I felt a gentle tapping on my arm, so I opened my eyes and found myself looking right into Zac's. "They're going to show another movie soon." "Great." I reached for the headphones in the seat pocket. For a minute, I stared out the window to see the patterned clouds far below. "Look, Zac," I smiled. He rested his head over my shoulder and viewed the sunset with me. The horizon behind us was a collage of pinks, reds and oranges which gradually blended into the deep purple and grey which lay ahead.
"We'll be there tomorrow morning," I whispered.
"It may look like tomorrow morning," Zac laughed, "but, believe me, it's gonna feel like the middle of the night!"
Zac gently massaged my neck and then put his arm around my shoulders. I rested my head against his and relaxed as the screen flickered to life.
A wearying five hours later, our plane smoothly touched down in Florence. The sun was just setting sleepily over the horizon as we unloaded and fought the crowds of people to get a taxi.
"Where's the English/Italian dictionary?" Zac asked frantically.
"In my backpack," I assured him. "Why...do you need it now?"
"I have to figure out how to say taxi," he explained.
"Zac," I said calmly. "I think taxi is taxi."
He looked confused for a second, but in his moment of silence, he realized there were about 30 people crowding the platform around us, screaming, "Taxi!" "Oh..." Zac smiled rather sheepishly.
Within minutes, we had hailed one down and gathered our luggage.
"Parlez...I mean, habla...I mean..." Zac stuttered helplessly, trying to find the word for speak.
"Yes, I speak English," the driver replied with a thick accent.
"Okay, good," Zac sighed. I shoved him playfully into the back seat. "Come on, let's get going."
I gave our driver the address to our hotel, then sat back and took in the passing scenes through the open window. The slightly warm Mediterranean breeze ruffled my hair, carrying with it strains of Italian music drifting from passing shops and streetside musicians. The crowded roads bustled with taxis, bikes and motorcycles and my ears were filled with the lyrical Italian language...a romance language. The cozy atmosphere of Florence night-life drew me. I couldn't wait to be wandering the alleys with Zac, stopping at quaint bakeries, visiting century-old buildings and dancing together in the streets. Thanks to Ellie for that wonderful, exact description of Florence...you lucky duck!!!! :P I let my mind wander as Zac draped his arm over my shoulders.
Leaning close to him, I whispered quietly in his ear, "Ti amo."
"What does that mean?"
"I love you," I simply responded.
When I awoke, a bright flash of lightning blinded me. I sat up in bed before it dawned on me. I nearly fell out of my bed and ran across the hall to Isaac's room. I shook him awake. "What in God's name...?" Isaac mumbled from under his pillow. "Ike, it's raining!" "So?" "So?! Hello!"
Isaac's eyes finally opened. "Are you serious?"
A crash of thunder was my answer.
