“Aria told me about the art class that you took her to. I think it was a lovely sentiment,” Maria said.
“Thank you, Mrs. Costa, I’d heard of kintsugi and thought of Aria immediately when I found a local class. I wanted her to have a reminder of what a resilient woman she is.”
“Please, Alex, let's not be so formal. Just call me Maria,” she said.
“I can do that,” he said warmly, his hand touching Aria’s knee under the table. “Aria mentioned that you own a restaurant in Rome. In Trastevere, right? I wish I had known about it when I lived there,” Alex said, between bites. “By the way, this is outstanding. The clams are so fresh.”
“Glad you’re enjoying it. It’s so easy to get fresh seafood here. I love to take advantage of it when I’m in town.”
“Tell us about your work, Alex. I’m curious about what you do exactly,” Aldo said, piling his plate with more eggplant.
Alex wiped his mouth with his napkin and answered, “Well, I’m a professional photographer. In the beginning, I mostly did nature photography. I had lived my life until then in Rome but was fascinated with the world, especially nature. I carried my camera everywhere in Athens, where I went to college. I met a friend, Adrian, who Aria knows, and he took me all over the country on our breaks.
“When I saw the landscape in Limeni, monasteries on cliffs in Meteora and the Corinth Canal, it made me appreciate our vistas here as well. I couldn’t get enough. They created such wanderlust in me, I made it my goal to see the world.”
Hearing the passion he had for his art, Aria warmed. It reminded her of how she felt about writing.
“I’d love to see your work, Alex. You make me want to see these things too,” Maria said, her eyes filled with wonder.
“I’ll show you some tonight. I told him the same thing. Makes me want to book a flight!” Aria said, feeling him squeeze her knee tighter.
“Thank you both. Means so much,” Alex answered.
“But you do take photos of people too?” Aldo asked.
“Yes, I started that after graduation. But my nature photos got some recognition, and I was commissioned to various places around Europe to photograph people as well.
“I’ve also partnered with several relief organizations over the last several years. It changed my life. Seeing life through someone else’s eyes changed me and my perspective. They thought I was helping them, but it was me who changed and grew by meeting them.”
“That’s honorable work, Alex. Your parents must be very proud,” Maria said.
“Thank you, Maria. My dad is my biggest supporter and before my mom passed, she assured me I was doing what I was meant to do. I was to go into business with my father, but I chose this instead. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it brings me comfort that they let me pursue my dreams.”
Alex pulled Aria’s hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, causing her breath to catch.
Later when everyone seemed to be full, Maria pushed her chair away from the table and said, “Well, unless anyone would like more pasta, Aria and I will get dessert ready.”
“I can’t eat another bite, but there’s always room for dessert,” Aria said.
Aldo and Alex concurred.
Watching Aldo put his hand on Alex’s shoulder as he led him to the living room, Maria whispered in Aria’s ear, “I like him, my angel.”
Aria whispered, “Me, too.” They both giggled as they got the bright yellow plates down and served the lemony dessert.
When the ladies joined the men, they were talking football.
“I just don’t know how Roma lost that game,” Aldo was saying passionately.
“I might have cried,” Alex joked, standing up to help Maria with the tray of dessert plates.
“Oh, no, not football,” Maria groaned as she and Aria passed out the plates, making them all laugh.
A phone rang and Maria realized it was hers.
“Excuse me, sorry,” she said when she grabbed it. “It’s Santo!”
Aria moved closer to Alex and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
