Farewell to Milan

CHARLOTTE

The morning I left Milan had been unusually cold, and the air smelled a little different. I asked Maria if she noticed it, but she answered by saying that she didn't feel anything unusual. I sneezed as we got into the car, and she suggested that we go back and reschedule if I wasn't feeling well.

"It's alright, Maria," I said with a thin smile.

The drive to the airport was filled with conversations between her and the driver, Luigi. I could tell they had a rapport from prior conversations as they discussed a place I wasn't familiar with. I listened to their exchange, grateful for the distraction from the thought of leaving Maria all alone.

I tried to dismiss her, but as I boarded the plane, I couldn't deny that I felt a little different. Maria had accompanied me to the airport, and the new driver had made a good impression by getting us there in record time. We had some time to talk while we waited, enjoying breakfast together in a restaurant. When it was time to board, we s