Caruso

Così diventa tutto piccolo

Luca knew there would be two things he couldn't avoid if he stayed in Portorosso. Meeting with people and swimming dangerously close to his home. He couldn't decide which was he dreaded more.

He hasn't visited his family in four years. The last time it was a necessary visit because his mother was getting increasingly irritated with Luca's constant absence from Portorosso. He was nervous the entire way from Genova, not only because he didn't feel well about answering all of the questions his mother had prepared, which he would have to answer if he ever wanted peace of mind, but also because he needed to keep the visit from Alberto. This is why he came in winter and took the last train to ensure that the sun would be well below the horizon when he arrived.

This time, it was almost the other way around. He had to stay away from his family at any costs, but he knew he'll have to give up eventually. He didn't want to go because he wanted to avoid being interrogated like a criminal about what he was doing in Genova and when he was going to find a suitable mate. Furthermore, he'd take care of such issues when the time came.

He had more pressing matters to attend to now. He and Giulia had made a deal concerning their lives for the next few weeks. Luca provided a precise plan, which was typed down and displayed on the kitchen wall. There were rows and columns for each day of the week. The spreadsheet was separated into hours of the day and included a specific task and the person who would complete it. Luca even used coloured pencils to help them distinguish between different chores. He insisted on making such a comprehensive plan, even though Giulia thought it was unnecessary. They had to do things his way if they wanted to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, as well as make time each day to visit Alberto. He would have been proven right a few days later when they were forced to stay indoors for the entire day due to another storm and reschedule some things the next day.

Luca stood in front of the daily schedule, reviewing all the tasks he needed to perform in the morning. In one hand, he held a coffee mug, and in the other, a *sfogliatella*. He'd have to go fishing the same day. He was for once thankful to his parents for forcing him to work as a shepherd when he was younger. He knew exactly how to get fish to swim in a specific direction, which in this case was inside the carefully arranged fish nets. He was also looking forward to being able to spend more time underwater. All he had to do was ensure that he stayed a safe distance away from his hometown. In Genova, he didn't have enough opportunities to do so. He was swamped with schoolwork, and the water in the bay region wasn't quite as pleasant as it was in Portorosso.

He finished his catch in a matter of hours. He felt a sense of pride, imagining that sea monsters were probably the best fishermen in Portorosso. When he realised he'd need the help of the locals to unload the catch, he swiftly averted the sensation.

"Buongiorno, Luca!" exclaimed a voice from the opposite direction.

Tommaso was one of Portorosso's oldest residents. He was also one of the most experienced fishers, and everyone looked to him for advice, including Massimo back in the day. He was the individual that a person who despises change would adore. He wore the same clothing almost every day: a forest green chambray shirt with sleeves pulled up, matching pants, and a flat cap on his head, beneath which grey wavy hair tried to emerge here and there. He was a short man who could easily be towered over by someone of average height. He was skimming through the waves aboard his beloved "Gelsomina," a little boat named after his late wife. He'd often say, "You're the love of my life." Nobody was sure if he was talking about the boat or his wife.