An Italian Boy

I knew that Casey was becoming a young man of two worlds—here and there, old and new. But it seems that maybe he is now more one than the other. And then again, it may depend on where he is which he is.

Monday he was with Camilla, her parents and her grandfather in Castiglione della Pescaia, speaking Italian exclusively. At the gelateria were several Americans having language difficulties. Casey, being somewhat outgoing, offered to help, whereby the Americans were quite amazed and impressed with his language skills. “You speak English very well for an Italian boy.” I think he has crossed the bridge! Maybe we must leave him here. After all, he does have an Italian family.

Alessandro, Nicoletta, Signora Franca and Camilla have become his second family. He loves them and they him. He is as comfortable and at ease with them as with us—well, almost, anyway. Nicoletta’s father, a dignified man from Siena, has pronounced Casey as “quite a young gentleman.” Nicoletta says that was quite an examination to pass.

It seems he is also becoming his own voice and taking charge of his life. For a while now he has stared longingly at Mohawk hairdos---they have held great fascination for him. But…stodgy old gramma and papa have nixed the idea—actually, more papa than gramma.

Before we left for Croatia, I took him to Luca, my hairdresser, for a haircut but the clippers broke. So, while we were gone, Camilla and Casey set off on one of their adventures, walking from home to the piazza where Studio 20 and Luca are located. Now, Casey was in charge and Luca became a willing co-conspirator. As Luca told me yesterday as he cut my hair, “It was a good joke, wasn’t it?” I had to agree and Casey does look rather cool. Even at ten he is a person who likes to be a little different—an individualist. I like that.

Again at lunch today he told us that he wants to stay in Italy. “Why?” we asked. “My friends, the views, the food, everything” he said. In spite of the fact that in the US he loves his Uncle Jeff and dog Sratch, has many friends, likes school, enjoys Little League and other sports, values his church activities and more, the truth is that he does seem happier here. It’s tempting to think of returning for another year but that just isn’t going to happen---for many reasons. However, we have made our reservations for next summer for both here and Sant’ Antonio in Montepulciano, our first Tuscany love. In spite of the August heat, mosquitoes and inundation of tourists, we will be back so that he can have another sweet summer to remember. Maybe someday he will write a book about these summers and his “better than best friend” Camilla.

At this moment the two of them are sequestered in Camilla’s house, doing their summer Italian homework. Children here have language and math workbooks to complete during the summer so that they don’t lose learning over the lazy months of fun. Last year Casey brought his home and they served as good material for his tutors during the year. This year we ordered them for him when we got here and he is doing the work with Camilla. What is not completed will again be done during the year.

So, yes, he is becoming an Italian boy who promises to grow up to be a handsome, well-spoken, fun-loving, brilliant Italian man. Camilla may have competition!