Yikes!

Walking back to the apartment in the dark on their last night in Rome, Maria's foot dropped into a pothole and she had a minor hamstring tear.  Although at the time, she was in massive pain.

When Maria took the step down to go out to the patio to ice her hamstring, she screamed in pain.  I couldn't tell whether it was her screaming or the seagulls screaming as they often do near the apartment.  It was Maria.

Fortunately, our wonderful concierge, Claudia, was swinging by the apartment a few minutes after we got back.  Claudia rushed into action, found a nearby private doctor for Van to take Maria to, and off they went.  The doctor was helpful (and the visit was only $70).

They had to go to two separate pharmacies to find the prescriptions, but they were back in time to go to dinner with us.  Even though the injury was painful, the private health care was quick and positive.  Maria had to keep her walking down, but she could still go to Sicily with Van and daughters Ashley and Kate.

While they were sorting out how to

handle Maria's injury, I took this post-

sunset picture from our large patio.

(It's not like I was going to be of any

use  for an injury, and me taking one

photo didn't exactly chew up the clock

on whether Maria would ever walk

again, amirite?!)

Maria had already cancelled our 9:30 pm dinner reservations, so we went to Angelino's (the excellent restaurant very close to us).  And yes, it's an Italian place.

(Editor: In Rome, who knew!  Writer: Nothing to say.)

Dinner was excellent again.  Carol and I got ready for Monday, which would just be the two of us.  We were going to be just fine on our own, even though our daughter and friends abandoned us!  

Postscript: The Meredith's trip to Sicily went well, although sometimes Maria had to sit out more difficult walks.  Their favorite part was the peaceful driving in Palermo (wink).