Two People (Gay Classics) by Donald Windham

Author:Donald Windham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love affair, italy, gay romance, rome italy, italian men, donald windham
Publisher: Donald Windham

The inscription in the grammar, when Forrest first saw it, made him aware that there might be a hint of irony in the word simpatia. The trouble in understanding a language not your own is that you can never be sure that the syllables mean to you what they mean to the native who uses them. He had not lingered on the thought; while he was with Marcello he was too pleased to be upset, and he had concentrated on enjoying their added time together. But when he returned to the apartment alone the idea came back to him.

Delighted to have something specific to do, he took his Italian-English dictionary and sat down at the dining room table to see if he could pinpoint the shading of the word. The translation for simpatia was the trio liking, sympathy, weakness. He turned the book cautiously to the English section. No, pity was pietà. Sympathy was compassione. Weakness was debolezza. Hopefully, he looked up friendship. The only translation was the word he knew, amicizia. More hopefully, he looked up fondness, but that was affettuosità indulgente. Liking was what he was left with: gusto, inclinazione, simpatia.

That evening at the trattoria he asked the son who worked as a waiter:

“What is the exact meaning of the word simpatia?”

The boy looked serious, as though he were computing a bill.

“It is not exactly amore.”

“Amicizia?” Forrest offered.

A smile.

“No, it is more than amicizia.”

“Is it nearer to amicizia or amore?”

“Oh, to amore.”

“Truthfully?”

“Oh, yes, much nearer to amore.”

Both of them were laughing.

“You are happy?”

“Yes, yes.”

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