Page 44 of Storm and Sea

“Oh, he is good. And also good to look at,” she said, then covered her mouth with a giggle as the other women slapped her shoulder.

“Nina, you’re so bad.”

“And I seem to have developed a terrible tightness in my chest,” Nina said, forcing a cough from her mouth. “I have to get it checked.” They tittered again.

“Mom, stop. He’s closer to my age. I’m more likely to date him,” Anna said with an eyeroll.

“Oh, let these old women have some fun,” the mother said with a wave of her hand.

Her gaze fixed on Marina. “You know,” she said, eyeing Marina up and down. “You’re a young, beautiful woman. Why don’t you go speak with him?”

“I… uh….” Marina stammered, heat creeping into her cheeks.

“Yes,” the other woman agreed. “A young lady with your education would be a good match for an intellectual like Dr. Romano.”

Marina’s mouth went dry; Anna glared as if trying to infect her with scurvy.

“Mom, can we go already?” Anna complained.

“Oh, it was good to see you, dear. The Bayallon will be fantastic under your care.”

They exited the store in a gaggle of giggles and loose fabrics. Marina exhaled a shaky breath.

That’s all I need, to take the most eligible bachelor on the island off the market. I’ll be on everyone’s shit list.

Not to mention, educated though she was, a freakin doctor wasn’t going to pay any mind to a daughter of a fishmonger.

But that’s not all I am. I could have⁠—

She halted.

Stop it. No more of this.

Marina left this kind of thing behind on the mainland. She shook herself and focused on the fabrics.

“I won’t let Anna or anyone else dampen my spirits. Today’s a good day - because I said so.”

She pasted on a smile and resumed perusing the paints, returning to her nonsensical humming. While paying for the supplies, she struck up a conversation with Signore Ignacio about the best painting techniques.

The conversation was as easy as breathing.

Not only was Marina well-versed in the world of paints and canvases, but she loved old people. Talking to them gave her a boost of joy, like eating a sugary piece of hard candy. She could listen to their stories all day, and that’s how checking out from a craft supplies store turned into a two-hour conversation about late renaissance era watercolor.

Marina shivered, hugging her supplies close as she exited the store, Anna’s glare leaving behind cold, hateful traces. It would have been fine if it were only the older women.

But her peers…

Marina couldn’t shake the anxiety that had festered since she was a child. At school, she was the dumb island commoner, making her an easy victim of pranks and jokes. On the island, she was the privileged girl with an education, showing off her superiority every time she signed her name.

No matter where she went, Marina was as isolated as Baia Vita itself—an island surrounded by old fishing boats.

But you know what? She rather liked the old creaky fishing boats.

The older folks, especially those who were close to her father and grandfather, were always delighted to see her. Nonno’s friends were some of her best friends, always good for a story of the old days. Because of them, she was a fierce chess player and knew Baia Vita’s history better than anyone. She was proud of her home and cherished the traditions passed down from the old-timers. The very lifeblood of Baia Vita ran through their veins, and Marina only hoped that one day she might be as connected to the island’s soul as they were.

Life hadn’t been kind to many of the old crowd, yet they always harbored nothing but kindness for her. And in return, she listened to their stories even though she could recount most of them by heart.

“Aging is a blessing not everyone gets to experience,” they’d tell her while rocking in their chairs. “You do well to take care of yourself, Signora. Surround yourself with good people.”