FERRY-LOVE-BOAT

Chapter 1 - Day 4

It was my turn to be kind.

It was easy to figure out what her usual order was because the saleswoman quickly remembered the "elegant woman with the strong Italian accent," and only by describing her that way did I remember that I hadn't even asked her name.

I looked around and as soon as I saw her, I opened a smile, it was easy to smile around her because her spontaneity told me without words that it was okay that I also let myself be carried away by the feelings and thoughts that sprang up in my mind. There were no allegations or judgments with the Italian girl with the easy smile.

-Buongiorno! - She said cheerfully as she approached.

-Good morning. - I answered, keeping my smile. - Here, for you!

-Grazie mille! - She answered, taking the cup I held out.

-Is that "thank you"? - I asked back, starting to walk to the table we had occupied the last time we met.

-Si.

As soon as we sat down, the woman crossed her legs and, finally having a warmer day in Seattle, I saw that she was wearing a dress and part of her legs were sticking out, drawing my gaze. Her skin was tanned and seemed so soft, my fingers itched for me to touch her and it almost physically hurt to have to control myself.

-You've been gone for days. - She commented looking down at the coffee in her hands and I drank from mine before answering.

-I've been too tired or too busy to make it to the ferry. - I sighed. - And that directly affected my mood.

-Really? - she asked back, and I nodded.

-I like the routine I've established by coming here. - I wanted to say that I enjoyed meeting her too, but that would be too much information, we had only known each other for a few days, had had few conversations, and for me it didn't make sense this attraction I felt for the woman.

She was beautiful, don't get me wrong - and that freckle below her lower lip should be illegal - but there were many beautiful women in Seattle. There was something different about her, the way she led her life was simply a great... Inspiration. I didn't see inspiration in other women, just fun.

-You seem to be a person who is attached to routine... - She laughed softly.

-I am. - Confessing this to her was easy, the woman was not part of my daily life and was not quick to judge people.

-Well, I'm glad you're back on the ferry. The people here are not nearly as interesting as you are. - She said, and I raised my eyebrows, trying to control myself from showing my happiness at hearing her words. - What was keeping you busy?

-Life. In general. - I shrugged. - I had those days when absolutely everything was going wrong. I even fell during a run and scraped my knees like a 5-year-old.

-Do you like running?

-I love running. - I corrected her. – As I told you, being here is one of the few moments that brings me calm and peace; when I can't be here, when I have a hard day, when I am worried, sad, or dealing with bad feelings, it is running that gets me back on track.

I could comment at that moment that I had won an Olympic medal, but I didn't want our interactions to become another cliché in my life. Bringing up my medal was what I did whenever I wanted to impress someone, and I didn't want to impress Italian, at least not in that way, not like I do with other people.

-I like to see people talking about what they are passionate about. - She simply said, finishing her coffee and I realized that the cup in my hands was also nearing its end.

-Can I buy you another cup of coffee? - I asked.

-No, no! Too much caffeine makes me too active, and I have a presentation today, I can't be fidgety in front of my professor. - She explained.

-What is your presentation about?

-The physiology of the female orgasm. - She answered with a big smile, and I choked on the last sip of the liquid, having to cough repeatedly to rid my airway of the coffee. - Are you alright?

-Yes. - I spoke with difficulty. - I just wasn't expecting this answer.

-Oh, yes... My teacher was also a little shocked by my choice of topic. - She laughed. - Apparently being a prude is an American thing.

I just didn't know whether to take her comment as funny or as criticism, and before I could think of a clever answer to give her, the horn sounding made us realize that we had reached the other side of the crossing.

-Good luck with your presentation. - That's what I chose to say.

-Grazie! - She smiled at me. - And again, thanks for the coffee.

-Anytime. - I shrugged.

-A girl can dream. - She laughed.

What did she mean by that?