“Well, you ladies have a great trip. I’ll make sure your bags get taken care of. Step up there to the counter and that young lady will be happy to process you paper work. Please have you passports and ID’s ready.”

“Thank you,” Bette said as she handed the nice gentleman a tip. “You have been a lot of help and I enjoyed your story.”  She shook his hand and walked towards the terminal.

“Have a good day,” Tina told him, “and thanks for sharing your story.  I enjoyed it a lot.”

“Good-bye,” she said.

“Good-bye ladies.”  He walked on to help yet another passenger.

After finishing up with paper work and going through security, Bette and Tina had just enough time to grab a cup of java. It wasn’t long until they heard their flight being announced over the PA system. Grabbing their carry on bags, they headed for the gate. Moments later, they sat relaxed in their seats, awaiting take off. Bette felt like a child at Christmas time, she could hardly sit still.

“I can’t believe it, Tee!” she said beaming.  “We are really doing this!”

“I’m happy too, Bette.” Tina managed to say with a real smile. “This will be so good for us.”

The five and a half hour flight seemed to be going rather smoothly. Tina and Bette were comfortable. They reminisced about old times and friends. Friends like the Micelli’s. Bette had always loved Italian cuisine. Just after she had moved to L.A. she began going to this nice Italian restaurant called Luigi’s, where she immediately became friends with the owners. Maria and Luigi Micelli were just the sweetest two people anyone would ever want to meet. They were more then friends. As long as she could remember, Bette felt like she was a part of the family. Every time she would stop in, the couple was always so warm, so endearing. She remembered taking Tina there when they first met. They both loved Tina just as much and for years had been telling them how exciting Italy was.

 “One day we’ll go,” Bette would say.  “Okay, so you go one day.  You tell me when,” Luigi would say to her.  “You tell me when.”   So it only seemed fitting to tell Maria and Luigi they were about to embark on their fabulous journey.  Not having been there in a long while Bette, called to make a reservation. Maria was thrilled to know they were coming. So, about a week before they left, Bette surprised Tina and took her to Luigi’s. It’s a quaint little place full of life and laughter, but also a calming ambiance. Maria, a little woman with a big heart and Luigi was a big man with a hearty laugh.  When the girls walked into the restaurant that evening, the smiles on the Micelli’s faces were priceless. As always, they were greeted with hugs and kisses, as it was the Italian way. Or as Bette and Tina knew, it was Maria and Luigi’s way.