“In that case you’ve got everything you need,” said Jimmy. “The rest is gravy.You need anything else, just buy it when you get there, right? It’s not like you’re goin’ to Siberia, so don’t sweat it so much.”

Carter saw the wisdom in his friend’s advice and immediately began to feel a little more at ease. “I guess you’re right,” he chuckled, getting to his feet. “I really shouldn’t worry so much about—”

Suddenly he stopped and slapped himself on the forehead.

“What now?” cried Jimmy as Carter turned and dashed back up the stairs to his bedroom.

Carter returned shortly carrying a small padded envelope inside of which he had placed the pocket watch his professor had entrusted to his care.

“Almost forgot,” he said, breathing a sigh of relief.

“What’s that?” inquired Jimmy.

“Just something I promised my teacher I’d deliver for him while I’m in Italy,” explained Carter, tucking the watch into the daypack.

“What are you now, the Pony Express?” said Jimmy, rolling his eyes.

Carter replied with a shrug.

Jimmy gave a huff and shook his head again. “You ready to roll now?” he asked.

Carter gave one last quick look around and took a deep breath. Letting it out, he nodded his head. “Let’s go,” he said.

Later, after Jimmy had driven them to the bus station and Carter purchased his ticket, the two sat in the terminal, waiting for the arrival of the bus for Boston.

“You know,” Jimmy said, “I would have driven you up to Logan.”

“Nah,” replied Carter. “The traffic would be too thick this time of day on a Friday. But I appreciate the offer.”

Jimmy stretched out his legs and looked about absentmindedly at the people coming and going in the terminal.

“So, you’re really gonna go through with this whole thing,” he said, turning to Carter. “I gotta admit, I never thought you’d do it. I figured this Italian broad was just some fantasy of yours that you’d get over after a while.”

“To tell you the truth, there were times this summer when I thought the same thing,” said Carter, “but it just wouldn’t go away.”

“So, now that you’re finally going, are you nervous?” his friend asked.

“A little bit,” admitted Carter, for his stomach was a bundle of nerves. “Actually, a lot. Matter of fact, I think I’m gonna hit the men’s room right now.” He stood, and gestured to the daypack, which held his passport and tickets. “Watch that for me,” he said. “I lose that and I’m up the creek.”

“I’ll guard it with my life,” said Jimmy.

When he came back a few minutes later, Carter found Jimmy relaxing with his eyes closed. He looked down at his friend’s feet, where he saw the duffel bag. He was alarmed to discover, however, that the daypack was nowhere in sight.