“You’re the only two people I’ve met so far in this country who have thought so,” said Carter with a grin. “People here seem to know I’m an American before I even open my mouth. I don’t know how they do it.”

“I think it’s your shoes,” said the man. “I seem to remember somebody telling me once that that’s how Italians can spot an American.”

“But I’m wearing sneakers,” Carter noted.

“There you go.”

Carter glanced down at his sneakers, gave a shrug, and looked back at the statue.

“It is incredible, isn’t it?” he said.

“Just looking at it makes me want to cry,” sighed the woman.

“I know what you mean,” agreed Carter, nodding his head. “It makes you think.”

Carter did not know what else to say and was about to walk away when the woman unexpectedly turned to him. She told him that they were from New York City and asked where he came from in the United States. Carter replied that he was from Rhode Island. So far away from home as each of them was, the discovery that they were all northeasterners made it feel as though they were practically next-door neighbors despite being complete strangers. Introductions ensued—Carter learned that their names were Alison and Steve—and a short while later the three were ambling out the door together. As they made their way across Saint Peter’s Square, they chatted about their impressions of the Vatican, the basilica, and of course the Pietà. Once out of the walled confines of Vatican City, the three stopped on the sidewalk and talked for a few minutes more, before Steve glanced at his watch and mentioned to Alison that he wanted to get back to their hotel so that he might shower before they went to dinner.

Carter assumed that it was time for him and the couple to go their separate ways, and he was about to bid them goodbye, when once again Alison unexpectedly spoke up and suggested that he join them for dinner later on. The offer was a very attractive one, partly because Carter had enjoyed meeting the two, but more so simply because he was not looking forward at all to once again dining alone that evening. He hated to turn her down, but at the same time, he did not want to intrude. He would have said as much if Steve had not agreed that it was a great idea and insisted, as well, that Carter join them. Carter could see no reason to say no, so it was decided that they would meet that evening at Alison and Steve’s hotel and look around together for someplace fun to have dinner.

It turned out to be a most enjoyable evening.