Giovanni (The Great)

By Pauline Furmanczyk-Winogron

On a warm and lazy summer evening in a little Italian district on EmpressStreet, two very important things occur: ten-year-old Antonio DAngeloreceives the birthday gift he always wanted: A new violin. And downthe hall, the Ciccione parents receive the gift of a new baby boy who they nameGiovanni.

Determined to become a great violinist, Antonio overcomes a physical handicap andquickly reaches a skill level far beyond his years, despite his jealous violin instructorsefforts to prevent Antonios progress at every opportunity. When Antonio discoversthat his biggest fan lives right in his own house, he and Giovanni form an unbreakablebond held together by their passion for music and singing. As the pair embarks on aquest to attain their dreams of performing on the big stage, they carry out hilariousantics, learn life lessons, and share countless heartfelt moments as they discover thatsometimes the journey is as much fun as the fi nish line.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491793329

Pauline Furmanczyk-Winogron

Pauline Furmanczyk-Winogron is the eleventh child of artistic and musical Polish immigrants. Pauline’s love of children and writing inspired her to write her first novel, which has proved to be a hit during her live classroom readings. Her family-friendly stories are grounded in positive messaging. Pauline and her husband, Steve, have two children and live in Ottawa, Canada.

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Copyright © 2016 Pauline Furmanczyk Winogron.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Illustrations by Pauline Furmanczyk-Winogron

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-9330-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-9331-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-9332-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016905226

iUniverse rev. date: 06/23/2016

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Acknowledgements

CHAPTER 1

On a warm and lazy summer evening in a little Italian district on Empress Street, two very important things happened. Antonio D’Angelo got his first violin.

And Giovanni was born.

Outside the hallway of a modest three-story rooming house, a light flickered underneath a crack in the doorway. As it danced, it reflected in the polished hardwood floor that Mr. D’Angelo, the landlord, had just refinished. For he’s a jolly good fellow, for he’s a jolly good fellow, for he’s a jolly good fe-el-low … which nobody can deny!

The voices and cheers of enthusiasm on the main floor echoed down the hall as Antonio blew out the candles on his birthday cake. Today he was ten, and there was something very different about this birthday that made it unlike any other. Antonio could not explain it, but there was magic in the air, and he knew this was going to be an incredible evening.

Mama placed her hands on Antonio’s shoulders, which appeared to be much broader now that he was getting older.

So, little Antonio, well, maybe-a not so little—you are getting so much bigger now, aren’t you? She shook her head in disbelief at how rapidly her son was growing taller, into a fine young man. You just close your eyes, and I’ll be right back.

Antonio shut his eyes as tightly as he could. He couldn’t help peeking just a little out of the corner of his eye, though, as Mama entered the room and placed a large package on his knees.

Okay! Papa announced. Go ahead and look now.

Antonio smiled as he gazed upon the mysterious gift before him. It was not wrapped in the same colorful papers and ribbon like the rest of the gifts on the dining room table. This one was wrapped in brown packing paper. It was tied neatly with string that formed a single small bow and bore a large number of FRAGILE stickers on it. The paintings on the stamps were rich and beautiful and clearly revealed that this package was all the way from Vienna. Antonio looked up at his parents with wild excitement.

Oh, Mama, Papa, it couldn’t be!

Go on, darling, open it! Open it! Mama smiled, licking some chocolate icing off her wrist as she began to slice the cake.

Antonio’s eyes darted everywhere as he inspected the box from all angles. He immediately set to work, opening it very carefully, knowing that there must be something awfully special inside, perhaps something he had been hoping to get for a long time. The dim light did not affect Antonio’s eyes in the least, and he recognized the distinct shape of the gift at once.

A violin! A violin! he shouted as he lifted the handcrafted case from the box. The sweet smell of new leather filled the room as Antonio burst into joyous laughter. Oh, Mama, Papa, it’s perfect!

Removing the exquisite instrument from its resting place, Antonio caressed the strings and ran his hands over the smooth, shiny lacquered finish. He leaped over to his parents and hugged them over and over. Mama giggled as Antonio covered her bare arms up and down with kisses. While Antonio marveled at the violin, Papa retreated to his favorite chair in the living room and reached for his pipe that he kept in the top drawer.

So, this is what you always wanted, no? You will do us proud, I’m sure, he said, tapping the pipe on his shoe to loosen the tobacco.

Oh, I will! I will! promised Antonio.

Well, in that case, Papa continued, I have another little surprise that might interest you. Papa grinned with his left eyebrow raised, the way he usually did when he was up to something. I spoke-a to Mr. Santini about you yesterday, and we discussed some lessons for you, no? He said he has-a just one opening for this September. Can you believe it, Mama? Our son, lucky enough to be taught by the great Fernando Santini!

At this amazing news, Antonio’s eyes struck up like matches, and just as quickly, the flames extinguished. His head sank down into his chest. But, Papa, my hands … what will he say about my hands?

*

That same evening, just down the hall, Mrs. Ciccione was rocking her new little baby.

Isn’t he beautiful, Papa? Isn’t he perfect?

Papa Ciccione beamed as he gently caressed his tiny little son’s head. Perfect, he half whispered. And Giovanni is a perfect name. He looks like a Giovanni, doesn’t he?

Oh yes! Mama Ciccione said as she snuggled the little bundle up to her cheek and softly sang him the lullaby she had sung to all her children when they were just born.

The tender moment was interrupted when Papa heard the other children on the opposite side of the doorway, waiting impatiently to see their new little brother. They pressed against the door so tightly that when Papa finally opened it, they burst in like water shooting from a crack in a dam, tumbling to the floor in all directions.

Children, children, quiet. Please! Do you not see the new little baby? We don’t want to wake him with any noise now, do we?

No, Papa, the eleven children chanted in unison.

Very well, then, come and see our new little member of the Ciccione family.

The children surrounded Mama’s bed, encircling it like the spindles of a cradle.

Theresa, the eldest of the children, gently kissed her mama’s forehead and extended two longing arms. Mama, can I hold him? she said, filled with emotion.

Of course you can, my dear, Papa answered, lifting the baby tenderly and placing him into her arms. Carefully, Theresa. This is our new bambino. His name is Giovanni.

CHAPTER 2

Streams of sunbeams poured through every tiny crevice of Antonio’s bamboo window blind the next morning. Yawning a most satisfying yawn, he sprang out of bed straight in the direction of his new wonderful gift. As he lifted the violin and placed it under his chin, he suddenly got the urge to try it out right then and there. He then remembered that it was early and his parents were probably still asleep. He suspected they wouldn’t appreciate being awakened by the screeching sounds of an amateur violinist, so he decided it would be best to wait till after breakfast.

Poking his head out into the hallway, Antonio realized Papa was in the shower, and the noises in the kitchen meant Mama must be getting breakfast ready. Still clad in his pajamas, he slipped his socks on and went downstairs to investigate. As he approached the kitchen, his nose met the tremendous fragrance of sizzling breakfast sausage, one of Antonio’s absolute favorites. He marched straight to the stove and uncovered the lid to view them in their golden-brown splendor.

Oh, Antonio, you’re up, Mama said, turning around from the counter as she was buttering the toasty raisin biscuits. Those sausages are almost ready. We’ll eat just as soon as Papa comes down. She began to hum an aria from one of her favorite musicals. Mama had a very pretty voice, and when she wasn’t singing, there was always music coming from somewhere in the D’Angelo household. Music was a very important part of their family, and Antonio had always wanted to make his own music. He especially loved the violin, and he was determined to become a great violinist, one whom Mama and Papa would be proud of.

Mama, can I go outside and play my new violin in the garden until breakfast is ready? Antonio asked, tightening the belt on his housecoat.

Sure you can, but please come in right away when I call you; Papa is in a rush to get to work this morning. Okay?

Yes, Mama, Antonio said, and he proceeded to the door. He paused a moment and added, But don’t let him get to the sausages first.

Mama laughed and swatted Antonio’s backside as she propped the screen door open with her foot.

Antonio loved their huge garden. It was a place he often retreated to when he needed time by himself or wanted to explore, looking for interesting stuff on the ground. Inhaling the fresh morning air, he shut his eyes and began to listen to the symphony of chirping birds. Raising his violin to his chest, he made one single sustaining note with his bow. To his surprise, it didn’t sound scratchy and annoying; it was very sweet and lingering. He opened his eyes to see Mama smiling at him from the kitchen window. He knew she wasn’t expecting him to be a virtuoso overnight. Mama was always understanding, and Antonio felt very happy when he was with her. She believed in his dreams, and he shared them with her often.

Papa, on the other hand, had no time for dreaming. He was practical and didn’t have the patience to listen to nature or hum arias from famous operas. He worked very hard all day at the lumber mill and came home late at night, tired and hungry. He was a good father, though, and Antonio loved him very much. He longed for the day when he would be a famous concert violinist and give his father so much money that he would be able to retire. Then maybe he would have the time to listen to the beautiful sounds of nature or sing while Antonio would play his violin. This was a dream he dreamed often.

While Antonio continued experimenting with different notes on his violin, a truck turned up the dusty corner of the road and stopped right in front of his house. A thin old man in a blue jumpsuit got out and retrieved a fairly large package from the back of the truck. He came to the side entrance of the kitchen, and seeing Antonio there, he said, "Bongiorno, little man. Is your mama or papa home?"

Yes, my mother is in the kitchen, Antonio replied.

Mama, who had already been looking out the window, noticed the deliveryman, and she came to the door brandishing a spatula.

Good morning. Are you Mrs. D’Angelo? the man asked.

Yes, do you have something for me?

He handed the package to Mama, and she signed the paper he gave her. Antonio perked up with curiosity. What could it be? he thought. The deliveryman tucked the paper back into his clipboard, tipped his hat, winked at Antonio, and jumped back into his truck.

Mama announced, It is time for breakfast now; you may as well come in. You might be interested to see this package that came for you today. On the other hand, maybe you are too busy? Mama went back into the house chuckling to herself.

Well, she didn’t have to say that twice. As quick as a flash, Antonio leaped into the kitchen and made a beeline for the package. He was so excited he didn’t even seem to notice the golden-brown sausages and steaming pancakes Mama put on his plate.

Aren’t you hungry anymore? Mama said, still grinning.

Yes, but can I please have the package first?

Well, Mama explained, it seems that Auntie Sophia and Uncle Luigi have sent you a little something for your birthday.

Oh, I know what it is. Please, Mama, won’t you let me open it now? Antonio said, bouncing from side to side in his chair.

First you eat, said Papa, entering the kitchen. Then you open. Okay?

Antonio began to shovel food in his mouth with the speed and efficiency of a backhoe.

Sweetheart, slow down, or you will get a stomachache, no? Mama said as she frowned at Antonio’s uncouth table manners.

He’s-a just like my kid brother Giuseppe. Papa laughed. He was always-a finished eating before the family even sat down!

After breakfast, which seemed to last forever, Antonio finally returned to his room. He took the scissors out of his desk drawer and cut the string of the package and began to unwrap it. Inside was a beautifully wrapped birthday gift and card from his aunt and uncle. They lived in a little village