A STORY OF ROUTINE IN ROME, ITALY
The old man sat under the umbrella of the cafe, shaded from the strong Roman sun. Sipping from the cool ice drink he watched the people go by.
Every day he sat at the same table, in the same chair, facing the same direction. Around him Piazza Navona bustled as it always did. Excited, loud groups of school children ran across the ancient cobbles mixing with bus tours of the ponderous elderly.ย Teenagers by the fountains took selfies with their phones. Couples sat in each otherโs arms, heads resting on shoulders, stealing the occasional kiss.
Piazza Navona looked glorious as it had done for decades. In the centre Berniniโs magnificent Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, topped with the Obelisk of Domitian, stood proudly, the flowing water glistening in the sun, flanked to the north by La Fontana di Nettuno and to the south by La Fontana del Moro. On the opposite side to the cafรฉ was the church ofย Sant’Agnese in Agone, in all its Baroque splendour.
For all its beauty, the locals tended to steer clear of the public square, especially in the summer months when the tourist season was at its peak. Throughout its history, it had never been a calm or peaceful part of the city. Nowadays it was constantly filled from dawn until dusk with busloads of Americans, Japanese, French, British and more. Yet every day the old man came and drank his cappuccino under the shade of the same umbrella.
Behind the dark sunglasses and underneath the panama hat it looked like the old man had fallen asleep. But, when the bell in the tower rang at midday he sat up straight, straightened his jacket and shirt and looked to the door on the far side of the square. It opened on cue, as it did every day at the same time.
She strode out across the square. The crowds of people seemed to part in front of her. He marvelled at how effortlessly she glided on the uneven cobbles in her heels. The eyes were hidden behind chic sunglasses, her auburn hair fell from beneath the stylish wide-brimmed hat. Her hips swayed in the tight pencil dress that stopped just below the knee exposing the tanned and toned calves. She was Sophia Loren and Anita Eckberg and Daniella Bianchi all rolled into one. She looked neither left nor right, dining not to cast a glance on the mortals who shared the same space as she.
The old man watched her walk from one end of theย piazzaย to the other until she disappeared from view. The sights and sound of the world resumed. He stood, left his money for the coffee and ambled away.
Tomorrow he would return and take his seat at the same table as he did every day.
Written as part of The A to Z Challenge 2018. Click HERE for more details of the challenge.
Each day in April we will visit a different town or city in the European Union, whose name will begin with the letter of the day – today its Rome in Italy – for a story based on a theme also corresponding to the same letter.
Over the course of the month and 26 stories, we will visit all 28 member countries to complete a farewell tour before Britain leaves the political union next year, touching on the history, politics, culture and people at the heart of Europe.
For a full list of stories and places visited, visit here: THE A TO Z CHALLENGE 2018.
This story was previously posted in a different guise under the titleย LADY MADONNA.
89 responses to “R IS FOR ROME, ITALY”
More than just routine – she was his daily fix. Wonderfully written, Iain, makes me want to sit there with him and admire, too.
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Yep, I could easily spend my days sitting in a Roman cafe watching the world go by, I’ll join you there ๐
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So beautifully written Iain. Your description about the place and the person is amazing. played with the words amazingly. R is Rat Race. https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/r-rat-race-blogchattera2z-atozchallenge-atoz/
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.
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Maybe she was more than just a woman he admired. She could have been his daughter but she didn’t know. He couldn’t tell her because the truth would be too painful. You have left this open to the imagination.
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I like that idea Linda, indeed there could be more to this story. Thanks for reading.
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Ah, Linda and Iain, that thought crossed my mind as well! The greatness of Iainโs short fiction is that we wonder, we assume, we imagine. Another winner, Mr. Kelly!
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Thank you so much Martha
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I wonder how she would react to the old manโs admiration, if she comes to know about it . Interesting story with so much potential.
Beautifully written, as always
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I imagine in that Italian way she would give him a smile and carry on regardless! Thanks Moon.
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Hmmmmm
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Oh boy, Roma! I once had a consultancy job which meant that for just over a year I had to travel to Rome for a week every month. I got to love the city and found a couple of favourite cafes. Two anecdotes (out of many!) One September I was flying back into Stansted when I realized that I, an Englishman, had ventured abroad without either an umbrella or raincoat! On another occasion I was standing waiting for a bus to the office looking, as I thought, toally English in blazer, slacks, regimental tie, polished shoes, when I was accosted by an elderly Italian couple who spoke no English asking which bus they needed to get to their destination.
Piazza Navona was a regular landmark on my walk and your story takes me straight back: thank you.
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You’re welcome Alan. Tough job flying to Rome every month! I have only visited once for a few days but enough to fall in love with the city, such an interesting place, so much to see. Piazza Navona was a highlight. I do remember once arriving in Paris, having been practising my greetings, I got to the hotel reception and confidently greeted the receptionist in French he asked ‘Ah, parlez vous Francais?’, to which I shame faced had to reply ‘no’, the greeting was all I knew!
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Thanks for transporting to one of my absolute favourite squares. The fountains, statues, buskers, cafes – many a time I’ve sat under a shade wearing a Panama hat and sipping wine- or a baseball cap and Peroni!
. My Friend Rosey – R is for Run!
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I’d happily join you there Keith, bring Rosey along too!
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Will look out for panama hat and Rosey whenever I get a chance to be in Rome. Now, wouldn’t that be fun.
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Well explained
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Thank you
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This is one place I have always wanted to visit.. beautifully written .. just sit and admire .. makes me want to do the same
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Do take the chance if you ever get to, it is one of my favourites.
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Beautiful post!!
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Thank you
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People watching is so captivating. Perhaps, she’s the flavour of the month or is this a spy thriller in the making?
Strange, but I thought I heard Gregory Peck’s deep voice somewhere in the background:) Did you?
R is for #RallyforRivers
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Ah yes, you are on the right lines there. Strangely a few people seem to want to read more into this story, when it is a perfectly innocent older gent admiring a view. I will leave it to others if they want to make more of it than that!
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I had to go back to the original story and look at the comments (including my own) for context. My wife and I visited Rome and probably Piazza Navona back in 1985. We decided to take a two-week tour of Europe (Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland) before we started having children.
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Sounds like a memorable holiday.
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It was. I don’t think I’ve been abroad since, however.
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A secret admirer may be? Some dreams remain distant.
Ah, you left us wanting to know more Ian.
Between, I wish to visit the city of Rome some day-one day in future. I had this wish since childhood. Your description of the place transformed my wish to desire!
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I have to say it is one city everyone should see at least once, a beautiful place.
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Lovely – almost felt I was there. And as I’ve yet to visit, that’ll have to do for now. I love Italy, although my favourite square for watching the world go by is the Piazza del Campo in Siena. But I love the idea of that old man and his watching ๐ Maybe I’ll get to do the same when I get to his age.
A-Zing this year at:
FictionCanBeFun
Normally found at:
DebsDespatches
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Ah, yes I have been to Siena and the main Piazza too, a wonderful place in an amazing town. Happy memories.
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Suddenly I am reminded of Death in Venice.
I can actually see this scene playing out on my mind’s screen like a movie.
So glad that I have the time today to catch up with your posts Iain – I’ve been on the double go-go the last few days.
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Hope you enjoyed catching up Frances, I like the comparison to Death in Venice, such an atmospheric film.
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I thought that he might be a writer who was people watching. Instead, he was a bit of a stalker. Surprising. Well done ๐
https://katseaholm.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/r-is-for-realistic/
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Thanks Kat. Not so much a stalker in my mind, just an old gent living vicariously.
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That is true ๐
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Ah, a woman like that.
Stu
Tale Spinning
https://stuartnager.wordpress.com/
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Yep.
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We ended our Honeymoon in Rome and the last day was spent eating at a cafe near the Pantheon while we watched a newly married couple having their wedding pictures taken in front of one of the fountains. It’s a beautiful spot to people watch. Weekends In Maine
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A beautiful city indeed.
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Lovely story about a lovely city. I like that even though it is possible to sit this old gentleman down at many city squares around Europe he seems quite at home at Piazza Navonna and I’m not sure if he would be quite satisfied anywhere else.
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Exactly, a unique place and only here is he at home. Thank you.
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You captured this scene beautifully. I was back in Rome again, a place I love. My girls were probably among the ones taking selfies by the fountains!
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Haha, so long as you get the chance to sit and relax while they do that ๐
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A romantic place. A good place to people watch. I love your composite women – perfect for Rome
https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/20/r-is-for-rome-italy/
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Thank you, a certain stereotype of a Roman woman.
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And then one day he spoke to her… No? Okay, fine.
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That would ruin the mystique.
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I work, and I sometimes like to people watch in a courtyard near my office.. Just think if I had Rome to look at! Does that woman know she has an admirer? And does she care? I enjoyed seeing the photo prompt that lead to the two versions of this story.
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Thanks Alana – I think she is aware she has an admirer, perhaps more than one, and is happy to let them look, but that is all.
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You set up the atmosphere around Piazza Navona wonderfully, so alive. The technique worked wonderfully to emphasize the world having stopped and re-started for the old man. Who is she, or was she to him?
https://writingiscommunication.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/racing-the-space-between-bookstore-presented-by-a-to-z-100-word-stories/#comment-1706
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Thank you, who indeed?
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Roma! My dream one day…
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I hope it comes true for you ๐
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I’ve got a list on my Europe bucket list…Italy and Ireland and Scotland at the head! Thank you Iain!
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I’m in Scotland, let me know if you want some travel tips in the future! ๐
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Reading ur posts, makes me feel like I m right there. Enjoyed ur detailed description. Probably, one day I will sit in that cafe and sipping a cup of coffee, would remember this story.
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Ha, I do hope so!
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Very vivid description. And I like the mention of Sophia Loren. She is one of the most beautiful actresses I have set eyes on. No wonder the old man never misses his visit and his cappuccino.
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Definitely a certain Roman, or Italian, types of woman.
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I Love this idea!! I’ve always wanted to travel and I love writing stories about other places and people.
Your writing is really good โบ๏ธ
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Thank you so much, very kind. Glad you enjoyed the stories.
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Your Welcome ๐
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Now there’s a man who knows how to appreciate a woman…and a woman who knows when she’d truly being seen!
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๐ Thanks Liz
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YW!
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So much mystique. He has found his happy place, it seems. Is he waiting until the day he can work up the nerve to follow and talk to her? I doubt it. He would need to find a new daily routine.
Emily In Ecuador
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Exactly, I think he is quite content just the way things are.
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I loved this one. You made the ever-buzzing Piazza Navona come alive. It’s one of my favorite piazzas in Rome. There’s a cute bookshop there that I had loved ducking into once when it had started to drizzle ๐
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I must look out for this bookshop if I ever get the chance to go back!
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Great feel to this and I definitely feel there is some connection between the man and the woman.
I am amazed by people of routine like this. My Dad’s life runs like clockwork and is probably of a similar age. It seems every day of my life is a clean slate and anything can happen. In some ways I like it, but it’s very hard to make plans. Tomorrow, was disrupted by another dance audition for my daughter. She recently did well in an impro thing at the Eisteddfod and I think our daily impro routine probably prepared her well.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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I like routine, I am very bad when things don’t go as scheduled! I admire your ability to improv ๐
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I wasn’t so happy to improv today. I’d planning to go sailing and kayaking with my husband and son and my daughter found out about an audition today only a few days ago. I managed to get a 15 minute paddle in and probably couldn’t have paddled much longer, but I could’ve floated or had my son paddling in the front. Yet, I did manage to find a cafe and a Monet like pond to photograph. So, I guess I’m also quite good at finding the positive.
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I found it a sweet story, Iain. Perhaps she reminded him of his first love!
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A memory from his youth, that sounds good to me ๐
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Sometimes we develop a strange bond with people we see everyday as part of our daily routine. The woman at the bus stop, the teenager in his school uniform on the bus , the peddler who sells ice cream outside the office building and so on . One day we miss to see them a thought and prayer of ” hope all is fine ” creeps in in a subtle manner before we move on with what’s our own chaotic life.
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He would be devastated if one day she did not appear.
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I can’t decide if I’d rather be the woman.. who effortlessly glides in heels (across any kind of street) with her auburn hair under wide brim hat or the man who gets to sit a cafรฉ everyday. : )
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A tough choice – I could easily live the life of sitting at a cafe everyday watching the world go by!
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I think, so far this is my favorite city and my favorite post!
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Thank you Johanna. Of the places I have visited, definitely one of my favourites too.
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Ah, a mystery! Who is she to the old man? An estranged daughter? A former lover? An object of desire? Does she know he watches? Does he merely watch to see her grace and beauty the way one watches a sunset? So many possibilities!
Well done! I want to know more. ๐
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Thank you for reading ๐
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Great scene setting. I want to know more – who is she and why does he go everyday to watch?
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Thank you, I shall have to think about that!
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Beautiful. I love Rome and you captured its spirit perfectly.
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Thank you Sarah, glad you thought so ๐
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Lovely story of lovely place, I so long to visit Rome, visit piazza & see her.
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Me too ๐
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