Dead & Living

It goes without saying that World War Two had a large significant influence on the world, especially for those directly involved. It also goes without saying that when the Axis lost both large and small members Germany's Nazi Party fled to South America to escape being put on trial for war crimes. Their money helped had helped establish several communities in countries like Brazil and several important Nazis lived there as well as Argentina.

Matías Valentino was not overly suspicious, but took note of the sudden German immigration to Buenos Aires in late 1945. Even on the other side of the world, he had heard of the Nazi concentration camps and what went on therein. Fearing that those pursuing would be less than pleasant for him and the rest of the country, he carefully saved and immigrated to the United States in 1947 with his wife of six months. He was twenty-six when he arrived at Ellis Island.

Even among the huge flood of war refugees and returning soldiers, Matías Valentino found the country to be a paradise and his exemplary skill with automobiles made the tough and crowded streets of New York City a gold mine. So fortunate and making a fine living, he eventually moved his wife from the crowded streets of Manhattan to a small town just outside of Queens on Long Island. No sooner than his thirty-second birthday passed in 1953, Estefanía Valentino gave Matías a son. Deciding on his own father's name, Matías named the boy Jorge. For reasons unknown, Matías and Estefanía Valentino had no other children afterword.

Jorge Valentino lived a normal life for sixteen years.

Sometime time during those years, Jorge met a young girl named Marilyn Nascimbeni. They met like many fifteen year olds did at the time, in school. They eventually began dating and reveled in the in bloom of young love. However, since the Catholic church issued the Casti Connubii affirming its opposition to all contraceptives and given society's views on sex as a shameful act that was not to be discussed, Marilyn Nascimbeni unintentionally became pregnant with Jorge's child.

With no options, and the Nascimbeni family threatening to disown their daughter, Jorge and Marilyn married to avoid scandal. With the prospect of having to provide for a family, and his pretty abysmal grade point average, Jorge dropped out of school to work in his father's shop. There he secured enough money for a small house his father had "found" and quickly moved in.

Then, on July twentieth 1969, Marilyn Valentino gave birth to a son.

As a consent and apology for putting her through such an ordeal, both with the pregnancy and her family, Jorge allowed her to chose a name for thier son. She had debated with herself and spoke with friends and family for weeks before the child was born trying to decide on a name. She was eagerly listened to Matías, who visited everyday with Estefanía, and his suggestions. She seriously considered naming the child after him as a courtesy and the biggest honor she could offer for all of his support, but Matías politely refused and said it would make things difficult at family gatherings.

"One Matías Valentino in the world is enough." He teased. "Try another name. Maybe after your father?"

She considered that, but Domenico Valentino sounded too Italian for her. She was an American and so was Jorge. A child of two Americans should have an American name she thought. Then it came to her and she smiled down at the little bundle swaddled in a baby blue blanket, gently sleeping in her arms.

"Dominick." She crooned to her son.