The early spring morning, promised the threat of a heavy shower, but Venezia kept pushing herself to dig in the very same flower beds that her mother had. The air had been warm, and humid, causing Venezia's dark curly hair to stick to her face. There was definitely a storm brewing.
Venezia stopped, looking up at the clouds, praying she could finish the last few plants she still needed to put into the ground before it rained. It had been 25 years since she and her mother had emigrated to America. And though Venezia should have been used to the weather in Brindleton Bay by now, it still managed to catch her off guard with how much it rained there.
Venezia and her mother had emigrated to America after her father had been killed in combat. Her mother, Paola Bertucci, had quickly grabbed the more important items they would need, and didn't even so much as bat an eyelash when they left the village. The low pitch of thunder rumbling in the distance, Venezia quickly, but carefully stuck another plant into the hole she had just dug.
Satisfied with her work, Venezia stood up and smiled at her mother's flower beds. Venezia took pride in her flowers. The flower beds had been an important part of her mother's life, and when she passed away, it was the little piece of her Venezia had left. Her mother had died so young. She was chronically ill, Venezia assumed from the long trip to America.
Venezia grabbed the watering can that was sitting next to her, and walked over to the spicket attached to the same farmhouse her and her mother moved into when they moved to America. Of course, after she had died, Venezia had it renovated with the little inheritance money her mom had left her. Venezia was grateful for everything her Mom had given her.
With one hand, she titled the watering can down, and let the water flow onto the thirsty flowers.
"Che belli fiori." Venezia said smiling. "Very beautiful flowers." Learning English had been something Paola worked on with Venezia for a long time. By the time she reached the fourth grade, she was beginning to speak English properly. Her mother on the other hand hadn't learned a lick of English when she was still alive.
"There," Venezia said after she had finished watering the crops, it still hadn't rained. "I have finished."
With the gardening finished for the day and the laundry all caught up, Venezia was left with the rest of the day for herself. She thought about taking a walk over to the dog park. The sights of the furry animals left Venezia feeling happy, even on days when she missed her parents.
Of course the dreary, dark weather had scared everyone into their homes for the day. The park had been pretty desolate, except for a small group of people hanging out by the ONE chess table.
Tavolo? Al parco? / Table at the park? Venezia had thought to herself. She shrugged. America surely was a strange place. Venezia didn't remember seeing these tables in Italy. She sat down in the grass under a tall shady tree. The shade helped with the hot, humid temperatures.
Venezia sat, and tried hard to not stare at the group of friends hanging and laughing. Venezia longed for that to be her, but the truth is, she wasn't sure how accepting anyone would be of her. She didn't live long in Italy, but that was still her place of birth.
Pushing past the fear that had settled all throughout her, she stood up from her spot on the ground. She could just go over and say hi. What could be the worse thing to happen? She walked slowly over to the table where everyone was gathered around.
"Uh, hello." Venezia said in a quiet voice. "I am Venezia. Bertucci." Venezia felt the eyes of the rest of the group fall onto her.
"Hi Venezia!" An over enthusiastic female, with medium length braids greeted her. She had a bright smile on her face. Venezia instantly smiled back. "I'm Julia! The one staring at you with googly eyes, that's Grant." Venezia instantly turned and looked at Grant. He was smiling at her goofy.
Venezia felt a little awkward at first, but found it kind of charming. He clearly had found her attractive.
"It's is nice to meet you. I must say you are very beautiful." Grant smiled at her. Venezia felt her cheeks blush. These feelings were all so new to her. An American man thought she was cute?
"Ah, Grazie mille. Un uomo carino." Venezia replied in Italian. She saw Grant blush, and his dark brown eyes captured Venezia's attention as he smirked at her.
"Oh, damn Venezia. Full on Italian right here everyone." Grant chuckled, and shifted his gaze to look to Julia. "What part of Italy are you from?"
Venezia thought about her little small village of Val Bregaglia. The thought of home sent a ping of sadness throughout her whole body. She looked down at the ground.
"I am from Val Bregaglia. A little village that sits in a valley in gli Alpi. The Alps." Venezia answered Grant's question with pride. She missed her home town, and her parents so very much. But when it came to talking about home, Venezia always up-talked her happy little village.
Venezia noticed Grant's jaw had dropped. As if he had never met an actual Italian before. Venezia wasn't an Alien. Julia gave Grant a weird look.
"Grant it's not like she's from Mars. She's from the other side of the world." Julia teased Grant lightly, chuckling. Grant blushed a deep shade of red.
"Julia, why do you always have to make things awkward.."Grant groaned facepalming himself softly. Venezia stood there, completely confused by the conversation that was going on right there.
"I think it's so COOL that you are from Italy. I've never had the chance to travel there I would love to." Julia gushed to Venezia about Italy. Venezia had heard it all before, from every American she had met.
Omg you're from Italy?
What part are you from?
Do you like pizza?
Do you like wine?
The weird awkward, fully-loaded questions that everyone always asked. They weren't trying to make you feel awkward, but they just did.
And yes, Venezia LOVED wine.
il vino. Venezia's favorite.
By that point, the group at the table had gotten smaller and the only people left were Grant and Julia. The three had hit it off, and Venezia thought maybe these two could be her first two friends in Brindleton Bay.
Checking her watch, she couldn't believe how late it had gotten. It was just after 4 in the afternoon. Venezia needed to head home and start dinner. She stood up to start saying her goodbyes.
"I have had fun Julia." Venezia smiled, her accent had been extremely thick. Venezia pushed the hair sticking to her face back, behind her ear. "But I must return home. Devo cucinare la mia cena. I must cook. I am very hungry." Venezia felt her stomach rumble as she told Julia about her hunger. She was running through the options of what she could cook.
"Alright Venezia, it was so very nice to meet you." Julia reached for Venezia and pulled her into an awkward, unwanted hug. "Hey do you have a cell phone?"
"Cosa? Mi Dispiace?" Venezia struggled to understand her question. They spoke so quickly in America.
"Do you have a cellphone? Can we exchange numbers?" Julia asked, this time a little more slowly.
"Ah, sì" Venezia reached into her pocket and pulled out her cellphone. She waved it and smiled. "Ho un telefonino."
Julia chuckled and shook her head. The three new friends all quickly exchanged numbers. Grant had been a little more than just eager about getting Venezia's number.
"Now don't be texting her all the time Grant. Don't be weird." Julia rolled her eyes at Grant. Venezia looked over at Grant. He rolled his eyes right back at her.
"Also, Venezia... I'd love to learn Italian sometime." Julia said sincerely. "But could you maybe try speaking a little more English?" Julia's request had taken Venezia by surprise but she wasn't offended. Sometimes she forgot that Italian wasn't the primary language.
"I'm sorry. I must go now. Goodbye." Venezia made her way toward the exit of the park.
"I'll text you later Venezia! Let's hang out soon!" Julia called. Venezia smiled to herself. She had not been expecting to make new friends at the dog park that afternoon. With one final wave to Julia and Grant, she walked out of the dog park and down the sidewalk back toward her farm house.
Venezia was extremely excited to hang with Julia again.
to be continued.....
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