The moment when Bob and Francesca first met was like something out of a sappy, cliched Hollywood romantic comedy, written by the laziest, most uncreative hack in the business. Bob remembered that moment fondly nonetheless.
Bob had been walking around the harvest party, appreciating how much the people enjoyed the wine made with the help of his feet, and holding his own glass of wine. The pleasure was interrupted when Bob felt the sadly familiar sensation of someone stepping on his toes. In Bob's shock and pain, the wine went flying, and Bob started to yell, "OW, MY FOOT, YOU-"
Fortunately, Bob looked at the culprit just then, and stopped himself. It was a woman who somewhat resembled Sophia Loren in her prime, and she wore a blue skirt and white blouse that was now splattered with a large wine stain. However, from the way she was looking at him, she didn't appear to mind.
"Mi dispiace," they said at the same time. "I didn't mean-"
Bob stopped himself and blushed. He felt like an awkward schoolboy, to use another exhausted cliche. It was a fitting expression though, as Bob never had much luck with girls in his adolescence. At least he didn't have acne this time.
"Don't worry about my blouse," the woman said. "I have many others, all exactly the same. I'm sorry I stepped on your handsome foot."
Nobody had ever described Bob's feet in a flattering way before. Maybe Selma had, but Bob preferred to block out his memories of her.
"My feet are quite used to it," Bob said, smiling nervously. "They're both a blessing"-he indicated his empty wine glass- "and a curse."
"I think they're a blessing," the woman said in almost a whisper. She stepped a little closer and said, "I'm Francesca."
"Robert," Bob said, thinking his proper name sounded more handsome than his nickname under the circumstances.
"Roberto," Francesca said with a beguiling smile.
Bob hadn't felt like this since that ill-fated date with Bart Simpson's teacher. If this was another chance for a fresh start, at least that bothersome little imp wasn't here to ruin this one.