Love is in the Air

What could be more romantic than walking at night through a fine mist of drizzling rain in the Piazza San Marco in Venice?

Sweethearts stroll arm in arm; lovers steal kisses in the shadows.  The gentle soft rocking of gondolas nearby is a rhapsody, playing all night long.

Venezia…the city of love. The city that captured my heart.

Having suffered many sad days at sea alone on my honeymoon, I was finally reborn in Venice.  Wearing a little red dress to lift my spirits, Venice became my new lover.  I found my smile and joie de vivre and then a handsome stranger found me.

A young couple that I met on the ship saw me wandering around Piazza San Marco and invited me for drinks.  We sat at a table for four and ordered sinfully delicious Italian pastries and wine.  An orchestra playing Duke Ellington tunes serenaded us.  The conversation ebbed back and forth and as we became acquainted, I didn’t notice a gentleman was being seated next to us.

He tapped my shipmate on the shoulder.  “Where did you buy your cigar?  I’d love to have one with my cognac.”

Men!  I gulped my dessert wine, resolved to smell like Eau de Cigar.

Glancing up, our eyes locked. He was gorgeous. And I was suddenly spellbound. 

“I didn’t really want a cigar,” he confessed.  “I wanted to meet you.”  He looked  at the empty chair next to mine.  So,where’s your husband?”

Tears flowed as I told him my sad story.

“That guy made a huge mistake. Lucky me!”

A flower vendor was passing by with a wicker basket filled with colorful roses.  The tall handsome stranger bought all three dozen and gave them to me.  Cradled in my arms, we walked arm in arm through the plaza. Love was in the air. And an exciting romance was in full bloom.