The Legacy

This is a story of a family that migrated from Italy shortly after the second world war.

When the war was over the head of the Impy family decided it was time to find a suitable place to raise his family of 6 kids ranging in age from 5 to 10.

The father John (jack as his wife Mary called him) was struggling after the war. His land had been destroyed and all he knew was farming.

Mary did not want to leave the family home. But her husband insisted and left her with no say so. Therefore, she packed up the family and left the family home and came to the united states. Upon reaching the states Jack was able to find work in New York city, where he worked hard and saved for several years.

An opportunity came up when the man he worked for told him he had some property outside of the city in upstate New York. This property had belonged to his mother who had recently passed. Mr. Henry offered this property which consisted of two brick homes and enough property that another house could be built on, all for a fair price of $20,000. Of course, Jack took the offer and again the family moved.

Mary was a little disappointed when she saw the house it needs much repair. Oh, my she gasped I do not want to leave here she screamed at her husband. This is horrible. Mary says Jack we will fix, you see if will be fine. Look we have rooms for all our children and us too. You will see mama have I ever failed you? Mary looked at him with sad eyes and whispered “no”.

Time goes by and the family home started to come together nicely. Mary was going through an old trunk when she found a strange looking book. She wondered what it was inside but did not want to break the lock. So, she just put it aside and continued cleaning. Her second oldest daughter was also named Mary and when she turned 16, she gave the book to her for safe keeping.

What is this mama? I do not really know my child, but it is old and looks important. Keep this safe and do not lose it. Sure, mama no problem Mary agreed.

Mary grows up and marries she has one child a little girl. She to was named after her mother and grandmother yep you guessed it. She was called Mary as well. Talk about family tradition. Only they called her Little Mary in order to keep them all straight. Mary had a good childhood, was good student in school cheerleader and started seeing the football captain. When high school was over the two separated and Mary went off to one college and him another.

Two years after Mary went off to college, she received notice that her grand- parents were killed in a car accident. Mary goes home for the funeral and again this book came into play. Mama what is this book where did it come from? Her mother placed her one finger to her lips and says “shh no questions” just remember what I asked of you. Mary figured that her mother knew more than what she was letting on, but she just put the book away.

Mary returned to college. She completed her studies and took her test to be a licensed pharmacologist. Several years go by and Mary marries a nice young man. They settle in her grandparents’ home in the country of upstate New York. When her parents pass away Mary inherits all the family properties in New York and in Italy.

She finally decides to find out what is in the book that she has been holding on to all her life. So, she takes the book to someone who could translate it for her because it is in old world Italian. She could speak the language but could not read it. Mary tells her husband about the book and he suggests she take it to a friend of his. He tells her of his friend who is a college language professor. Mr. Peterson comes for dinner and Mary shows him the book. Hmm he says this is incredibly old language. Yes, Mary replies it has been in my family for years. More like centuries he says. What do you mean? Mary asks.

This book is back to world war ll. It appears to be some sort of notebook but not a diary. Have you been to your family home in Italy asks Peterson? No why? You should. But why Mary asks yet again. I believe the answers you seek are there. This little black book contains many secrets. Look here, he points to a passage that he read aloud. It gives directions to a safe hidden in the old house in Italy. Mary looks to her husband. Do not look at me if you want to go then we can go. It is fine I can go alone she tells him I should be alright. Thank you, Mr. Peterson, for all your help says Mary.

In about two weeks Mary travels to Italy. She goes to the family home and is amazed. It is huge and surprisingly in good shape for its age. As she looked from room to room was hoping to find where the safe Mr. Peterson spoke of. The house had a study which had a library with beautiful pictures. She looked behind all and finally found a section of the wall that seemed to contain a combination safe. The combination was written in this little black book. When she opens it, she found another box that had many papers.

All of which were in Italian. She took the papers back home to get Mr. Peterson to translate them for her. As he read them, he gasped. What is it ask Mary? These papers are the direct writings of your great great grandfather. He apparently hid in a closet while his father met with German generals during the war. Your great great grandfather took notes of these meetings. These papers are worth millions! He exclaims….

The notes in this little black book were the writings of a young boy hiding in a closet in fear of being discovered. When Mary’s first born, son turned 16, she gave him the box and the black book and told him to guard it well. And when he tried to question her, she found herself doing as her mother did with her. She placed a finger on his lips and said “shh no questions”