Closing
445 Words
The lockdown came two days later.
No explanation. No warning.
Just a city that woke up and decided to hold its breath.
Shops closed. Streets emptied. Sirens echoed like distant ghosts. I could hear the faint voices of riots as I stared out my balcony. Something was going on and it wasn’t just a political thing. It felt different. Palermo had lockdowns like this severally, but this one felt different Or maybe it was the same I just never paid attention to it in the past and now it’s right infront of me I can’t help but worry.
My mind raced with worried thoughts of the city, when the lockdown would end and the kids. Oh, the kids.
My father barely came home, and when he did, he was quieter than usual his presence heavy, his eyes still with things he wouldn’t say.
Federico was everywhere.
Outside my door in the mornings. By the car. Just beyond arm’s reach wherever I went.
At first, I hated it.
Then I adapted.
We started talking more. Not about important things but about music, art, the way Palermo looked different at night. I
learned he drank his coffee black and hated it when people wasted food. He learned I talked too much when I was nervous. We were learning things about each other and I don’t think it was part of his job. I didn’t hate it though.
One evening, the power went out.
The house fell into darkness, thick and sudden. I froze instinctively.
Feddrico was beside me in seconds.
“Maria it’s okay,” he said softly. “Backup generator will kick in.”
And then, without thinking, I grabbed his arm and squeezed it.
His muscles tensed beneath my fingers.
We both stilled.
The lights flickered back on moments later, but neither of us moved right away. His gaze dropped to my hand like it was something dangerous.
You shouldn’t do that,” he murmured.
“I was scared.”
“I know.”
He gently removed my hand, his touch lingering just a second too long on my skin.
The rest of the evening moved like a breeze. At least that’s what it felt like as my mind wandered somewhere else.
Feddrico.
He was all I could think about.
That night, I lay awake replaying the way he said my name earlier and they way my skin burned in a good way when he touched me.
The lockdown lasted for a week instead of days like it should have. I wasn’t bothered as much as my days radiated around Feddrico.
Our small talks,
Long conversations
And shared interactions were a prize the following days.
- Writer
