The Immigrant

Chapter 44| December 10 1800

I folded the letter Angelica sent to me a couple days ago into my coat pocket as I looked onward down the frozen street. The sun illuminated the snow as the ice crystals sparkled off of houses and snow banks.
My breath swirled around me as I kept walking, making my way over to the Hudson, following the address Angelica had written me in the letter. Only a few people scampered between buildings, trying to escape the cold. The Hudson was glazed over with a thin layer of ice as it shone brilliantly in the sun as I walked up an array of houses that sat on the banks of the river. I was murmuring the addresses on the houses until I finally came to the last house on the street.
It was located near a small dock that people used to hold small rowing boats that would travel across the Hudson.
I walked up the steps as I knocked on the door with numb fingers. There was rustling inside before the door opened. Angelica looked up at me with a please smile.
"Good afternoon Ezio, please come in." She said as I gave her a bow.
I was presented with a small hallway that led into a big living room and a grand staircase that led to the second floor. I wasn't as grand as Burr's "impressive" tile floor and grand study but it was neatly arranged with fancy furniture which I presumed a lot of it came from London.
Angelica led me into the dinning room as a grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, a long table stood in the middle of the room with a red tapestry in the middle.
"Have a seat where ever if you'd like, I'll be back with the food in a moment." Angelica smiled as she hurried off.
I took off my gloves and took a seat as I looked around the room. A few paintings hung besides the door as the sun shone through two big windows that overlooked the Hudson. A piano caught my eye as it sat collecting dust at the far end of the room. I snapped back to the table as footsteps entered the room. John Church walked in as he looked at me with narrowing eyes.
"Good afternoon Mr.Church, how are you?" I greeted my voice quivering a little.
John took the seat at the head of the table before looking back at me.
"Very well." He said simply.
"You're Aaron Burr's apprentice, if I was told correctly." John huffed.
I nodded simply.
"Yes sir, are you two acquainted?" I asked curiously.
John gave a pitiful laugh before continuing.
"Hardly, we once drew pistols at each other, but the dispute died before anyone was hurt." John said gruffly.
I looked at him shocked.
"I'm surprised, I haven't heard anything about this." I remarked.
"Mr.Burr is quiet when it comes to personal affairs Mr.Auditore." John murmured.
I took a long breath as the room fell with awkward silence. Before it felt like the tension could get any worse, Angelica walked in with a cart of food behind her pushed by a maid. Angelica took a seat across from me.
"Thank you." I said to the maid as she passed out the last plate.
"Cutie." She smiled before walking out of the room.
For the first couple of minutes the talking ceased as we dug into the Devine food.
"Tell me Ezio, what had been going on these past couple of years or so?" Angelica asked after taking a sip of wine.
"I've been stressed and working non-stop down at City Hall, it seems like I can never catch my breath." I sighed.
Angelica nodded slowly as she looked deep in thought.
"I see." She murmured at last.
"My husband and I are quite busy too, after moving from London...it takes a lot out of you." Angelica remarked.
"You're going to hold residence permanently?" I asked.
"That's what were planning, London did have its charms but it seemed like my heart could never stray from New York for a long time." Angelica said thoughtfully.
John gave a unamused huff as he took a sip of wine. Angelica glared at her husband before turning back to me.
"Anyways, I'm thrilled to be back in New York." Angelica smiled.
"Sure, you get to be back with your family." I said with a small smile.
"Indeed."
Hours passed at we talked about our daily lives and events happening in America and in London. John Church kept quiet for most of the conversations, not really interested in what we had to say. Finally we parted from our seats after finishing a luxurious dinner.
"It was nice to see you again Mr.Auditore." Angelica said at the door.
"Thank you for inviting me Mrs.Church, the food was very good." I said with a nod.
"Anytime Ezio, I'm glad we could arrange this." She replied.
John Church stepped up as he looked down at my small frame.
"It was nice of you to visit Mr.Auditore, I hope that we satisfied to accommodate your busy schedule." Church spoke with a lightening tone but still gruff manner.
"Thank you sir." I smiled with a quick nod.
"Thank you again." I said before reaching for the door.
"Anytime Ezio, you are always welcome." Angelica smiled.
With they I walked out into the frosty night air. The temperature was tremendously cold as I looked back into the warm, candlelit house of the Church's. I walked briskly down the street as the pale moonlight reflected off the sparkling, cold snow. My nose stung and fingers grew numb as I hurried back home. As I turned down another street as I struck in the back of the head with a snowball. I whirled around as my eyes darted at the empty street. No movement, the City was utterly silent. Suddenly from the corner of my eye another ball of snow flew at me as I dogged it, looking in its direction. I saw a flash of a coat and curry brown hair dart behind a house. I gave a sly smile as I knew exactly who it was. I slowly crept over to a mound of snow as I formed a snowball approaching the house. I stopped as I tried to hear any noises above my beating heart. There was a rustle of snow in the alleyway as I quickly jumped into the alley hurling my snowball at the victim. The victim gave a scream of panic as the cold snow hit his face.
I couldn't help but laugh as he looked up at me with much terror, smile covering his face.
"Alright..alright you got me." Philip wheezed as he hunched over shaking the snow from his face.
"I saw you walking down the street, couldn't help but tease you." Philip added.
I laughed as I crossed my arms.
"Why on earth are you out here in this blasted cold?" I asked.
Philip shrugged.
"I don't know, only idiots I suppose." Philip said smugly giving me a sly grin.
"Hey!" I shouted.
Philip laughed as I sighed putting my arm around his shoulder.
"Come on, any longer and our fingering will fall off." I said as we walked toe to toe down the street.
"Gotcha mom." Philip said smugly as he looked up at the stars.
I gave a huff as I looked at the eighteen year old. How much he as grown, his intelligence has shown to be very impressive. But most of all he is shaping out to be just like his father. Almost a graduate from Kings Collage and growing. Maybe one day he will run the nation. Philips courageous and confident mind, nothing will stop the teen.
Philip and I talked amongst ourselves as we headed towards the Hamilton residence.
"See you around Ezio!" Philip called from the steps of the house as he waved to me.
"See you around friend!" I smiled.
I watched as Philip entered the house as I smiled warmly to myself. I walked back to Burr's residence a stride in my step, the moonlight guiding me through the frozen streets of New York City.

The rest of the year was very busy. I was constantly down at City Hall, arranging and rearranging meetings and putting in schedules for next year and listing major events that happened the previous year. It was overwhelming, feeling like a slave under the restraints of the whole government, beating me with its unmerciful hands as I wrote feverishly day and night. Finally the year of 1801 rolled in, the three presidential candidates, Burr, Jefferson and Adams were making their final moves.