Snapshot Fiction: Widowed

Vinca breathed deeply the scent of flowers blooming in the warm spring air. Just for a moment she could leave behind the odor of sickness permeating the casa she shared with her husband and his family. When she sat upon the ornate stone bench in the garden the coldness of the stone seeped quickly through the heavy layers of her gown reminding her that the night hours in Piombino were still cold with winter’s chill. She breathed deeply hoping to ease some of the tightness of her chest and closed her eyes to the bright beauty of the garden wishing it would help wash away the exhaustion and despair coiled around her mind and body. Only the footsteps of a few servants echoed through the casa making it seem empty of life save herself and the man who lay ill in the bed upstairs. It was nearly empty since Bianca had convinced her husband to take her and their children to the country casa, leaving Vinca and only two servants alone to care for her ailing husband.

Tears trickled down her face leaving cold trails on her skin. The physician would do no more for Simon. When last she called for him, instead the priest came to take confession and pray for him. The fever had since taken his mind. Even the servants would not enter the room with Simon any longer. They made signs of warding whenever they passed the room he lay in. His cries and visions did indeed sometimes seem more demonic than madness but she knew her Simon was not capable of such evil. It was the fever. She would believe that and not abandon him. She alone would enter his room when he screamed and thrashed about. She was the only one that would wipe his sweaty brow or change his soiled linens.

Despite the physician’s orders to keep the windows closed to keep out vile spirits, she found she could do that no longer. The waxed-paper covered frames were opened fully today to allow the breeze to scour away some of the smell of the sickness. Surely there could be no greater evil that could come in through those windows than what had already claimed her beloved husband.

She stifled a sob and rose from the bench when she heard his echoing cries echo from the casa. She turned to find the young cucina girl rushing through the doorway.

“Mistress! He calls for you!” She grasped Vinca’s hand and pulled her frantically toward the casa. “He is trying to leave the bed!”

The girl forgotten, Vinca gathered her skirts in both hands and rushed through the casa to the stairs leading up to the small room she and her husband shared. The smell of fouled sheets struck her harshly and she found her husband’s sweating and struggling form on the floor beside the bed. With a stifled sob she hurried to his side.

“Simon!” His hand grabbed her harshly when she knelt beside him. His eyes cleared for a moment when she yelped from the pain.

“Vinca. My beautiful flower. You must never leave me.” Blood dripped from his nose and she could see the red patches of his skin that had developed days ago had spread up his chest to his neck. His skin burned with fever still, as it had since he first began to feel the illness.

“I will not leave you, I promise.” Her declaration seemed to calm him some and he released his bruising grip on her arm. With her hand freed she reached for the cloth she kept in the basin of cool water next to the bed. She used it to gently wipe the blood from his face. She could feel on his skin that his fever had increased. He continued to mutter her name as she used a clean cloth to wipe his brow and cool his skin. When she laid him on a pillow on the floor the fact that he did not struggle told her that he was weakening further. She choked on a sob and brushed her hand over his damp, black hair before she moved to strip the soiled bedding again. Days ago she had begun folding a single sheet and placing it under him to help preserve the rest of the bed but today the flux was more severe than any other day.

She dragged the linens to the doorway for the servants to collect and wash and quickly made up where he slept with a fresh set. It took several moments of work and gentle words but eventually she was able to help him back into his bed. Tears choked her as she comforted him while he whimpered and mumbled. She wet her cloth and gently wiped his face again praying gently.

“Vinca,” his voice was so quiet now she struggled to hear him.

“I am here, beloved. You must rest.”

He grabbed her hand and gripped it hard enough to bruise. “Vinca, I see Him. Our Lord and Savior and He beckons to me!”

Struck with fear she wrenched her hand from his grip and shook him by the shoulders. “No! No you must not go!” Tears streamed down her face.

He turned to face her and smiled softly. “No, of course. I will stay with you.” Weakly he pulled her hand to him and kissed it tenderly. “We must go to the festival.” His eyes fluttered closed and he relaxed into the pillow. Fear gripped her suddenly and she laid her head on his chest. She sobbed in relief to hear his heart still beating and his lungs drawing breath. She lay there until the sun left the sky. Exhausted from the day she stretched out next to him and rested against him, simply listening to his breathing. Darkness crept up on her, cradling her into slumber, cursing her to sleep through his last breath.

Letter to Rebecca from Vinca - II

To Lady Rebecca Cecini

To my dearest friend Rebecca, how it lifted my heart to receive your letter. Glad I am that you reached your destination and that you so enjoy it there. Since you left the casa has been bustling with activity! Papá's work has become quite well known in Siena and there seems to be a constant flow of important guests to see him or ladies to visit with Agneta. I find myself with hardly any time to think I spend so much time assisting Agneta in the cucina or entertaining the important ladies. It seems nearly every evening we have guests visiting!

I find myself wishing you could have stayed to join me at the ball my Papá and I attended. I had such a lovely time though never before have I found such joy in dancing. Certainly my skills were an offense to dear Agneta and she insisted Papá hire a dance tutor to teach me proper grace. I believe she also has ideas of hiring tutors for other proper ladylike graces as well. She often tells me I am an embarrassment to her. It is with glad heart that I say I do enjoy the company of the dance tutor Papá found for me. I would hope that he will do as well and show such consideration with others.

If only you were here to meet Lord Guillaume I believe you would find him as curious and amusing as I do. He neither lacks in charm nor humor and patience and is kind with my graceless dance ability. I find him curious though for he has some peculiar habits of dress. I do admit that the first few visits I did not notice, so nervous was I about the lesson, then as I became more comfortable in his presence I realized he wears but one color! His clothing, though finely crafted and well fitted to his form, all comes only in purple the shade of the small flowers Agneta grows in her garden. I have not asked him why he chooses only one color, though it is a fine color against his skin, but I might for we have become well friends.

Recently I received letter from Pietro, my brother in Piombino and he says that soon he will be joining us in Siena. I do look forward to his return for my dear brother has always been so kind to me and I have dearly missed his company since we left. Agneta had hoped he would bring a bride with him but it would seem the maid he courted has chosen another. I think it better this way for I heard it whispered before we left Piombino the maid he set his eye upon was no maid at all. Such thoughts are uncharitable, and it is wicked of me to repeat them so I will say no more.

Agneta has hired a seamstress for the household to craft suitable gowns for her, myself, and my dear sister, Fina. She is a kind woman, but brisk and efficient. It seems she loves her craft, and tries to teach me as she creates her works of beauty. She has promised that even my unskilled hands can be taught to create such finery though I have never been able to master such skill before. I hope she is right for Agneta grows more frustrated with my uselessness as the days pass. She complains often that the painting I learn from Papá is not suitable for a woman. He praises my skill however and I hope she does not succeed in convincing him that I should not do such work at all. In the dance and paint do I find my only joy since the loss of my dear Simon.

I hope your studies go well and that when you return to visit someday you will speak the China man's language for me for I have never heard it and am most curious to hear how it sounds. My dearest wishes that God watches over you and grants you joy and safety in your travels.

Vinca

To Vinca From Rebecca I

Dear Lady Vinca,

Greetings from the silk road, it has been a long adventure since we have left your beautiful casa. I hope you receive this letter as we have finally reached our destination. Letters take a long time to get here because of the distance so I do not know when you will receive it soon. I hope you and your father are well.

The games that I played with your father are sorely missed. Most of my days are used learning the language here. Chinese is so hard to learn! I am having difficulty learning it. My father told me not to worry about it; that our translator will take care of it. However, I feel that the women here will talk more to me if they did not have to talk through a man.

I am shocked to find out that our living quarters are so beautiful. Yes, it is different than your casa and our manor at home. But it is lavished greatly with pillows and silk. I have never seen this much silk around! Even the middle class and lower classes here use silk. I have ordered some wonderful lush material to make more culturally acceptable clothing. My English clothing has gotten ill looks from people as I try to learn.

My father has mentioned once again marriage and that I am not getting any younger. I sigh at him and try to explain that I would rather spend my time studying to be a better healer for my people. Eventually he will give up and know that when I decide to marry, I will. So far the men I have met have been a bore. The men here seem to be lining up to meet me. It is so hard to look at them seriously when they are shorter than I am. Personally I think I am a novelty. I hope it wears off soon as I want to study medicine and not worry about the social interactions.

Farewell for now,

Rebecca

Letter to Francesca from Vinca - II

To Francesca De Savona

My dearest cousin and friend, Francesca, I hope this letter finds you well and blessed with joy and prosperity. Events for me recently have been well and I would wish with all my heart to share the joy with you.

Though I did not at first look forward to moving to Siena from the small town that had been my home for so long, I find this new place brightening my outlook in ways I did not even imagine. The beauty and culture of this place has opened my eyes and my soul to things that I never dreamed of. I truly wish you were here to share in this with me.

Since coming to this place Papá’s life has been very busy between his painting and the social events he attends to meet the companions of his patron. It was just a few days past that I was graced to attend one of these with him and Agneta. One of the great merchants held a ball for his daughters and all young women were invited to attend though I believe it was truly to show them all for marriage prospects to others of power and prestige in the city. I do believe Agneta had such designs for me though it did not come to fruition from this event that I am aware of.

Oh but such thoughts darken my mood and I shall cease to think them! I must tell you about this glorious event! The room was golden with lamps shining off the polished wood of floor and trim, the decorations sparkled. Why most of our casa could fit in this one sala, it was so grand! Plates of delicacies from far away lands were served and the wine was as fine as any I could ever imagine.

I do admit I felt but a fading flower among the other glorious ladies in their silks and finery for all I had to wear to such a fine event was my dress of red and gold. Do you remember it, that I wore when last we saw each other? Agneta was so ashamed of it afterwards she has commissioned a new one to be made that I do not embarrass her again.

The most wonderful part was the dancing. I have always been lacking in that particular skill, a fact of which Agneta was also livid afterwards, but for a good deal of the evening a gentleman did partner with me and his smile and voice were both so kind I neither felt graceless nor lacking in his company! It was also a joy to spend time in the company of a handsome and polite gentleman. He was nearly as kind as my Simon was before God took him to his breast.

In the course of the evening I learned that he I danced with came from the north lands of Germania though it pains me to realize I cannot recall his name, but my eye will never forget his pleasing smile. His visit was brief and I do not think I shall ever lay sight of him again but it was a lovely time, however short it was.

Agneta was greatly displeased with my dancing however and did complain to my father though I must thank her for this for Papá hired me a dance tutor. In the beginning I was vexed by this but after I met with the tutor I realized he was very kind and patient with my lack of skill and grace. We have even become friends and I sometimes speak to him of things I would no other for I feel I can trust him with such things. He is a curious man sometimes; small of stature with a sense of humor that is sometimes difficult for my woman’s mind to understand. He hails from France and Lord Guillaume has brought a number of dances with him that have not been seen in this city before. He has been teaching many of these to me with great patience. I look forward to my lessons with him for even though my feet do still trip over each other, he has confidence it will improve and encourages me in my efforts.

I have given great thought to your offer to travel to Venice, my dear friend and sister. I dream of someday seeing that beautiful city but my Papá needs my help so much with his work. Well it is that I also take my lessons from him for I can learn to paint such beautiful things from his great hands directly and understand better his needs as an artist and man of business. I know Agneta still searches for a marriage for me, after all I am still young enough to bear children and be a biddable wife, though glad I am that I do not believe Papá would insist I be wed to a man I find wretched.

It pleases me greatly to know you are well and enjoying your life in Venice. The stories you tell make it sound truly grand and I should like to visit sometime. Perhaps after Papá is more settled in the business of painting and I am not so needed.

I leave this letter now with prayers for your continued health and happiness and a hope that it will be no great time before I hear from you again, my dear cousin and friend.

Vinca

Letter to Rebecca from Vinca - One

To Lady Rebecca Cecini

My dearest friend Rebecca, I hope this letter finds you well and blessed by God with health and happiness. It seems so long since last we spoke though I know it was only a few weeks past that you graced our casa with your presence. I find I miss your company greatly in this city that still seems so strange to me and I lament that your visit was so very short.

Papá misses your company as well for he often opines the lack of skill at games among others that engage his time in the evening and comments that you gave him true challenge, for a woman. It sorrows me that I have no head for such games, being such a simple girl, and I am no contest to his skill. I have no doubt that Papá loves me, however, despite my lacks.

Since your departure I have received word from my dearest cousin Francesca who resides in Venice. She has asked me to come to that great city to live. While I have no doubt that she only has my best interests in her heart I am unsure about such a move. Papa needs my aid so very greatly with his business matters. I have considered simply going for a visit for a time though I believe Agneta would prefer if I chose to stay with my cousin. Though such thoughts do dishonor to my lady mother and I truly do have great respect and loyalty for her giving birth to me.

I have spoken in great detail about myself and such vanity is unbecoming so please, let me ask about you and your travels. Such exotic lands you journey to and I am most eager to hear all that you have to tell me about such, for one so simple as myself shall never have chance to see such great things.

I end this letter here with dear affection and I hope no great amount of time passes before I hear from you again.

Vinca

Letter to Cousin Vinca from Francesca (I)

My Dearest Vinca,

I am greatly relieved to hear that you arrived safely and well in Sienna. I am too well aware of the perils you and yours could have faced upon the roads and give thanks to the heavens that all is as it
should be.

If your father, my uncle is as wise a man as my mother always assured us he is then he will know the best way to keep your lady mother Agneta from being too meddlesome. I suspect that her intent is to sow discord between you and Uncle and thereby take control of his matters -- and his coinage. It does not escape my memory that my dear aunt does like her silks and velvets and always felt she was in short supply of them. I say that like a good and noble daughter you must hold fast to your father's interests and while remaining respectful to Agneta foil her attempts to interfere. 

My darling cousin, while I know that you live to attend your father's needs I must once more remind you of my offer of lodging. The city of Venice is as beautiful as a soul could want and the masques and revelries are not to be missed. My current patron, a man of no little means (though he be of french blood) has taken it upon himself to purchase for me a fine home within the Sestieri of San Marco wherein I may entertain as I will. It is a fine place with many luxuries and is only a very short way from the palace of the Doge himself! I do not doubt you could indeed, if you were so inclined, find a man of worth here who would ease the grief you feel over sweet Simon's passing. Venice is awash with handsome and intelligent men and no few women who hold entertaining discourse. There are great works of art to be seen, and surely Uncle would not begrudge you the opportunity to see
them. Please, I beg you to consider my offer at least once more as I find myself missing a familiar face and smile.

The hour here grows late and I must attend a dinner with my Patron and his selected guests.

Peace be with you and may you reply swiftly!

Francesca

Letter to Francesca from Vinca - One

To Francesca De Savona

My dearest cousin and friend, you did kindly ask that I send you word upon my safe arrival in Siena. And now I take time to honor that request.

Never have I seen so many people; the streets seem always busy with lord and beggar alike. Papá secured us a lovely villa with a small garden. His paints and canvasses look divine in the upper story with the light streaming in through the windows. His patron, a merchant of standing, stopped to speak with him not long after we had been in our new home. I only heard the voice echoing in the hall for Agneta would not permit me to show my face. Though he sounded a man of maturity with power and prestige. Papá is most fortunate and skilled in his art to have captured the attention of such a man.

In this place it seems Agneta’s displeasure with me is greater than any I have experienced before. It is fortunate that she will not challenge Papá for she dislikes that he teaches me his great work or that he trusts me alone with his correspondence and business. I do believe she is quite vexed that he would permit me to even travel with them to Siena when she would rather I have remained in Piombino with Blasio. And while it is that I have love in my heart for my all of my brothers, Blasio is the least understanding that I yet grieve for my beloved Simon and would arrange for me to wed again before his blood is cool in death.

I have little time to write now but I will make another letter later to send to you my dearest.

Vinca