Wings

Chapter 1

It doesn't snow often in Florence. Rarely do snowflakes ever drop onto young Francesca's red nose in December. When was the last time this had happened? As she walks down the sidewalk beside the beautiful canal, she admires the bright, shining sheets of ice sheltering the water.

"C'mon Francesca! We have to get back in time for the grand feast we'll be having before your Nonna's birthday!"

Francesca looks up from the ledge and sees her mom, Alessia, call out in the distance. It's easy to get distracted by the diamonds floating on the water, isn't it? Francesca pushes off the ledge and runs full speed up the street, catching up to mom as she walks into the store.

"We don't have much time left. It's 4:42 already!", says Alessia. "I hope your papa heated up the chicken by this time. We haven't even been able to put up the decorations. Oh, it's such a hassle! Carry this please, baby." Alessia tosses numerous ailments into a bags and hands it to Francesca, losing her balance at the sudden pouches of food given to her.

They run up to the front to stand in line for the cashier to clear out the needed items. It's been a pretty busy day for the Rossi family. Papa's car failed in start up, Alessia and Francesca were doomed to catch a bunched train from their home in Sesto Fiorentino, Zio Davide made the wrong stop in the wrong city, it was a hectic day for everyone.

"Ah, I forgot the cookies," Alessia said. "Your Nonno loves them and would be ashamed if I don't buy any for him on his birthday. Stay here in line while I grab a box, baby," Alessia commanded Francesca, as mom rushed through traffic down the aisle for the cookies.

There were 2 more parties in line before Francesca could put up the items for purchase. As she stood there waiting for her turn, she noticed the clerk was eyeing her after he scanned each product. Being a 15 year old girl, she certainly felt discomfort. The mans cold eyes seemed to pierce her soul, scanning her body from head to toe. Francesca shivered.

The first party had already gone. Francesca didn't want to come an inch closer to him, but reluctantly put the groceries onto the sliding racks. She tried to look away, but before she even realized, it was her turn to come up. As the second party began to walk out, she stood there frozen and afraid. Where could her mother be doing, taking such a long time for some lousy cookies?

Francesca was able to utter some words to the malicious looking man. "Uhm... My mom will be here soon, just give her a few minutes."

He smirked and nodded his head slowly, gazing into her eyes. Francesca quickly looked away, back at the waiting customers to pay for their items. Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted the mans tongue brushing against the left region of his lips. She was so close to breaking apart under the discomfort...

"Sorry about the wait!" Alessia appeared out of the blue, skipping through the anticipating families along the line. "Those cookies were at its last batch. Luckily an employee assisted me by handing me one from the supply room."

Alessia pays for the groceries. Francesca dashes out to put the items into the bags in a hurry. She wanted so much to go home and away from the man. They dart for the exit, but before Francesca left, she looks back to see that the man still had the glare fixed onto her.

They caught a bus traveling to the nearest train station to come home safely. On the way, Francesca couldn't stop thinking about the event that occurred back at the grocery store. The man's eyes, his hot breathe breathing down on her hair, his scarred hands and grey beard...

"Baby, are you okay?," Alessia noticed that Francesca has been shaking off the sleet of snow on her coat.

"Oh- yes mama, it's just really cold. It never does snow around Florence." Easy excuse. Francesca doesn't plan on sharing this experience anytime soon.

"I know what you mean baby. The last time it snowed, you were still under 5 feet! How you've grown, baby you might just pass my height!"

Francesca's birthday was last month. She has grown quite a bit over the pass year, currently standing at 5'5. Not a bad height for a 15 year old. If only she could have erased certain incidents as she grew. Not only by height, but also by experiences and knowledge.

"Yes mama... I have grown a lot..." Her thoughts twist around the memories, memories that she had kept to herself. Perhaps it was best to save it for another time to share, although she had thought the same reminder over and over again and the dubious man back at the store had only pressured those thoughts. The flashback was irresistible...