“Ciao, E.”
“Hi, Zia Malvina. How are you?”
“I saw that you put a lot of plants on your balcony. Why did you do that?”
“What do you mean?”
“They’re all out there. And then the tree you have on the other balcony, you should really put a stick in the pot to make sure the branches don’t break.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“I’m not sure why you put the plants out there. I guess it looks nice.”
“I think so.”
“Flora said you weren’t feeling well.”
“Not really. I have a sore throat and a sinus headache.”
“Aren’t you taking medicine?”
“I already did salt water gargles and I still have some medicine from Ireland.”
“Good, good. Try gargling with vinegar – that also works.”
“Okay.”
“Well, look – I wanted to give you this. It’s three frozen pieces of veal.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. We’re heading back to Colleferro tomorrow and they were left over. But don’t cook it. You can put it in your freezer. I don’t know how you cook it. But it should feed you for a few days.”
“Thank you, that’s very kind of you.”
“It’s veal.”
“Yes, I see.”
“It’s good.”
“I remember.”
“You go back inside and rest.”
“Thanks, Zia.”
That is gutsy writing. I’m going to call it a vignette. And then I’m going to say, I like this vignette!
I feel like I know this woman already. Very few words, very vivid picture. Like I said, gutsy.
Thanks, Robin! I’ve known her for about as long as you have; glad to see we’re on the same page.