The Medici Boy by John L'Heureux

Author:John L'Heureux
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: The Medici Boy
ISBN: 9781938231483
Publisher: Astor + Blue Editions Llc
Published: 2013-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

AGNOLO WAS STANDING at the door, careful not to come in but just as careful to be sure we could see him from our work stations. I was bent over my account books, pleased that so many of our commissions were completed or were near completion, when I looked up and there he was, staring straight at me, not bold and confrontational this time but meek and penitent. I looked from him to Donatello who labored at his bust of Contessina, and I rose immediately and went to the door.

“Go!” I said.

He lowered his glance and gazed at his bare feet for a long minute and when he looked up there were tears in his eyes and he said, “I’m sorry.”

I was astonished. I could never have imagined him crying and here he stood with a tear starting down his cheek and more to come. I softened at once, but reminding myself that Donatello had said his name was never to be spoken here again, I told him, “Go. It is too late.”

He turned and left and I went back to my work. I was of course angry at Agnolo but surprised at my feeling of pity for him and so after a few profitless minutes staring at my account book, I got up and went outside to the privy. One of the new apprentices was using it and so I waited, looking back into the bottega at the figure of Donatello, consumed with his work.

How can it be, I thought, that such a man as he could fall in love with such a boy as Agnolo. It could not be a question of physical attraction because Agnolo was mere skin and bones. In truth he had a fine, handsome head and wondrous yellow hair but he was soft and girlish and his behind was flabby and without form. Yet he was desired by many, so it must be that I simply did not understand the nature of his beauty. Caterina herself was taken with him. And, I suspected, so was Pagno. All the same, the source of Agnolo’s fascination remained a mystery to me. He was quick of wit in a vulgar way. He was keen to please when he was in the mood to do so. He was ready with a smile. But he was a soulless, selfish child. Still, he had once amused Donatello and made him laugh, so perhaps he had rare qualities that I failed to see. Or perhaps the Donatello who fell in love with Agnolo had qualities that I failed to see. I preferred the Donatello at work now on the bust of Contessina. He was a man of forty-five years—already in his late middle age—too old for the foolishness of first love and too wise to give over his good sense to a boy who sold himself at the Buco. Donatello was sane once more and I was resolved to keep Agnolo at a distance from him.

I finished in the privy and when I came out, calmer now, who should be waiting at the door but Pagno di Lapo.

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