The Immigrant

Chapter 43| November 30 1800

I stared outside the kitchen window as soft flakes of snow fell from the grey sky. My writing came to a halt as I felt my conscious stall as a thought wandered through my head. A thought about life before I came to America. How my life was so different back in Italy. The nagging thought of my parents death veered me away from ever wanting to go back. But it was interesting to think how far I've come. Going on twenty-three, six years ago at the age of seventeen, I had no idea were to put one foot in front of the other. Now I'm walking, almost running, as I face the uncertainty of years ahead of me.
"Have you forgotten how to write?" Theodoisa's voice pipped up behind me.
I blinked away from the window as I shook my head.
"Unfortunately not." I chuckled.
Theodoisa rolled her eyes as she repositioned the platter of China she was holding.
"But in all seriousness, is everything alright?" Theodoisa asked a glint of concern in her voice.
I huffed as I looked back at the window.
"I'm alright, I've just been thinking..." I murmured.
Theodoisa set down the set of China as it clattered on the table before sitting down across from me. I felt a feeling of dread that I even responded.
"About what?" She asked.
I took a deep sigh as I shrugged.
"I don't know, just how life was like back in Italy." I said.
Theodoisa hummed as she sat back in her chair.
"It must have been strange moving to a completely different country." Theodoisa remarked.
"It still kinda is." I sighed.
Theodoisa nodded slowly.
"Ezio...what were your parents like?" Theodoisa asked quietly.
I froze as memories flooded into my head.
"Well, they always cared about me and my future. My father, a soldier was a hero to me and for my mother inspired me to accomplish anything despite the inevitable. After they died, I was left with nothing, Hell knows why I didn't perish then." I said bleakly.
Theodoisa nodded slowly as she sighed.
"My mother, who I was named after left my father and I with a lot of heartbreak too." Theodoisa said quietly.
"There's some things in life that we cannot control and the uncertainty of death will always be present in our lives." Theodoisa said softly.
I sighed as I nodded slowly.
"It seems that somethings were lent to be in a sense." I murmured.
I leaned back in my chair as the room fell with silence. I took this calming moment to close my eyes. I opened them again to see Theodoisa leave her seat.
"If you don't mind I have some chores to do." She said picking up the platter.
"Take care Ezio." Theodoisa smiled as she walked out of the room.
I smiled after her as I peered outside the window one last time before standing up and putting on my coat, walking outside as I stood on steps of the Burr's residence. Snowflakes slowly drifted down from the sky as they caught in my hair as I began to walk down the street. Deep in thought I wasn't paying attention to where I was going as I accidentally ran into someone while turning a corner.
"My apologies." I gasped as I looked down at the victim.
"You're quite alright..." She trailed off as we both recognized each other.
"Ezio Auditore?" She asked with a smile rising from her cheeks.
"Mrs.Angelica Church." I said surprised.
"How are you?" I asked with bow.
Angelica smiled.
"Very well, it's been busy these past couple weeks." Angelica said.
Before I could speak a man came up behind Angelica as he looked at me head to toe.
"Who are you." He asked gruffly holding a distinctive British accent.
Angelica turned to the man with a apologetic smile.
"John, I would like you to meet someone." Angelica said looking back at me.
"This is Ezio Auditore, an acquietante of mine." Angelica smiled.
I gave John a small nod as he looked at me with narrowing eyes.
"John Baker Church." He greeted himself.
"If I remember correctly, Mr.Hamilton as spoke fondly of you in his letters, he says your a intelligent young man and an outstanding writer?" John asked raising a brow.
I nodded.
"I present myself to be one sir." I said.
Angelica chimed in as she stepped forward.
"A fine writer indeed, say if you're available these upcoming weeks I would be delighted if you could make it to dinner one of theses days?" Angelica asked.
"Hun, we just moved, we need a break!" John snapped.
Angelica ignored her husband as she looked brightly at me.
"Let's see, I'll be up in Albany to look after Peggy next week but after that will be fine." Angelica explained.
I nodded as the thought of Peggy lingered in my head.
"How is Ms.Schuyler?" I asked my tone lowering.
Angelica sighed as she shook her head.
"Ever since last year her health as been declining and its not getting any better." Angelica said bleakly.
I bit my lip at the bad news.
"Give her my regards." I offered with a small smile.
Angelica smiled as she nodded.
"I will."
John Church gave a huff as he brushed past me murmuring something incoherent.
"Anyways it was nice to see you again Ezio, I'll write to you when the best time for the dinner." Angelica said quickly as she looked to her husband impatient manner.
"Alright, thank you Mrs.Church." I smiled as Angelica nodded before catching up to her husband and scolding him from being so rude.
I looked after the couple as they walked down the street. I smiled to myself as I proceeded onward with my errands as the snow still fell from the sky blanketing the city and all its inhabitants.

The winter weather took a tole on the city and its surroundings. The past week or so, the temperature dropped as the harbor froze shut and roads inaccessible due to the unplowed snow. People have been forced inside as the cold gnawed away at people who were in the streets, a instant death overnight. The city was cut off to any transpiration, citizens had to be careful with rations. One man quoted that the first part of winter of 1800 was the equivalent of Valley Forge in 1778. With the blistering cold, I found myself cooped up in a chair to read and write as the cold days withered away at the city's bones.