We spent an hour discussing the word “feritoia”—the untranslatable title of one of her stories. A feritoia is a narrow vertical opening in the side of a fortress, slanted at just such an angle so that a soldier can see the enemy approach, or shoot an arrow or firearm, yet remain totally protected behind the thick stone wall. My translation dictionary offered “slit”—and we both knew that it wouldn’t do. “Feritoia is defensive,” she explained. “A position of power.” Monica was hidden behind a feritoia.