The Immigrant

Chapter 36| December 16 1799

My hands shook as I stared out the window into a white canvas of snow. My nose ruined as my face was the brightest shade of pink.
"My god Ezio, any longer and your fingers would fall off." Theodoisa scolded as she set down a cup of hot tea in front of me.
"It's not my fault that it's a blizzard outside and a paper was due that morning." I retorted.
"But you do have common sense do you?" Theodoisa snapped.
I gave a huff as I turned away from Theodoisa's question.
"Thank you for the tea." I murmured as I took a sip of the hot liquid.
"You are welcome." Theodoisa said with a slight smile.
She turned her attention back to the kitchen. I stared out the window, drifting away in my own thoughts taking small sips of the tea. The sound of footsteps entering the kitchen turned my gaze towards Burr standing by the door a sullen look on his face. I frowned as I looked at his expression.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
Burr's gaze turned to me as he took a deep breath.
"I think you might want to read this." He said in a very low tone as he handed me a letter.
I looked at the letter worriedly. I tore the wax seal as I eagerly read through the letter.

"Dear Ezio Auditore,
With a grieving heart it is my duty to inform you that General and President George Washington has passed away on the fourteenth due to a sudden illness he caught only two days prior. As you know Washington was known as a brave and intelligent man that has brought the Nation to what it is today. I hope that you will remember him as not country wide but a world wide leader that changed our lives forever. A service will be held late January for the fallen leader and I hope you can come and pay respect for this great man.
Martha Washington."

I slowly looked up form the letter staring blankly at the wall letting the news sink into my thoughts, George Washington was dead. The room fell utterly silent as I took a deep breath looking down at the table.
" I am sorry Ezio." Burr murmured.
I blinked as I looked outside the window. The snow looked even colder.
"I..uh..." My voice quavering as I stopped.
Theodoisa looked over my shoulder at the letter I had clutched in my shaking hand.
"Oh no." She breathed as she scanned the letter.
Theodoisa placed a hand on my shoulder as I flinched not looking up at her. I looked down at the letter as I shook my head. How fast things can change...how fast things can disappear before you could do anything about it. I placed one of my shaking hands on my forehead as I combed my fingers through my hair closing my eyes. The sad things about this was I was now used to the passing of loved ones and friends. To expect uncertainty every time I wake up fearing that one day I may not seem them ever again.
Clutched to my mothers dress as I saw my father's casket lowered into the ground...seeing my mothers dead body in front of me when I went to say good morning to her...to see my Uncles face one last time as he waved goodbye from the docks of Italy...watching Washington giving me a smile as the carriage rolled farther down the road.
How much more of this could I take before I fell apart.
I opened my eyes to hear footsteps leave the kitchen. Burr and Theodoisa both left me in the kitchen. Leaving me to grieve by myself.