five, thirteen, and four makes seventeen guests for dinner tomorrow... No, not seventeen, thats an unlucky number! Let me count over again.

From the photograph of him on the chiffonier, Carlo is smiling that special smile of his on our wedding day. Ill never forget the first time I felt his eyes on me, many years before, in a restaurant with a view of the Colosseum. I was not much more than a young girl, and he was already a successful man. The waiter came over to me with a note from him saying that the producer had noticed me. Then the stroll in the garden, the roses, the scent of acacia, summer as it was coming to a close. That was the start of my adventure.

I stroke the green armchair where Carlo would doze off while reading the newspaper. I feel cold; I must remember to light the fire tomorrow. Luckily, Beatrice, the youngest of my grandchildren, comes along to take my mind off my recollections. Nonna Sophia, Nonna Sophia! Shes very blond... and very determined. Behind her, the others peer in, like a delegation of little rascals. Its time to get ready to go to bed, but they have no intention of doing so. I look at them, they smile at me, we make a deal.

Why dont we see a movie?

Amid shouts of joy, a battle breaks out as they choose which cartoon movie to watch. In the end Cars 2 wins, their favorite of the moment. We all sit down together in front of the TV.

Nonna, can you imitate Mamma Topolino for us?

Now, mangia . Eat! I recite my line from Cars 2 , making funny faces as I do so.

Again, again, Nonna, please. Do it again!

Hearing my voice, the same that comes from the mouth of a little car, drives them wild. Who would have thought they would enjoy it so much when I accepted, rather reluctantly, the proposal to do that peculiar dubbing job?

Little by little, Vittorio and Lucia, Leo, and Beatrice are mesmerized by the movie and, before its over, theyre fast asleep. I cover them with a blanket, look at my watch, and think about tomorrow. Outside its started to snow, but with all the hustle and bustle inside I hadnt even noticed.

Comings and goings are always very special moments. They set the merry-go-round of recollections in motion, opening doors to yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

When I think back on my life, sometimes Im surprised that its actually all true. I say to myself, One morning, Ill wake up and find out that its all just a dream. Not that it was always easy. There were hard times. But it was definitely wonderful and worthwhile. Success, too, bears its burden that you have to learn how to cope with. No one can teach you. The answer is inside you, where all answers are.

I tiptoe back to my bedroom. Its comforting to spend some time alone. I know that if I stop for a moment of quiet, I can find the peaceful beating of my heart, and calm.

As soon as Im in the bedroom I realize Im still wearing my apron. I untie it, take off my shoes, and slump onto the bed; the magazine Id been reading in the morning is still open to the same page. The excitement of embracing my family again has made it hard for me to sleep these past few nights, and I feel lost if I dont sleep. Its the engine that helps me to travel through my days.

Buon riposo! (Good night!), Ninni shouts out from the other room. Cerchi di dormire! (Try to get some rest!)

Ninni, Ninni... shes been with us for nearly fifty years. She was Carlo Jr. and Edoardos Nanny, and when they grew up she stayed on to take care of me. Now, whenever my sons come to the city with their children, she takes care of those little rascals with the same enthusiasm as ever. Sometimes I wonder where she finds the patience to put up with us.