Date: March 15th, 2019 Location: Altamura , Italy With: @acciocarys
Every little white lie Holden told Carys in the last month had all led up to this night. Including the lies he told now, wandering through the cobblestone streets of Altamura like he had no idea where he was headed. Truthfully, he’d studied the maps. He’d spent hours studying the digital yellow lines of twisting roads that made up the charming Italian town, even longer concocting a route that would seem believably lost. What good would a direct fifteen minute stroll be? No. If this was it -- their big moment -- Holden wanted it to be more of a story. They’d wind up at his final destination eventually -- why not see all the views along the way? It was a beautiful evening. The sky was clear of clouds, a gradient of sky blue to peach pink that stood striking behind the low hanging sun. Everyone was out of their houses, wandering the streets to savour the warm spring evening before dinner. That’s what Carys assumed they were doing. They’d arrived in Altamura only hours before (one of many surprises Holden had planned for that day), and decided to go eat somewhere local and turn-in early so they could get a head start on locating Carys’ grandmother’s house the next day. In all reality, they were heading there now. Holden had scouted the place out long before they ever left the states, had gotten permission from the current owners to go through with Carys as soon as they landed in town. Family was family, after all -- she had every right to see the house that once cradled those she loved.
Besides, the older couple was more than thrilled to hear of Holden’s real plans for their visit. They just about bent over backwards trying to help the sweet, American doctor out.
Everything -- all the work he’d put into keeping Carys completely in the dark -- had gone without a hitch. Including Holden so casually suggesting, “I think the restaurant is down this way -- I remember the concierge said it was up near the cathedral. We’ll find it, I promise,” Holden assured, giving Carys’ hand a tight squeeze. “They’ll save our reservation.” They did have a reservation. Not for another three hours. Holden pulled Carys along, knowing just up ahead and to the right was the spot he’d travelled halfway around the world to find.
