My contribution to Friday Foto Flash Fiction…
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| Photo: https://morguefile.com/p/1109948 |
Lettie dug the hand drawn map out of her purse, turned it left and right, trying to make sense out of the instructions. Looking ahead, all she saw was an alleyway that seemed to get narrower. She had tried to ask directions at the cafe earlier but the language barrier was too steep. Dead phone battery meant no Google translate.
Stuffing it away, she sighed and trudged onward, hoping to see something familiar. After all, how difficult could it be to find the family home? She’d seen pictures and listened to stories about the neighborhood for years.
A beeping sound startled her and she turned around to face someone on a little scooter.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized as she moved to the side.
“Grazie,” a deep masculine voice responded but didn’t move.
Taking a chance, she asked, “Mi puoi aiutare?”, hoping she was saying it correctly. No response so she added, “Do you speak English?”
“Sì.”
She pulled the map out again and showed it to him. “I want to find this place.” She pointed to a spot on the map. “Do you know where it is?”
“Sì.” Then in heavily accented English, “Get on back. I take you.”
Glancing around and seeing no one else who could help, she shrugged and climbed on board.
“Hold on,” he commanded as they motored down the alley.
She didn’t need to be told twice, the cobblestones made for quite a bouncy ride.
Twenty minutes later, they were still winding down alleyways. The sun was setting and she was getting worried. Tapping him on the shoulder, she shouted, “Are we almost there?”
“Soon, cara signora! Soon.”
“Okay.” She felt drowsy and closed her eyes. The screech of brakes startled her awake. The sun was gone and a smidgen of moon lit the sky. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she asked, “We there?”
“Sorry, signora. I got us lost. This friend house. We stay. Tomorrow we go your house.”
With no good alternative, she agreed and entered the tiny stone house. She gasped. The inside was charming. A roaring fire warmed the rustic but cozy room. A wizened lady came forward and took her arm. As she offered her name, she realized she had never introduced herself to her driver. She turned but he was nowhere in sight. “Where-“
The woman put her hands beside her cheek and simulated sleeping. She pulled her into a tiny room and nodded at the single bed and pointed to her. “Letto. Vai a dormire.” She left and closed the door.
The sun peeking through the curtains woke her. She stretched and tried to remember where she was and why she was there. A knock on the door accompanied by a deep voiced good morning, brought her back to reality. She tossed on her clothes and opened the door.
“Lady of the house, she said your house gone.”
“That can’t be! She’s mistaken.”
“No mistake. Boom! No more house.”
“I guess I have to go home.”
“No, stay. Guest. Welcome here. New home!”
She smiled. “My new home. Italia!”
Thank you.