So many people had told her about the glass factory, her heart raced imagining it.

Tony searched an application on his phone. “Booked.”

Joy smiled.

“Let’s go.”

Minutes later, at the docks for the various tour boats near the Doge Palace, Joy craned her neck to see over the tour groups. Some were from Japan, others were from Australia and the United Kingdom. All were gathered for a unique experience.

A few raindrops hit her arms. Joy glanced up and saw the rain clouds roll in.

“Uh-oh.” She winced.

Tony removed an umbrella from his backpack. “No worries.” He popped it open. “I checked the forecast earlier today. Light rain.”

He gently pulled her close to him so the umbrella could cover her.

With his arm around her waist and the umbrella protecting her from the rain, Joy relaxed. “This is snugly.”

“Yes, it is.” He pecked the top of her head, then squeezed her arm. “Your arm is cold. Did you bring a sweater?”

“I’m fine.” She leaned against his frame.

“Murano-Burano tour,” a woman shouted and waved.

“Here we go.” Tony guided her to the platform where the other tourists gathered.

They sat on a bench inside the boat while others raced to the top floor for the best views.

“Ready?” Tony collapsed the umbrella and put it away.

“I think so.” Joy’s muscles tightened. “I hope I don’t get seasick.” The rainy weather caused the waves to grow in intensity. They splashed hard against the boat.

“Just look down at your phone if that helps.”

The boat pulled away from the dock, and excitement flowed through Joy.

Venice disappeared from view as they progressed through the lagoon at an easy speed, passing Isola di San Michele. Her time with Alessandro and his family came to mind.

“You okay?” Tony asked, jarring her from the memory.

“Fine. No sickness at all.” She offered him a smile.

“Good.” He put his arm around her and squeezed.

As the boat continued, they talked about Jaime, the wedding, and what was to come. Minutes later, the boat docked at the Murano glass factory and they disembarked.

Their guide led them to their seats inside the factory, and the demonstration began.

The glass blower blew into the metal tube, and the molten glass at the end enlarged. Joy watched as he placed it into the furnace, then removed it to form it into a vase, spinning the blowpipe to ensure the glass gathered evenly. He rolled the glass balloon-type bubble at the end of the tube onto a flat metal surface to shape it. The process continued until a vase shape emerged.

“Amazing,” Joy whispered.

“They are artists.” Tony took photos of the demonstration.

The glass blower placed the design into the furnace to increase its malleability to continue shaping it. Using shears to stretch the neck of the vase, the glassblower showed his creativity as a sculptor. Lastly, he placed it into a mold to achieve a pattern unique to Murano designers.

Finished.

The crowd applauded.

Next he blew into another tube to create a sculpture of a horse. The process of blowing, stretching, heating, and shearing continued until a glass horse sculpture appeared.

More applause rose from the crowd.

“That was incredible,” Joy said. “They make it look so easy.”

“Each artisan in this factory must complete twenty years of glass blowing experience before they can be a demonstrator here for you,” the guide explained.

Oohs and aahs came from the crowd.

“He will cool this sculpture, then polish it before it can be placed for sale inside the gallery. Please follow me to see the other creations by our talented glassblowers.” She waved the group through a doorway that led to a hall.

As they passed by the glass horse, Joy leaned in to inspect it. “Look.” She pointed. “The mane is black, and so is the tail. How did he do that?”

“Different colored sand,” Tony explained.

“I love it.” Joy headed toward the gallery.

Inside she spied tiny glass figurines of whales, penguins, and dolphins. Above her hung dozens of glass chandeliers made of red, blue, and green glass as well as crystal-clear glass.

“Unbelievable.” Joy studied the intricacies of each one. “Look at all the detail.”

“I wonder how long it takes to make each one.” Tony shook his head. “I wish we could take photos. I’d like Jaime to see these.”

“We should buy something for her and Michael.” Joy’s eyes widened at the thought.

“Sure. What do you think they’d like?” Tony pointed to some vases.

“Yes, a vase. Good idea.” Joy bent over to inspect them. “She loves blue glass.”

Together they shopped the gallery and selected a vase for a wedding gift. Joy stood by as Tony paid for the creation, then made arrangements for it to be shipped to New York.

Joy pecked his cheek. “Thank you for doing this, Tony. Jaime will love it.”

“It’s my pleasure. I have them shipping it to my office. Peg, my assistant, will wrap it and make it look nice.”

“Perfect.” Joy exhaled. “Lunch?”