Growing Into Greatness by Tanya E Williams

Author:Tanya E Williams [Williams, Tanya E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rippling Effects

Twenty-Three

DECEMBER 1941

Tino wraps his mother in a fierce embrace, her sobs muffled by the folds of his winter jacket. The smell of diesel fills the chilled December air as I attempt to keep my emotions in check by scanning the train platform. Our small group of Tino and my family are not the only ones saying farewell to our brave men. War has a habit of bringing out the patriotism along with the handkerchiefs. I pinch the inside of my arm to prevent the sorrow that is swimming around me from taking me under.

When Tino broke the news that he was enlisting prior to being called up, I wanted to ask him to reconsider. He, like Al, is far more in tune with sentiments toward Italians who don’t pick up arms on their own. I was being selfish at the time, not wanting to say goodbye to my best friend, confidant, and fellow winemaker, so now I remain quiet, allowing the best man I know to do what he needs to do.

With reality setting in around me, I cling to the words he shared with me last evening as we sipped a bottle of Parisi red and reminisced about our adventures shared over the past few years. When he spoke of his desire to ensure his parents continued to have good standing in the town they called home, I felt his immense love for them. He is willing to sacrifice himself so they never have to be condemned for having an inconvenient ancestry in a world at war.

Mr. Parisi pulls his wife free as she clings to her only son, wrapping her in a one-handed embrace as he extends the other to shake Tino’s hand. “We are always proud of you, Valentino, always.”

My raw emotions climb into my throat as Mr. Parisi pulls Tino in and the three of them become one, a family cemented together with love, respect, and generosity. If Tino weren’t immediately departing for war, I’d be inclined to feel the stab of jealousy at seeing a family so supportive of one another.

The train’s departure is announced, startling Tino into action. He hugs my mother then shakes Papa’s and then Al’s hands, offering a quiet, “see you over there” to Al. With a final farewell to his parents, Tino takes my hand and tugs me away from the group.

A few feet of privacy is all we are afforded, but I am thankful for a moment to ourselves. “I’ll miss you terribly.” I say, the sniffles barely held at bay.

“You won’t have time to miss me.” Tino brushes the hair off my forehead. “You’ll be too busy making wine.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Listen, Sof. I spoke with my father this morning. He’s given you permission to continue working in the shed. He said he would welcome the company, something to remind him of me and my love of wine while I’m away.”

“Oh, Tino. I don’t know.”

“You have to Sofie. Do it for me.” Tino tilts my chin up with his finger.

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