Florence Waited

Julie nodded. “I usually have trouble talking to people.“ 

“You’ve probably been short of listeners.” The woman had a friendly smile. 

“So, what is your favorite place in Florence?” said Julie.

“My favorite? I climbed the Duomo, and it was magnificent. Also, I loved seeing the Uffizi and The Bargello, of course.”

“I’m going to The Bargello today, but the Duomo. I’m not sure. Was it difficult to reach the top? I’m sort of claustrophobic, acrophobic, agoraphobic, and a little OCD.”

“I doubt that!” said the woman laughing. “It’s over thirty stories though, about 500 steps, but you don’t go straight up. You can set your own pace. And there are windows cut into the walls so you can see out. The view from the top is breathtaking. The climb might change your life. It’s another world up there,” she said, leaning toward Julie, almost touching her arm. “You really must do it since you’re here in Florence.”

Julie sipped her coffee and watched a toddler grab a biscotti from his mother’s plate and gnaw on it. “I’m trying to force myself to try things after living a monotonous life for so long,“ she said with glassy eyes.

“That’s all over. You can do whatever you want now,” the woman shouted over the din of a noisy tour group passing by. 

“When you haven’t asked yourself what you want for a long time, you have no desires.” 

“I’ll bet that isn’t true. You probably have a secret list in your pocket.”

Julie reddened and blew her nose. “I do. My list has more blanks than marks. I need to change that, starting here.”

“Good! I encourage that.”

 “I’ve been in quarantine for half my life,“ Julie’s hand covered her mouth.

“Or prison,” said the woman, sipping her coffee.

“Yes, exactly, a grey-haired parolee finally sprung from the joint.” Julie was enjoying herself. “I’m Julie. And you are?” She extended her hand.

“I’m Lucy. ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.’ You remember the Beatles song? Though I was always a Deadhead. Still am.” 

“I think I remember, but I’m not sure it was my lifetime. I’ve forgotten so much.” For years, every day was about giving medicines, cooking meals, feeding and cleaning people and the house. Going out was for doctor’s visits or groceries only. Hauling the trash cans to the curb and back was a big outing. “I cursed the planes that flew overhead because they were going somewhere. The years passed like flocks of winged ghosts.“

Lucy reached out and almost touched Julie’s shoulder.

“It’s your time,” Lucy said.

“Yes,” Julie said, standing. “I hope I’ll run into you again.”

“It’s likely. The center of Florence is tiny. I’ve been seeing the same people all week.”

*