Un incontro a Roma

Giulia and Marco look at each other and smile about the slow waiter. There is a comfortable silence between them. Marco clears his throat. “Excuse me… can we speak informally?” he asks with a smile. “We are young, and Chiara introduced us as friends.”

“Oh, yes! Of course!” Giulia feels relieved. “I was thinking the same thing. The “Lei” form is too formal for a coffee!” They laugh together. The atmosphere becomes more relaxed at once.

“Chiara told me about you,” Giulia begins, now using “tu”. “She says you like books.” “Yes, I love books. I read every day. And you?” Marco leans forward. “Yes, I like reading,” Giulia says. “I read in the evening.” She makes a small gesture. “What do you read?” Marco asks. “I like crime novels, detective stories. Sometimes I read art books for work.”

The waiter brings the drinks. He moves like a snail. The coffee smells of coffee. Giulia puts sugar in the cappuccino. A teaspoon falls on the table. “Oh no!” The sugar spreads everywhere. “It doesn't matter! I do it often,” Marco says. He helps to clean the sugar.

They laugh together. The ice is broken. “Where do you live?” Marco asks. “I live near Villa Borghese. It is beautiful but full of runners. They run everywhere!” Giulia makes a running gesture. “Where do you live?”

“I live in Trastevere. My apartment is tiny. Very tiny!” Marco brings his hands close together. “When I open the door, I touch the bed!” They both laugh. “Do you live alone?” Giulia asks. “Yes, alone. Well, with my cat. His name is Dante.”

Giulia’s eyes go wide. “I have a cat too! His name is Picasso.” She is excited. “Picasso! Perfect for an art teacher.” Marco likes the name. “Is Dante a good cat?” Giulia asks. “No! He is terrible. He sleeps on the computer keyboard. He writes strange emails!”