Narcissa, or the Road to Rome; In Verona

Narcissa spends her days in the quiet doorway of an old gray house, feeding a restless flock of young turkeys while dreaming of the colors and textures she has only ever glimpsed on strangers’ garments. Her world is simple—a faded blue dress, a starched apron, and the scent of crushed tansy leaves—but her imagination wraps those humble details in a longing for silk, velvet and gold‑buttoned gowns. The girl’s sharp eyes and quiet pride hint at a hidden depth beneath her modest exterior, making her both relatable and compelling.

One afternoon a young traveler appears on the back porch, his blue eyes scanning the humble home before settling on Narcissa, who seems unlike any girl he has met. He carries a small satchel and a quiet confidence that suggests a life beyond the countryside, stirring curiosity and the promise of adventure. Their brief encounter sets the stage for a journey that may carry Narcissa far from the familiar flagstones of her doorstep toward possibilities she has only ever imagined.