Snowfall in Venice

A Snowfall

AN UNEXPECTED SNOWFALL

Although her four-poster bed was warm and comfortable, Angelina was too excited to sleep. A multitude of memories of her triumphant debut in the town square still played in her mind. The most interesting, and vaguely disturbing of the flashbacks, was recalling the look on Pietro's face when she emerged from the car.

I have a feeling that Pietro Esposito finally saw me today for the very first time.

After another hour of futile tossing and turning, Angelina gave up. She rose, donned a flannel nightgown, and her fuzzy pink slippers, then departed for the kitchen in search of a warm glass of milk. A sure-fire antidote for her restlessness.

The heavy curtains on her full-length bedroom windows were closed except for a small gap where the two sides met. As she passed the window, something caught her attention. A faint suggestion of something moving in the outside air. She pulled the drawstring, opening the curtains to investigate.

Angelina was stunned. The whole night sky twinkled with the reflection of gently falling snowflakes, caught in the beams from the garden security lights. Angelina had seen snow a few times before, but always only a slight dusting of the land before quickly melting away.

This was different. The cold front that had been building all day ensured the flakes were safe, and the outside lawn had already accumulated a significant build-up. Angelina left her bedroom and ran to the stairs thinking, I must tell Papa about the snowfall before it melts. It is just like a Christmas miracle!

The door to her father's office was opening as Angelina approached. She was surprised and a little flustered to see the lithe figure of Pietro Esposito emerge, closing the office door behind him.

"Pietro, what on earth are you doing here so late at night?"

The young man was caught off guard. "Oh, Angelina, I'm sorry if I startled you. Your father asked if I could meet with him and Carlos about some business opportunities for the new year. He's a busy man, so you have to meet him when you can, I guess."

"That's all right, Pietro. Did you see the snowfall outside?"

"It was snowing when I arrived, but I thought it would all be melted by now. Is it still hanging around?"

"Come and see for yourself." Angelina led him by the hand to the expansive dining room windows.

Pietro was caught off guard by the heavy white blanket that covered everything in sight. He was also desperate to find an excuse to spend more time with Angelina. "This is a wonderful surprise, Angelina, let's go outside and try to make a snowball. I've never done it before."

At the mention of outside, they both became acutely aware that Angelina was still wearing her nightclothes. Angelina, her face flushed, said, "Wait for me, Pietro. I'll only be a few minutes while I dress into something more suitable for an outdoor excursion."

The maid, Alba, smiled as she passed Angelina in the upstairs hallway. She thought to herself, judging by the look on her face, Miss Angelina must have discovered that young Pietro is in the vicinity.

Alba was carrying a tray of hot chocolate and snifters of cognac to the guest quarters for Mark and Gayle. She knocked on the guest room door and entered.

"Buona sera, signore e signora Gunderson. I have for you a nice treat, compliments of Don Benedetti." She placed the tray on the side table. "Have you seen the snow? It's still coming down, covering everything."

Gayle rushed to open the bedroom drapes.

"Alba," I said. "I wouldn't have believed that you would experience snow in a warm place like Venice."