Dear Bahram,

Every breath taken without you here with me is a breath wasted. I wish nothing more than to be surrounded by your presence every second of everyday. Mother believes San Gimignano has more to offer us. Ever since my father died, it has been a struggle for her to get back on her feet. So far, she seems to be happy here. I miss our hometown of Sicily each day, but I had no choice but to leave. One day we shall be reunited. Do not give up hope.

From your beloved, Edith

Dear Edith,

I concur that life without you is a mournful one. I cannot wait for the day that you shall be in my arms once again. However, I wish nothing more than success and happiness for you and your family in San Gimignano. I must tell you what has happened at the Sicilian port of Messina. As people gathered at the docks, we saw a horrifying scene. Twelve boats full of ill sailors. Most were dead, and the few left had black boils oozing blood and puss. People are saying this is a punishment from God. Others think someone has poisoned them. I hope it is not contagious.

Love, Bahram

Dear Bahram,

That is awful to hear; it sounds horrid. I have heard of an unknown illness spreading across Italy. Some people here are supposedly ill, but I have not seen it for myself. Mother rarely lets me leave the house. I hope this does not become something serious. Maybe if it gets worse, mother will let me return to you. Or if it gets worse in Sicily, you could come to me. We don’t have much free space in our home, but you could share a room with me. We could use a man in the house. My mother seems to be going mad more and more each day.

From your beloved, Edith

Dear Edith,

I am afraid I have some bad news. The illness has now spread across Europe, no longer just Italy. They call it the Plague. Churches all around have closed, and everything is chaos. At least we have physicians who help those who become ill. They wear these long masks that look similar to that of a crow. No one knows what to do; we do not know what it is or what the cause is. At this point, we are all just waiting for our time to come. Most people are starving from the lack of production of food. Luckily, father has not been ill yet and has been sneaking food home after his days at the farm. The rest of my family has shut ourselves off from the rest of the world. I still have not given up hope of seeing you again, my love. I will stay strong for you.

Love, Bahram

Dear Bahram,

Never in a million years could I have thought of anything this horrid to happen. A few days ago, I spotted a pit full of dead bodies through my window. It never felt so real until that moment. Mother called them plague pits. She fumigated the house with incense to protect us. I suppose she was trying to hide it all from me, but at a certain point, she knew she could no longer. It is everywhere. We also have been struggling to find food. Our diet now consists of many pottages and a great deal of milk and cheese. I am glad to hear you have not yet given up hope; I have not either. We will meet again.

From your beloved, Edith

Dear Bahram,

Where have you gone? It has been over a year since I last heard from you. I have tried to stay positive, but each day that goes by without a letter from you has been torturous. More than likely, the Plague has hit your family, and you are no longer in this world. You are probably shoved into one of those pits, as I saw so long ago. The thought leaves me in tears every single time. Most of the people I knew in life are now gone. It’s just my mom and me. Both our next-door neighbors have passed from the Plague. I have no clue how my mother and I never became ill. Life without you feels like a life not worth living. Yet I will live for as long as possible just for the slight chance to see you once more. I will forever have hope.

From your biggest fighter, Edith