Since he had been an undergraduate chemistry major at Boston College
during the early days of the Vietnam War, Dr. Nikola (Nico) Katic dreamed
that one day he would spend Christmas Eve in Rome. He had imagined walking
among the open-air merchant stalls in a fashionable shopping district.
The cold air of the Roman night would be perfumed with irresistible fragrance
of roasting chestnuts. He would stop at one to buy a cone of these warm delights
to share with the young woman by his side. Eventually the couple would find
an enticing restaurant nearby where they would enjoy a simple dinner. After
their meal, they would enjoy a short walk of window-shopping, followed by
attending midnight mass in a nearby church.

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