Life in Portofino By Yasmin Bilavio
- Art Valentine
- Jul 12, 2024
- 2 min read
The city was still waking up, with a few early risers and joggers dotting the sidewalks. She had a long list of errands to run, and she wanted to get an early start. Her first stop was the grocery store. She navigated the aisles with practiced efficiency, picking out fresh produce, a loaf of sourdough bread, and a few pantry staples. After checking out, she loaded the bags into her car and glanced at her to-do list. Next up: the post office. The line at the post office was short, thankfully. She mailed a package to a subscriber, then headed back to her car. As she pulled out of the parking lot, she noticed her gas gauge hovering just above empty. With a sigh, she made a detour to the nearby gas station. Pulling up to the pump, she stepped out and inhaled deeply. The smell of gasoline mixed with the crisp morning air was oddly comforting. As she filled the tank, she glanced around, taking in the quiet scene. A man in a suit hurriedly sipped his coffee, a mother wrangled her two kids into a minivan, and an old couple held hands as they walked into the convenience store. With her tank full, Yasmin went inside to pay. The clerk greeted her with a warm smile, and she couldn’t help but smile back. She grabbed a can of Starbucks and a pack of gum, then made her way back to her car.As she started the engine, she felt a sense of accomplishment. The day was still young, and she was already making good progress. Driving away from the gas station, Yasmin turned up the radio and sang along, feeling a lightness in her heart. She was ready to take on the rest of the day.
