Josef

Dinner that evening was at a luxury restaurant a few blocks from the hotel, to which they all walked. While they were

dining a trio of musicians consisting of a pianist, a saxophonist and a guitarist played an assortment of numbers ranging from

light classical to light jazz. Michael excused himself while they were eating and went to talk with the musicians.

“What was that all about?” asked his mother.

“You’ll see,” Michael replied.

They were finishing their final course when the trio’s leader walked over to the table and introduced himself. “I’m Carlo

Spinetti; I had the pleasure of seeing Signor Rankovic several years ago at a Christmas program he did here in Rome but

have not had the opportunity to meet him in person.” He thrust his hand out to Josef and added, “It would be a great honor,

Josef, if you would play for us.”

“Why not?” Josef replied and accompanied Carlo to the small bandstand.

Carlo made the announcement to the other restaurant patrons that they had an honored guest who had agreed to play a

few numbers, then introduced Josef. It seemed that most of the patrons knew who Josef was as there was an instant ‘Bravo’

and a round of applause.

Rather than playing the classical numbers for which he was famous, when he sat down at the piano Josef played a

medley of old Italian melodies, all familiar to his audience. He began with ‘Sorrento’ and continued through a number of

Italian favorites, ending with ‘The Isle of Capri.’

Each day during the next week the family, and Josef, set out to explore Rome. The first day Mr. Panelli hired a guide to

drive them around and show them the city. Then, one day, they toured the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel without a guide.

Another day the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Josef and Elena had no opportunity during the day to wander off by

themselves but would not have wished to do so in any case. They were both enthralled by the beauties of Rome and by the

antiquities they visited.

Evenings, in general, were a time of relaxation. All enjoyed a leisurely dinner and then relaxed in their suite either reading

or writing letters, except for Elena and Josef. Each evening, with the promise they would either stay in the hotel or nearby,

they left the family and went off by themselves for an hour or two. Michael showed signs, at first, of wanting to accompany

them but was gallant enough to realize they wanted to be by themselves.

A big find for them was a game room containing a pool table and ping pong table, and right outside the game room a

large swimming pool. Josef had played pool a few times and was able to hold his own with Elena but in ping pong she

destroyed him. They did more giggling than actual playing. Twice during the week they talked the rest of the family into using

the pool, again with much giggling as Josef and Elena splashed each other and everybody else who came near.

When they left Rome they traveled in a van complete with driver that Mr. Panelli had reserved months ago through a travel

agent in New York. This driver would stay with them throughout the rest of their visit to Italy, driving them and their luggage to

each of their next destinations and on limited tours at each destination. That way they were able to see much of the Italian

countryside and to make stops along the way at lesser known, picturesque towns and villages.

Their next destination was Naples. As the distance was short, approximately 250 kilometers, they were able to drive

there in in less than one day. The hotel in Naples was smaller and less luxurious than the one in Rome. Instead of a suite they

had three adjoining rooms; the largest, to be used by Mr. And Mrs. Panelli, also had a dressing room.

Two tours had been planned ahead of time for the Naples area, in addition to the time spent in the city itself. Mr. Panelli’s

parents had both been raised in Sorrento and he still had family there. One day was planned for this city, with a visit to

several cousins included. Another necessary stop was the much heralded Isle of Capri; it was as beautiful and picturesque

as they had hoped.

From Naples to Florence their driver followed a less traveled road, taking them through the mountainous terrain of central

Italy with an overnight stop at a small pensione near Terni.

In Florence Josef became their guide. A tour of the Conservatory was necessary so the Panellis could meet Signor

Vicenzia and other friends of Josef’s. A day in Pisa was followed by a lavish dinner at the home of Signor Marchetti where

Josef’s proud benefactor recounted many tales of Josef’s accomplishments. Josef’s acceptance at Columbia University and

at Julliard was a subject that provided an animated discussion.

After five days in Florence another day of driving brought them to Venice and a joyful reunion with Josef’s adopted family.

Pietro and Francesca, with their children, Giuseppe, now 18, and Lucia, 15, had driven from San Reino to spend a few days

with Josef and his new family. The Panellis were ecstatic at meeting the Cellas and welcomed them as family.

“Josef is almost part of our family now,” said Lucia Panelli. “We know his heart is always with you but we love him too.”

During their stay in both Naples and Florence things were so hectic that Elena and Josef were seldom by themselves.

The situation improved somewhat in Venice as the adults allowed the younger members to do their own touring, with various

suggestions about what they should see. With this temporary freedom Josef and Elena suggested to Michael that he go with

the Cella children and all five meet for lunch near the Basilica in St. Marks Square. Michael, with a knowing smirk, agreed to

this arrangement.

Hand in hand the two wandered off and found a pathway bordering the main canal with signs pointing toward their

destination. With many stops along the way and an occasional bench to sit at they enjoyed their first time alone together in

more than a week. Their conversation avoided the subject of love as if that was a subject they were not ready to discuss but

both knew they were strongly attracted to each other. As they strolled they were either hand in hand, arm in arm, or arms

around waists.

The Panelli’s vacation came to an end in Venice in late July. Mr. Panelli had a busy schedule waiting for him at home.

Michael had to get ready to return to Yale and Christina to her teaching job at Columbia. Elena would begin her college

education in September in Williams College in western Massachusetts, close enough to home for frequent visits but far

enough so that she and Josef would have some degree of separation. This, her parents felt, was necessary at this stage of

her life. The Cellas had left a few days earlier to return to San Reino.

Before the Panellis departure Josef and Elena sneaked off by themselves to say their goodbyes in private. They hugged

and kissed each other, neither one wanting to stop.

Finally, with tears in her eyes, Elena pulled back and said, “I have to go, dear Josef. I wish we were going to school

together but I guess it’s better that we aren’t. I’ll send you my school address and phone number as soon as I know them.

Then you can keep writing to me and call me once in a while.”

“I’ll write you,” Josef promised. “You’re part of my life and always will be. I’ll phone you too if you promise not to talk all

night.”

“I promise,” Elena murmured, then fled back to her room.

X: August - October, Year Two

Josef returned to Florence and Signor Marchetti’s house, where he was to stay until early September. At that time he

would fly to New York and take up residence at Mr. Panelli’s apartment in Manhattan. This was a perfect housing solution for

Josef as the apartment was located only a few blocks from Central Park and about six blocks from Julliard School. Josef

would have to take the subway to his classes at Columbia but he could walk to Julliard.

During August Josef relaxed at his patron’s home, spending some time riding one of the horses, at other times playing

with the Marchettis’ new dog. The lovable old Bassett hound, Paisin, had died two years previously and had been replaced

by another just as lovable. As Signor Marchetti had bought him from a French breeder he had been named Pierre.

Also during that month Josef sorted through his personal belongings, selecting those he would need in his new life at

college. Items he would not need he set aside for storage. He was amazed at the huge inventory of what he felt was

important to take with him. He would have to go through a weeding out process before finalizing his list. Otherwise he would

need an entire airplane for himself.

Josef arrived in New York in early September and spent several days getting settled in the apartment. He had hoped to

visit the Panellis before school started but the boys were already at their own schools, Mr. Panelli was busy with his law

practice and Lucia had gone with Elena to Williams College for her freshman orientation.

There was a letter waiting for him from Elena. Josef read it and put it aside to answer after her orientation was over. The

letter was brief, with the intent of informing Josef of her address and phone number and the promise she would write a longer

letter when she was settled in. She closed with “All my love, Elena.”

On the third day after his arrival Mr. Panelli called and invited Josef to lunch. Josef was given the name of the restaurant

and advised to take a taxi. Mr. Panelli, as was usually the case with him, was not talkative during lunch except to inquire how

Josef was doing and to ask if he had heard from Elena. Apparently he had not heard and was not sure when Lucia would

return home.

Josef also went through an orientation session at Columbia but not at Julliard; it lasted only two days. A schedule had

been arranged for him so that he had classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Columbia and Tuesday and Thursday at

Julliard.

Nowhere in the program was he scheduled for any physical exercise. To compensate for this he began a regimen of

running in Central Park four mornings a week from 7 to 8 A.M. His first classes at Columbia were not until 10 A.M. on

Monday and Friday which allowed him time to run, then shower, have a quick breakfast and catch a 9:30 subway train to

school. Wednesday morning a biology lab began at 9 o’clock which did not allow time for running.

On Tuesday and Thursday his classes at Julliard also began at 10; these were his other two running days. Josef found

the classes at Julliard easy. He was pleased that his instructor for a class in Music Theory was Dr. Samuels. His other class

at Julliard was ‘Arranging for Small Groups’.

The classes at Columbia, on the other hand, were not easy. A required class in basic English in fact was difficult. As

English was no better than his third language, Josef found that grappling with parts of speech and sentence structure was

challenging.

He also enrolled in a class of basic computer skills. This, he felt, would be important later in his life. As with the English

class, the computer class was also a challenge. His third class, Biology, while not as easy as his classes at Julliard, was

much more understandable than the other two.

For meals, Josef found it simpler during the week to have breakfast at the apartment, usually cereal and fruit, a Danish

roll and a cup of tea. Lunch was invariably at the cafeteria at Julliard or Columbia. He lucked out at dinner time; he

discovered a restaurant two blocks from the apartment that served a wide selection of entrees with a different specialty each

night.

Evenings, on school nights, were usually spent studying, up to three hours each evening. On the nights when the study

required less time he practiced on his violin. Piano practice was hit or miss, usually filling in free time at Julliard by finding an

available piano.

Until bedtime Josef was too busy to be lonely. He was surrounded by class-mates all day long but seldom had time to

socialize with any of them. Upon going to bed things changed. No longer in the middle of the babel of voices at school he

missed his family, and he missed Elena. Fortunately, his busy schedule brought sleep on quickly.

Letters from Elena came regularly, always lengthy, always telling him about her activities at Williams College. On

occasion she threw in juicy tidbits about her roommate or other students she met. According to Elena they had a busy social

calendar. From her letters Elena also sounded lonely. She often made the statement that she wished they were not so far

apart; and she always ended with, ‘All my love.’

Josef answered her faithfully as his first activity each Saturday morning before writing other letters. His letters also were

informative but not as effusive as Elena’s. Again, as English was somewhat difficult for him, he was not always able to use

the proper words. At times he switched to Italian, particularly to write a personal comment. He described Elena as his

‘belissimo signorina’ and used other similar phrases.

Josef also included more poems in his letters, poems that beautifully stated his love without explicitly saying ‘I love you.’

To his surprise and pleasure Elena wrote him poems in return.

In mid-October Josef was invited by one of his classmates at Julliard to participate in a jam session that Saturday night at

a jazz club in Greenwich Village. The classmate, Alexander Griffith, was a young black man two years Josef’s senior who

played drums and tympani. Josef, without hesitation, accepted the invitation.

“I love jazz,” Josef told Alexander. “I’ve been hoping to find a situation where I could play jazz for fun.”

“I know,” Alexander replied. “I’ve heard you practicing.”

Alexander, who had a car at his disposal, picked Josef up that Saturday night shortly after 9 P.M. “I have to have the car,”

he told Josef, “Otherwise I would have no way to transport my drums. You’re lucky, there’s always a piano available at every

joint. Just imagine having to carry your own everywhere.”

The jazz club was a seedy looking establishment in the basement of a highrise in a rundown section of the village. To

Josef it looked like it should be given the name ‘Honky Tonk.’

The other musicians looked like a ragtag group. All were dressed in t-shirts and worn jeans. Josef murmured to

Alexander, “What is this, Alexander’s Ragtime Band?”

At this Alexander laughed before making the introductions. Josef’s name didn’t ring a bell with any of the other

musicians; they were into jazz and jazz only. Alexander told them only that Josef played a hot piano.

The group began playing at 10 o’clock. There seemed to be no set program; each of the five players took turns

suggesting a number he wished the group to play. Occasionally a member of the small audience sitting at tables made a

request.

At first Josef sat at a table next to the band and listened. Then Alexander, without warning, made the announcement.

“We have a gifted musician with us who has offered to take a turn at the piano. Josef Rankovic, ladies and gentlemen.”

There was a scattering of applause as Josef stood up. The man who had been playing the piano stood up, bowed to

Josef and moved to another seat on the bandstand to pick up a trombone, which he also played.

“What would you like to start with?” asked the trumpet player, who was the nominal leader.

“How about ‘Honeysuckle Rose’?” asked Josef.

“Fine, start us off.”

Josef played as if he had been inspired. He began with several stanzas before the other musicians joined in then played

two more solo riffs followed by a change to stride rhythm in the style of Fats Waller. When he finished the other musicians,

enthralled at his performance, applauded along with the audience.

Josef accompanied the band in several more impromptu numbers then suggested ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’. He began by

playing a slow moving 2/4 rendition then, for the second chorus, changed the beat to 4/8, catching the musicians momentarily

off-guard. Again, the place exploded into applause.

A break followed. The musicians adjoined to a table where most of them ordered a mixed drink and Josef a Coke. The

questions flew at him from all sides. “What’s your name again?’ “Where did you learn to play like that?”

Before Josef could answer Alexander stood up, rapped for attention and said, “Gentlemen, and all you ladies and

gentlemen in the audience. Let me introduce you to the world renowned classical violinist and pianist, JOSEF RANKOVIC.

Josef has played in concerts all over Europe and in the United States. Happily for us, he loves jazz also.”

XI: November, Year Two - January, Year Three

In letters from Elena in late October and early November she mentioned how anxious she was for Thanksgiving to come

so she could be back with her family and could see Josef again. “You are going to spend Thanksgiving with us, aren’t you?”

she asked in one of the letters.

Of course Jose3f had planned on Thanksgiving with the Panellis but until now the subject had not come up. Apparently

Elena had mentioned it to her mother as shortly after he received this plea from Elena he got a phone call from Lucia.

“We are looking forward to you coming for Thanksgiving, Josef,” said Lucia. “And Christmas too.”

Josef was so happy to hear her voice he responded quickly. “I’m also looking forward to Thanksgiving with you; but not

Christmas. I want to spend Christmas with Francesca and Pietro. I’ll be back in New York by New Years and can stay with

you again as I did this year, if that’s all right with you.”

“That will be lovely, Josef.”

They talked for a while longer and made arrangements for Josef to take a train on Thanksgiving eve. Elena would not

arrive until the next morning, flying in from Williamstown by way of Albany. “We’ll pick her up at 10:30,” Lucia added.

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