Hi Reader, the next chapter of Piazza Bella is due tomorrow, but I wanted to publish a supplementary story beforehand about which I would like to say no more, lest I spoil the story. I hope you enjoy it.
Piazza Bella - Aperitivo: I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII
Piazza Bella - Antipasto: I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X
Piazza Bella - Primi: Prologue | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI
Another Point Of View
She was the only person there, so I approached, surprising her.
“Hi.”
“Hello. I’m sorry, but the Trattoria is out front. This is the entrance to our kitchen area.”
“I’m looking for Carla.”
“That’s me.”
She smiled in the most friendly way, and my knees suddenly gave way because I realized how ill-prepared I was. A surge of overwhelming emotions slammed into me- surprise, sadness, and a hint of fear. I knew it was her before I even asked, but I was totally unprepared for our meeting.
Carla was beautiful, American, and exactly how I expected her to look.
As I stumbled backward, Carla raced forward, her arms outstretched, genuinely concerned for me. She caught me just as I keeled over a low wall, preventing me from falling into the canal.
“Oh my god, I’m sorry, Carla, I… oh fuck!”
“Sit down. You’re in a mess…. What on earth is going on?”
I sobbed like a baby, face planting into both hands, but Carla pulled them apart, hugging me in a way I had needed for days. Her voice sounded kind, not what I hoped for because I didn’t want to like her at all.
“What’s wrong? Who are you, sweetheart?”