ANDIAMO (Leaving Tuscan Skies)(Julia Lhrs) Rosanna was awaking with the new day, the birds chirping and the mule’s defiant sounds of resistance to grandfather’s equally stubborn determination to saddle it with the requisite provisions and tools in preparation for the yearly trek to the vineyard. Soon grandfather’s brother joins in with his ornery mule and thus commenced the dance of the mules. Rosanna was bursting with anticipation and longing with the promise of the day! That promise was reuniting with her beloved Franco who would be on leave for at least three weeks from his service with the elite Italian Carabinieri.

Before long the vineyard filled with the sounds and appearance of the usual extended family members, adults and children of all ages. While the adults were focused on the labor the younger generation was totally focused on fun and games. The men would harvest the grapes and then seriously stomp on them with their bare feet in the huge round wooden tub in the center of the great room; after this process was completed, the liquefied, smashed grapes would be transferred into the waiting tall wooden barrels standing in the corner for the final fermentation process! In the meantime the women would be busy cleaning, making the beds and preparing the meals, as the younger kids ran around with youthful abandon and glee! Rosanna kept her eyes on the kids as she helped the women with their tasks.

When dinner was being served, everyone appeared ready and willing to eat and chat all simultaneously and mostly cheerfully! The dinner ritual continued with some tall story telling as told by the elder men with enough drama to have a lasting impact on the younger audience! The entertainment continued with their favorite, singular game which always brought the house down with hysterical, loud howls of laughter. This game was played with a large white handkerchief filled with cinder powder from the fireplace, rolled into a ball tied in place and held firmly in hand as the elder would go from person to person (with all the participants seated in a large circle) commanding each one to push the ball in his hand or to pull It. If you pulled the ball as told to do instead of pushing it (doing the opposite), the hapless player would be hit with the cinder ball right – smack in the face! The ensuing laughter was guaranteed time after time as the ball kept going round till everyone in the circle had their chance to pull or push. Another favorite pastime was the telling of ghost-stories; while sitting outside in the dark, as only the elder men could tell and command the breathless attention of their young audience, who always ended up scared and running to their beds! This was especially true one time when they whispered that there was a group of actually embodied spirits quietly moving in their midst as they sat there telling ghost stories. Not surprising this announcement led to a respectful but immediate stampede to bed.

On the day of Franco’s expected arrival, Rosanna was the first to rise with breathless excitement hard to contain as she dressed, because she knew for certain that Franco would arrive on that day! No sooner had she stepped outside, she spotted his familiar figure as he approached, her almost trembling figure and his soon became as one figure with the sheer passion of their embrace! They took Franco’s motorcycle for a short ride to a private spot where they could savor their reunion, talk about their future, maybe take a refreshing dip in the seductive beautifully inviting tiny lake. For Rosanna life on the vineyard with Franco around took on a dreamlike quality that made everything surreal. Everyone was engaged in work and play each day with no complaints. Such was the day to day existence on the vineyard – a seamless, joyful immersion in a Nature driven environment tucked in a serene, unassuming piece of Tuscany; with fresh air, fresh water streams, wondrous trees, a glorious sun and star filled skies; without modern day intrusions - television, cell phones, internet, etc. The vineyard was next to Heaven.

But even in Paradise, time does not stand still and soon a party was planned in Franco’s honor before his return to his Post. The neighbors from the nearby vineyard arrived with drinks and food and a solid party mood! It was a festive night with Uncle Giovanni regaling one and all by dancing the tarantella lady style. Before the party ended, Grandfather reminded Rosanna that she and Franco could take a turn on stomping the grapes; when Rosanna hesitated, Grandfather begged ‘you must do it because I know those grapes will yield the sweetest, and aphrodisiac filled wine that ever came from our vineyard!” Having said this, he winked at Franco, who lost no time in grabbing Rosanna and, removing their shoes, he lifted her into the cauldron of grapes. They stomped hard and fast until they fell screaming and laughing on top of each other. It was a while until Franco could lift up the two of them and started a careful, slow, passionate dance as they joyfully stomped around; suddenly, they were shocked to see the smiling faces of the party revelers who had quietly sneaked inside and made a circle around the cauldron; Rosanna and Franco could only laugh hysterically as everybody cheered! And: so ended the party with the quasi erotic dance of the grapes.

The end of the month (October) saw everyone back in town (including the mules) where Rosanna immersed herself in her sewing circle and helping her sister Sofia with daily chores and the care of the children, Isabella and little Stefano. Though she missed Franco desperately she would cope by reliving the powerful sweetness and passion that accompanied their parting. This memory would always and forever live in her heart and help her to maintain her emotional stability. Unknown to her this same memory was embedded in Franco’s being, and never fizzled out throughout his life!

Family life in San Giovanni entailed the cyclical activity of baking bread utilizing the massive, circular log-fired brick oven producing a month’s or two month’s supply of round loaves of bread for the family. Weekly laundry would be done in the outskirts of town along a winding stream next to large flat smooth rocks that served as scrubbing boards. The rinsed and wrung laundry items would then be spread out on a generous supply of bushes to be dried by a glorious, compliant sun. At that point the women and younger girls sat and rested while enjoying a picnic lunch and lively conversation covering the latest gossip and heated criticisms of friends and relatives.

One day when they returned from a routine day of doing laundry Sofia and Rosanna noticed that there was something in the air. Antonio, grandmother and grandfather (Antonio’s parents), shared a pensive look in their demeanor, which was particularly uncharacteristic for grandfather who always wore a jovial, reassuring look on his face. At the dinner table (the cooking having been accomplished in the fireplace — as the advent of modern appliances had yet to materialize for the working class Tuscan population at large) grandfather made a not so surprising announcement that the vineyard could no longer continue to help financially sustain his family and the families of his two brothers! Sofia and Antonio, aware of this reality, had attempted to immigrate to the United States shortly after Sofia’s sister Teresa and her family had successfully immigrated to the USA. The truth is – Sofia, Teresa and Rosanna are American born U.S. citizens, born in West Virginia where their father labored in the coal mines in the early 1920’s. When the parents divorced, Rosanna (only 2 years old) and her sisters were brought to Italy by their mother to be in the care of and raised by their paternal grandmother because their mother (Rosina) had to work in the US to support herself and contribute to the support of her daughters.

At that time in history (the late 1940’s thru the early 1950’s) Sofia’s efforts to return to her native country were blocked because the US Government refused to honor her citizenship status due to the unfortunate fact that Sofia had unwittingly voted in the Italian elections, which did not sit well in the eyes of a stern American Government with strong, obligatory conditions severely applied by tough US IMMIGRATION LAWS.

As much as she sympathized with her sister and brother–in-law, Rosanna was secretly relieved to remain in San Giovanni because she needed to be there awaiting the safe return of Franco. Between her sewing circle, her chores and helping with the children, time passed fast. One late afternoon as she was playfully herding Isabella and Stefano home for dinner (the kids and a few friends had spent a fun afternoon hanging out by the nearby forgia watching a mule or two being fitted with red hot metal shoes, watching as their faces fill with a wondrous wonder of a new discovery), they were met at the door by Rosina, brimming with excitement — she brought news that would change their lives forever! Sofia was ecstatic, for her prayers had been answered; she would be allowed to return to America and await the arrival of her husband and children at a later time. Rosina told her daughter and Antonio that a friend of hers was coming from Genoa, who would explain in detail the steps that Sofia and Antonio would follow before they would be allowed to immigrate!

The after dinner talk was rife with a heady kind of excitement and the undeniable lurking anxiety that impacted everyone in various degrees but not the children! Rosina and Sofia exchanged a knowing look as Rosanna turned to them and firmly stated that she would remain in Tuscany if it took forever until Franco’s return.

The following day, as expected, Vicenzo knocks on the door, Rosanna lets him in as he gives her a lingering look of obvious approval while she maintained a cool and demure demeanor as she answered with a polite greeting. Vicenzo cut to the chase as he sat with Sofia and Antonio explaining the necessary steps involved (as dictated by the immigration laws) to achieve their goal of immigrating to the USA. Sofia would prepare to sail immediately to New York and find employment (and initially live with her mother) and after a year’s time her husband and children could take leave of Italy and join Sofia in America. For Antonio the steps would entail going to Genoa with Isabella and Stefano where they would be processed as the family of a US citizen and issued an American passport by the American Consulate located in Genoa. This was contingent on passing a physical examination for Antonio and showing proof (signed papers) that he had an American citizen as sponsor to help him obtain employment in the US. Of course he would need to pass a background check and provide birth certificates for the three of them.

In the morning Sofia and Antonio knew they had to act quickly (Vicenzo’s visit was not a dream as Rosina would remind them) and make plans to do what needed to be done. They were beyond excited for now they could actually realize their American dream of life in America! In the midst of this activity and plans their cheerful, positive attitude easily overcame their occasional anxiety and fears. (None of them spoke English, with Sofia retaining only a smattering of her native language! For the present Rosanna was only too happy to remain in Italy, as she hoped and prayed for Franco’s return and steadfastly refused her mother’s offer to return with her to the USA. As it turned out it was Sofia who crossed the Atlantic with Rosina on the voyage to America! Meanwhile, Rosanna proved to be a Godsend to mind the children and just being there for Antonio and his parents.

With the Christmas Season approaching, Rosanna secretly hoped to see Franco, but she stoically focused along with the children’s grandparents and their father to make sure Isabella and little Stefano enjoyed the joyful holiday with minimum emotional distress of missing their mother! In Italy Santa Claus does not exist but a mythical creature does exist to serve and work the innocent, magical imagination inherent in most young children. This is how it works, parents would hang large socks on the fireplace mantel in hope that the scary-looking, and widely feared BEFANA would fill the socks of good children with good stuff and fill the socks of bad children with bad stuff!

A most welcome tradition was grandma baking the most delicious holiday cakes including the most succulent deep-fried honey covered sweets shaped in a unique holiday shape. These tasty treats were rare and special because they only appeared at Christmas time. (No small feat since the baking was done in grandma’s fireplace). A truly unique holiday tradition in the town was to gather as much wooden pieces and kindling by the neighborhood kids and build a mound in the center of the street which would be set on fire; the ensuing fire with its festive look would thrill and delight everyone there especially the children! It would burn till midnight when the adults and older kids would extinguish it. The origin of this tradition (known as the “Fuoco di Natale”) symbolized the desire to help keep the infant Jesus warm in his cold manger. Again, this time unexpectedly, Vicenzo paid a visit ostensibly to wish them a happy Christmas and brought some gifts for the children who eagerly began to play while Vicenzo suppliantly talked Rosanna to join him for dinner at the piazza café, where Antonio’s cousin (Angelina) took due notice of their presence as they exchanged polite greetings.

With the arrival of the month of March, the good citizens of San Giovanni went into high gear with their sober preparations for the serious celebration of the annual and highly anticipated Carnevale!! (Mardi Gras) As the spectators actively vied for advantageous spots to best see and hear a select group of Elders who would amaze and entertain them with a performance delivered in female attire! Grandmother did her heroic best and lifted Isabella to allow the child to see her grandfather dressed in unfamiliar attire and speaking loudly in a dramatic, passionate demeanor that left her with a mystified, lingering wonder and the most surreal vision of her dear grandfather! The Carnival celebration was a fun and sociable outdoor event that was an opportunity talk, sing and dance with no eating or drinking. (There were no vendors around.)

As Rosanna was walking home with Stefano she was suddenly startled by the panther-like movement of Vicenzo’s tall figure next to her with a sheepish smile on his face that Rosanna, to her amazement, found more appealing than annoying. He told her that he came to town on work-related business but couldn’t leave without seeing her and checking on the family — she replied that everyone was doing well including Sofia in America. He responded by telling her that her presence alone has provided an invaluable service to the entire family. She thanks him for his kind words and agrees to meet him for coffee the next day before he heads back to Genoa.

The next day as Rosanna is walking Isabella home from school they are joined by Angelina and in the course of casual conversation she abruptly asks Rosanna when was Franco expected back in town? Rosanna answered with a cryptic smile and Angelina just turned and left. It was common knowledge that Angelina had a “secret” crush on Franco! As the weeks progressed Rosanna was focused on sewing some new dresses for herself, grandmother, and in particular, a beautiful white dress for Isabella who’s first Communion was fast approaching. Sofia (working diligently in the US) happily sent the money for the purchase of the fabric. Though she wished her mother could be there with her, Isabella looked forward to her Communion day, a small celebration with her school teacher (an old friend of Sofia) attending, and most of all a photo of her in her white dress and veil and carrying her white prayer book would be taken by the elderly photographer across the street, to be mailed to her mother.

On Communion Sunday the Church of St. Mary (so old with a pervasive aura of antiquity that strongly suggested a structure of Medieval times) was packed with thoughtful young celebrants, their families, townspeople and of course the priests and nuns. During the course of this sacred ritual a shocking and totally unexpected accident happened when a girl’s veil caught fire from another girl’s lit candle. Thankfully the incipient fire was quickly extinguished by someone closest to the girl. This incident only served to make the day more memorable, especially for those children involved, including Isabella; everyone took it in stride.

The next day an exuberant, irrepressible Vicenzo knocked on Antonio’s door with news that he and his children would be called to the American consulate for his physical and passport earlier than expected and he wanted to celebrate by taking him and Rosanna to a local Soccer game to which they gracefully agreed. In truth Antonio welcomed an opportunity to relax before dealing with all the preparation prior to the trip and the accompanying anxiety. Grandmother told her to enjoy herself as the children were engrossed in the new puzzles given them by Vicenzo; Isabella was enthralled by her Cinderella movie scenes depicted on a puzzle made of wooden blocks.

The Soccer game outing was fun but as usual, the hapless referee received a beating; regardless which team is declared the winner! They stopped for coffee where Vicenzo assured Antonio not to worry, that everything would be fine, and that he planned to be there and help him with the children; where Rosanna immediately informed him that she would take care of Isabella and Stefano! Vicenzo gave her a long, intense look and firmly repeated that he would be there for them! When Rosanna and Antonio got home the children cheerfully greeted their father and aunt Rosanna who steered them to bed ignoring their faint protest because she told them she had things to do for their upcoming visit to Genoa. Before she could say good-night to grandmother and grandfather she noticed a kind of knowing smile on their faces but offered no comments, so feeling somewhat puzzled she said goodnight and went to bed.

The next morning after sorting everyone’s clothing she headed to her sewing circle to do mending when suddenly she was virtually ambushed by Angelina who lost no time in warning her to stay away from Vicenzo because his plan was to win her over and persuade her to marry him so he could immigrate to the USA as a spouse of an American citizen! (Angelina simply could not accept that both Franco and Vicenzo desired Rosanna.) Rosanna was stunned and confused — she wondered if Angelina’s outburst was connected in any way to the mysterious smiles of Antonio’s parents the previous night. She arrived at her sewing circle and did her mending while desperately wishing Franco was back! Rosanna was almost resigned to accept that Franco would not be free until his mission successfully ended and so far she had no idea when that would be.

On the train to Genoa, the long trip proved exciting and thrilling for little Stefano and Isabella but for both Rosanna and Antonio it was fraught with anxiety and doubts. Antonio feared that he had a potential rash on his hands and might result in failing the all-crucial physical exam; Rosanna’s doubts hurled her in a cruel battleground littered with conflicting, unrelenting emotions — she had to choose between her heart and her intuition. She knew she was faced with a life-changing decision and there was no going back! She would pray for Divine intervention in guiding her to make the right decision.

Vicenzo met them at the station and led them to the hotel. When they were ready to go, they set out for dinner at a nearby restaurant where Vicenzo assured Antonio that he should just relax and all would go smoothly at the Consulate; he would pass the exam, obtain the needed documentation and the all important official passport that was the ticket to cross the Atlantic and start a new life in the US with Sofia. As Rosanna looked on she noticed as if for the first time that Vicenzo was tall and not bad to look at! As he had predicted, the following day at the Consulate, things went smoothly, the kids had fun exploring the spaces they could check out in the waiting rooms and with great relief they all left and went to dinner. Back at the hotel, Antonio and the kids were happily relaxing as Vicenzo and Rosanna left to catch a movie. When they returned she said good night and he reminded her that he would escort them to the train for the return trip to San Giovanni. As he bent to kiss her she quickly turned away and ran to her room.

The next day as they all were awaiting the train, Vicenzo took Rosanna aside and in a matter of fact style, gently but determined he expressed his love and devotion to her and asked her to marry him, and told her ”I promise you Rosanna I will always be by your side in our new life together in America. I know you‘re in love with Franco, but I have not seen him; please think of yourself and your future and most important think with your head not just with your heart.” Vicenzo continues as he tells her that he will be in San Giovanni for their marriage ceremony with his parents just two days before departing for Genoa, from where they would embark on the Andrea Doria and sail for USA. He grabs her firmly, plants a heavy kiss on her lips and this time Rosanna was unable to shake off his grip!

When they arrived home, everyone was exhausted, but Rosanna was beyond exhaustion. Grandma quietly noticed her obvious deep distress and rushed to comfort her, as soon as Isabella and Stefano were settled with their slumbers and dreams. Antonio having confided to his mother about Vicenzo’s marriage proposal to Rosanna, Grandmother could only guess at the heartache and mental anguish that Rosanna was suffering! With a river of tears and a shaking body, she cried out “oh Grandmother, you who knows the meaning of true love, you understand how torn and miserable I am and how cruel to be forced to make a life-changing decision within a small space of time!” Grandmother assured Rosanna that she would always be there for her. “Dear child please pray for divine intervention and let God help you with your burden.” When she kissed her goodnight, dutifully, Rosanna got on her knees, “dear God I cannot abandon Franco, but I cannot stay here without my dearest family — if I were to die peacefully in my sleep, I will be free. Or if I could muster enough courage to end my own life as Juliet did to honor Romeo — that would also do away with my burden — why can’t I – I’m Italian like her, except that I know it would be a sin.” As she yelled softly “God help me” and tears still flowing, heart throbbing, Rosanna fell into a merciful sleep.

When she awoke the next day, she felt dazed and confused, wondering why she dreamt about Romeo and Juliet. As she washed and dressed herself, she realized it was all a nightmare and thanked God for her life and her family. When she finally joined the family in the kitchen, Isabella and Stefano were jubilant to see her as were Antonio and his parents. She told them that she would prepare and marry Vicenzo and go to America with them; the children were now seriously jubilant and grabbed and hugged her.

The ensuing days whizzed by as Rosanna and Antonio became absorbed in various details of organization and preparation for their departure. Rosanna announced to the entire family that if Franco had not returned by the time Vicenzo arrives in town, then I will marry Vicenzo and sail to America with Antonio and the children and join my family.

The Andrea Doria was leaving from Genoa on July 18, 1956 heading to New York City. On that truly memorable day, Antonio, Isabella, Stefano, Vicenzo and Rosanna were outside their hotel waiting patiently for the vehicle from the ship to pick them up for their transport to the ship. However, as the afternoon progressed, Vicenzo explained to Antonio that he would secure their own transport to the ship and not risk their passage! When they arrived at the pier they were led to the ship, where an official from the Andrea Doria cheerfully informed them that they were the last passengers to embark on board! Antonio breathed a sigh of relief. The kids were quiet but inwardly filled with excitement and anticipation in their new environment; Rosanna gazed at Vicenzo and softly uttered “thank you Vicenzo, you saved the day for all of us.”

Once on board, the transition to their new life started almost immediately. They began the exploration of the public areas and the deck, where as a first time experience, they were all mesmerized by a view of an endless blue ocean and skies that surrounded them all around! The interior of the ship offered gracious dining (as long as the surly waiter was serving at other tables; one morning he made Antonio go back to his cabin and put on appropriate attire and not a bathrobe.) There were game rooms that included horse racing (toy horses) cinema, music room, playing cards and relaxing with a drink if you chose. Isabella made the most enticing discovery — it was a large glass covered counter in a corner of the dining room that contained the most tempting, succulent pastries that she beheld for the very first time ever in her life; she knew instinctively that they would taste heavenly, especially the one that was called a napoleon. She would ask her father or Rosanna to buy one for her. Both Stefano and Isabella had fun when the ship was rocking and some people would fall on the floor if they didn’t grab the ropes that lined the corridors in time as they walked around inside the ship. Another amusing expression of turbulence was seeing a recliner chair toppled off the floor with the person sitting there, while the chairs on each side of the fallen chair did not move. The days on the A.D. were fleeting, fun, carefree and most of all surreal. Vicenzo was unfailingly attentive and would take charge of the kids to allow Rosanna and Antonio some quiet time to ponder the new life awaiting all of them, ready or not! Vicenzo was eager to embrace American life with Rosanna and would get busy studying his Italian/English book. Every day Rosanna and Isabella would spend time on the deck and look at the endless blue ocean and the embracing blue sky as the ship kept moving further and further away from Tuscan Skies. On their way to meet up with the guys in the dining room, they would stop to buy a Napoleon pastry, a treat they would share after dinner.

For Rosanna, there was a dark side to this voyage because she couldn’t shake off her black veil of guilt and wanted to hate Vicenzo and call him a thief!

Finally, the day before the A.D. was due to dock in NYC, she told Vicenzo “I want to hate you and I think of you as a thief, but I’m not sure that I can, because we do get along”; “don’t fret Rosanna, I do understand and I will give you all the time it takes because we do get along, and I do love you.” Was Vicenzo’s firm reply with a confident smile on his face.

That night proved unforgettable for a sobering, singular reason. The fog horns had been sounding for some time and Vicenzo and Rosanna quickly grabbed some papers and clothing and ran to Antonio’s cabin and hustled them up to the deck as they were joined by more and more passengers — all frantically heading to the deck. The Andrea Doria had collided with another ship – the Stockholm. She was sinking slowly as passengers were panicking fast. Rosanna and Antonio noticed that Isabella had somehow got separated from them and before Antonio could make a move, Vicenzo had sprinted through the crowd as he yelled for them to just stay together and not move. Though it seemed like hours, it was some minutes of super-charged anxiety before Vicenzo reappeared with Isabella in tow holding a Napoleon pastry. With tables and chairs sliding across the dining room, they all marveled at Isabella’s spunky determination to avail herself of a last Napoleon pastry on the last day on the ship. Antonio, much relieved, hugged his daughter as he cautioned her not to do this again. Rosanna held little Stefano as she hugged Vicenzo with her eyes. All around them people were being lowered into the French ship that was accepting as many people from the sinking Andrea Doria as possible. After Rosanna, Isabella, Stefano and Antonio were on board the rescue ship, Vicenzo remained on the A.D. to work with the crew in helping the remaining passengers to safely get on the French ship and on the Stockholm before he finally and exhausted got himself on the Stockholm.

When they were finally reunited, Rosanna hugged Vicenzo for the first time ever and acknowledged to herself that she had made the right decision to come to the USA with Vicenzo, even as their arrival was made with a bang! As they continued to hug, she told him, “Vicenzo you are something else, but you are not a thief anymore!”

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