Read The End of Days Online

Authors: Helen Sendyk

Tags: #Biography & Autobiography, #Historical, #History, #Holocaust, #test

The End of Days (10 page)

 
Page 53
our store talking about the event. The mood was somber and uncertain.
Before the war had even been declared, the Germans flew into Poland and discharged a cargo of bombs. The municipal government ordered the citizens of Chrzanow to black out their windows and take other wartime precautions. A decree was posted saying anyone engaging in espionage would be punished by death.
Heshek came home from Bielsko the next day, but Vrumek stayed behind. This made our parents very uneasy. Heshek helped Jacob with the war preparations. Shlamek's absence was sorely felt, since he was handiest around the house. We meticulously covered all the windows and doors with heavy black paper or blankets. We pasted wide paper strips across the windows to prevent them from shattering. The building we lived in also housed the municipal offices, and although we had lived there a long time and were generally respected, we had to be extra careful. In this tense atmosphere, the Poles would not hesitate to accuse a Jew of treason if he did not adhere scrupulously to all the ordinances.
"You must not try to point out a target to the enemy, Mr. Stapler," the inspector arrogantly said to Papa, indicating a crack of light coming through a corner of the blacked-out window.
On Friday afternoon a faint sun was slowly tumbling down behind the slanted rooftops when I saw Sholek run towards us. I was playing hopscotch in front of the store with some friends, since I was not allowed to wander anyplace far from home. He was very excited and yelled out to us to follow him. We ran to the store with him, where he emphatically announced that Gdansk and Gliwice were in our hands.
"Where on earth did you hear that?" Blimcia questioned him.
"Out back in the yard," Sholek shot back. "There is a meeting taking place there right now."
I got very excited too. "Mama, Mama did you hear?" I screamed, laughing. "Gdansk and Gliwice are in Polish
 
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hands. Poland has won the war. Poland is victorious. Tomorrow I can go back to school."
Mama patted me on the head. Only a faint smirk danced in the corners of her mouth. "Good, good, my child, now go back and play outside."
"But, Mama," I protested, "you do not even seem to be happy. You were so worried about the war, and now that it is over you are not at all excited or pleased. Shlamek will come home now, and Papa can go back to traveling to Katowice. And by the way, where are Gdansk and Gliwice, Mama?" I asked curiously. I did not have time to wait for an answer, aware that Sholek had already vanished. I quickly followed him into the yard.
There was a lot of hustle and bustle in the yard. A general meeting of the police force had been called. The staff from the municipal offices on the second floor was there as well. The tall skinny inspector was talking to the crowd that formed a circle around him. This was Friday, September 1, 1939, the day Germany declared war on Poland.
"Our country is at war," the inspector general solemnly said. "Our country has been at war before and has been briefly partitioned in the past. But Poland will never surrender to her western enemy. The greedy Germans will not be allowed to stomp their boots on our soil. Not one fistful of land will they conquer, not one centimeter will we surrender. We will defend our country, my comrades, with our bodies and souls. It is our homeland, our fatherland. We will reconquer what they try to steal from us. Our Pomorze is what Hitler wants. No, my dear patriots, we will not give up Pomorze. As a matter of fact, we have Gdansk right now. This is what I am proud to tell you. We have just received the news, the good news, my fellow Poles. Gdansk is in our hands. And so is Gliwice, my dear gentlemen."
A loud burst of applause followed, drowning out the rest of his words. All the faces were smiling. The meeting started to break up, yet no one was leaving the yard. People formed small circles, enthusiastically discussing the war. It was obvious that the Germans were losing. It was clear that the Ger-
 
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mans had no chance against our patriotic Polish army, which was fighting so gallantly.
Like field mice, Sholek and I were snooping around, attentively listening to all that was being said. Soon the officials got us busy running errands, as usual.
Someone prodded me. ''Here, Helcia. Go get me a
krachel
of orangeade. Since there is no vodka in your store, we shall be forced to celebrate with a
krachel
."
Few, however, were satisfied to celebrate with soft drinks. They dispersed and went across the street to the tavern for some ninety-six proof. The occasion called for a bottle to be shared with friends. They sat around the table filling and refilling the glasses, laughing, enjoying, toasting the victory. Getting drunk always followed very good or very bad news. Today the mood was good, and the vodka flowed. This elated mood was not to last, however.
Before nightfall the windows were blacked out. At the Friday night meal, everyone was somber. Papa and Mama lamented Shlamek's absence and were worried about Vrumek not being home.
Heshek patiently tried to console Mama. "Vrumek is all right and will be home any day now. Believe me, Mama, he is safe in Bielsko." But Heshek did not sound too convincing.
The air in the blacked-out kitchen was stagnant; the light was dim. Nachcia, at Mama's side, tried to keep her composure. Papa hummed his
zmiros
quietly, mechanically, dutifully performing the Sabbath ritual he so dearly loved.
Suddenly the door opened, and in came Vrumek. An exhilarating scream of surprise and gratitude greeted him at the doorway.
"Thank God Almighty!" Papa uttered.
Mama wept. Nachcia, Sholek, and I jumped from our seats to hug him. Blimcia and Jacob made room for him to sit down. We all wanted to know how he was able to come home.
Weary and exhausted, Vrumek sat down at the table, but he was too tired to eat. He slowly began relating the events of the past few days.
"When Heshek left," he began, "I immediately realized
 
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that I made a mistake not to have gone home with him. I was all alone, and the news was not good. People were leaving Bielsko, afraid that the big industrial city would be bombed. The trains were being taken out of service for military purposes. Whoever had a car or wagon was lucky. But I had neither. I packed my suitcase and went down to the railroad station. There were no trains running. I waited with throngs of people throughout the night. Finally, late in the morning a train came. People crowded in, squeezing into the compartments. But the train wouldn't move; it slowly inched its way ahead. Everyone was nervous and anxious. By five o'clock in the afternoon we had only reached Oswiecim. It was announced that the train was not going any further. I figured that from here I must make it on foot. When the sun started setting, I put all the
muktsah
[things one is not to use on the Sabbath] into the suitcase."
Papa managed a faint smile to show how pleased he was with Vrumek's behavior. "That is why the Almighty brought you home safely," Papa commented. "You will recite
birkas hagomel
[the benediction of gratitude] tomorrow in shul," he added.
We sat there till late at night, asking questions and thanking God for his divine guidance and deliverance of Vrumek back to the bosom of the family.
The next day was traumatic. People started leaving town. Whoever had relatives or even acquaintances out of town went to stay with them. People were frantically packing up anything they could haul along. They used cars, wagons, carts, anything on wheels. They left in haste without saying good-bye. Papa and Mama walked around the house, not daring to look each other in the eye. We all knew the sad truth. Where would we go? What would we do with Goldzia?
Aunt Esther came over on Saturday night. She did not sit, as usual, in the kitchen, beside Goldzia's bed. She went straight into the store, where Mama followed her. They agreed that we must all stay here in Chrzanow, and they talked about fortifying the house. Jacob was listening silently, but when Aunt Esther was getting ready to leave, he finally spoke up.
 
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"You all know I have a sister in Krakow. I want to take Blimcia there. I know she does not want to leave you here, but she is my wife, and it is my responsibility to protect her. Please, Blimcia, for the sake of our unborn child, you must listen to me."
Blimcia was still reluctant. It was Aunt Esther and Mama who suddenly insisted that Blimcia and Jacob leave. Mama even came up with the idea that they should take me along. After long discussion, Aunt Esther went home with nothing resolved.
Sunday morning, September 3, I was sent away to Mama's cousin, who lived on the outskirts of town. Safely away from the commotion of the town, I played with my second cousins until Nachcia appeared. She called me to come home with her immediately. There was not a moment to waste, not even time to notify my cousin that I was going. She instructed the other children to leave word. I wanted to finish our game, but Nachcia insisted. We ran home together. On the way I learned from my sister that Blimcia and Jacob were ready with their bundles of supplies and waiting for me to join them.
We passed scores of people going down Krakowska Street with loaded backpacks. The atmosphere was one of panic. There were wagons, bicycles, and even baby carriages loaded with bundles. Blimcia and Jacob were indeed waiting in front of the store. Blimcia wore her coat even though the weather was still warm. Jacob carried a backpack. Mama came out carrying my coat on her arm.
"Here, wear the coat and go with Blimcia," she said earnestly. She helped me with my coat and gave me a brief hug. Then she quickly disappeared into the house, choking back her tears. Nachcia followed Mama, but there in the doorway stood Papa, Nachcia's coat in his hand. He threw the coat over her shoulders, delicately pushing her ahead and saying, "You go too, my child."
"But why?" Nachcia pleaded.
"It is for the best," he said, leading her out of the door. Blimcia and Jacob were already walking ahead.
 
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"They are gone, Papa," Nachcia said, trying to come back into the house.
"Run after them!" Papa prodded her.
"I haven't even said good-bye to Mama," she cried.
"There is no time. I will say it for you, and anyway you will be back home soon."
Nachcia ran after Blimcia, holding on to my hand.
"Where are we going?" I demanded when we caught up with Blimcia and Jacob. "You are treating me like a baby," I said bitterly in an undertone.
They thought I did not understand the gravity of the situation. I knew it was war, and I was thoroughly frightened. I remembered the meeting in the yard, the enthusiasm, the cheering. I had thought that was what war was like. There would be cheering when my brother Shlamek came home, dressed in his shiny boots and uniform, looking so handsome. And I would parade with him through the streets of town, so proud of my brother the officer. Now I realized that war was a terrible thing. War meant leaving Mama and Papa, walking as fast as you possibly can with people pushing all around you. I was hungry and I just remembered that we had not had dinner. I was not going to mention that to anyone, for I did not want them to think that I was a baby who could not go one night without a meal. Besides, what could they do about food here?
"We are going to my sister in Krakow," Jacob answered me patiently.
"It is far to Krakow. Papa used to go there by train. Will we be able to walk all the way to Krakow?" I asked.
"If you get too tired, I will carry you," Jacob said, trying to sound cheerful.
"I can walk as good as anyone," I boasted. "You will not have to carry me."
We walked on in silence, surrounded by crowds. People carried bundles, valises, all trying to push ahead of each other. Faces were somber, worried. Children were being dragged along, their tired legs refusing to keep pace, their small arms stretched out to hold their parents' hands.

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