Chapter Three: Reunion

Mr. Rigozzi looked up from his stack of untidy papers. His eyes met with a young boy’s eyes.

“Jared? Is that you?” He was surprised what the years had done to Jared’s face. His expression, though still childlike, had hardened with struggle and time.

“Yes, sir,” Jared said proudly. He smirked. “I’ve grown up a bit, haven’t I?

Mr. Rigozzi looked at Jared, from head to toe. He smiled and sighed all at once. He suddenly looked down at his desk with exhaustion, avoiding Jared’s eyes. Jared knew that expression well, disappointment.

Jared straightened up. “I know I need to explain what happened when my family left, sir.”

Mr. Rigozzi stifled a mocking laugh. “Well, it has been ten years. You can understand my concern.”

“Of course I can,” Jared explained. “But just hear me out. After my family fled the area, my parents took me to my Great Aunt Rita’s house. My parents had some business to attend to, and it wasn’t the kind of business that a nine year old kid should be involved in. Nobody ever bothers her at home, so they figured that I’d be safe enough.  So they left. But before they did, my mother gave my Great Aunt this.”

Jared held up a tattered piece of parchment, yellowed with age.

He looked up from the ground, where he had been speaking towards.  

“I was supposed to read this when times were bad, but I opened it a couple hours after my parents left. I’m glad I did.”

Mr. Rigozzi stirred in his seat. He was intrigued.

He fingered his stack of papers. “What does the letter say?”

Jared spoke clearly.

Dear Jared,

First of all, know that your father and I love you very much. Our leaving you with Rita is not a choice that we can easily make. You understand that we must join this revolution. The French cannot continue to be persecuted for mistakes made some two hundred years ago.

We understand that Great Aunt Rita will not live forever. And hopefully we will return to you before such a horrible event as her death would occur. However, if we do not, please seek out the aid of Mr. and Mrs. Rigozzi. I know they care for you deeply, as if you were their own son, and would be very willing to keep you, as well as some promises that have been made between our families.

Love, Mom

Jared crumpled into the chair before Mr. Rigozzi’s desk.

“A few months later I learned that my mom was in jail. My father has been missing since I was twelve,” Jared winced. “And I can’t stay with my Great Aunt Rita any longer. She died this morning.”

Mr. Rigozzi gave a look of deep concern and sadness. Jared could have sworn that there were tears in Mr. Rigozzi’s eyes. Tears of regret.

“Mr. Rigozzi,” Jared begged, “I know our families have radically different beliefs. Your company works with the government. My parents are some of the most hated immigrants in North America.”

He paused. “However, I am not my mother. I am not my father. I am a man of my own beliefs. I am willing to do anything to earn your trust.”

A hearty laugh escaped from Mr. Rigozzi, a clear change in his demeanor that Jared did not expect to see.

Jared loosened up a tad and asked, “Did I mess up that badly?”

“Heavens, no,” said Mr. Rigozzi. “I am just slightly amused. After all these years, the only place you can seek employment at contains the person who possibly despises you the most.”

“I’m prepared to deal with that,” Jared said, a frown escaping from his calm façade. “I will not let her dislike for me get in the way of my job proficiency, I swear.”

As Jared was speaking he noticed that Mr. Rigozzi’s jet black hair was now streaked with grey. A detail that wasn’t there a decade ago.

Mr. Rigozzi smiled. “Oh, fine then. We shall see. You may live here in the house, and the majority of your wages will be put towards living expenses. I will give you some pocket money, but I expect you to save most of it, of course. Do you understand, Mr. Portier?”

“Yes, sir. Most clearly.” Jared chuckled with glee.

Mr. Rigozzi beamed. “Welcome home, son.”