Spring (April) 1940
Sally sprinted out into the garden of Villa Vittorio bursting with colorful first flowers of Spring in a flowing carpet of vibrant hues stretching to the edges of the garden above the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The warm fresh sea air and the colors of Spring lifted her spirits like few other things could, except for her darling Luca and beautiful son, Luciano. She turned towards the villa to see Luca smiling at her while carrying little Luciano, almost two years old now. They were her whole world, and she was thankful for them each day.
“Luciano loves the yellow flowers, mi amore,” Luca shouted. “We have to be careful though or he will pull all of them up and mi madre will be furious if we let him,” Luca chuckled, adding with a grin, “But she would never scold her spoiled grandson, Luciano!”
“I know he loves the flowers so much,” Sally called out, “And he’s excited about getting into the pool again for his swim lessons,” she said with a smile. “Good thing that your mother and father installed the indoor heated pool in the solarium too. Luciano loved continuing to swim with his swim teacher over the winter months since Christmas and New Year,” Sally added with gratitude. The solarium pool was also a treat for Sally and Luca too, both who enjoyed swimming all winter.
As Luca reached Sally, he spread out a blanket on the lawn next to the flowers and placed Luciano on the blanket with his sack of toys. “Perhaps the toys will keep his attention and save the flowers from his curious hands,” Luca laughed. “It is so nice to see you smiling and happy, mi amore,” Luca added, turning to look at Sally as Luciano’s attention was drawn to his toys. “I know going into the nearby villages and the city of Bari sometimes leaves you a bit sad,” he added.
“That’s true,” Sally admitted. While I do enjoy being in the villages and city visiting the markets, checking out the shops and galleries, and feeling the energy of the people and the city, I do get upset with the constant posters of Il Duce everywhere and the fascist party with the propaganda and distortion of the truth. The signs are the same, always praising Il Duce, saying he is always right, that he is the savior of Italia and making it much better, when we know in our hearts that isn’t always the truth. Yet people believe it. I sometimes want to shake people and scream, wake up! But I know it does no good and only makes me a target of the government as someone who may be dangerous and part of the resistance. I see and hear of some in the resistance who publicly speak out and protest, but I fear that if I were to do that, I’d bring more pain and suffering to us and our family and safety. So, I find myself remaining silent and less assertive beyond the safety of Villa Vittorio, which leaves me feeling conflicted and guilty,” she sighed, the smile sliding from her face.
“Oh, mi amore, don’t despair and lose your beautiful smile,” Luca replied with concern. “Must I remind you of all the work you are doing that is part of the resistance and just as important!” he exclaimed. “For example, you continue to volunteer for DELASEM (Delegazione Assistenza Emigranti Ebrei) Assistance Organization for Jewish refugees fleeing other parts of Europe,” he reminded. “I know that Jewish people here in Italy also suffer restrictions and indignities like our dear friend Rita and her family are experiencing, but they are not at risk of physical harm like in other regions of Europe now,” he added. “The work you do is very important. And you help refugees find new homes and resettle. You help entertain in private parties for the other resistance fighters to keep up their spirits and encourage and support their cause and work. That is a very important effort on your part to support the resistance. Just because you don’t feel safe enough to be on the front lines of the resistance, doesn’t mean that the work you do quietly in the background and in the shadows isn’t just as critical to keeping the resistance alive and going strong!” Luca concluded with pride in his wife.
“I know you are right, darling,” Sally replied with a smile. “I just need reminding sometimes to keep my spirits up.” And being here with you and Luciano at Villa Vittorio in this beautiful garden with the sea view is always just the right medicine to cheer me up.” “Oh, speaking of the resistenza groups, and my support,” Sally started, “I’ve noticed that when some members have been using the colored handkerchiefs (foulards), red for the communist-aligned resistance groups and green for the Brigate Giustizia e Libertà (Justice and Freedom Brigades), the local and regional fascist government officials are also noticing and documenting their observations. I believe it is getting too obvious and dangerous for us to use such well-known national resistance symbols. I’d like to suggest at a future local resistance fighters meeting that we start using localized covert methods of identifying each other like verbal cues, subtle non-verbal signals only known to our members, or shared knowledge of local contacts or points of interest that signal our affiliation. We can pass these localized methods down orally, and without formal documentation, to minimize leaking to the fascist regime and local authorities,” Sally said with great seriousness.
“Mi amore! You are quite brilliant and not even aware of it!” Luca exclaimed. “You see, that is just what I’m talking about! You don’t have to be out there passing secret messages or yelling and protesting on street corners or challenging authorities out in the village square. You are doing very important work supporting the resistance in the background, just as you have suggested here. I think those are splendid ideas and we must get them out to the local and regional resistance forces as soon as possible,” Luca continued. “I know there’s a meeting in Brindisi and later in Lecce this month. We can start sharing your suggestions at those meetings, and I’ll attend with you, if you like,” Luca added with his charming smile.
“Oh Luca, of course, I want you to attend with me.” “We are a team, and you make me so happy!” “So, we have a plan to continue our support for the resistance. Now, let’s put aside those serious thoughts and enjoy this brilliantly beautiful Spring Day with our son Luciano,” Sally said, looking down for Luciano who had quickly, while they had been talking, toddled over to the yellow Spring flowers and began pulling them up by hand!
“Oh, well I guess we can put them in a vase with water and tell madre that Luciano picked them just for her.” Luca replied with a hearty laugh as Sally and Luciano both laughed as well. Together, they were a team, and life was beautiful.
