Ivan Ruccione’s stories have appeared in Italian literary magazines such as Nazione Indiana, Poetarum Silva, Altri Animali, and Cattedrale. “Departures” is part of his story collection Troppo tardi per tutto (Too Late for Everything; Augh Edizioni, 2019). He is a cook at a winery and lives in Vigevano, a historic town near Milan. (updated 4/2020)