Voyeur: Piazza San Pietro

She smoothed out her green dress and glanced down at her feet. She wished that she had worn her comfortable sneakers instead of the flat sandals with no support. Her feet ached but she could never tell her husband that. She glanced at him, wearing his favorite blue t-shirt, khakis, and blue sneakers. He was right about dressing comfortably rather than fashionably, but she wasn’t about to let him know that. She had spent all morning perfectly curling her deep, dyed, red hair and took careful care into her appearance. They were going to church, but not just any church, THE church. She had grown up in a Catholic family which was why Rome was her first choice for the honeymoon. St. Peter’s Basilica was much larger, grander, and more beautiful than she ever imagined. It was quite a line to get in and although it was worth it, it was tiring to stand in the sun for almost a whole hour. She wanted to head back to the hotel or sit in the shade when her husband asked about the dome. Even when they were in a city, he still wanted to go hiking. So now she was back in another line. They both waited in silence, too tired to come up with conversation. Or did they already run out of conversation after a month of marriage! No, that can’t be true, the woman told herself. She looked down at her fingernails to distract herself from her thoughts. The line moved forward. It was quicker than she thought it would be. Although she was tired, sweaty, and had sore feet, she was still glad to be there, especially with him.

(Piazza San Pietro, 5/23/19)