Letter postmarked Palermo, Italy November the 29th, but arrived in Brussels one day later than the previous two.

Hyoga,

It is I, Antonia, though you remember me as Shaina.

I write to you because I want to tell you how grateful I am for all you did.

I never dreamed I would ever see my mother again, or so soon!

I owe it partly to Reginaldo (that is Mr. Fletcher-Parks, the man from the British Embassy, who helped us).

When I told him my true name and that I was from Palermo he immediately called a friend at the Italian Embassy to find out if I had any family left in Sicily, and I have lots!

Aunts, uncles, cousins…and Mamma of course, for all these long years have been praying the Madonna that they might find me again. Mamma even went on a pilgrimage to Roma!

There is a statue of San Antonio di Padua in our house which she prays in front of: first for my protection and safe return, now to thank him. San Antonio is the patron Saint of the Lost as well as my own, because my name is Antonia. Around his neck she has hung her Rosary blessed by the Pope, the Catholic one, not the Sanctuary one, of course, and each day we put fresh flowers in front of San Antonio. It is a beautiful statue. He carries a little child in his arms. When I kneel to him I feel like that child, loved, safe and protected.

A true Saint, he, not like us. The Greek Gods are part of a world that is past and gone and should be: a world of ignorance and obedience. I have never been very good at obedience and I won't be ignorant any longer!

They said we fought for Justice but Justice isn't something you fight for, it's something you make and give.

My father was a policeman. He wouldn't turn a blind eye to the Mafia so they killed him. Now I am strong enough to take on all the Mafiosi of Italy but what will that achieve? Only prove that I am the bigger bully.

I won't be a bully anymore either.

It is impossible to talk of my experiences in Sanctuary to Mamma. She would not understand, but it would make her cry. I have lied to her (that hurt!) pretending that I was kidnapped by the Mafia to become one of them.

It could almost be true, couldn't it? Mamma is very religious, if she knew about the Greek Gods it would kill her.

I want her to be happy. I want to be happy too.

Shall I tell you about my dream for the future? My personal future? We were never taught to look ahead and now I am: very strange it feels.

I want to become a lawyer.

Have you heard of Giovanni Falcone?

He is a judge from Palermo. He fights the Mafia with all he has, but legal means. He is incorruptible and won't be bullied, just like my father. He believes in Law, which is the way to deal justice, even if it is imperfect, but that is like all things human.

I have a picture of him. He is no longer young and his hair is gray and he looks tired but so determined! I pray for him too. He is braver than all the Saints united.

I want to be like him! Fighting injustice by Law.

I have so much to atone for.

Maybe I can not stop the Mafia but I can help people who suffer because of them. I can give them a voice: a barrister, that's what I'll be, and I'll plead in a Court of Law. Explaining why people did what they did so that they won't be punished too harshly or defend and prove innocence.

Do you think I can?

I am sorry, I feel rather silly writing all this when we hardly know each other: personally I mean. But you are the person I trust most in the world next to Mamma, and of course also Miho, Seika, Sunrei, Jacob and Reginaldo.

And you were a Saint too. You know what it feels like.

Ciao,

Antonia

P.S. You don't have to answer this letter if you don't want to. If you do, you must send it: Poste Restante Falcone San Antonio , Central Post Office, Palermo, Italy.

We live in the country, there is post but Mamma is afraid the Mafia will find us.

To be continued

Author's note: the Mafia murdered Giovanni Falcone in 1992