Albin - 4. Chapter 4

After an initial training of 10 weeks at Fort Knox, Lars returned home for a one-week leave. Before he returned to camp, he and Marie spent time making love, and when he left, they were hopeful Marie would soon be “with child”. Nine months later, Marie gave birth to a son. She wrote to Lars, telling him about his son. Lars wrote back asking her to name him after his grandfather, Albin. Marie named him Albin Lars Hansson. There was no denying who the boy’s father was, with blond hair and blue eyes, he was a miniature Lars.

Lars’s parents had photos taken and sent to Lars. Angelo and Giulia fell in love with the child. In fact, every one of Marie’s brothers doted on the child. When Marie returned to work, Lars’ mother babysat for her. The Sunday ritual at Marie’s family home continued and on occasion, Lars’ parents went with her to Angelo and Giulia's.

Lars came home for a short break before his squad was sent to Europe. Little did they know that this would be the last time Lars saw them. Six months later, Lars was killed in the war. The forecast from Grandmother came true. Italy was one of the Allies along with France, Russia, England, and the United States. These countries fought against the Central Powers of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire. Four years after the start of the war, it ended. Americans came home, all except Lars.

There was a saying, that bad news traveled in pairs. Lars’s father was recalled to Sweden. The War was devastating and many buildings needed repairs, renovations, or rebuilding. Marie’s babysitter, Lars’ mother, was going home.

When Albin was five years old, Marie moved back into the family home. Giulia doted on the child. They shared a common trait, both had blue eyes and blond hair. Angelo was just the opposite, dark skin, black eyes, and black hair. At one time Northern Italy was occupied by Germany and Austria. Those Italians with blue eyes and light-colored hair were reminders of those past occupations.

When Albin was 6 years old, he began attending kindergarten at the same school that Marie had attended twenty years before. Gene had married, and his oldest daughter took over caring for Albin on Sundays. Later she met a young man, married him, and moved away. By this time, Albin was in third grade. Gene had two sons followed by three girls. His family was growing and now when he was at Angelo’s home, there were plenty of children to occupy Albin’s time.

When Albin was 10 years old, Victoria and her son Teddy were regular visitors for Sunday ‘famiglia’ dinner. Gene would bring her and Teddy and take them home after dinner. There was always the question if Victoria came because it was to see her parents or the food she would take home. Angelo’s gardens produced more food than the family could use, so what wasn’t sold to the neighbors, the family took home.

When Teddy saw Albin, he remembered the naked photos and magazines he had been shown and began having disturbing thoughts.

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