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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Drama / Human Interest
- Subject: Drama
- Published: 05/21/2024
Psychometry
Born 1941, M, from Santa Clara, CA, United StatesPompeii
Here are some things you should know before you read the story.
Psychometry – seeing something by touching an object when all that’s there is the object.
And, from Wikipedia: Pompeii was a city near Naples on the west coast of Italy. In AD 79 it along with Herculaneum was buried under 13 to 20 feet of volcanic ash caused by several eruptions of Mount Vesuvius. Some 1500 years later it was rediscovered in 1599. But it took another 160 years for excavation to begin. In 1749 plaster was poured into holes in the ash that revealed the positions and remains of the victims of the eruptions when and where they died.
This last part intrigues me. There is something about stepping back in time that always draws me in. Think about it, going back to 79 AD, and seeing people that could be related to you, well if you are Italian any way. In my case as far back as I could trace my family tree, I am Italian and from an area close to Naples.
Several years ago, a friend, who is now passed away, bough me a subscription to National Geographic. One of their issues was about the eruption of Vesuvius. There was a picture of a skeleton lying face down in ashes. On what was left of its hand were gold and silver rings with colored stoned. I couldn’t help it, I just stared at the picture for the longest time. Even today I can still see the remains of that poor person. I felt connected to him or her. From that moment on I would have to make the trip. I would have to experience the tragedy for myself.
I arrived in Naples late in the afternoon. The Hotel was more than helpful in lining up a guide and transportation to Pompeii.
Early the next morning there was a knock on the door and the smiling face of Sergio greeted me. “Hi boss! You ready to see what’s left of the Crispy Critters?”
“Sergio, I am ready but the way I see it those people may be related to me. So please a little respect.”
“Yes sir. Sorry I just thought a joke to break the tension.”
The ride to Pompeii was quiet and surrounded by city houses most of the way, but all was pleasant to the eye. Sergio had made arrangement for us to park away from the tourist and close to the sight itself. It was amazing to see a city that had been destroyed over 2,000 years ago and buried looking as if I could still move right in.
I got out of the car with my camera and walked into history. I hadn’t gone more than a few steps when it happened. I felt the air in my lungs being sucked out. I became weak in the knees and very light headed. I felt myself sinking to my knees when I heard, “Antonius, you alright?” Standing a few feet from me was a period actor in a short knee length toga. He asked again, “Antonius, are you alright? Why are you dressed that way? Have you been in your father’s wine?”
“Who are you, and how is it you know me?”
“Antonius, I am your father’s Chief Wine Steward, and I have known you from birth.?”
“You know my name, but what’s yours?”
“Emilio. Are you alright?”
“I am sorry I don’t know where are when I am.”
“My boy, you are in Pompeii no more than a few leagues from your father’s shop and on the 24th day of Augustus.”
“Antonius, did you feel that?” There was fear in his voice. “The ground has been shaking all day, and the gods have stoking the mountain to life. I don’t like it but my father refuses to leave.”
“Anthony, Anthony, wake up did you hurt yourself when you fell?”
I looked up at Sergio. “Where is Emilio?”
“There is only us, and those tourists over there. I could check to see if any of them are Emilio.”
“You don’t understand! Vesuvius is going to erupt, and my father won’t leave. I have to fine Emilio so that he and I can get my father out of here.”
Emilio wasn’t the only hard sell. There were the hospital doctors and I don’t think they believed me either. I am telling you all the truth. I got to get back to Emilio. God, I got to help my dad.
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