Elisabetta nursed their son as Carlo curled up next to his wife on the bed. When the baby had had his fill, she placed him tenderly in the soft straw basket on the bed next to her. She draped her arm around it, protecting her highest dream.
The afternoon sun, the color of a ripe apricot, cut a ribbon of light across the polished floor. Elisabetta thought to get up from the bed, close the sheer draperies and the doors, but she was tired, the bed was warm, and the air was sweet. The scent of the fresh fields in la primavera, blossoming and green, wafted over them. She settled back on her pillow instead.
A warm breeze stirred the old wind chimes on the balcony, making a sweet tune that lulled the father, the mother, and their baby to sleep.
Acknowledgments
Michael Anthony Trigiani (1903–1968) was a good and in all ways a glorious man. My grandfather taught me how to tie my shoes, play checkers, and eat soup properly. When I was punished for being a troublemaker in kindergarten at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, my penance was to appear in the school Nativity play as the lone girl shepherd and wear a burlap sack, but my grandfather, who owned and operated the Yolanda Manufacturing Company (in Martins Creek, Pennsylvania) with my grandmother, was having none of it. Instead, he made me a gorgeous purple satin tunic. Knowing the costume might incite the peevish nun, he walked me into the school the night of the performance and charmed her. I remember his hand in mine that cold night, when he took what could have been a moment of humiliation and turned it into something beautiful and empowering.
Grandpop came from a big family (four boys, five girls). His parents emigrated from Roseto Valfortore, Italy, to Roseto, Pennsylvania, at the turn of the twentieth century. He began as a machinist in a pants factory, and worked his way up to managing it with my grandmother, until they went into business for themselves. His education took him to the eighth grade, but later he took courses to complete his high school diploma. He was fourteen years old in 1917 when a miracle occurred in Fatima, Portugal, which had a profound effect on him. His faith fueled his aspirations to make his hometown the best it could be. He locked arms with his friends to build two parish schools and a ballpark in Roseto. After years of serving on the town council, he was elected chief burgess (mayor) of Roseto in 1942. He was a director of the First National Bank of Bangor, Pennsylvania, from 1951 until his death, a feat for the son of Italian immigrants, but one that confirmed his composure, steadfast business sense, and role as a community builder.
While I have written extensively about the women in my family, I never meant to give my grandfather short shrift. He was at ease in the world, and possessed an innate elegance, which the Italians call sprezzatura. He worked side by side with his wife, Viola, who easily owned any room she entered—or could clear one when she was displeased. His love for her made him a feminist, and he was proud of her accomplishments and ambition; so much so that it was her name over the door of the factory they owned together. His family and friends relied on him; in times of trouble, it was he who showed up and took care of the brokenhearted, or just the broke. He died not long after he made me that costume, but even having known him for a short time, I’m certain he set the needle of my moral compass. I try to live right so I’ll see him again someday.
I am delighted to be published by the great, hardworking, and visionary team at HarperCollins, led by two wonderful leaders: Brian Murray and Michael Morrison. I am in awe of my brilliant editor, Jonathan Burnham. He is a writer’s dream. He has exquisite taste, the ability to press like a good coach when necessary, and he supports the work in every way to make it the best it can be. Thank you, Jonathan! Doug Jones is a superb leader and I rely on his vision and team to put the book into your hands. Thank you Emily Griffin, who works hard, sparkles, persists, and has the countenance of the aforementioned saints. Jonathan and Emily’s right arms: Mary Gaule, Amber Oliver, and Jennifer Civiletto get kisses from Carlo, too.
Kate D’Esmond is tireless, wise, and a joy, a publicist with panache. Tina Andreadis is a Greek goddess who rules all media on behalf of authors with warmth and affection. In publicity and marketing, thank you Leah Wasielewski, Renata Marchione, Emily VanDerwerken, Leslie Cohen, Katie O’Callaghan, Jennifer Murphy, Mary Ann Petyak, and Tom Hopke Jr. Virginia Stanley, director of library marketing, calls and I get on the plane. She is the queen of the libraries and my dear friend. Thank you Amanda Rountree and Chris Connolly.
Robin Bilardello designed the spectacular cover art; every detail bursts with life. Thank you to the design and art team: Leah Carlson-Stanisic, Fritz Metsch, Joanne O’Neill, and Sarah Brody.
The team that works around the clock to serve our readers, providing books to independent bookstores, chains, online, and to libraries in every manner and format to serve you, is amazing: Mary Beth Thomas, Josh Marwell, Andy LeCount, Kathryn Walker, Michael Morris, Kristin Bowers, Brendan Keating, Carla Parker, Brian Grogan, Tobly McSmith, Lillie Walsh, Rachel Levenberg, Frank Albanese, David Wolfson, and Samantha Hagerbaumer.
The paperback team, Mary Sasso and Amy Baker, are phenomenal. Thank you Tara Weikum, my great YA editor; the video team, Marisa Benedetto, Lisa Sharkey, Alex Kuciw, and Jeffrey Kaplan. The sublime audio book was produced by Katie Ostrowka and read by the incomparable Edoardo Ballerini. Thank you Danielle Kolodkin, Natalie Duncan, and Andrea Rosen in our speaker’s bureau and special markets.
Over at WME, I am represented by the petite and gorgeous tornado Suzanne Gluck. Thank you Andrea Blatt, Clio Seraphim, Clarissa Lotson, Kitty Dulin, Eve Attermann, Alicia Gordon, Sasha Elkin, Becky Chalsen, Jonathan Lomma, Evan Morse, Joey Brown, Tracy Fisher, Alli Dyer, Cathryn Summerhayes, Elizabeth Sheinkman, Fiona Baird, and Siobhan O’Neill.
Nancy Josephson has been my agent and guiding star since the start; I adore her. Jill Holwager Gillett, we are back together again and not a moment too soon! Thank you Sylvie Rabineau, Rehana Lodge, Ashley Kruythoff, Ellen Sushko, Graham Taylor, Will Maxfield, Michelle Bohan, Joanna Korshak, Chris Slager, Liesl Copland, Alli McArdle, Amos Newman, Lauren Denielak, Kathleen Nishimoto, and Hilary Savit.
The Glory of Everything Company is a small but mighty team. Thank you Sarah Choi, you’re a star. Hannah Drinkall, who has energy and pluck and patience; Doni Muransky, we still have the glow from your time here. Thank you Matthew Hong, the great designer, and Jean Morrissey, my gifted and generous partner. Our summer interns rocked the West Village; they are stars of tomorrow in writing, editing, marketing, publicity, and art—thanks and love to Oona Intemann, Emilie Kefelas, Kenneth Marciano, Arden Batista, Olivia Olson, Ashley Murray, Jania Perez, Paula Ubah, Fiona Hines, Carrie Klein, and Amy Dworsky.
Deep gratitude to the dazzling Nancy Bolmeier Fisher, executive director of the Origin Project, and Linda Woodward and Grace Bradshaw. Thank you for your wisdom Richard Thompson, Bryna Melnick, Helen Rosenberg, Donna Gigiliotti, Larry Sanitsky, Gina Forsythe, Katherine Drew, Maya Ziv, Kim Hovey, Ian Chapman, and Suzanne Baboneau.
If you must choose one friend in your life, make it Bill Persky. If you must choose two, add Joanna Patton. They gave me (Saint) Judith Kelman and Visible Ink; which shored up my soul.
The story of Roseto in the late 1940s was told to me by Ralph Stampone, Jack Parillo, and Mamie Ciliberti. Cousin Gary Stampone provided photographs; cousin Joe Peters confirmed who the folks were in the pictures. Caroline Giovannini was a font of info on all things Rosetan. Cousin Ben Tartaglia, the son of the Mary “Mix-Up,” helped with the details of life in South Philly, as did fellow native Gina Casella, fabulous president of AT Escapes. Samantha Rowe, research assistant, cracked Morse code, ladies’ hats, and historical Philadelphia for this one. Brandy Carrao Piche and Jack and Pat Carrao of Chicagoland gave me their family tree to pick and prune with love. The grace notes of heroism in wartime came from cousin Tommy Falcone, Navy Seaman, 2nd Class, who died at nineteen when the USS Franklin was hit on March 19, 1945. First Lieutenant Michael J. Cleary and Army Specialist Richard D. Naputi Jr. were killed in Iraq on December 20, 2005. Their heroi
c spirits fill these pages. Sister Jean Klene, thank you for your vast knowledge of Shakespeare, which I was so lucky to witness in your classes at Saint Mary’s; you truly lit this spark, while Reg Bain threw a gallon of gas on it when I watched him expertly direct Hamlet.
Thank you Jake Morrissey, who reads early and often. I’ve come to rely on his sound judgment and high opinion. I have two fabulous brothers, but I am blessed with a third: David Baldacci is a great writer, but he also has the biggest heart on the planet.
In the Roseto and Big Stone Gap traditions, friendship is everlasting and more precious than gold. My evermore thanks to: Chris and Ed Muransky, Mary Pipino, Kristin Dornig and Tony Krantz, Candyce Williams, Robyn Lee, Dorothy and Bob Isaac, Pat Bean, Brian Balthazar, Jennifer Bloom and Andrew Kravis, Nigel Stoneman, Charles Fotheringham, Hannah Palermo, Christine Onorati, Matthew T. Weiner, Andrew Hauser and Emily Suber, Joe Rudge, Jacqueline Cholmondeley, William Watson and Adelina Castro, Aunt Bunny Grossinger, Kathy McElyea, Lou and Berta Pitt, Doris Shaw Gluck, Dianne and Andy Lerner, Tom Dyja, Matt Williams and Angelina Fiordellisi, Christina Geist, Susan Fales-Hill, Charles Randolph Wright, Donna Diamond, Liz Travis, Betty Fleenor, Diane and Dr. Armand Rigaux, Monique Gibson, Sharon Ewing, Dan and Robin Napoli, Dagmara Domincyzk and Patrick Wilson, Gail Berman, Eugenie Furniss, Phillip Grenz, Joyce Sharkey, Spencer Salley, Robin Kall, Dana Chidekel, Tracy and Greg Kress, Cate Magennis Wyatt, Carol and Dominic Vechiarelli, Mark Amato, Mary Beth and Mike Allen, Meryl Poster, Sister Robbie Pentecost, Mary K. and John Wilson, Jim and Kate Benton Doughan, Richard and Dana Kirshenbaum, Marisa Acocella, Violetta Acocella, Emma and Tony Cowell, Hugh and Jody Friedman O’Neill, Nelle Fortenberry, Cara Stein, Dolores and Dr. Emil Pascarelli, Eleanor “Fitz” King and Eileen, Ellen, and Patti, Sharon Hall, Rosanne Cash, Constance Marks, Jasmine Guy, Mario Cantone and Jerry Dixon, Judy Rutledge, Jayne Muir, Father John Rausch, Mary Ellen Keating, Nancy Ringham Smith, Sharon Watroba Burns, Dee Emerson, Elaine Martinelli, Sister Karol Jackowski, Jane Cline Higgins, Betty Cline, Beth Vechiarelli Cooper, Robyn and Max Westler, Tom and Barbara Sullivan, Ninette Bavaro-Latronica, Brownie and Connie Polly, Catherine Brennan, Karen Fink, Beata and Steven Baker, Todd Doughty, Randy Losapio, Craig Fisse, Steve and Anemone Kaplan, Christina Avis Krauss and Sonny, Eleanor Jones, Wendy Miller Hughes, Becky Browder, Connie Shulman, Evadean Church, Miles Fisher, Marion Cantone, and Tom Leonardis.
Michael Patrick King, how lucky I am that you took that parking spot next to mine and your engine fell out and we fell in for life.
Ladies, I adore you and you know why, thank you: Michelle Baldacci, Cynthia Rutledge Olson, Mary Testa, Dottie Frank, Wendy Luck, Elena Nachmanoff, Dianne Festa, Joanne LaMarca, Jackie Levin, Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford, Christine Gardner, Sheila Mara, Rosanna Scotto, Mary Murphy, Whoopi Goldberg, Ruth Pomerance, Jenna Elfman, Janet Leahy, and Susie Essman.
I thank my husband and daughter for not changing the locks. You are my heart. Thank you to my brothers and sisters; their families and the fabulous Stephenson family. My mother, Ida, is still teaching me how to live, I am eternally grateful to her.
As I wrote this book, I mourned the loss of dear friends and family, who were once angels on earth and now enjoy their heavenly reward. God bless my beloved cousin Paul Godfrey; Mary E. Burton and her daughter Margaret Gallemore; Frank Pellegrino Sr., Rao’s regal raconteur; Jack Hodgins, magnificent, award-winning innkeeper; Frank Delaney, divine storyteller, treasured friend, and Diane’s true love; Bob Minzesheimer, irreplaceable book lover/writer, loving dad, and husband; Judy Parks Krafft, my fabulous aunt by marriage; Hortense Mooney, devout and joyful; Betty Matera, Al’s shy and loving wife; Vincent Matera, the hilarious quintessential New Yorker, Marie’s Italian stallion, and Rosemarie’s perfect father; Robert Francis of Chisholm, Minnesota, the kindest and most gentle soul who ever lived; Rosalyn Angelini Mugavero, Roseto beauty, loving wife, mother, and grandmother; Rosemarie D’Alessandro, beloved wife and mother; Kenneth Ciliberti, perfect son and brother; Carol A. Ciliberti, wonderful wife and mother, Mitzi Thomas, dear friend, Jan Rohrs, good mother and friend; Joseph O’Connor, Trish’s dear dad; Dr. Brownie E. Polly and Barbara Polly, lifelong friends; Brooklyn’s Kitty Martinelli, bella mother and wife; Adrianne Tolsch, the hilarious, gutsy gamine, Bill Scheft’s beloved wife; mentor Earl Hamner Jr., who cut the path in the Blue Ridge mountains so all the rest of us might follow; Miles Coiner, the hippest man in any room, director/writer/professor, and Mary’s good husband; Kathleen Lang, Tom’s wife, Kaitlin’s mom, kind and generous, a fellow Lizzie on the Arizona Women’s Board; Frances Keuling-Stout, the madcap, original poet and Henry’s true love; and Lisa Obry, a Saint Mary’s girl from Jersey who was loyal, fun-loving, and the first in line to buy a ticket to any play her friend had written. And I would know: I was that lucky girl.
About the Author
Adriana Trigiani is the bestselling author of seventeen books, which have been published in thirty-six countries around the world. She is a playwright, television writer/producer, and filmmaker. She wrote and directed the film version of her novel Big Stone Gap, which was shot entirely on location in her Virginia hometown. She is cofounder of the Origin Project, an in-school writing program that serves more than one thousand students in Appalachia. She lives in Greenwich Village with her family.
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Also by Adriana Trigiani
Fiction
All the Stars in the Heavens
The Supreme Macaroni Company
The Shoemaker’s Wife
Brava, Valentine
Very Valentine
Home to Big Stone Gap
Rococo
The Queen of the Big Time
Lucia, Lucia
Milk Glass Moon
Big Cherry Holler
Big Stone Gap
Young Adult Fiction
Viola in Reel Life
Viola in the Spotlight
Nonfiction
Don’t Sing at the Table
Cooking with My Sisters (coauthor)
Screenplay
Big Stone Gap
Photograph of Mary Jane Russell wearing Balenciaga on the Harper’s Bazaar cover, December 1951, by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, courtesy of the Museum at FIT; Collection Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona © 1989 Arizona Board of Regents
Copyright
kiss carlo. Copyright © 2017 by The Glory of Everything Company. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Cover design by Robin Bilardello
Cover image © Guz Anna / Shutterstock (flowers)
Cover photograph of Mary Jane Russell wearing Balenciaga on the Harper’s Bazaar cover, December 1951, by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, courtesy of the Museum at FIT; Collection Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona © 1989 Arizona Board of Regents
first edition
Digital Edition JUNE 2017 ISBN: 9780062319241
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-231922-7
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* A reference to Julius Caesar’s Bellum Gallicum.
* “This is war.”
* “He conquers who endures.”
* “The die has been cast.”
* “Here lies.” Raleigh cited in John Dover Wilson, comp., Life in Shakespeare’s England—A Book of Elizabethan Prose (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1911).
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Contents
A Note from the Author
Overture
Prologue
Act I 1
2
3
4
5
Act II 6
7
8
9
Interlude
Act III 10
11
12
Epilogue
Postlude
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Adriana Trigiani