Chapter 2

Chapter Two
I’ll give anything and everything and I’ll always care.

Zorka was humming happily to herself as she walked into town to meet her three girlfriends for their morning coffee. The four of them had been friends since they were toddlers. They called themselves the Body Sisters. They had learned to speak English as well as Serbian growing up and had always had a fondness for languages, so when they were little girls they decided to play around the with the English language and gave themselves the nicknames of Some Body, No Body, Any Body and Every Body. Zorka ran up the walkway of the square and greeted Some, No and Every with a quick hug.

“So tell us all about this handsome Rico we’ve been hearing stories about.” Some demanded as Zorka approached the table.

“Yeah Any, did you see him?” No joined in.

“Did you spend time with him? Come on spill? Inquiring minds want to know!” Every picked up with the teasing.

“Well my sisters, he’s definitely going in the cupboard! He’s very handsome. I thought he would be much older too. And he’s sweet, he’s not overly confident like some of the American men who have come here to find a wife.” Zorka stated emphatically.

“Is he looking for a wife?” No asked.

“No. He came here to take look after his Baba.” Zorka replied.

“Sigh. A handsome, nice man who looks after his Baba. Do you think he would want a wife? I wouldn’t mind finding a man like that.” Some sighed dreamily.

“Some back away, Any gets first dibs on him. He’s here with her family,” No warned her sister teasingly.

“Some you can have him. I have no interest in finding a man. I want to see the world before I settle down here. After my trip to London a couple of years ago, I know there is a whole world outside of Zitiste, where so many of the villagers have never ventured. He’s coming here for lunch today.” Zorka said.

“The usual, girls?” asked Lori who served them their coffee every morning. “What would you like in your coffee this morning Zorka?”

Lori is an American girl who travels around the world and writes travel books for the publishing company Nano. She has been staying in Serbia for the past year doing research on the surrounding area and has become a friend to the group of ladies who meet here every morning for their coffee.

“Hmmmm…What do you suggest?” Zorka asked Lori.

“Well, how about garlic pickle juice?” Lori suggested adventurously.

“Let’s give it a try.” Zorka agreed.

Zorka and her friends took their coffee to a table and sat down to finish their morning chat before going their separate ways for their morning duties. As they sat down, Zorka tasted her coffee, wrinkled her nose in distaste and pushed her cup aside.”

“Did you girls happen to notice the gypsies who have settled on the road up the hill to Baba Mira’s house?” Every asked.

“Oh, I hadn’t been up that way in a few days. Are their young children? I hope we can get any children to school,” Zorka looked at her watch, “Oh look at the time, I need to get off to work.”

Zorka rushed into her classroom as sat down to catch her breath for a minute before the kids started arriving when she heard a tap at the door. She looked up to Rico in the doorway, arms loaded down with boxes and bags. She flushed, cursing herself for the unexpected rush of pleasure she felt at the sight of him.

“What do you have there?” she asked him curiously.

“I have school supplies. Pencils, notebooks, paper, crayons, erasers, scissors, and paper.” He answered, heaving the packages on the counter under the windows.

“Well thank you! The kids will appreciate it! These things can be so hard to come by here!” She exclaimed excitedly.

“It’s my pleasure. Are we still on for lunch today?” He asked.

“Of course we are! Oh, here come the kids now. I’ll see you in a few hours!” She responded already getting distracted with the opening plans for her day.