The Butterfly Collector in the Stomach. Part Two

Renato, a professional artist and photographer, after ten years of friendly companionship with Nelly, the owner of an Italian restaurant, makes her an offer of marriage. Nelly, unexpectedly for herself, agrees—though she is fourteen years older than Renato. It was she, many years ago, who sparked his interest in collecting butterflies.

But her collection consists of unique winged insects, while his is portraits and photographs capable of evoking a whole spectrum of emotions—and making butterflies flutter in the belly. Up until the moment she has to end up in Renato’s embrace, Nelly had expertly matched each new muse of his with the image of a particular butterfly. Now, after four months of their life together, she will have to face a series of unpleasant events—most importantly, the one she will create herself: Renato will start painting butterflies again…