AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The rest of the troupe jump up and down, clapping.
“And since Venice is such a maze, do me a favor and use the buddy system. Your GPS may not always work here. Just know that Venice is divided into six districts or neighborhoods, called sestieres in Italian. The grand canal curves through them in the center, so if you’re lost you can jump on a vaporetto, also known as a water ferry. Just make sure you’re going in the right direction.”
There are nervous giggles from the crew.
Iphi hands each of us a paper map. “This will help.” She points to a district on the map. “Our two apartments are here, in Dorsoduro. See, I’ve put a large red X between them. Does everyone see that?”
We look down at our maps and then back up at Iphi and nod.
“Good, the theater is in Cannaregio.” She points on her map. “And that’s where I’ve placed the large green X.”
She waits until we look back up from our maps.
“Now it looks quite far from Dorsoduro, but it’s only a mile and a half. If you take a vaporetto, it’s twenty minutes; get on at Ca' Rezzonico here.” She points. “And off at San Stae. Otherwise, it’s a thirty-minute walk.” She looks around. “Any questions?”
“Who wants to go with me?” asks Sophia.
Iphi grins. “That’s the spirit. Have fun everyone, and if you get lost, stop in a shop and ask directions. Venice is a friendly tourist town; they’re used to us.”
Everyone doubles up and starts off, but I remain, standing next to Iphi. She cocks her head. “Diva, are you okay? Do want to walk with me?”
I shake my head. “I think I’ll go back to our apartment.”
“Nonsense.” She takes my arm and leads me in the direction of Piazza San Marco. We walk in silence until we get to the Rialto Bridge. At the top, she pauses and looks over the side, sighing deeply. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
I clench my jaw to keep from saying what I really think.
Iphi turns toward me. “Diva, I know you don’t love Venice, and I know why.” She puts a hand on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry about what happened to your family last year, but maybe you can learn to see it through new eyes?”
“And whose eyes would those be? Yours?” I snap, and instantly regret it.
Iphi looks as if I’ve kicked her in the face, and I know better than to lash out at an empathetic witch. “I’m sorry. I just, I can’t . . .”
“You don’t have to,” she says softly. “You can honor his memory and still find beauty in this city. After all, what happened was not the fault of Venice.”
She’s right of course. I know she is, but that doesn’t mean I can just wipe the last year of grief from my system by looking at some pretty boats on a stunning canal. I pinch my eyes shut and try to block out the beauty that surrounds us.
There’s no doubt why visitors flock here by the thousands every year. The Gothic Venetian architecture, a magical floating city which was built on the backs of stacked logs gathered by hundreds of workers, elaborate gondolas that float along the serene waters of the hundred and fifty canals, the myriad of intricate bridges, ornamental churches, and winding stone streets . . . A city that doesn’t allow cars. A city that pulses with the electricity of enchantment and moonlight.
A city of beasts and death.
Iphi clutches my elbow and steers me through the maze of narrow streets. “Let’s grab a bite to eat. I know a hidden gem.” I let her steer me, and together we weave in and out of courtyards, cross small canals, and traipse through the labyrinth of alleyways until we reach a lane so slim we can barely walk shoulder to shoulder. This is one of the many reasons no vehicles are allowed on the island, which I do appreciate. It’s a walking city where anyone can travel for hours, get lost, and then miraculously find themselves again.
We enter the restaurant through a back garden, and Iphi speaks to the server in Italian. He nods and points to a table among the trees and flowers. Overhead is a woven wooden canopy with dangling pastel paper lanterns.
I finally let out a breath, one I’ve been holding for the past year. I can’t bring him back from the dead, but maybe I can learn how to honor his memory instead.
Iphi picks up the menu, but she’s looking at me. “Would you like me to order for you?”
I glance down. It’s all in Italian, so I look back up and nod.
After Iphi orders, she folds her hands on the tabletop. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I shake my head, tears pricking my eyes. She sits and waits patiently, tears filling her eyes too, but she doesn’t blink them back. “I don’t want to rehash what occurred; you know how the story goes.” Everyone does.
“Yes, I read what happened, but I’m here for you if you want to talk about it.”
“Then let me ask you this. Whose side are you on?” I fight to keep the venom from my voice and lose.
