I can smell that cigarette

Just one of those days

Broken yet strong

Friday morning.
Alberto and Babi had slept over last night.
Curtains were half opened allowing the morning light to come in as their alarm clock.
It was 6:45am.
Laura enjoyed those morning moments. Alberto had giving a moka for two as a present to Laura’s kitchen. The ritual of filling it with coffee, the warm water to avoid burning the powder while on stove before brewing and the smell. Seating by the window petting Lupetto the cat with one hand and Babi with the other, she was glazing outside, breathing peacefully and waiting for coffee to be ready.
She could see her screen phone lightining up.
Weird she thought.
She stood up gently shushing Babi who clearly thought they were getting ready to go out.
She caressed Alberto’s face while taking her phone from her bedside table. He smiled on his sleep.
She went back to the kitchen to pour herself some coffee, placing her phone on the counter.
Black no sugar and today she fancied on a small cup. Just like Alberto did.
Walking back with coffee towards the window and oops realising she left the phone back on the counter. She hesitated for a few minutes, seat down and sipped her coffee. Dazing for a few moments.
But now it was time to wake up Alberto.
She stood up streching a bit here and there while walking towards the kitchen.
She was pouring coffee and reached for her phone to check the time.
She froze.
She placed the moka and unlocked her phone.
Tears coming down her cheeks.
Impossible.
Damm you pop up news, she tought!
She couldn’t find her words out loud to speak.
She stood there incredulous, reading and rereading and tears kept on coming.
For what it seemed forever, suddenly she heard Alberto’s sleepy voice really distant, calling out her name.
All Laura could say was “Bourdain is dead”.
Alberto seat straight in bed rubbing his eyes and saying “What?! That’s impossible.”
Laura started sobbing inconsolable when Alberto came close hugging her.
They stood there. Still.

Another passion they share deeply is the admiration for Anthony Bourdain’s work and talent.