Gabriel went to the window and looked out. Thirty feet below, the Rio del Megio with its sparkling blue water lazily flows. The clothesline is stretched across to the opposite row of houses. Clothes hang slanted on the line, and on the other end an elderly woman sitting by the window opens her hand to rest on the frame. She seemed surprised to see Gabriel. He held up his key and said he was Chiara"s friend, who had just arrived from Milan.
He lowered the curtains and went into the kitchen. In the sink were the back of a cup of milk and toast crumbs. Chiara was neat in everything, but she always left her breakfast dishes in the sink until the end of the day. Gabriel was so upset about this, he left the dishes unwashed and went into her bedroom.
He tossed his bag on the unlined bed, and we
