Ginevra, the sole waitress at our favorite restaurant from our first visit on, is getting married in less than three weeks. Osteria del Trivio will be closed for the celebration. Worse, they will have lost a member of their family. By extension, at her departure for Udine, we will by rights share the phantom pain for a lost limb.

Yet great joy outweighs the slight touch of sorrow. Since at least the trip last fall, Umberto has relished joking about the wedding to come, trying with each one to see if he could raise a blush. At first a touch diffident, Ginevra seems now to be relishing the attention in turn. To a joyous new life in Udine, we lift a toast.