Blood in the Dirt

Chapter 13

Andrea left the dojo to go home for supper. Halfway to Sofia's she remembered she need to stop at the blacksmith. She made a right on the next street, which led her to the main square. Coming ever closer to the noisy central, she thought of the things she would be learning next. How could she make her stance better? Papa said it was perfect...

Passing by a loud man selling fish, she began to cross the street towards the blacksmith's shop. She had only taken four steps before a young boy came running through the square, and knocked a woman into a fruit seller's booth. Apples and oranges spilled everywhere, and Andrea quickly went to help clean up the disaster.

She picked up one of the baskets that had been holding fruit, and picked up the apples one by one. "Mi dispiace signore! My son he's a little hard to control at times." another man said before he continued to chase after the boy.

As Andrea chuckled at the sight, the merchant gave her a questioning look; he couldn't understand why she was laughing. She noticed and spoke, "I remember when I was young and I would run through here. I knocked over so many goods; I don't think I would be able to count how many stands I ran into."

The man then realized the humor of the moment and then started to laugh as well. "I can't say I didn't either." he replied, "I'd also like to thank you for helping me pick these all up."

"It's my pleasure. I should help you more often; I owe so many favors to the merchants of this town. It's sad that so many of them squashed though." she laughed.

"Well it obviously wasn't your fault. Now, what's your name child? I seem to know you from somewhere." the man asked, looking into her eyes and waiting for a response.

"Andrea messere, and I don't believe we've met." she responded with a smile and a small bow of her head.

Sadness now became visible in the eyes of the man, as his mind clicked. "Ah, you're Aldo's child."

"Sissignore." she answered. After that, the man turned silent, making Andrea slightly uneasy. Why does mi papa being my father upset him?

As she finished picking up all of the apples, Andrea stood with a full basket, and put it back into the merchants shop. She held her hand out to him, saying, "You seem to know me, may I ask who you are sir?"

"Yoro. Yoro Walsh." he replied, grabbing her extended hand and shaking it.

"Pleasure to meet you Yoro, despite the circumstances." she said, then turned to leave.

As she began towards the blacksmith once more, she saw someone who seemed out of place in her peripheral vision. She took a second look, and saw that the person was staring straight at her.

It was Daniel.

As soon as he noticed that she had spotted him, he winked, and turned to leave. Moving quickly through the crowd, Andrea followed him. He halted when he realized Andrea was standing directly behind him. Without looking at her he said, "Well, long time no see kiddo. Nice to see you still recognize me."

 "How long now? Two, three years?" Andrea replied, "And why wouldn't I recognize you? It's not like someone can easily forget a face like that."

Now facing her, Daniel responded, chuckling, "I see you have matured. 

"As expected, no?" after she asked this, Daniel studied her a bit more.

After a few silent moments, he finally spoke up saying, "Why did we even stop talking anyways? Was it even important?"

"I don't think it could've been that important." she replied, making Daniel smile, and in return, she smiled as well.

"You know, you have a great smile. You should smile more often." he complimented.

Suddenly Andrea felt a wave of heat come over her. Unsure of what it was she continued, "Your eyes are really interesting. Especially the one with the pattern in it." Daniel winked, and Andrea felt her cheeks light on fire, only then noticing the giant grin on her face.

A woman walked up to Daniel, "We'd best get going. Lots to do." she then walked away.

"Who's that?" Andrea wondered.

"My um...aunt. Anyways, I had best be going." Daniel rushed, taking Andrea's hand ever so gently, and giving her knuckles a light kiss, before he showed his back to her. "And it must just be our eyes reflecting in mine. For yours are much more unique than mine." he added, then left.

Why do I feel so warm inside?

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TRANSLATIONS:

Messere- Sir (Not as formal as signore.)

Mi dispiace - I'm sorry / My apologies