Eight year old, Grazia Bonadio is a first generation Italian American girl whose interpretation of God nearly gets her banned from her Catholic church, neighborhood and family. Although childishly innocent in experience, Grazia has been given a gift to discover truths. She struggles with recognizing the purpose of this gift, and tries to uncover family mysteries without hurting the ones she loves.
The confines of reality are absurd to Grazia. She doesn’t understand why her parents worry that she fantasizes too much. It’s in her dreams that she’s able to speak to a God who she believes to be real.
She has just lost her favorite uncle — the only Bonadio who took care to listen to her dreams. While Grazia can still connect with Uncle, she finds herself frustrated with the world.Every Bonadio is so overwhelmed with grief after Uncle’s death that they slip into an almost unconscious state of mourning.In order to cope, Grazia befriends a witch and creates an imaginary love affair with a 10 year old Protestant neighbor-boy.
Please enjoy a nice slice of Grazia’s story, and feel free to leave a generous helping of feedback.
© Gina Laverde 2007 (don’tyoueventhinkit)
