La Strada Da Seguire: The Road to Follow

by Susan Toscan

  Alessandro had to spend the next few weeks helping his family to try to re-establish their small farm, and he did not have the opportunity to visit Savina again during that time. Even though he was anxious to speak to her, he thought that it was most likely a good thing to take some time to think about what he wanted to say.

  Italy: The darkness

  of the mountains

  There were letters waiting for Alessandro from his uncle Frank in Australia. He read them anxiously.

  My dear nephew,

  We wait to hear that you have returned safely. Your father let us know that you were fighting with the partisans and we are so proud of you. We pray every day for your and your brother’s safe return. We did get the sad news that your brother Giuseppe had been killed, and this saddened us beyond words.

  We worry about your parents and how they will cope with his death, but we worry about you and your future also. Italy is going to take a long time to recover from this war and a young man like you should be looking to leave the sad memories behind and seek a future with us here in Australia.

  Australia is so different from Europe, but most importantly this country has never seen total war. The Japanese succeeded in attacking some parts of Australia, but, fortunately, the enemy did not make it into the country, even though there was a loss of life and much damage in the towns that were attacked. Although certainly nothing compared to what you have seen.

  I know that you will have a lot to think about on your return, but please know that there is work here for you. The town of Griffith is a growing area with lots of opportunities, especially for young men willing to work hard. My vineyard is doing very well and there is a local winery down the road. They are desperate for workers and the money is good. I have enclosed some details of how to go about applying for a visa to come to Australia.

  Please write soon.

  Your loving Zio Frank

  Alessandro was thrilled to have the letter. He had been thinking about the prospect of migrating to Australia before the war, but now he knew that this is what he would do. It was a new and exciting opportunity, and he wanted a fresh start. The idea of a land largely untouched by the violence of war was very tempting to this young man who craved a peaceful life.

  Alessandro was aware that many thousands of Australian men had lost their lives in the war he had just been through. He was relieved to learn that they had not been in his part of the war. He would have hated to find out that he had fought against Australian soldiers.

  He wanted to think about all of this information and then try to present it to Savina, not knowing how she would feel about such a big decision. He knew that they would have to wait a couple of years, but he wanted to marry her and move to Australia. He just did not know if migration to another country so far from their families would be acceptable to her.

  Savina had watched Alessandro closely during his visit to her home; she too was frustrated by the fact that they did not get to talk to each other away from the family. She was amazed at the man she saw—so like the boy who had left more than three years previously, but so different. He was hardened by what he had been through and had matured beyond his years. He had the haunted look of a lost soul trying to find a place to settle. Her heart ached for him. She wanted to reassure him that things would come right and that she would be there for him, but she somehow understood that he needed time to work through his own thoughts. Savina had waited so long for his return that she was prepared to be patient for as long as it took.

  Savina was extremely unhappy with her life, and she dreamed of a home of her own, where she would not be told what to do. She craved freedom, and like Aless­andro, she so wanted a peaceful existence; she wanted to laugh and be happy, but she had almost forgotten how to achieve that.

  Even though the war had ended six months prev­iously, the small village still looked like it was in the middle of a war. The spirit of the people had been broken, and they did not seem to have the strength to fix it. Men sat in the village square, their frustration from not being able to find jobs growing every day.

  The farms had been neglected for so long that it would take a good spring and summer to harvest any substantial crops, and the local businesses had long been closed. Some small market-based stalls were starting to appear as people felt that they could offer things for barter, but it was mostly a matter of sharing basic rations around the community.

  Meat was a luxury that not many people could afford. If an animal was killed for meat, it was shared with extended family, and good use was made of every cut. Some foods were available regularly: supplies of rice and flour were still available from the local authorities; potatoes grew well and could be stored for long periods; and of course eggs were part of the everyday diet as most people were able to keep some hens.

  Savina watched the depressing state of her village and wanted to run away. She did not know where as she had never been more than 20 kilometres from her village, but now she wanted to escape from her life, her village and even her country. She would often look at the rugged mountains that towered over her village, and instead of seeing the majesty of them, she saw darkness; she felt fear and cold overwhelm her.

  The war had given a whole new perspective to this fear that she had felt since childhood. It was during the war that she had become even more aware of the sinister nature of the shadows and caves in the rocks high above her. The secrets that were held in those mountains were the spirits of so many lives lost in the futile efforts of a few to overpower so many.

  Savina saw no future in this place. She had read of other towns, other countries, and had heard that many people were considering migration. Even though she did not know how to go about the process, she was determined to explore the possibilities.

  Venice was only 60 kilometres from her village, and she had never seen the historical beauty of that city on the water. Rome was as foreign to this young woman as another country. She did not crave the history of these places; rather, she wanted to be away from what she perceived as the ugliness that overshadowed her every day. She wanted to see the sky and not have the daylight shortened by the shadow of those imposing mountains.

  Savina wondered if Alessandro would consider her idea about migrating and looked forward to the opportunity to discuss this with him.

  It was almost a month before Alessandro was able to speak to Savina again. They had seen each other briefly at mass on Sunday mornings, but time had not allowed for any conversation. Alessandro had passed her a note that morning. The note asked her to meet him in a secluded spot near the base of the mountain where they had often gone as children.

  Savina could not wait to get away from the house. She got her chores done quickly and packed a tasty but limited picnic for them to share, even managing to take a bottle of wine from her father’s cellar without anyone seeing her. She felt very wicked, mixed with excitement about seeing Alessandro and finally having some time alone. This type of meeting would be frowned on, even forbidden, if her family found out about it. She was very careful to cover her tracks as she escaped her home, riding her bicycle in the opposite direction for a while before finding her way to the meeting place.

  When she arrived, Alessandro was waiting for her. He looked so much better than before; he had almost gained the weight he had lost, and he seemed to be more relaxed. Savina was feeling very shy as she got off her bicycle. She set about getting the picnic ready, laying a blanket on the ground, bustling about, fussing over the food and talking very quickly about nothing in particular.

  Alessandro watched her and smiled to himself. He knew that she was nervous, and he found that so endearing, so innocent. He loved her all the more. She finally stopped talking when she realised that he was watching her—not even listening to her. She looked up, and they smiled at each other. These two friends from long ago were seeing each other for the first time—knowing each other so well but really not knowing each other at all. They were children grown up, their friendship turned to much s
tronger feelings and a longing to touch each other that was new and exciting.

  Alessandro reached out and put his arms around Savina. “Bella,” he breathed against her hair; she smelled like sunshine. Her beautiful hair was a halo around her lovely face. They stood holding each other for a long time, both feeling that they had found a place of peace and joy that neither had experienced for the longest time.

  Alessandro kissed Savina softly, and she thought that it was the most beautiful feeling in the world. She knew that this was her place, the place she wanted to be forever. “L’ho mancato più delle parole possono dire,” she said shyly—I have missed you more than I can say.

  They stumbled apart, neither of them knowing what to do with the emotions that they were experiencing but also knowing that it was right and good.

  As they sat and began their picnic, Alessandro did not discuss any details of his life during his absence. He made it clear that he wanted to put the past and the war behind him and move on with his life. “These last few years are years I want to forget. I don’t want to live with sadness and anxiety overshadowing everything that I do anymore.” Alessandro said, looking into Savina’s eyes. “Savina, I want to be with you when you are ready; I want us to plan a future together. I knew as soon as I saw you in the square the day I returned that I wanted a life with you. I pray that you want the same thing. If you do, I will talk to your father about us getting married as soon as he allows it.” As he spoke, Alessandro watched Savina’s face anxiously to try to judge her reaction.

  He was left in no doubt that she was thrilled. Once again Savina’s eyes were bright with unshed tears of joy. She held Alessandro’s hands in hers as she responded. “I want to marry you as soon as my father allows. I can’t wait to start our life together, my love.”

  What she said next took Alessandro completely by surprise.

  Savina looked very tentative, but she had a determination in her voice that told Alessandro she had given a lot of thought to what she was saying. “So much has happened here that we both want to forget. I’ve been thinking that I would like to find out about the possibility of us migrating to another country. How would you feel about that?”

  Alessandro looked at Savina with such a startled expression on his face that she had to ask him, “Did I say something wrong, il mio amore?”

  “Wrong? Absolutely not! I was just about to tell you about the letters I’ve been getting from my Zio Frank, who went to Australia after the last war. He’s been encouraging me to migrate for years. There was another letter waiting for me when I returned, giving me all the information about how to apply for a visa. How would you feel about living in Australia, Savina?”

  “I’ve heard of Australia, although I’ve no idea where it is,” she said, with a huge smile on her face. “But I will go with you anywhere in the world; as long as we’re together, I don’t care where.” She laughed. “Two proposals in one day—my head is spinning!” Suddenly her expression grew serious again. “Alessandro, I hate to say it, but I have to go now. It’s getting late, and my stepmother will be looking for me.”

  The two quickly stood and began to put the picnic things back into the basket of Savina’s bicycle.

  “I’ll show you the information from my uncle, and we can discuss all the details soon. Let’s keep it to ourselves for now until we have a better idea of what’s involved.” Alessandro suggested, holding Savina tightly and kissing her again. This time the embrace was longer and deeper, both of them aware of the commitment that they shared.

  Alessandro approached Savina’s father while the man was feeding the chickens. He found it difficult to talk to Antonio about marrying his daughter, but he finally got up the courage to tell him. “Antonio, I want to ask your permission to marry Savina. I’ve secured a job back at the mine in Bassano. I assure you, sir, that I will work hard and save to provide a good life for her.”

  Antonio continued throwing the grain to the greedy, noisy chickens, and Alessandro wondered if the man had heard what he had said to him. Then Savina’s father looked at Alessandro and put his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

  “I have been wondering when you would get around to asking me this question, and I have given it a great amount of consideration.”

  Antonio had observed the young couple, and he knew that this proposal would be put to him sooner or later. He liked Alessandro, and he wanted his daughter to be happy. “I will talk to my wife and then get back to you in the next few days,” he said. “Savina is still young, but you are a good man, and I know that she cares for you deeply.”

  Savina was furious that her stepmother would have a say in her future, but she kept her frustration to herself while she waited for her parents’ decision—most impatiently. As she had expected, her stepmother did not want her to marry too quickly. Her father had told Alessandro that they had to wait at least two years. Savina was very unhappy with this, but Alessandro did his best to calm and reassure her when the two next met. “Bella, the time will go quickly, and your father is right: I have to save some money. The partisans didn’t pay for my services, unfortunately, so for the moment, I do need time to save money. I have already been home for some time, and with all the plans to migrate, we will need most of that time anyway.”

  The two had many more discussions about the process of migrating, and Alessandro had written to his uncle. It was all still a secret as they did not want to discuss their plans with the families until they knew exactly what was involved.

  Dearest Zio Frank and Zia Maria,

  I am finally home safely. The years away from my family were indescribably difficult. I have considered your suggestion to migrate to Australia and join your family in Griffith, and I am happy to tell you that I have started the visa application process. Thank you so much for all the information that you sent. It has helped a lot.

  I have to tell you that it will most likely be at least another two years before I can come, and I will not be coming alone. Savina and I are getting married in two years’ time, sooner if we can convince her parents. She is as anxious as I am to come to Australia and start a new life there. I do not know if you remember Savina, she was a small child when you left Cavaso but I am sure that you remember her father, Antonio Cattuzzo. She is wonderful, and I look forward to introducing her to you.

  I will continue to write and tell you how things are going. Love,

  Alessandro

  When Frank received Alessandro’s letter, he ran through the house yelling for Maria. “Maria! Maria! He is coming to Griffith! Alessandro is finally coming!”

  “Frank, you crazy man, stop yelling! I see that you have a letter from Alessandro. Good news, I gather?” Maria said, teasing her husband.

  “It will still take some time, but yes, very good news. Not only is Alessandro coming to Griffith—he’ll be bringing his new wife. They’ll get married just before they leave Cavaso.”

  Maria was now grabbing the letter from Frank’s hand. She read quickly and began clapping her hands with excitement. “Frank, what good news! Do you remember Savina?”

  “No—not really. At the time I left, Antonio had not long remarried after his first wife had sadly died. Savina was only about four years old, I think. I know that Antonio and my brother were good mates through the years. Obviously Alessandro and Savina would have known each other through their childhood. Savina would be a few years younger than Alessandro… but that’s perfect. A young married couple in our family again is really something to look forward to. I’ll write back and tell them we cannot wait for them to come and live in Australia.”

  Looking for a lost man

  Now that the war was over and he had returned to good health, Steven was determined to try to find out what had happened to Michael. It took time and was very difficult, but using his army contacts, he finally managed to get information on Michael from the hospital in Cairo. He found out that Michael had befriended a young nurse who had assisted in getting him out of the hospital.

  Steven’
s common sense led him to contact the shipping office in Cairo. Once again, a time-consuming search resulted in the confirmation that Michael and the nurse had purchased tickets on a freighter going to Fremantle. The Cairo shipping office confirmed that Darwin was the duo’s ultimate destination but was unable to confirm when they had arrived in Darwin. This at least gave Steven a place to start his search.

  He was surprised that Michael would go to Darwin, but he realised that he was looking for a very different man from the one he had known before the war.

  Steven discussed all of this with Renata because his search for Michael would mean that he would have to travel and be away from her and the farm for some time. “You know that I have to do this, love, but I’m reluctant to tell Agnes. I don’t want to create any false hope, and she’s trying so hard to make a go of her life with that jerk. The least we can do is respect the new marriage. But if I can find some answers, I know that it will help her to understand what happened to Michael—and then perhaps it’ll be easier for her to get on with her life.”

  “Of course you have to do this, darling. We can only hope that you manage to find out something. It’s all been so mysterious. It’s so unlike the Michael that we all knew.”

  Steven eventually made the long and difficult journey north to Darwin. To avoid arousing Agnes’s suspicions, he did so under the pretence of having been called upon by the army, which needed advisors to help find the missing men who had been in New Guinea with him.