Anzani launched into his story. “Well, where do I begin? Let’s see.” He thought for a moment as he sat down. “I was orphaned as a child. My mother died in childbirth and my father was taken from me by the Austrians. Thusly, I was raised by my uncle Filippo. He was a stern man, he required I do nothing but study.”

“Where did you grow up?” José asked as he absentmindedly bounced Menotti in his arms.

“Pavia.”

“Really? That’s not that far from Genoa.” José looked to me. “Pavia is a lovely little village, right on the Ticino River.”

“My uncle’s home had a beautiful view of the Ticino. I know because I sat at the window daydreaming about sailing away when I was supposed to be doing my lessons. My uncle was a permanent bachelor and he thought of me as his protégé.” Anzani shrugged. “I suppose that’s why the Carbonari were so fascinating to me. You and your friends represented freedom. I could be a scholar and a warrior for my country. Just like the Great Garibaldi and his men. You know, I hid your newspaper clippings in my textbooks. I especially like the ones written by Luigi Rossetti. Is he here with you?”

José immediately looked down, becoming overly distracted by Menotti. “You had to have been awfully young when the Carbonari disbanded,” I said. These were the men José had fought with for the unification of Italy before he was exiled.

“I was, but that didn’t keep me out of trouble. First I went to Greece to fight for their independence, then I became a Spanish soldier.” He smiled as he seemed to recall fond memories. “While there I stumbled upon a wonderful Italian family. Like me, they were in exile. I loved them so much I had to make myself a part of their family.” He blushed slightly. “Luckily for me they had a beautiful daughter, Luisa. She has followed me all over and is my rock.”

“A woman like that is hard to find. Cherish her. I know I cherish mine,” José said with a sideways glance up to me.

“Oh, believe me, I do. It was quite a coup that I married her. She was supposed to marry someone else.” He pulled a face. “After the wedding we stayed in Spain for her to have our firstborn, then I came to Brazil. I’ve been helping the Rio Grande do Sul army for the latter half of the war.”

“You’ve been helping with the Ragamuffin War? How have I not met you?”

“I have trailed behind, keeping mainly to the south, but alas, my time here has come to an end.”

“You are leaving?” José asked, looking sad.