March 1969
My name is Italo and I am 30 years old. Today I want to ask my mother something important: “Tell me about my childhood”.
My name is Italo and I am 30 years old. Today I want to ask my mother something important: “Tell me about my childhood”.
I know my mother Caroline is not my real mother. I don’t know anything: I am afraid of my past.
I know my mother Caroline is not my real mother. This is what I know: my past scares me.
-Mom, tell me the truth.
-Mom, tell me the truth
-Are you sure Italo?
-Are you sure, Italo?
– I’m ready.
—— I’m ready.
– Ok. let’s start. You were born in Italy 30 years ago. This is why your name is Italo.
– beautiful. let’s start. You were born in Italy 30 years ago. This is why your name is Italo.
-Yes, Italo is not an American name.
– Yes, Italo is not an American name.
-Yes, it’s true. But this is a good name.
– Yes, this is true. But this is a beautiful name.
I live in the United States and I speak American. I have never seen Italy, only on TV.
I live in the United States and I speak American. I have never seen Italy. Only on TV.
-Your real parents are very poor. They live in Turin, and your father is a worker. When you were very young, you two, the war broke out.
-Your real parents are very poor. They live in Turin, and your father is a laborer. When you were very young, war broke out.
-The Second World War.
-The Second World War.
– Exactly. Your parents love you very much, but it is dangerous to stay in Italy. So, you came to America.
– Yes it is. Your parents really love you, but staying in Italy is dangerous. So you came to America.
– how is it? Why don’t they come with me?
– how is it? Why don’t they come with me?
-They are too poor. Your mother’s cousin Anna lives in the United States. My husband Harry, you call him Dad, he is his friend. Your parents decided to send you to the United States to stay away from the war. In May 1941, Harry was on a business trip in Italy. He took a fake document and took you to the United States to Anna.
——They are too poor. Your mother’s cousin Anna lives in the United States. My husband Harry is her friend. Your parents decided to send you to America away from war. Harry worked in Italy in May 1941. He brought some fake documents and brought you to the United States to your aunt.
I was shocked. I have many questions.
I was shocked. I have many questions.
-Where is my mother’s cousin now?
-Where is mother’s cousin now?
-She died three months after you arrived. An accident. You don’t remember, you are still very young.
-She died three months after you arrived. An accident. You don’t remember, you are still very young.
-Then?
-Then?
-Harry wants to adopt you. He fell in love with you during his journey from Italy to the United States. You are a very cute child. You became our son when you were two years old.
-Harry wants to adopt you. He fell in love with you during his journey from Italy to the United States. You are a very cute child. You became our son when you were two years old.
So, I came to the United States because of the war in Italy. I was adopted. It looks like a movie.
So, I came to the United States because of the war in Italy. I was adopted. It sounds like a movie.
-Where are my parents? Where am I? What are they doing? Are they still alive?
—— Where are my parents? where are they? What are they doing? Are they still alive?
– we do not know. Because of the war, it is difficult to keep in touch.
– we do not know. During the war, it was difficult to keep in touch.
-What are their names?
-What are their names?
-We only know their names: Paola and Carlo.
– We only know their names: Paola and Carlo.
-Maybe they are still alive.
——Maybe they are still alive.
– Maybe.
– Maybe.
There must be a way to find out.
There must be a way to find it.
-Don’t you remember my mother’s last name? Or my father’s?
-Don’t you remember my mother’s last name? Or my father’s?
-Maybe Anna told me about them… but too many years have passed and I don’t remember them.
– Maybe Anna told me… but it’s been too many years, I don’t remember.
-And the last name of my mother’s cousin?
-How about the last name of my mother’s cousin?
-Bartoli. Anna Bartoli. But this is not the same as your blood mother. They have different surnames.
-Bartoli. Anna Bartola. But this is not the same as your real mother. They have different surnames.
This complicates things. I know the surname of my mother’s cousin, but I don’t know the surname of my mother or father.
This complicates things. I know the surname of my mother’s cousin, but I don’t know the surname of my mother or my father.
I want to know more. I want to know my real parents. I’m sure: I want to go to Italy and find my real family. Maybe, in Turin, someone with my blue eyes, curly hair and upturned nose is looking for me. Maybe I have brothers and sisters. I have to go to Italy to find out.
I want to know more. I want to meet my real parents. I’m sure: I want to go to Italy and find my real family. Maybe, in Turin, someone with my blue eyes, curly hair and upturned nose is looking for me. Maybe I have brothers and sisters. I must go to Italy to find out.
