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and Rodin and we ended up in the library leafing through art books together.

Monique explains that she did not join the other girls not so much because she considered them futile and uninteresting but above all because, due to a weakness in her spine, she had to lie down for many hours. When I looked at the orthopedic corset that she had to temporarily wear, my heart broke for her.

Towards the end of April, I was called home. The first elections were about to take place and in the new politically troubled Italy difficult moments were foreseen: it was therefore better for the family to remain united, just in case.

Saying goodbye, I left Monique in Italy in the midst of a very lively pre-election battle and while at the Milan station I was overwhelmed to see crowds of people arguing angrily. On election day, I joined the teams of volunteers who helped the sick and the old to get to the polls. The parties were many and the choice was difficult.

The next day I cut out some newspaper articles for my album of memories: "The family members forced to invoke the aid of the public force because VG - registered at the same time with 5 parties - goes crazy for the elections" - "It is from Bari that the mayor of Montalbano, belonging to the Communist Party and during the day passed to the Christian Democrat ranks" - "LB while on his way to vote, following a violent quarrel with his son for political reasons, taken ill and died before reaching the polling station" - "Panettiete Turati grabbed a very sharp knife and like an ancient samurai three times he practiced a deep harikari for the disappointment he felt for his party's failure to win."

In December of the same year, Nanuck Franchetti, the brother of a childhood friend of mine, invited me to the Valley. At the intersection of the four roads, in Latisana, I met Ernest...