Let It Snow

Let It Snow

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve got no place to go,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Rome is still cold, despite the fire cracking in the fireplace, despite the loud chatter of his relatives nearby. They are complete. He isn’t. He’s all alone again, and he wanted to cry, but he can’t. His parents aren’t known to be weak, neither are his siblings. He blinks away the tears, and stares blankly at the paintbrush she gave to him. He brings it to his chest, until he can feel her again.

One year ago…
December (Winter), 2010

“Meet Italia, our servant.” Mr. Edelstein turns to the poor girl. She quivers in fear. She isn’t used to meeting new people. She wondered why he introduced her to him. She looks at the boy who is standing in front of them. He looks like he’s just the same age as hers.

“I am Rome. It’s nice to meet you.” Rome holds out his hand to her. Italia eagerly reaches out, but Mr. Edelstein stops them.

“Rome, it is not nice to shake hands with a servant girl. Her hands are rough and dirty.” Mr. Edelstein drags poor Italia away.

“Italia, go boil some water for us.” She nods obediently, and then she heads for the kitchen.

She turns to see Rome. He smiled back at her. She looks away, and she tries to hide her face flushed red. She never felt like this before.

.

“Why are you making her work, Uncle Edelstein?” Rome asks innocently, and then he sips some hot chocolate.

“She has no choice. Her parents had abandoned her.” Mr. Edelstein replies, and he seems like he has no concern for Rome’s feelings.

“But that’s unfair! Children like us aren’t supposed to---“

“That’s enough, Rome.”

Rome decided to keep it all to himself. It’s all cruel, and nothing seems to be right.

.

Oh, it doesn’t show signs of stopping,
And I’ve brought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

“I’m so hungry. The food they gave to me was almost rotten, and it was not enough.” Italia sat by the garbage can outside. The blizzard had gone mad, just when she stepped out. Mr. Edelstein didn’t want her to be seen by his guests, so he told her to go outside until the party ends.

“Italia, that’s your name, right?” Rome approached her, with a bowl of stew and some bread in his hands.

“Yes.” She flusters, and she can feel the funny feeling in her tummy again. He is very kind because he went to me, in this bad weather.

“I think that’s a very pretty name.” He smiles, his eyes shining like the sea during summer. He gives her the food. Italia happily accepts it.

“Thank you, Rome.” She makes the signs of the cross, and she unknowingly mutters, “I hope he stays.” Rome gazes at her innocent, pale face.

“Let’s eat!” She was about to put the spoon in her mouth, when she felt a sharp pain in her arm. Mr. Edelstein grabbed her, spilling the soup in her dress. She cries, and she looks down shamefully.

“You rascal, you even stole Rome’s food! I was calling you so you can serve our visitors, but here you are. You’re going to stay where it’s dark, and scary. ” Mr. Edelstein hisses, as he drags the girl again.

“Please!” Rome begs.

“Very well then.” Mr. Edelstein lets go of her, but at the same time, he drops her in the snow. “I’ll give you this one chance, Rome. Your parents will be very mad once they find out about this.”

Rome helps her up, while they watch Mr. Edelstein march away. They hear the doors being locked.

“Rome, why…” Italia stops crying, as she attempts to clean her soiled dress, but it was useless.

“It’s okay.” He holds her hands. They may be dirty, but they aren’t rough like Uncle Edelstein said they were. In fact, they were soft.

“What do we do now?”

Italia smiled, and they went to the barn. They spent the time gazing at the blurry night sky.

.
Spring, 2010

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I’ll hate going out in the storm!
But, if you really hold me tight,
All the way home, I’ll be warm!

The fire is slowly dying,
And my dear, we’re still good-by-ing,
But as long as you love me so,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Rome was nowhere to be seen. She searched everywhere, but her efforts were in vain.

“Italia…”

She can hear his voice from behind. She quickly turns, and she can see him crying.

“I thought you---“ He hugged her all of a sudden, and she hugged him back. Both of them were crying- both of them didn’t understand.

He can smell her- her scent is that of soap, of flowers and of sunshine.

She can see him- his hair messy, his eyes ever so honest, and his smile so sweet.

This time, she knew she had to forget him, but she didn’t want to.

“Do you remember that time we went to the meadows? I got these.” He gives her three pink roses. She accepts these, and then lays it on the soft grass. She holds his hands once more. She notices that these hands have scratches on them.

She brings out her paintbrush, and she puts it on his palm. “Do you remember that time when we painted some butterflies? You were angry because you can’t see them. I thought it was silly because even if they were far, you can still see that they’re still pretty. Distance just makes things seem small, but it doesn’t change them.”

Rome smiled at her one last time.

“Rome, it’s time to go home now.” Mr. Edelstein led him away from her.

“Bye, Italia. I will never forget you.”

"We'll meet each other again!" She waves, with tears in her eyes.

Rome is not sure if they will. Maybe in some other universe. Maybe some other time. Maybe in another lifetime.

But one thing will never change.

He has a clue about what love is, that is because of her.