An Emotional Connection

[Stephen Torelli]

At the bottega above the Sardinian sea she hands the shopkeeper coins for Double Bubble and Bazooka bubble gum, but it’s not enough. Thin and rough strewn the stringy haired eight-year old only sighs. I hand the storekeeper a Euro to pay for the precious goods and as he smiles the young girl glances my way and expresses an emotional grin that only family recognizes. What a feeling; I’ve never been here before.

Three days later from the corner of my eye I see a young girl pointing; she’s standing with her mom I presume and a younger sibling. And as they disappear the shopkeeper places my favorite cognac in front of me and when I offer to pay he says, “It’s on the house.”

 

[Stephen Torelli]

Thanks for your comments. We are visiting family and enjoying the slow pace of the Mediterranean.  

[Teresa]

Oh man, what a great story.  I can't wait to see Italy.  Excellent.

[Jeanette Cheezum]

Ya gotta love Italy!  We were in the cellar of one of locals favorites spots in Florence. The waiter got so tickled at how quick I can get loaded and how everyone at the table was laughing at me he kept pouring.

I told my husband to keep pouring it from my glass to everyone elses so I could straighten up! Before you know we all were snockered.

[Gita]

I like that you can get bubble gum and a glass of cognac in the same shop.

[Angela]

Stranger in a Strange Land makes good.  Nothing works like candy.  Great six.  I love the "emotional grin that only family recognizes".

[Toby Tucker Hecht]

Aren't we all one family, though?  Great six!