On our third trip to Italy, we decided to cook with these little old ladies we encountered while walking around. They instantly adored you; how could they not? You helped them carry groceries inside their old classic Italian home. They didn’t speak any English, but that didn’t stop you. We both always just want to help.
This earned us a special place at their table. I was thrilled that they were going to make Gluten-Free pasta so, for once, I wouldn’t have to disappoint them by turning down the offer of a meal. The pain of previously always feeling like an outcast for having Celiac disease is difficult for me to handle, but you make sure I never feel like an imposition. When we said we would join them, their eyes lit up! They were so excited to have company.
They told us stories for hours. Telling us all about their lives and sharing their recipes. We were in awe of them; they were just in love with how cute we were. I mentioned in passing that my family was from Naples, and they asked for my family name. I told them, “Perrotta!”. All 3 of them had a face of surprise and delight. One of them, Filomena, was so excited! She was a Perrotta from Naples! So, we agreed we must be family, and forevermore, we are.
We continued cooking, and as we went to sit down, I began to sweat. I was so nervous that I would react to the food and feel sick so far from home. They were so concerned, but you told them something I didn’t fully understand, and they all went, “Ahh!” They seemed to be no longer concerned but incredibly reassuring. You were my hero. I put on my brave face, and we enjoyed a long, lovely dinner that lasted hours.
We walked home through the quiet village in the middle of the night, a little buzzed from the wine. We stopped under the stars, and you held me in your arms and kissed me in that special way full of love and care, with your hand behind my head and the other around my waist.
Nothing in the world could have made me feel safer than I did at that exact moment. You simply are larger than life.
Greysen Paige is a tech industry exec who writes creatively about a future he wishes for and dreams of. He also seeks new and additional creative outlets, reading, studying the magic of life, playing video games, and, most importantly, spending time with family and friends. Find me in more places at https://Greysen.io.
Disclaimer: AI is not used in any of my writing. It is only used when generating art for my stories and will always be labeled clearly.
