The snow was covering the ground and trees already. I have never been this cold in my life I had to stay near a fire despite having worn layers of clothing. It was getting dark and I had not had dinner. I had just returned from the day's toilings.

        It has been three months now since I arrived Italy and I haven't called home. I miss mum, Katie, dad, and most of all, Liz. It had been a do or die affair me getting here. I almost died in the Sahara desert on the way here but I never gave up. The desert is no place to spend as much as even a day.

        The first month brought me nothing as I went in search of something--any job at all--to do just to get my daily bread. Sometimes I ate just once in two days.

My first stroke of luck came one fateful afternoon..

I was wandering the streets of the beautiful city of Florence without any purpose or destination in mind, when an Italian man in his fifties came driving by in his vehicle. The car happened to stop close to where I was standing completely at a loss as to where next to go.

The black Rover had developed a fault and it wouldn't start. There was no one around but me and he asked if I could help him out with his car. He had a typical Italian accent but his English was good.

I obliged and discovered it was just a little problem with the engine which I quickly fixed. He introduced himself as Antonio and I told him my name.

He noticed how lean and hungry-looking I was and asked if I've had anything to eat and I ended up telling him I was new there and had come to seek my fortune but hadn't got anything yet. He then asked if I could drive a car excellently. He wanted me to be a driver for his taxi. It wasn't at all what I was expecting in Italy but I gladly accepted the offer.

********

          I was seated on the floor close to the fireplace in Antonio's house. It was a large building with light green-paneled walls overlooking the street. A stable containing a handful of horses was behind the house. He lived alone with his wife who was very nice towards me and became like a mother to me within our short time of acquaintance . They were a jolly good Italian couple.

          I reached into the pocket of my briefs and brought out the only thing I had taken to Italy with me: a piece of paper containing Mum's phone number. How long before I get to call her and tell her how I'm doing? Well, not now. Not until I am well able to start sending home the Euros. I came this far not because of myself but because of the responsibility I felt of taking care of Mum and Katie. I never told them where I was going or what I was gonna do. Mum would not have heard a thing of it. I had left a note on Katie's bed the day I left. It ran thus:

           Dear Katie, it saddens my
Heart that you're reading
this letter
because it means I'm
gone and it'll be a while
before you see me
again. Tell mum not
to be worried
About me, I'm gonna be alright.
I promise to call you
guys as soon as I settle
down wherever I end up.
Please take good care of
mum in my absence, help
her in the house and at
the shop, go to school and work
hard in your studies. I promise
you this that I'm gonna make
life better for you guys
and put all our enemies
to shame. Soon I'll be able
to send you money for your
fees and all that and we are
going to live big again as
when dad was still alive.
Oh how I miss him. My tears
are falling on this paper on
which I write for how much I'm
going to miss you and mum.
I know you must be weeping
too as you read this note but
wipe them tears
for me and dad are
with you in your prayers.
I love you guys so much.
Love, Raymond.

       It had been a while I've been working for Antonio and I've come to know the streets of Florence really well. Next day I was out again in the taxi and after going up and down the city, I was hailed by a goatie bearded man dressed in a smart white suit with a brief case he was holding in a funny way. It seemed to be heavy.

"Licado's villa, please," said the man, hopping into the car with the bag.

       His destination was a long way off and we rode halfway in silence. I was always throwing glances at the rear mirror and I could see that my passenger seemed uneasy at the back seat. It struck me instantly that he kept looking out the window suspiciously. It almost appeared he was in apprehension. After a while, he spoke.

     "If you see them cops on the way, you do not stop, you run. Is that Clear?" he spoke with a somewhat polished Italian accent.

     "But why, sir? What if I'm ordered to stop?" I was on edge now. His words sounded like danger was imminent.

     "You step on the gas and speed off. It would be disastrous for you and me if them cops get to us. No, you must not, by any means let that happen."

     My heart was in my mouth now. I never should have carried this passenger. He looked too mischievous for my liking. I silently began to pray to not meet any cops on the way. I wonder what the man was hiding. Must be something about that bag.

     A long way ahead ten minutes later, we saw a check-point. Damn it!

     "You run now, my dear fellow," he yelled. "You run!"

     I was so scared now but I summoned all the wits I've got in my bones.

     I had plied that area many times in the past weeks and had come across another route which I could pass through without getting to the check-point and still arrive at Licado's villa, only that it would take twice the time to go round it and also that the path was a bit rugged and not particularly motorable. That was my only resort.

     An hour later we arrived at Licado's Villa safe and sound. I could see relief written all over his face. That in mine was even more.

     "Ah, you are a smart young man indeed," he laughed mischievously. "You are the type that gets one out of trouble, I say."

     "But I still don't understand what you were running from?" I asked.

     "No, you don't need to know, boy. But thank you for the ride."

     "It's my job, I guess."

     "No, that was more than your job. And for that, here you go."

     He reached into his brief case and slipped a bunch of currency notes into my hand. I counted it: one thousand Euros!

      By Jove, this was more money than I could earn in a year as a taxi driver! I was overwhelmed and beads of sweat began to form all over my forehead and nose in an instant.

     "What?" asked the Italian. "You've never seen that kind of money before?"

     "Not since I came to Italy, sir" I replied.

     "And when was that?"

     "About seven months ago."

     "I see. So you are new here."

     "Not so new anymore, I would say."

     "So, what brings you to Italy?"

     "Well, I came to make a life for myself in a place know one knows me."

     "So you've come to make good papers, huh? You know, you could be making this much money everyday if you know your way around. "

     "My good sir," I exclaimed frantically. "How do you mean?"

     He looked around before answering: "Come to think of it, you seem the sort of man for it. You being a taxi driver gonn' come in handy, I say."

     "But I still do not know what you're talking about."

     "You think you're ready to do anything, eh moolie?"

     My heart skipped a beat. I've never heard where that question was asked and something good followed. I considered the question. Was I ready to do anything? Was I ready to do anything for my family? Was I ready to do anything just to see my mum and sister living comfortably again? Of course, I was!

     "Sure," I said.

     "Then meet me here by noon two days from now. Come with your taxi right here, I got something for you I think you'd like. By the way, what's your name?"

     "Raymond."

     "Okay Raymond, from now on call me your boss."

     He left the car and went into the house.

**********************************

What could our dear Ray be getting himself into?
(Please vote and comment as you move on)