On Top of a Hill

At the Bottom of Their Love Lives

The four of them stood on top of Acropolis Hill, together admiring the lights of Athens below, each apart from someone who shone brighter than those lights. Greece in winter was an inappropriately romantic place.

A Japanese, an Italian, a Hungarian, and an American met at a hostel near the Plaka. Two young women and two young men. They had decided to take a stroll uphill. They had not decided to share stories about how their love lives went downhill.

But then, prompted by the glittering lights, the crisp winter air, and the shoulders of their jackets touching, they did.

“My boyfriend broke up with me right after we graduated from university,” said the Japanese girl, a sob in her voice. The Italian girl wrapped her arms around her newfound friend.

“Were you at least the same age?” the Italian asked.

“Yeah, we started university in Tokyo together.”

“My boy — my ex-boyfriend was much older. He kept secrets from me.”

“Did he have a wife and kids?” quipped the American.

“Yes, he did,” the Italian replied, an edge to her voice.

The American didn’t miss a beat. “Where is he now?”

“Los Angeles.”

A wrinkling of the brow. “Aren’t you from Milan?”

“Yeah. He is too. He’s just in the U.S. for business.”

“I haven’t told any of you where I’m from, have I?”

They shook their heads.

“Los Angeles.”

Small world.

The Italian chose to return the favor. “Is your girlfriend also from Los Angeles?”

“No. She’s from Baku.”

The three other voices in unison: “Where?”

“The capital of Azerbaijan.”

The three heads nodded in unison.

“It’s between Russia and Iran. Close to Turkey.”

The nodding looked less forced now.

“Are you going to live in Baku forever?” asked the Hungarian.

“Who knows…”

“Do you love her?” asked the Japanese girl.

“Did you love your ex-boyfriend?” the American shot back.

With no prompt from the lights, the air, or their jackets, they figured their turn was over.

The Hungarian spoke of his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend. They had met online playing for different teams on an MMORPG. After a while, they started playing for the same team. Now they were starting to take apart this team.

“Is she from Budapest?” The Japanese girl likely thought the turn was hers. “No.”

“Then where?” The American and the Italian spoke synchronously. “Where is she now?”

The light in the Hungarian’s eyes shone bright. “Athens.”

Dash Ip enjoyed his trip to Greece. It’s a shame that no scenes in his novel are set in this beautiful country.