Gina Wait
I am 20 years old, and I am not stupid. Well, okay, maybe a little stupid sometimes, but still ... A ONE-MINUTE STORY
Hey, Jason? Yeah, it’s me. Yeah, I’m still here in Venice. No, I’m good, I’m okay. It’s been a weird couple of days, though. Just thought I’d call home and tell you what’s going on. You won’t believe what happened to me! You got time? It is kind of a long story. Okay, great.
So, yesterday morning I saw this girl and she was standing on the steps at the fish market. She’d just come down from the bridge and I noticed that she had accidentally dropped her notebook, and when I ran over to give it to her, she hugged me, right there in the market, surrounded by all these piles of fish. She was really beautiful! Long black hair, big brown eyes. And she had these bright red high-top shoes that were so cool. I really wanted to know her — but, well, you’re my brother, you’ve seen me in action. I’m always such a dork when I first meet a girl. You know how pathetic I can be.
Anyway, she told me her name was Gina, and we spent the whole day together just wandering around. Venice is really awesome, no cars or anything, just boats, and you walk everywhere. We sat on a bench in front of a church for a while, talking about nothing and watching people. She ordered us some polenta with codfish for lunch, which was really good, and we practiced our Italian with the waiter. Right … major embarrassment. But Gina — she was so different! I didn’t even recognize myself when I was with her. She made me feel sort of … competent. You know what I mean?
Right. Yes. So anyway, we just hung out all day, getting lost in the winding streets, feeding the pigeons. We took a boat out to one of the little islands where they blow glass. I was really lit every minute being with her. I mean, how could I not be?
So, what happened was, when it got dark, I asked her if she wanted to come with me to where I am staying. And she said yes! We bought a pizza and a couple of bottles of beer and took them back to my junky third-floor room. We ate dinner on the little balcony, and then she said, “Let’s take a shower.” I know, right? I couldn’t believe it either. Then she said she’d like me to brush her hair for her, and I’d never brushed a girl’s hair before. It was insane. So we didn’t talk much after that. We moved on to other things — she was totally fire, bro, steaming! Okay, sorry, Too much information, but still...jeeez!
Anyhow, when I woke up this morning, Gina was gone. My passport was gone, my credit card, my cash – gone. She left my phone and my wallet on the table, which was nice of her, I guess. But, yeah, so depressing! Man, I am crushed. I just feel so dumb to be taken in like that. I am 20 years old, and I am not stupid. Well, okay, maybe I am a little stupid sometimes. But fortunately, I was smart enough to bring a back-up credit card and a copy of my passport folded inside a pair of socks. Yeah, Dad’s idea. I called and canceled the stolen card right away. The passport, I can replace when I get home.
No, it’s okay. I’m fine. I’m just really bummed, because we’d had a good time together all day long. And last night? Whoa! Monumentally hot. Well, yeah, I know it’s not the first mistake I ever made, but it really hurts this time. Anyway, no matter what happens, as Dad always says, “We can learn from the good and we can learn from the bad,” which is easy for him to say, because he’s an old guy and never gets in any trouble.
But that’s not all. Tonight I was sitting at a table outside the bar across the street, drinking a couple of beers, and I was studying my map when I heard someone come up to my table quietly and I saw the red shoes.
I looked up, and she said, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She was crying! She set my stuff on the table, turned and walked away. It happened so fast. She started running down the street and I couldn’t speak for a few seconds. Then I stood up and I yelled, “Gina, wait!”
Great story, I am glad you made it a happy ending. I liked the technique you used, no traditional dialog.
"she hugged me, right there in the market, surrounded by all these piles of fish". I love the irony of the setting - man gulps down delicious bait and gets pulled to face bad consequences. And then, he's miraculously off the hook. What a delectable story!!!