Janice Bartley: Italian Stallion

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Moth – "Janice Bartley: Italian Stallion"

Introduction

In the February 15, 2010 episode of The Moth titled "Italian Stallion," host Janice Bartley presents a heartfelt and engaging true story that delves into themes of love, vulnerability, and self-acceptance. Recorded live at the Moth main stage in 2008, this narrative unfolds against the backdrop of New York City's vibrant community storytelling scene. Bartley’s storytelling is enriched by the collaborative efforts of her friend Alex, who assists in conveying the emotional depth of the experience.

Main Story

Setting the Scene

Jason, the protagonist, begins her tale by introducing herself and her friend Alex, who supports her in sharing the story. Set during a summer at Camp Oakhurst in New Jersey, Jason recounts her experiences of daily activities like swimming and engaging in camp events.

First Attraction

At a dining hall gathering with friends, Jason notices an older man with distinctive black hair and a captivating smile. “He was an Italian stallion. I was looking at him, he was looking at me” (05:12). This mutual attraction sets the stage for the unfolding romance. Over the next two weeks, Jason and the man—whom we learn as King—develop a connection marked by laughter and meaningful conversations. “We laughed, and we had a good time” (06:01).

Developing the Relationship

As their relationship deepens, they share their first kiss under the summer stars. “Last night, we had our first kiss” (06:19), Jason recalls, highlighting both the joy and the anxiety that come with young love. Being 26 and inexperienced in relationships, this moment is both exhilarating and daunting. “It made me feel good because I was 26 years old and I never had a boyfriend. It also made me sad because I might not see him again” (06:46).

Deciding to Spend New Year's Eve Together

A week into their blossoming relationship, Jason receives a call from King, indicating he wants to take their relationship further by inviting her to spend New Year’s Eve at his home. Torn between excitement and apprehension, especially since she still lives with her parents, Jason decides to proceed with support from her family. “I thought, oh, my God. Because I was still living with my parents” (09:21).

The Evening at King’s House

Upon arriving, Jason is struck by the ambiance of King’s home—every detail meticulously arranged. “His house was beautiful. Everything was a bag and everything was in place. His dining room was set up so amazing” (11:46). The evening progresses with a carefully prepared seafood dinner, and as the night unfolds, Jason experiences a whirlwind of emotions. She shares, “I looked at him and he looked at me and I could read his mind” (13:25), capturing the profound connection they share.

The Outcome and Realization

While Jason chooses not to delve into the intimate details of the night, she emphasizes the positive impact it had on her. “It was the best New Year's I ever had” (14:05). More importantly, the experience led to a significant personal realization. Despite living with a disability, Jason acknowledges her ability to form deep, meaningful relationships. “I want people to know that even though I have a disability, I can still move” (14:33). This newfound self-awareness empowers her to embrace her identity beyond her disability, fostering a sense of self-worth and acceptance.

Conclusion

Jason’s story, as narrated by Janice Bartley, is a poignant exploration of love overcoming personal challenges. It underscores the importance of being seen for one’s true self and the transformative power of vulnerability in building meaningful connections. Through her narrative, Bartley invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with love and self-acceptance.

Notable Quotes

• Jason on First Attraction:
  “He was an Italian stallion. I was looking at him, he was looking at me.” (05:12)

• Jason on First Kiss:
  “Last night, we had our first kiss. Let me tell you. It was good.” (06:19)

• Jason on Relationship Impact:
  “It made me feel good because I was 26 years old and I never had a boyfriend. It also made me sad because I might not see him again.” (06:46)

• Jason on New Year's Decision:
  “I thought, oh, my God. Because I was still living with my parents.” (09:21)

• Jason on Emotional Connection:
  “I looked at him and he looked at me and I could read his mind.” (13:25)

• Jason on Personal Realization:
  “I want people to know that even though I have a disability, I can still move.” (14:33)

Final Thoughts

Janice Bartley’s storytelling in "Italian Stallion" offers a compelling glimpse into the complexities of young love and the journey towards self-acceptance. The use of vivid imagery and emotional honesty invites listeners to empathize deeply with Jason’s experiences. This episode exemplifies The Moth’s mission to showcase authentic, impactful stories that resonate universally.

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Attributions

• Storyteller: Jason, assisted by Alex
• Host: Janice Bartley
• Podcast Production: Paul Ruest at Argo Studios, New York
• Podcast Hosting: PRX Public Radio Exchange

Listen More

To explore more stories like "Italian Stallion," visit themoth.org or search for The Moth on iTunes under "Best of The Moth Volume 14."

Transcript

[Dan Kennedy]

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[Janice Bartley]

Use the code Moth welcome to the Moth Podcast. I'm Dan Kennedy and the Moth features true stories told live without notes. All stories from the podcast are taken from our ongoing storytelling series in New York, Los Angeles and from our tour shows across the country. Visit themoth.org the story you're about to hear by Janice Bartley was recorded live at the Moth main stage in 2008. The theme of the night was New York stories, and it showcased some of the best stories from our Moth Shop community program, which provides storytelling workshops to underserved communities here in New York City. For more information, visit themoth.org.

[Alex]

Hey.

[Jason]

I live in the Bronx, New York.

[Alex]

Hey.

[Jason]

This is my friend Alex, and she's gonna help me tell my story to you tonight.

[Alex]

O.B. hey, Jason. Hey, uncle. Hey, Jacob.

[Jason]

I want people to see me as a bright, intelligent, and, of course, a sexy woman. My story is about my first real relationship.

[Alex]

Mm, no. It was in a summer in New Jersey.

[Jason]

It was in the summer in New Jersey at a camp called Camp Oakhurst. I used to go there to swim and do activities. One day, I was hanging out with my friends in the dining hall, a very good.

[Alex]

Way. But.

[Jason]

I noticed an older guy with black hair and a great smile.

[Alex]

He was a green giant.

[Jason]

He was an Italian stallion. I was looking at him, he was looking at me.

[Alex]

He was checking me out.

[Jason]

He was checking me out.

[Alex]

Going, we.

[Jason]

Got to know each other during the next two weeks. We talked a lot, and we got to know each other.

[Alex]

Yes. And we had a good game.

[Jason]

We laughed, and we had a good time.

[Alex]

Yeah, I. We had our first kiss on our.

[Jason]

Last night, we had our first kiss.

[Alex]

It was good.

[Jason]

Let me tell you. It was good.

[Alex]

It made me be good, be good. I was really young, and you had a boyfriend.

[Jason]

It made me feel good because I was 26 years old and I never had a boyfriend. It also made me sad because I might not see him again.

[Alex]

I'll go home. I can't figure up on him.

[Jason]

After I got home, I kept thinking about him.

[Alex]

Are we here? He love me.

[Jason]

A week later, the phone rang.

[Alex]

It was him.

[Jason]

It was him. I was excited, happy, Happy. I was dancing. After that, we started dating.

[Alex]

Again.

[Jason]

We went out to movies, out to eat. He'd come and pick me up in his car, and we'd park and we'd park.

[Alex]

About. We got a big cake.

[Jason]

After a while, we got pretty serious.

[Alex]

It was good. We good.

[Jason]

It was really good.

[Alex]

Sex.

[Jason]

Finally, we started talking about sex.

[Alex]

Okay, I would never happen.

[Jason]

I thought it would never happen. But one day, he asked me to spend the night for New Year Eve. For New Year's Eve.

[Alex]

Okay. Oh, my God. Because I was living with my parents.

[Jason]

I thought, oh, my God. Because I was still living with my parents.

[Alex]

He was my only One.

[Jason]

And he was older than me.

[Alex]

Oh, my God. King. My mom.

[Jason]

So I wrote a letter to my mom.

[Alex]

He was having a party.

[Jason]

I told my mom he was having.

[Alex]

A party and people were staying over.

[Jason]

And people were staying over.

[Alex]

He drank and I would be sleeping.

[Jason]

And that I would be sleeping on the couch.

[Alex]

I knew I would be sleeping.

[Jason]

But I knew I wouldn't be sleeping on the couch.

[Alex]

Okay, my mom, okay, you could go.

[Jason]

My mom said, okay, you can go.

[Alex]

My sister and my husband.

[Jason]

My sister and my home attendant drove me to his house.

[Alex]

Hey, how mommy you help. I was trying, helping.

[Jason]

On the way to his house, I was excited, happy and anxious.

[Alex]

My head was going boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

[Jason]

My heart was going boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

[Alex]

Because I know it was. It was going to be my first everything.

[Jason]

Because I knew it was going to be my first everything. And I was worried that I could please him and that he could please me.

[Alex]

When you have a baby.

[Jason]

When we arrived to his house, his house was beautiful. Everything was a bag and everything was in place. His dining room was set up so amazing.

[Alex]

A burger, orange. He had a bow, a ring, a.

[Jason]

Bowie, a bottle of wine.

[Alex]

All right. He made me. He prepared seafood for me, and he.

[Jason]

Prepared seafood for me.

[Alex]

But my secret, my humming.

[Jason]

And being the man that he is, he invited my sister and my home attendant to have dinner with us. And everything was magnifico. After dinner, we moved to the living room and had conversation. It was nice, but my hand was giving.

[Alex]

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

[Jason]

But my heart was still boom, boom.

[Alex]

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

[Jason]

I looked at him and he looked at me and I could read his mind. And after a while, my home attendant and my sister were out of there.

[Alex]

I was going in the skin.

[Jason]

I won't go into details, but I will tell you this. It was the best New Year's I ever had.

[Alex]

I baby jungle. Even though.

[Jason]

I want people to know that even though I have a disability, I can still move.

[Alex]

I go, yeah.

[Jason]

And I also realized that. And I also realized someone could see me for the real woman that I am and not just my disability.

[Alex]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Janice Bartley]

Janice Bartley is a graduate of the mothchop community program and speaker for the self Advocacy association of New York State. The MOTH is a non profit organization. So consider supporting our free podcast by going to our podcast. Com contribution page or by becoming a moth member and you can do that at the moth.org and also moth stories are now available on itunes by running a search for the best of the MOTH and include today's story, which can be found on the Best of the Moth Volume 14. To learn more about this and all of the Moth's upcoming shows and our corporate events and training program, Visit our.

[Dan Kennedy]

Website, themoth.org Our podcast host, Dan Kennedy.

[Jason]

Is the author of the book Rock An Office Power Ballad.

[Dan Kennedy]

Learn [e-mail] thanks to all of you.

[Janice Bartley]

For listening and we hope you have a story worthy week. Podcast audio production by Paul Ruest at the Argo Studios in New York Podcast hosting by PRX Public Radio Exchange helping make public radio more [e-mail].