I was admittedly looking forward to Alberto's now-daily visit, but somewhat surprisingly he didn't come today. I was a bit disappointed when I didn't hear his chipper voice enter the yard. But I can't say I blame him for staying home either. It was a particularly rainy out. The sea was came and the rain was constant, but Uncle decided to stay home anyway. "No point getting sick for a little bit of fish," was his reasoning. I agreed and mostly hung around inside. It was a good day to get caught up on cleaning anyhow.

I had just finished washing the kitchen floor by the time Uncle woke up from his nap. He came back downstairs rubbing his eyes; they still had sleep in them. I gave him a friendly smile and proceeded to dump my water bucket outside. Then I paused to gaze upon the wet roses and other flora and fauna in the garden. Everything was so lush and green here; it reminded me of Tuscany a little.

I guess I must have been staring out back too long because Uncle sat down in his chair, only to eye me up. His eyebrow lifted slightly. "And what are you thinking about now, niece?" His sudden question broke my train of thought. I flinched a little, spinning my head back toward him. My grin softly- and somewhat sadly- returned to my lips.

"Oh, I was just remembering what you said the other night…" "What I said?" He sounded surprised. "About Papa paying too much for my education. Heh, now that I've had some time to think about it, I think that perhaps you're right." "Oh, Ilaria. I meant nothing by it." "But you are right, at least to some degree. I went to Florence's finest seminary for young ladies, followed by five years at finishing school. And what for? Since I was a child, everything about my education and training has been to groom me into the perfect Florentina wife. It's just what's done with girls of my status." "Yes… I know," Uncle's eyes rolled down a bit. I looked at him for a moment, then smiled. "It's not that I was unhappy. I just didn't have a choice."

Uncle's eyes then met mine again, solemnly so. "Be honest, niece. If you could have stayed in Florence, would you have?" "That's a silly question, Zio. And it doesn't really matter what I want." "But it does. Those fancy prep schools beat all personal desire and ambition out of you, didn't they?" "Heh, well they never hit me…. much. No, I always tried to be the best student- and daughter- I could be. It didn't help that the head mistress would check on us with a rod in her hand," and Uncle chuckled. "No, I guess that wouldn't inspire anything except obedience out of her pupils."

My eyes softened onto him. "It's not that I shun my individuality. I just did what I had to do to survive. I wanted to be a good student, but I wanted to finish my education unscathed too. That…. and make a good match someday. I come from a very different world- one you need proper training for. Girls are born, ladies are made." "And what did all this training teach you?" Uncle sounded genuinely interested, catching my attention. I thought about his query for a second, running through years and years of feminine education. "Latin, poetry, French, Greek, sewing, hosting, table etiquette, hair dressing, music, singing, dancing….." "Dancing?" He repeated, cocking his eyebrow. I nodded with gentleness. "I was actually a very good dancer. The dance instructor always had me demonstrate poses and moves for the other girls." "Huh. I didn't know you could dance or sing." "I can do a lot; just none of its useful out here," I stated with a sad, sullen grin.

Uncle studied me for what seemed like a very long time. Eventually he leaned a bit forward in his seat, resting his elbows on the table. "Are you unhappy here, Ilaria?" "What?! Of course not! I'm very happy out here with you and Alberto." Uncle chuckled softly. "Yes, I think he's happy you're here as well," and this made me smile warmly. It was nice to hear Uncle say such nice words about my dear friend. The two men had developed their own repour since the night Alberto dined here.

Uncle's face then grew serious again. "But seriously, niece. You don't have to be afraid to want things for yourself. You weren't put on this earth just to serve me and your father." "I know that, Zio," I paused here to take in a deep, deep breath. If he wants me to really open up…. "Well, to be honest, my life was practically laid out ahead of me in Florence. I would enter polite society when I turned nineteen, go to balls and other social events, meet a nice scholar whom I would marry, and spend the rest of my life touring around Europe and making a home for my husband. Now that I'm here…. I feel like I've just skipped over so much. And… the more I think about it, the more I don't actually mind." Another brief pause here. My mouth shut, only for my lips to part a sliver. "The only thing I really wish I could have experienced, even just once, is going to a dance. I have so much training in ballet and the waltz, and I'll never have the opportunity to use any of it. That's what I want. If I could have one thing for me, it would be the chance to dance."

Uncle's eyes were fixed upon me, his expression sincere and kind. To my surprise, he pointed outside. "Why don't you dance here?" "Here?! Oh no, I can't! A lady would never dance by herself while others are watching," my hand rose to my cheat horrified. But his face remained firm. "But there's no one here. No one can see you out in the garden." "No one can see me out there?" I peeked back outside, still hesitant. That's when Uncle flashed me the most loving, generous smile he could muster. "You give so much without a second thought. Why not give this to yourself?" "Zio….." "It's the only way to stay in practice," he added with a twinkle in his eye. Getting the meaning behind his words, I returned his lovely grin. He's such a good person who really loves me…. "I'm too young to formally attend a ball, but lots of ladies my age dance informally. I suppose there'd be no harm….. if I were similarly occupied." Uncle gave me one last approving look as I exited the kitchen through the back door, stepping out into the rain. I calmly shut the door behind me and spun around to face the garden and back wall.

With a quick check to make sure nobody was watching, I made my way into the centre of the yard. The light flicker of raindrops felt so good against my skin! My lovely dress was getting wet but I didn't care at the moment. A chipper of some nearby birds made me look up; they were perched on some nearby branches and watching me with curiosity. Of course I smiled at them. "I suppose it would be too much to ask for no audience. But you lovelies are free to stay and watch if you like." They didn't reply, making my grin grow all the more. Sweet little birds.

"I can't waltz alone, but a little ballet wouldn't hurt. What do you think?" Still nothing; the birds liked keeping their opinions to themselves. I giggled. "Alright then, ballet it is! How does a Mendelssohn piece sound? He's one of my favourites; I can practically hear his fifth symphony in my head, I know it so well. Does that seem good to you?" A few chirps this time. Progress! With another giggle, I got in position. My arms drew high above my head as I moved my feet to the upright place. And for the first time since I moved to Portorosso I shut my eyes, envisioning what a ball hall back home might look like. When they reopened I could see myself in one. The music began, and wearing the largest smile across my face, I let my body take over. I don't know how long I was out there dancing for, but it was a long, long time.