Memoir | Giovanni Alessio | Part I of VI

Giovanni Alessio is a name that lingers in my memory.

He was the handsome, intriguing newcomer in the housing projects, his looks echoing the beauty of an ancient Greek deity.

His talent lay in sketching.

He was a young married man, embroiled in the throes of a divorce, a burden that seemed to weigh heavily on his shoulders.

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I eagerly awaited his daily arrival; drawn to the enigma he presented. I would always position myself in the ‘Court’ where I could steal a glance at him. Giovanni would get off the bus, amble through the courtyard, and tread the dirt path leading to his mother’s home.

One day, he saw me jotting down my thoughts in my journal as he walked along the dirt path while I was seated in my backyard. This sparked a conversation about his love for sketching and my passion for storytelling.

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As time passed, we evolved from being friends to confidants and, eventually, secret lovers. Our clandestine meetings were pure bliss. He lavished me with the affection and attention I craved. Our intimate encounters were divine.

He was the first and only man to present me with a 0.5-carat, heart-shaped diamond ring, the tiny diamond nestled at its core. I can still recall the day he asked me to meet him at Melart Jewelers on Connecticut Avenue in Northwest, Washington, D.C.

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Eventually, Giovanni moved from his mother’s house to his apartment. We often met for romantic dinners by candlelight and savored wines at his place.

For our cinematic experience, we embarked on a thrilling bus ride to the renowned Lincoln movie theatre nestled in the vibrant U Street neighborhood of Northwest, Washington, D.C.

We shared our creative ideas; I wrote stories, and he crafted illustrations for them.

We also enjoyed leisurely walks in Anacostia Park.

He was a true gentleman and a pleasure to be with.

However, Giovanni disappeared for several days. I was filled with anxiety and had an unsettling feeling that something was wrong.

Rumors began to spread in the projects that Giovanni had jumped from the roof of his apartment building, meeting a tragic demise!

The Washington, D.C. Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Giovanni had traces of phencyclidine (PCP), also known as Angel Dust, in his system.

This hallucinogenic drug could have potentially caused Giovanni to hallucinate.

The PCP drug was a constant threat in the projects.

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In the projects, a haunting song known as “Angel Dust” was sung by Gil Scott-Heron, warning of the perils of the powerful PCP drug that plagued the neighborhood. Sadly, this cautionary tune gained popularity within the community, but the somber tune failed to sway individuals from the destructive path of substance abuse.

Gil Scott-Heron. (2025, August 8). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Scott-Heron

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I was unaware of his drug use.

He had successfully kept that part of his life hidden from me.

Despite this, I was thankful to have known his better side.

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My heart felt as if it had been ripped from my chest.

My spirit was broken.

I retreated from the world, stopped writing in my journal, and spent weeks grieving for his loss.

During my time of mourning, Giovanni visited me in a dream. In the dream, Giovanni comforted me, saying, “I am still with you.”

After the dream, I found the strength to continue my creative endeavors, and my broken heart began to heal.

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Nowadays, as I pen down stories and search for corresponding visuals, my thoughts often drift to the illustrations Giovanni crafted for my tales in the past.

When nostalgia hits me hard, I find comfort in playing the melody of “Sweet Thing,” a song by the band Rufus, with Chaka Khan as the lead vocalist. This was our favorite soundtrack to listen to during those intimate dinners at his place.

I proudly sport a replica of the heart-shaped diamond ring, weighing one carat that he gave me.

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He will always hold a special place in my memory.

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(Copyright © 2025 by Mia Z. Edwards. All rights reserved.)