Big deal.

An Italian nun is yelling at me. In Italian. Yup, this is happening. Don’t cry. Stay tough.

No, you can get louder and I still don’t understand. More Italian. Nope. Faster Italian. Still no idea.

It seemed so simple. The student asked if her parents could park here. Sure no big deal. Can they come see my room? Of course they can!

No. Big deal. After I had answered yes I knew immediately it was a big deal. Run run run down the steps. Try to intercept before her parents are greeted by a very unhappy nun at the front desk.

She can yell at me. Smile and nod at the parents. “So nice to meet you.”

More yelling. Okay let’s try Google translate.

“Can they park here for a few hours?”

No, no more Italian. Please type it in the phone. The phone!

“I am not responsible”

Yes okay we are getting somewhere.

“They just want to see her room”

Wait why are you yelling? We were doing so good? Ahh more hand gestures. The phone. Google translate please!?

“I am not responsible if they get hurt. I need passports”

Yes yes I understand. “You, no responsible. I will ask them to come downstairs”

Ring ring. Please pickup.

I’ll just stand here in silence with a very unhappy nun. But hmm, “Could you and your parents come back downstairs. I think we need your passports?”

Seconds feels like days. All we do is look at each other. I try to awkwardly smile.

They’re back. Thank you!

No passports needed. They are leaving. Can they park here? Not overnight. Just a few hours. That is okay.

Smile smile smile nod.