The girl from California stands across the desk. She listens as Luca explains, “we have no free beds.”
I see him stiffen as the girl begins to cry.
She tries to stop herself.
Still her brow and chin crunch up and her eyes release hot salty tears. She quickly averts her face to brush them away.
She pulls her self together, stands tall, faces the front door and leaves.
Luca sighs in relief.
Stories 
Either it’s the wine I’m drinking or there’s a lot going on in this story. I wonder what Luca’s problem is. Is his attitude something shallow and selfish or is there some inner turmoil that makes him fear the girl’s tears. Is Luca afraid she’s going to throw/have a fit. The girl seems simpler. I think I’d cry, too, if I was turned away and faced with spending a night on the street. I’m not sure what it means that she tries to maintain her pride, either she’s not been doing this too long or that she hasn’t. Lastly, what’s it mean that she’s from California? That threw me for a loop. Though the sign is in English, that street front looks like it could be anywhere in Europe, and the hosteler’s name is Luca, which is making me think Greek. WHAT’s going on here?!
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