Crispina DeSanto was fifteen, overdeveloped, and loved the pilots from the nearby Aviano US Airforce base. When the unplanned but fully predictable consequences "started to show", Crispina's father beat her up and threw her out: "Non sei mia figlia, sei una putana!" She hitchhiked to Treviso and found shelter at the nuns of "Nostra Signora Degli Armeni". A few months later she gave birth to a beautiful healthy boy. Crispina left four days later never to be seen again. The boy was baptized in the faith of the Armenian Apostolic Church as Khajag Gukasian. From early on Khajag (who preferred to be called Charlie) proved to be extremely bright: at the age of nine, he was fluent, besides Italian and Armenian, in German, English, and French, and at fourteen he graduated high school. On the principal's recommendation he was accepted at the local university where two years later he won a full scholarship at NYU. Charlie continued to be his brilliant self in New York scoring in the high nineties. To make a few bucks he delivered pizza for Bitondo's. The detailed records of his deliveries over those four and a half years became the basis for his Ph.D. thesis "On Human Relationship of Late Night Food Delivery in New York City". He was beaten up six times (twice requiring stitches), robbed three times, and had twice sex with clients. His work, once published, became an instant success (it helped that it opened with a detailed description of the fateful night when he delivered two large Medonos with extra Frim-Fram Sauce, and minutes later found himself naked on the kitchen floor straddled by a middle-aged woman with large breasts and tremendous upper body strength who rode him all-the-way). Less than a year later he married Pierrette DeWilson, a fellow graduate, and they moved to Paris where they opened a consulting anthropology studio on Rue Buffon.
A well written palm story! By the end I was convinced that this couple could cure me of my obsession for nutmeg. Since past September I use it in all my dishes, regardless if the recipe calls for it or not.
ReplyDeleteYour story has an intriguing and complex narrative with various elements and characters. It explores the life journey of Crispina DeSanto, her transformation into Khajag Gukasian (who prefers to be called Charlie), and his subsequent achievements and experiences. The initial part of the story presents a dramatic turn of events in Crispina's life, as she is rejected by her father and finds refuge with the nuns. The birth of her son brings hope and change, which sets the stage for Charlie's remarkable intellectual abilities and academic success. The inclusion of Charlie's delivery job at Bitondo's and the subsequent use of his experiences as the basis for his Ph.D. thesis is a unique and interesting twist. It highlights his resourcefulness in utilizing his real-life encounters for scholarly pursuits, showcasing both his intelligence and his resilience in navigating challenging situations.
ReplyDeleteThe story then takes another turn with Charlie's marriage to Pierrette DeWilson and their relocation to Paris, where they open a successful consulting anthropology studio. The introduction of Pierrette's blog and its influence on their success adds depth to their entrepreneurial endeavors. The anecdotal examples of Charlie and Pierrette's success in helping people through their consulting anthropology studio provide a touch of humor and whimsy. The mention of the politician, the upstairs couple, and the rugby player undergoing transformations due to their advice showcases the positive impact of Charlie and Pierrette's work.
The story concludes with an annual pilgrimage to Treviso to stay with the nuns, who have embraced modern technology while still maintaining their compassionate mission of helping those in need.
Overall, your story weaves together themes of resilience, transformation, and the pursuit of knowledge. It introduces a diverse range of characters and experiences, blending moments of drama, humor, and reflection.