The Maple Seed Helicopter

The Maple Seed Helicopter

Marco Collina

Copyright © 2020 Marco Collina

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

MAC Press—Patterson, NY

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-578-65194-1

Hardcover ISBN: 979-8-9864650-2-9

eBook ISBN: 978-1-0880-4503-9

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020909729

Title: The Maple Seed Helicopter

Author: Marco Collina

Digital distribution | 2020

Paperback | 2020

Hardcover | 2022

This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination, and are not to be construed as real.

Published in the United States by New Book Authors Publishing

Dedication

I would like to devote this book to my dad George, my grandpa Dario, grandma Isabella and last, but not least, my mom, Giuliana. We all grew up together.

You have to live life, before you can love life.

The worst mistake one can make, is to not try, when your heart desires. We must follow our hearts, to have peace within.

Contents

The Maple Seed Helicopter

Dedication

Prologue

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

Prologue

T

hey named me Marco. Life began with a struggle for survival. After I’d become blue in my mothers’ womb, I was granted a gift. A chance to see this world, to feel my parents’ love.

One day soon after, the maple seedlings were spiraling in the wind, like helicopters from the trees. I was amused and happy. I reminisce placing a seed casing on my nose, and pretending to fly with my arms open wide. My playmates soon followed, and I was so truly and simply happy, as we spread our wings around the maple tree. A child is given such a glorious gift. The gift of being innocent. Every parent should cherish the gift of their child’s innocence, and nurture it, as their child will carry that love and strength, throughout their life. This shared love is truly the only piece of ourselves that we can leave on this earth.

Our life voyages will differ in consideration of the cards we’re dealt, and the way we choose our specific paths. But in the end, we likely will all realize, that our time as children has remained with us, throughout our life. We will carry that child within ourselves for the duration, as we seek what was lost. One must live their life, to be able to truly absorb this fact.

After all the struggles, the selfish dreams, the promises, gluttonous greed, lies and deceptions, we will eventually conclude, that life is meaningless. Unless we’re able to recognize and love, the maple seed helicopter.

Chapter 1

S ister Mona, I called out, as I raised my hand at the dinner table.

Yes, Marco? she replied.

I hesitated my reply whilst contemplating my own angst. Before long, I showed her my piece of stale bread. My bread has green spots on it.

The sister stood up with a bothered face, while holding her baton.  Marco, come up here and show me.

I walked over to her, and looked at her in the eyes, with hope she’d have a better piece for me. In return, she looked at me with stern eyes.

Well, Marco. That’s what the Lord provided us tonight. You should have some of the soup, she replied with derision, as she pointed her baton to the soup pot on the counter.

I looked at the soup with a scornful eye. It consisted of hot water, stale bread, and some spices.

The sister replied firmly, We’re at war you know. It’s difficult to have fresh food these days.

I lowered my eyes, and went back to my seat in silence.

Looking to the other side of the table, Dario and Isabelle sat quietly, since they’d already eaten most of their soup. I decided to go visit them, and I walked over with a grin on my face. How was the soup? I asked.

Dario replied with a frown, The same as last night.

Isabelle leaned over, and whispered in my ear, Can you and Dario get us some sausages later?

I smiled at her whilst glancing towards Sister Mona, to make sure she wasn’t close enough to hear us. The sister was occupied with looking over all the tables, as she made sure that all the children had their soup. Every night she walked up and down the aisle, with her hands clasped together, so to project to everyone her stern rule of silence at the Lord’s table. She would always wear her coif, bandeaux and veil on her head in public, as well as at dinner time. I never could figure out her hair color. But she had brown eyes, and was kind of stocky. The cafeteria also served as the auditorium and gym. We spent a lot of time here, especially in the winter months.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash at one of the tables. We all looked over and noticed two boys that had gotten into a fight. Quickly, two attendants ran over, and took the boys outside. I think the boys were newcomers, as I’d never seen them before. I’m sure they went without any food that night. They’d soon learn to follow the house discipline, or they’d pay the price. We all followed the rules, except for those of us that would try and help ourselves. We had to survive somehow, and we did what we had to do.

Bedtime was early as usual. My hunger pains throbbed, and soon-after, a headache emerged, and I became irritable. I looked forward to nightfall, so I could satisfy my needs. Once all was silent, and everyone was asleep, I woke Dario with a tap on his shoulder, and quietly, we proceeded our way to the cellar. There was a secret key hidden on top of a wooden bookcase. We had discovered this secret from one of the older kids, who was no longer here at the orphanage. Dario stood guard at the stairs, as I proceeded to the pantry. I picked a few goodies, trying my best not to leave any evidence of tampering. Thereafter, we inconspicuously ate our dinner in a dark hallway adjacent to the pantry. We never brought food with us back to the dormitory, so to avoid being caught. We only made sure to keep some with us to bring to Isabelle. She knew not to leave any evidence, and to eat it right away.

Once I filled my belly, I asked Dario whilst wiping my mouth, We better get back to the room. Are you done eating?

Yes. I’m done. Do you have anything to bring Isabelle for dinner? he replied, as he finished chewing.

I lifted a cloth pouch that I grasped in my hand holding sausage and cheese.

We need to stop at the girl’s dormitory entrance, Dario voiced.

Okay, I’ll be the lookout in the hallway, I replied.

We proceeded, and Dario brought some proper dinner to Isabelle, one that all children should experience.

The following morning, I quickly got washed up, and went to the breakfast room. My friend Dario looked sad. So, I tried to make him laugh. Hey, Dario. Do you know what the Eskimo gave to the penguin for his birthday?

Dario looked at me with a smirk and replied, What?

I replied with a big grin on my face, Hehe, Ice in the winter! He smiled and chuckled. We were both the same age, and we seemed to get along. I was blond and blue-eyed, and he was dark- haired and brown-eyed. For some reason, we felt comfortable together, like brothers. I suppose one would explain it as good chemistry. I was told by the nuns that my mom had died six months after I was born. And my father immediately thereafter left me in this orphanage. I didn’t quite know Dario’s story, but he was an orphan, just as well. Although we both had experienced troublesome childhoods, we were both eleven years old. And we held on to our very good imaginations, as it was all we had. Together, we could fill our hearts with adventure.

I looked around the room and noticed Isabelle. I wanted to go and wish her a good morning. So, I asked Dario to meet me outside when he finished eating. I went over and sat next to her. Good morning, Isabelle, I announced.

She was very pretty with shoulder-length auburn hair, and blue eyes. She never knew her father, nor her mother. They died when she was four years old, and she’d been here since. She held a piece of stale bread, and an unappetizing mish mash made from old potatoes in front of her. Her blouse was wrinkled and stained, and her hair was uncombed. She was always kind, and never complained. She didn’t seem to belong in this place. We always said she would be the first one of us to be adopted. As we all dreamed and wished for to happen to us.

Isabelle replied, Good morning.

I whispered as I observed our meal, It’s a good thing we found those sausages last night. She smirked as we both looked at the food in front of us, and I voiced to Isabelle, Do you want to skip breakfast?

She pushed her plate away and agreed, Yes, that’s a good idea.

I asked her as I reached for her hand, Would you like to go out in the morning sun before church? And she agreed happily.

George was outside as he sat by the big maple tree in the yard. We called out to him, George! He looked over and gave us a smile. I yelled out to him, Why are you sitting there all by yourself? He had to think for a few seconds and before long he shrugged his shoulders and replied, I’m just waiting for Friday mass to start.

Isabelle jumped in and disclosed, Well now, that’s exactly what we were doing.

George was a year or so younger than the rest of us. He was orphaned when his parents were killed by fascist rebels at a public demonstration in Rome. George’s story was unusual, as was his American name in an Italian orphanage. George’s father had emigrated overseas to America as a young boy of fifteen. He became a railroad laborer. At the time the war broke out, George’s father chose to serve in World War I, on the American side. By doing so, he gained his American citizenship. George had told me his father lived in America many years after WWI had ended. However, eventually he came back to Italy to visit relatives. At that time, he met his mom and fell in love and married. Some years later, George was born. His parents were anti-fascists, and tragically, they met a dreadful fate. From one war to another, it seemed all of us were filled with stories of struggle and hardships. It was nineteen-hundred-forty-one. I don’t think we understood all the inhumane and outrageous events that evolved around us. To us, we were abandoned kids, and this orphanage was our home. Our schoolmates were our family, and we were hungry.

The church bell rang. Father Buckius stood at the church’s front entrance, which was on the opposite side of the courtyard from the cafeteria. We all made our way from under the maple tree, and headed to the chapel for mass. Sister Mona always sat in the rear of the church so she could keep an eye out for anyone who misbehaved. All of us were very respectful and remained on our best behavior at mass time. The father spoke of wars and the growing evil in society. He always emphasized how important it was for us to pray to the Lord, as it helped to remove evil from his blessed creation. And that our world was created for the Lord’s children to live harmoniously, and to help one another. We shouldn’t point blame on one another. Instead, we should all try to be the best we can, by using the gifts the Lord provided us. The greatest gift being to keep the Love of God in our hearts, as only this would give us the strength to carry us to our destinies. It was not something most children could comprehend.

However, looking back, he helped me understand that although we’re all different, we also all have the same needs, and we should all be kind to one another, instead of being affronted by our own weaknesses, and disregarding our respect for others.

After church, we went back to the courtyard for recess. Present were Isabelle, George, Dario and myself. The wind blew nicely, and we decided to pretend we could fly. We ran around with our arms open wide. I noticed the maple seedlings that seemed to float as they spun around in the wind. They reminded me of tiny helicopters. I’d read about helicopters in a magazine George had received in the mail from his American sponsor. But I’d never seen one, and this was how I imagined they would fly. I picked one up and put it on my nose. It stuck on like a propeller in front of my face. Quickly Isabelle looked over and pointed at my silly creation.

Isabelle giggled and spoke out, Hey Marco. You look like Pinocchio!

I didn’t know who Pinocchio was, and I didn’t care. Everyone began laughing and placing maple seed helicopters on their noses. We all ran around in a circle, in our dirty clothes and worn-out shoes. With our arms out wide, we envisioned to fly around like helicopters. All the hardships life had presented us with were forgotten, and we were all so happy to be alive.

Sister Mona called out from the classroom, Time for class, children.

As we gathered our belongings, Isabelle asked if we wanted to go to the playground again after reading class, and we all agreed. Sister Mona greeted us in class as we all made our way to our seats. Once we sat quietly, the sister announced that today we would read a book named ‘La Formica e la Cicala’ (The Ant and the Cricket). It was a fun story. She read us the story of two creatures that lived in a garden. The cricket sang and danced all summer. While the ant worked hard to build a shelter and gather food for the upcoming winter. The cricket would make fun and laugh at the ant. He mocked the ant for the hard work he endured all summer.  He always reminded the ant that he didn’t know how to enjoy life. Winter arrived and the cricket began to feel cold. The ant found himself nice and warm in the shelter he had built. And he ate the food that he had stored from last summer. Now, the cricket found himself out in the cold and complained to the ant that it wasn’t fair that he wouldn’t share the food.

The ant asked, Well, what have you been doing all summer?

The cricket shivered and replied, Well, I sang and danced.

The ant disclosed, Okay, that’s nice. So now you can dance in the cold and keep yourself warm. Abruptly slamming the door on the cricket’s face.

It wasn’t exactly what Father Buckius had preached earlier today. However, Sister Mona mentioned that it was important that we all contribute and work an equal share, so we could all enjoy a good life. It was a lot to take in for one day.

We all went out to the playground after class. Isabelle made fun of Dario because he began to play with a stick. He pretended to be a pirate captain.

Dario shouted to Isabelle, Hoist those sails, mate, winds are chasing aft.

Isabelle replied, I’m not the mate, I’m Tinkerbell!

Dario frowned and muttered, Crazy maiden.

George jumped into the set and shouted, I’ll hoist the sails!

Before long, I grabbed an old wooden wheel and made believe I was steering the ship. I yelled out, What course shall we chart, Captain?

Dario proudly shouted from behind us whilst standing on a rock, Quartermaster, plot us on a west-south-west course. We seek warmer waters.

Isabelle replied, Are we looking for buried treasure?

Dario’s eyes opened wide, Yes, of course, treasure we seek!

We all smiled and played to our hearts content. It was a fun afternoon.

Later in the evening, all was quiet in the recreation room. Dario sat quietly and read a magazine. And I sat nearby and thought how I’d like to see something besides this orphanage tomorrow. We had strict rules that we were not permitted to leave the grounds since there were German troops in the area. However, I had a strong urge to go on one of our adventure hikes to the river. It was a lot of fun, and I loved playing pirates by the water’s edge with all its sound effects. I asked Dario, What do you think if we go down to the river tomorrow?

Are you crazy? he replied with an astonished expression.

We looked at each other in silence. Soon after I spoke out with a persuasive face, It can’t be that dangerous. They just don’t want us to do anything except stay here and die of boredom. Shortly after, George walked over to join us. I asked him with a big smile on my face, Do you want to go to the river with us tomorrow? 

How will we get out of the yard without being seen? he replied with a look of hesitation.

Quickly I replied as I waved my hand off at them in frustration, Ooh! You guys worry too much. It’s not that far. And there’s never anyone around there. We can just sneak out when everyone’s busy and not able to see us.

Dario sighed. George shook his head and raised his eyebrows. And together they replied, Okay.

I smiled. Now I could go to bed and dream pirate thoughts.

In the morning at breakfast, I met Dario and George and we sat at our usual seats. We played with our food as it just wasn’t worth eating. Sister Mona walked up to the podium and Father Buckius stood next to her. This was not a usual event and the entire cafeteria became silent.

Sister Mona announced, We’ve discovered that there are substantive victuals that have been removed from the food pantry. Those stores are the calculated rations that belong to all of us to be used throughout the year. Whomever is responsible is in violation of our campus rules and regulations.

She paused a moment in silence with her hands clasped at the podium. We all sat in complete silence without motion. What she didn’t say was that those stores were used only by the nuns and priests. The children never received sausage and cheese and fresh bread.

Sister Mona continued, Father Buckius and I have an idea of the responsible parties, as we’ve received some information in confidence. Does anyone have anything to say?

The room remained completely silent. Sister Mona walked off the podium and commenced to walk around the room as she observed each of us while she held her baton. She stopped in front of one of the boys that was involved in a fight the other day.

Sister Mona looked at him inquisitively. Soon after she raised her head and spoke to all of us, As we’re all living together in a Christian facility, Father Buckius and I have decided to forgive the culprits, with one condition. We ask you to come to us voluntarily, and admit your guilt. This would be the honorable thing to do. We’re giving any party that wishes to admit their guilt, or contribute any information related to this offense, until tonight. You may come to my office or Father Buckius’ residence as well. Your only punishment will be to have dish cleaning duty for thirty days. I suggest for any one of you that know anything, you should come to us before the night is over. Once we verify the parties that are involved, and the culprits have not voluntarily admitted their guilt. Then the punishment will be severe.

We all knew what that meant. She walked over to a cabinet near the gym entrance and removed a wooden paddle. She carried it over to the podium and placed it on top, in plain sight for all to see. Examine your conscience. I suggest if you know that you’re guilty, you should quickly take advantage of our offer for forgiveness, she announced.

I met Dario and George after breakfast in the courtyard. We didn’t mention anything to each other about the sister’s speech, as to not attract any attention. It was a lovely spring day and we were set for our plan. Once morning mass was called and everyone was inside. We made our way to the breach in the fence that we’d used previously to make our excursions. And we slipped away unnoticed. Once outside the fence, we ran quietly for a little while. It was a long hike on a quiet country dirt road. There was no one around this time of day as had always been the case previously, and we slowed down to catch our breath.

Dario asked, What do you think we should do?

I replied, We should go to the river and have some fun.

George asked, Did you see the paddle she carried?

I replied, Last time I saw them use that, the boy had black and blue marks on his butt for months.

George and Dario stared at me a bit with an indecisive look on their faces. Soon after I spoke, Let’s move on, we’ll talk it over on the way. There were almond orchards as well as fig tree orchards close to the road. We would always make our stops along the way and fill our bellies with some of the crops. There were also water fountains throughout our passage that flowed into mossy basins where the farmers would let their animals drink, and we also took advantage. I pondered the idea of permanently leaving the orphanage, as in essence, nature provided everything we needed. Large rolling hills with green fields, orchard trees and flowers of all colors. In the distance were the snow-capped mountains of central Italy. One could see for miles and miles on a day like this one.

We arrived at the river around noon. We had made good time since we didn’t make too many stops along the way. The river roared its might today, as there had been some recent spring rains. We had to speak up so we could hear each other. I shouted, See, now wasn’t this a great idea? I told you we’d have fun!

Dario smiled and mentioned, "Okay, but let’s not stay too long as we’ll need to get back before dinner, or they’ll notice we were gone.

Fine, I replied as I looked around and noticed George wasn’t anywhere to be found. Where’s George? I expressed with surprise.

I knew we had arrived all together. I assumed perhaps he’d gone to pee in the bushes. Without hesitation, we began walking about and calling out, George! Pausing in between shouts to listen. George! we shouted. There was no reply. We got a bit worried and began searching all around the area as we called out for George. Suddenly from behind a bush, we heard George.

Hey guys!! Come over here and see what I’ve found!

We stared at George’s hands with our mouths open.  He held a Luger revolver.

At first, I was in disbelief and I quickly ran over to George and asked, Where did you find that? Is that a pistol? George seemed trancelike, whilst he stared at this cold piece of steel in his hands. I don’t think he ever held one