Now that Marko’s is closed for the season, I spend much of my time at Benjamin’s. The last few weeks, I regularly go there for lunch. During the afternoon, I have a drink there once or twice. And I spend a couple of hours in the restaurant in the evening. In addition to good food and wine, as well as merry company, I am attracted by the fireplace next to the bar. It is ablaze all day long. This is where I sit most of the time, too. Besides my own, this is the only fireplace I covet as of late. For my fireplace gets going only when my beloved is in Motovun. Year after year, this is between Christmas and New Year’s. The holidays are ever closer, but they are weeks away still. In the meanwhile, the fireplace at Benjamin’s is a stand in of sorts. Whenever I lay my eyes on the playful flames, I think of my beloved, who would enjoy it no end. Sitting by the fireplace is her favorite pastime, which is why she returns to my house every winter without fail. We spend many an hour by the fireplace every single day. Looking at the burning logs at Benjamin’s, I can see her brilliant eyes. I can feel her warm feet. And I can almost hear her purr…