The Problem With Forever

It was strange, Italy. I was so used to the United states where every city was basically the same. All the cities were always crazy, and loud, and filled with traffic, and sometimes really dirty.

But then I arrived in Italy, and my take on the cities of the world instantly changed. Italy was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. The sun was always shining, the people were always happy, and everything was just so amazing. And I was only in Rome.

As I traveled throughout Italy, my love for the country grew bigger and bigger. It wasn't until I landed in one particular town that I realized this was what I needed. I knew Florence, or Firenze as the natives called it, could give me inspiration, and I was right. The first night in the decent sized town, I sat down in the square of their shopping center, got out my notebook, and began writing the first novel I would ever finish.



"Ladies and gentlemen, we have finally come to a complete stop. We ask that you remain seated until it is your turn to depart the aircraft. It is currently twenty three degrees Celsius outside and a beautiful day. We hope you enjoy your stay here in Florence and thank you for flying British Airways."

Dan sat in his seat, trying to remain as patient as possible. He was starting to wonder what he got himself into. He was alone in a foreign country, in a town he had never been, and surrounded by a language he had never spoken before. The odds were not in his favor and he couldn't help but wish Josh had demanded he stay back home instead of allowing him to leave.

He stared out the window of the aircraft looking at the runways as planes could be seen landing and taking off. Feeling a tap on his shoulder, Dan turned to the side to see the man he had sat next to on the flight smiling at him. "You are not from Firenze, yes?" the man had a strong Italian accent and looked to be close to his fifties.

"No, I'm just taking a holiday." Dan replied as the man nodded vigorously.

"You stay in Firenze?" He asked.

"Uh, yeah. At least that's where my hotel is." Dan watched as the man's smile began to grow bigger in size as his overall excitement began to pick up.

"You stay with me! Yes, yes! My wife and I! We love company!" the man declared.

"Oh, that's okay. I- I wouldn't want to intrude." Right after he said that the two men looked up to hear the flight attendant announcing their row to leave the plane.

"No, no, no. No intrude! You stay with me!" The man stood up, grabbing his bag from the cabinet over head before letting Dan out to get his own bags. Once Dan grabbed them, the man grabbed ahold of his arm, tugging him through the airplane and out into the airport.

"Luggage?" The man questioned once the pair arrived in the luggage claim area.

"No, this is all I have." The man nodded his head, walking over towards the where the luggage came out. Dan watched the man, deciding what he should do. He was sure in any other given situation where a strange man insisted he go home with him, Dan would be jetting out of there, but for some reason, this time was different. There was just something about the excitement, and maybe a little bit about Dan's situation, that he really felt like he should just stay. Plus, what could really be the harm, anyway? It's not like he had any major plans. The only plan he had was fly to Florence, but now that he had arrived, what was he supposed to do? Dan couldn't help but take advantage of the situation, knowing that this excited Italian man could help him locate through the city, not to mention help him speak the language.

"Okay, we leave! Me car is in the uh, the uh, oh! The garage!" Dan smiled at the man's lack of english speaking skill. The two men made their way towards the parking garage.

"Um, sir? What exactly is your name?" Dan questioned as they walked. The man stopped shot him a confused look before thinking about the question.

The two kept walking in silence before the man suddenly shouted, "My name is Francesco! Francesco De Laurentis!" He turned to Dan grinning.

Dan couldn't help but laugh. "I'm Dan, Dan Flint!" Francesco grinned while nodding vigorously at Dan's name.

The two finally made their way into the parking garage where Francesco quickly found his car and threw his, along with Dan's, bags into the backseat of his small, blue car. Dan got into the passengar seat as Francesco put the car into park, driving out of the parking lot into the sunny town of Florence.

Dan stared out the window, watching the scenery and people that passed by. He wondered if she did the same thing when she was here. Dan shook his head before turning towards the man next to him. "Have you lived here your whole life, Francesco?"

Francesco briefly turned towards the British man, shaking his head. "I lived in Assisi. Beautiful, beautiful Assisi. I moved to Firenze twenty two years ago with me wife." he replied.

The men remained silent afterwards before finally arriving in front of a small, home. The walls were white and smooth and the roof was wavy and red. Dan stared up at it as he got out of the car. "Me home." Francesco said before a woman with wavy, black and gray hair came running out of the house with an oven mitt and apron on.

"Francesco!" she yelled before hugging the man, and talking in fluent Italian. Dan watched as what appeared to be Francesco's wife, talked and talked about whatever it was she was talking about.

"Francesco? Who is this, young man you've brought home?" Dan was surprised to see how well the woman could speak English compared to her husband.

"Ah, Lina, this is Dan! He's stays with us!" Francesco declared happily. Lina clapped her hands in front of her with a large smile on her face.

"Oh wonderful! Come, come! I'm making pizza!" the men grabbed their bags before following the woman inside of the home.

"My wife is buono cook!" Francesco told Dan as they walked down a long hallway towards the kitchen. The couple both gestured to a wooden seat at their table for Dan to sit down, which he obliged gratefully.

"How old are you, Dan?" Lina asked, turning away from the stove top to look at the brunette man.

"Twenty four,"

Lina gasped, turning towards Francesco. "My niece is twenty three! She can show you around tomorrow, yes?" Lina told Dan, while Francesco covered his face.

"Lina!" Dan watched as Francesco attempted to silently tell his wife something, but Lina wasn't watching him.

"Yes, yes! I'll call her! Oh, this is wonderful! Wonderful, Francesco!" Lina announced, smiling deviously to herself.

Francesco looked panicked from Lina to Dan before throwing his head back, mumbling to himself. "Mamma Mia!"