Rosa Broke My Phone

DAY 2: ROSA BROKE MY PHONE

Waking up in a new bed may elicit a different reaction depending on the person. Some feel strange, uncomfortable, and/or out of place. Others adapt immediately and feel as comfortable as ever. I was in the ladder group. Sometimes a new bed will so graciously grant me a throbbing migraine, but this time I was more fortunate. I had no qualms with my sleep.

Yawning, I exited my room to get to the shower. The bathroom door opened. I lightly pulled my phone from my pocket, but it slipped from my grasp, tumbling onto the floor in front of the bathroom door. Rosa, donning a white nightgown, stepped out of the bathroom. A loud crackle rang through the hall.

As my phone crackled before her foot, our eyes met. I could never forget such an expression. Her hair curled in all directions, clearly imprinted by her pillow. Her eyes were wide open, her mouth was unlatched, and her cheeks began to fill with red. She raised her hand slightly to indicate incoming speech but failed to muster the words.

I stood there unable to muster any words myself. I had several options. First, I could be honest with her and demonstrate that I am upset. This runs the risk of ruining a potentially fruitful relationship with a woman who just so happens to be very beautiful. Second, I could tell her that this is not a "big deal" or "that much of a problem anyway." This would be a lie. Third, I could not say anything. This is the worst option of them all, as it automatically makes the situation incredibly awkward. Unfortunately for me, I ran out of time when it would be socially acceptable for me to say something in the situation. I failed the quick-time event. I slowly went to pick up my destroyed cell phone. As I did so, she ran down the stairs.

“Sorry,” she muttered quietly as she moved.

Almost instinctively I yelled after her, "Wait!"

This command was to no avail.

The phone was damaged beyond repair, completely decimated. The shape was bent and the screen was shattered. There goes my primary means of communication with my family and friends. I still have my laptop, but it does not receive texts. Do phone services work the same in Italy? Can I even get the same provider? But whatever, it’s best not to dwell on the negative. Perhaps there is a positive outlook here that trumps the negative one.

Are you a slave to your impulses?

Many are but would be too embarrassed to admit it. An impulse of the modern day that seems to permeate all corners of society is that of social media. It appears that those born by their phone cannot live without it. They have a hunger scratching at them every time they put the device down. Even if checking social media will yield them little to no benefit, the voice deep within them is attempting to persuade them, promising false joy.

No matter the guilt one feels when they pick their phone back up and continue to burn precious time, they will likely continue to do so in the future. Many feel that because they’ve already wasted so much time, surely it cannot be that bad to waste a little more, or worse yet, it is not worth fixing because that’s just “how it is." These sentiments are destructive ones. If you truly wish to spend your time on a productive task, every hour you spend scrolling is progress you could have made. All that time spent on social media every day, if replaced with a productive task, could incrementally lead to publishing a book, acquiring skills, getting in shape, or virtually anything else. It is opportunity cost, plain and simple.

Technology always seems to work as a double-edged sword. For as much as it can benefit us, it may also work to our detriment. This is, of course, applicable to my phone. Perhaps its destruction to Rosa's sole carries benefits, especially on a stay in a foreign country. I am now forced to waste less time and be more immersed. I may not be able to get any numbers or respond to any texts, but so what? I should experience everything as it happens, unhindered by this electronic distraction. That being said, my family does need to know I am alive.

I'm always annoyed when I see people using their phones in public anyway. Sitting at a table of friends may as well be sitting alone when every one of those friends is absorbed by a screen. Conversation and real communication suddenly take a back seat for these people; the real world is digital now. I despise it when I am watching a movie or showing something to a friend and constantly feel the need to check their phone. What are you doing? What in the world could possibly be on there that's so interesting? I hope the norms of this country shun such behavior.

I was no longer overly upset about my phone.

Dinner was awkward. Unlike the night prior, we spent this evening at the house. Ms. Maria would be making lasagna with panzanella. Rosa and I sat across from each other as Ms. Maria prepared the food.

I felt as though I was on mediocre terms with Ms. Maria and Rosa after unknowingly insulting Ms. Maria's choice of food in the restaurant yesterday and today's phone destruction (not that it was my fault, but it led to Rosa’s embarrassment). My first-day impression could have gone better. I hoped this would not be indicative of the rest of my stay.

"Rosa," I asked, "does your foot feel alright from earlier?"

"Y-yeah. How's your phone?" she replied without making eye contact.

Wait. How should I even respond here? If I'm honest about it being totaled, she may feel even worse about breaking it. Not only that, but her mother might scold her if she doesn't already know Rosa broke my phone. The last thing I want is for Ms. Maria to buy me a phone or carry out some other drastic measure to make up for what happened. If I tell Rosa the phone's fine, I'd be lying. My cover could be blown easily on this lie, given that I would not be carrying my phone around anywhere.

"I'm fine without it," I said.

What am I doing!? That clearly implies the phone is destroyed!

Rosa looked down at the surface of the table.

"I'm sorry," she murmured in shame, tilting her head up at me with the adorable eyes of a humiliated dog.

"Don't worry about it. It's not your fault. Just a poor coincidence," I instantly shot back.

This is not good. Terrible, in fact. First impressions determine everything. Do you really ever analyze someone more than after your first impression? Probably not. That's when you ascertain someone's looks and behavior. My behavior? Smashing my phone under her foot like she's a nutcracker and standing there awkwardly. Now she has something to associate negatively with me. Mas? Forget that name. Now I'm "broken phone guy who you should feel terrible about." My grave will read, "a constant reminder of Rosa's shame." The last thing I want is for her to pity me.

To my surprise, Ms. Maria stayed silent as she stood over the counter, preparing the food. I'm almost certain she heard what we were talking about. Perhaps she thought it best that we figure this out among ourselves. Not that I'm complaining—I prefer such an approach. Any chance to make this conversation more awkward than it already is should be avoided.

Ms. Maria began laying trays of food out on the table. If there is anything that can lift a person's mood in record time, it's Italian cuisine. No surprises this time. Just joy and expressed appreciation. Normally, when I am hungry, I eat my food like a pig eats from its trough. My posture will buckle and I’ll shovel the food into my mouth at Mach 10 speed. This time, however, I did not want to look like a pig in front of my host family. I proceeded to eat my food like a sommelier drinks his wine: slow, with good posture, and with an air of pretentiousness.

Here’s a general tip: always make sure to show your appreciation after being given something, especially food, no matter who is giving it to you. People recognize this habit and it builds positive rapport. Ms. Maria seemed very appreciative after I complimented her cooking. Hopefully, this helps to mitigate last night’s incident. Either way, she didn’t seem one to hold a grudge, and for that I was thankful.

"Oh by the way," Ms. Maria said as I went to the sink to wash my plate, "I lost my glasses while walking in the forest earlier. I need you two to find them. I'll tell Rosa where it is and she'll guide you to the area. It's a walking trail not too far from here."

"Sure," I responded calmly.

For real!? Together? Alone? In the woods? Is Ms. Maria the greatest wingman of all time? Could this save me from my perpetual awkwardness with Rosa? Perhaps, but I should not get my hopes up. Don't overthink anything. That leads to stress and can squander the opportunity.

NEXT CHAPTER: A WALK IN THE WOODS