Late May 1942 there is an edict summoning all Americans to the Pawia Prison in Warsaw; they are being released from the ghetto in exchange for German prisoners of war.
Shoshana Peretz reclines on a sofa, one leg is propped up on a pillow. She broke her right foot jumping out a window escaping the Jewish Police, “You look sad, don’t be. I’ll be up and well again soon.” Lying to her sister, Ruchel, the pain is unbearable, “There is much to do.”
Ruchel embraces Shoshana, “I’ll carry on for you.” Cheeks touching.
Alexandra feels a strange sensation, happiness having her daughters with her. It has been so long, “Ruchel, you must leave now.”
“Farwell Foy Peretz.” Luka Cohen has a knapsack over his shoulder. He had been offered two chances to leave Warsaw, go back home to the United States. He refused both.
Alexandra embraces the sixteen year old, “I wish I still believed in God for you both.” Thinking of her missing son, Adam, as just being away on clandestine work; lying to herself makes the pain easier, “Your Mama loved you very much, Luka.”
Luka holds back a swell of emotions. There is no time for thoughts of his dead mother and brother.
Ruchel kisses Shoshana, “You’ll always be the brightest star in the sky for me.” Holding a knapsack ready for anything facing her, strangely happy, no longer living as a prisoner behind Ghetto walls. In charge of her own life.
Ruchel kisses her seven year old sister, Henye over and over.
“Ruchel, will you always remember me?”
“Yes, I promise every day to think of you when I wake in the morning.” Next holding onto her Mama, “Thank you for everything.”
Alexandra wraps her arms tightly around Ruchel, kissing her tenderly, “Don’t forget the happy times.”
“Never.” Not wishing to let go, knowing when she does it will be forever.
Simeon Andreszewski gives Luka gold coins, diamonds, rubies and Reichsmarks, “You may need these.”
Alexandra holds Ruchel’s face kissing her cheeks, her lips, “Go now. I love you forever. I’ll be with you always, whenever you need me.”
“Mama, I want to stay with you.”
Luka takes Ruchel’s hand, leading her away.
As they walk down the stairs, Ruchel weeps: she had a happy family, a great life once; looking behind her, it’s gone forever.
Luka stops mid step, “Don’t allow yourself any emotions. You can’t feel anything at all from this moment on. If you start dwelling on missing people, wondering why God isn’t stopping this, feeling anything at all, you might as well stay here with your Mama, Shoshana and Henye. Us is just survival. There is no grief for us, no pity out there, only a long walk, more suffering, starving, defying death.”
Ruchel flashes Luka a dirty look, marching passed him. Her back arched, not saying one word.
Outside there are corpses everywhere, skeletons shuffle through the packed streets. Ruchel takes Luka’s hand. A new day has begun.
Catherine Cahill was born in East Hartford Connecticut. She worked for the State of Connecticut for 31 years, retiring in 2017. Since then, she has devoted her time to training in Mixed Martial Arts and writing stories.