#YAYYYYAYAY DOOMED FAMILY TIME

[mt-tiber]

A collection of letters from Corinna Morello née Turati from 1898-1930.

Letter no. 1. Written to one Enzo Morello, 1898.

Dearest,

Oh how I miss you so. I trust all has been well? Your last letter was far too long ago, and I implore you to write me immediately!

Have there been any advances or victories lately you have not informed me of? I must know all about how the war is going, so I can know when to expect you home once more.

Little Giorgio is growing so fast! I wrote to you, in one of my earlier letters, that he took his first steps, yes? Now he is positively racing about the home! He is such a spirited child, and there is rarely a quiet moment in his presence, whether he is laughing or screaming in rage (have I told you of his tantrums? He has a fury like no other!). Oftentimes I wonder if I will able to contain that little wildfire, for as bright as he is, he tests my patience.

And Tobia is such an intelligent child! His teachers have sung his praises to me frequently since my last letter, and his grades have been immaculate! I can nary find him without a book open in his lap at home. He has proven to have a gift for the social sciences in particular. His birthday was less than a week ago (he was disappointed that you were unable to visit for it, but understanding), and he has many friends as well, and seems so very happy, but there is one item of concern: he has been getting into fights at school. He is sent home with a black eye far too much, and when I question him on it, he has the gall to say, “You told me not to listen to idiots, so I did not.” This boy! One of these days he is going to be put in his place. If you were here, I am worried to think you’d encourage this behaviour. He is quite charmed by Giorgio, and is very sweet with him, I wish you could see it. But you must imagine how I feel when one minute he is playing nicely with his brother, the next he has gotten into a brawl with another child!

Simonetta very much reminds of myself, when we were her age. Independent sweethearts who thought ourselves so much better than our parents… what will I do with that girl. I fear I may have taught her to be too sharp with her tongue, for she has taken to turning it on me! She talks back to me when I have guests over, she often encourages her brothers’ mischiefs, she slips out of her room during the night to meet with her lover (that Alfonso boy, surely you must remember him? I do not think he is awful for this and do not mind him otherwise - after all, we were the same. That does not mean I like all the deception). What’s more is that she has grown tired of her studies. She bemoans to me that she ‘will have no use for all this in her adult life’. Forgive me for wanting my daughter to be educated! For wanting her to be the most enlightened woman in each of her conversations! There is always more to learn, yet she has decided to refuse! I hope this is no more than just her coming-of-age rebellion speaking, and she will return to education swiftly.

How I wish you were here! Please return to me soon, my dear Enzo. I am fearing Giorgio will not remember you if you wait any longer.

I send my love and strongest encouragements and well wishes for your operations in the war. Good luck, my love! Write to me with haste!

With love,

Corinna Morello