CHAPTER SEVEN
April 15, 1910
Dearest Leah,
I know it’s been a while since my last letter, but I’ve been a bit busy. You may want to know that I’m now in Rome. Leah this place is a artist’s dream. All the ruins…especially the colliseum. I don’t know how many pictures I’ve drawn, someday I’ll show them to you. I promise. Well anyway, I have a new traveling companion. His name is Fabrizio DeRossi and he wants to come to America and become a millionaire. It’s his destiny he says. He is of course my best friend. He’s like me, a wonderer and free-spirited, even though he does have a few worries. But we love poker and we often win just enough for food or room and board. When that fails, we find shelter in abandoned buildings. People treat us pretty rotten, but sometimes there’s a few good ones.
No, I haven’t made it as a famous artist just yet. But I will. Just give it time. You’ll soon be reading about me in the society papers. Speaking of famous artists, Believe it or not, I’ve met Monet…well kind of. I was peaking into a fence and saw him setting in his garden sketching. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I almost yelled out hello to him, but Fabrizio stopped me. He was worried we’d get in trouble.
Well that’s all for now. I’ll write again. Keep smiling Leah.
Jack
Dear Leah,
Fabrizio is in love. Can you believe it? The lucky girl is the daughter of a baron here in Greece. I tried to tell Fabrizio to forget it. That the girl’s family would never allow her to see him, but he doesn’t listen. He’s out right now meeting her secretly. I can’t help but worry about him, but far be it from me to tell him what to do. But if her father does find out about them it will be big trouble. He hates Italians and he’ll hate Fabrizio even more for being poor and daring to court his daughter. They’re a real Romeo and Juliet.
I have to admit…I do envy Fabri. He’s found someone to love and I’m still all alone. I wonder if I’ll ever meet someone special. Would I know her when I see her? Or will it just sneak up on me? Hopefully it’ll be nothing like Fabrizio and his lady.
Well there’s a knock at the door. I’ll stop writing now.
Jack
Dear Leah,
Remember my last letter, about Fabrizio and his lady and the knock at the door? Well it was Fabrizio and he was beaten up pretty bad. Her kin found out about them and showed up just when Fabrizio was about to leave. They didn’t break anything thank god because we have no money. They gave him a split lip, a bloody nose, two black eyes, and his face was swollen terribly. He got a way, and they gave chase.
I was out the other day and heard them questioning people about his whereabouts. They questioned me and of course I said I haven’t seen him. So I’m taking Fabrizio and we’re leaving Greece immediately. He’s definitely not going to see that girl again. It’s too dangerous. Well I’ll let you go. I have a lot of packing to do. I’ll write again when I can.
Jack