The next time Carter came to the house, Giancarlo was ready for him. As he opened the door to let him in, he noted that his pupil had come empty-handed, not a hamburger or french fry to be seen. He quite rightly surmised that Carter had arrived in much the same famished state as he had two days earlier. Unbeknownst to Giancarlo, he had managed to gobble down an apple in the car en route to the house, but it had not been nearly substantial enough to satisfy his hunger. Worse still, the weather had grown very warm and humid, and he was looking quite drained after his day’s labors. And so it pleased Giancarlo to note the look of relief on Carter’s face when he walked into the living room and discovered, set out on the coffee table, a small bowl of olives, a block of cheese, and a bottle of San Pellegrino water along with two glasses and some paper napkins. The young man sat down in the chair by the table and eyed the items with great interest.

“Assaggia,” said Giancarlo cordially, gesturing to the olives and cheese as he took his seat. He took one of the olives, bit into it, and pulled out the pit, which he deposited onto a little plate set next to the bowl for just this purpose. Then he reached for the knife and lopped off a piece of the cheese, which he offered to Carter. “Assaggia del formaggio,” he said.

Carter gladly accepted it, took a nibble, and then quickly swallowed the rest of it with apparent gusto.

“Ti piace la mozzarella?” said Giancarlo, asking him if he liked the cheese.

“Si, molto,” nodded Carter.

How could he not like it? The mozzarella cheese was soft and moist and delicious, perfect for someone who was hot and tired.

“Assaggia un oliva,” said Giancarlo, gesturing once more to the olive bowl.

It required just a few moments more of prompting before Carter began to understand that he was being introduced to the verb assaggiare (to sample or taste). In saying “assaggia,” his teacher was inviting him to try some of the olives.

Carter reached into the bowl and picked out one, which he consumed in a twinkling. Then he reached for another while Giancarlo poured them both a glass of water. Carter downed a gulp of the water and sat back for a moment.

“Grazie,” he said with a weary sigh. Then, not knowing the phrase in Italian, he added, “That really hit the spot.”

“Prego,” replied Giancarlo. He settled back, as well, for a moment and looked at Carter with a thoughtful gaze. “You are tired from your work, yes?”

“Yeah, a little,” Carter admitted. “It’s hard, but I kind of like it—not that I plan on doing it for very long. But it’s okay for now.”

Giancarlo gave a little laugh.

“What is it?” said Carter.