“And so nothing,” griped Carter. “I didn’t know what to say. All of a sudden my teammates were coming up to me, nagging me to get back to the field to get ready, and she just smiled and waved goodbye. ‘Ciao, Carter,’ she said. And that was it. I haven’t seen or heard from her since. I know it’s crazy, but now, no matter what I do or where I go, I can’t get her out of my head. I can’t think straight about anything. It’s like my whole world has come to a stop, and it won’t start again until I see her—at least one more time.”

“And so am I to understand that your idea is to learn Italian and go to Italy in search of this girl?” said Rosa.

“That’s pretty much it,” Carter replied, as if this plan sounded perfectly reasonable.

“Seems a little half-baked,” Rosa opined. “Tell me, exactly what would you do if you were to see her again?”

“I don’t know,” admitted Carter. “Maybe try to explain to her how I feel about her. Find out if she feels the same way—and in my heart I know that she does. I know it. But you see, that’s why I need to learn to speak Italian—so that I can be sure she understands me, and that I understand her. That’s why I came to you today, because I need someone who really knows the language. Will you help me?”

“Mister Carter—”

“Quinn.”

“Mister Quinn,” said Rosa. “Your story is quite touching, very heartfelt, but I was very much in earnest when I told you that I wasn’t planning on giving any Italian lessons this summer. I would like to help you, truly I would, but—”

“Yeah, okay,” said a disconsolate Carter before Rosa could complete the sentence. “I understand.” With a dejected nod, the gesture of a desperate man who, not finding the help he needs, simply moves on to continue in search of it, he got to his feet and started for the door.

Rosa was prepared to watch him go, but then found himself raising a finger into the air. “Aspett’ un attimo,” he said, bringing Carter to a halt. “Wait.”

The professor paused, heaved a long sigh, and passed his hand over his face as he eyed Carter with a look of mild annoyance. “If you give me a telephone number where you can be reached,” he finally said, “I will give it some consideration over the next day or two.”

Carter’s face lit up.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Rosa quickly added. “I make no promises. It is my vacation time, you know, and I was looking forward to a nice rest. Maybe I will, and maybe I won’t. If I decide no . . . then perhaps at least I can help you find someone else.”