Marina stepped inside a crowded, noisy airport. Its’ atmosphere was warm, heavy with conversations, voices flowing around her like an ocean breeze.

   She carried one, and only one, bag. It contained nothing but clothes. No gifts, photos or personal belongins acquired in America. Objects were known to store memories, take a person back in time to when it was given or to a particular situation that had been ruled by strong emotions.

   And those memories and thoughts were exactly why she’d decided to leave.

   Although the realization had come with a wave of guilt and self-hatred, Marina thought it really would be best if she went away. Back to Italy. To home. To her completely clueless husband.

   She meandered, stomping more than merely walking, stance guarded and unwelcome. The last couple of days had been hellish, the idea of actually commiting suicide marking the last straw.

   Nervous breakdowns were not her thing. She was usually known for her calmness, which seemed to radiate off her skin and soothe the ones around her. She was a foretress. Someone who wore the unchangeable mask of mystery and serenity.

   Or at least that was what she was supposed to be. Funny how being in love had turned her world upside down.

   Marina had promised herself she’d never fall in love again.

   It wasn’t worth it. The turmoil of feelings, the torturous, unstoppable thoughts… She’d stay clear of it.

   Fine. Piece of cake.

   And she’d start it by getting as far away as possible from those who had hurt her. She would miss her friends, though, and her café, "The Planet", even if she’d been in debt with half of the city because of that place.

   Her feet had taken her straight to the arrivals/ departures board. Her flight to Firenze would take off in three hours, but already she felt pulled away from America, into the country where she’d lived for a long time.

   ‘Goodbye, Jenny.’ Marina mumbled to herself, husky voice cold and flat. She wouldn’t admit her true feelings. Not aloud, not in thoughts, and certainly not to her own self.

   It would be better with them so far apart. Then they would both be able to go on as if nothing had happenned. Then, one couldn’t interfere with the other’s life. It was only right for Marina to be the one to take a step back, since she had also been the one that took the first step. Into what had later turned out into such a mess.

   She moved towards a rather promising, giant bookstore and let her mind steer away from matters of the past and focus on the brilliant future right ahead.