Hungarian Rhapsody

by Wendy Teller

  Ella wanted to work. Tante Cecile was the obvious route to work, to self-sufficiency.

  But how to see her? She could just go to her apartment, but Cecile might not be in. But she would be in for her salon. Saturday was her salon. Tomorrow was Saturday.

  "Aunt Ilona?"

  Ilona picked up her ear horn and turned it to Ella.

  "Aunt Ilona, I must go to a friend's afternoon tomorrow."

  Aunt Ilona let the hand holding the ear horn drop to her side.

  "Oh, dear girl, I don't think you will be well enough to go out tomorrow." She shook her head. "I think after everything you must rest for a while, for several days."

  Ella thought that she would burst if she had to wait for another salon, another whole week, before seeing Tante.

  "Oh, I am quite well now."

  She rolled her shoulder. It was sore, but not painful. She lifted her arm, trying to conceal a wince.

  "See. My arm is fine."

  She set the tray of food to one side and slid out of bed. Her stomach churned and the room whirled. She focused on Aunt Ilona.

  "See. I'm fine."

  Ilona shook her head. "Dear, I would worry about you if you went out."

  "I must see this friend. It is most important."

  "Does it have something to do with Ede?"

  Oh, her sweet aunt, always trying to understand, making up little lies for her.

  Ella nodded.

  It was almost the truth.

  She must find work so she would not be forced to be anyone's wife.

  Ilona looked at her a long time. She sighed.

  "Very well. But I will send you in a carriage and it will wait for you. If you feel unwell, come straight back!"

  Salon

  When Ella woke the next morning her gaze wandered around the room. She rolled her shoulder. It was quite comfortable today. She remembered the slammed door and sighed. It was Saturday. She remembered the salon and her conversation with Aunt Ilona.

  She was going to that salon.

  She slid out of bed, leaning against it. The room spun less than yesterday. She took a step toward the table. She was steady. She took another step and another. She would be all right. She could go to Tante's salon.

  "Hello."

  Ella looked up to see Flora at the door.

  "Breakfast?"

  "Thank you, yes!"

  Flora placed the tray on the table. "You're at the table this morning, Miss. You must be feeling better!"

  "Yes, yes. Very well."

  Flora poured coffee for her.

  Aunt Ilona bustled into the room. "Look who is having breakfast at the table this morning!" She sat across from Ella and poured herself a cup of coffee.

  "Are you really feeling well enough to go to your friend's this afternoon?"

  Ella put on a smile and raised her voice, hoping her aunt could hear. "Yes, indeed."

  "Very well." Ilona sipped her coffee. "I've hired Andras to take you." Andras was the coachman Aunt Ilona used. "He will pick you up and wait for you until you are ready to come home."

  "Thank you!"

  "And I've found some fresh clothes for you."

  "Oh, Aunt Ilona, that is so kind!"

  "Not beautiful, but they are decent. You will feel better wearing fresh clothes."

  Ella stood to hug her aunt. "Thank you!"

  How was it that her aunt was so willing to support her and her mother was so determined to mold her? Were they really sisters?

  That afternoon, after she had taken a proper bath and swept her hair up in a gentle bun, she looked at herself in the mirror.

  She had grown thinner and paler. She was solemn.

  She placed the emerald necklace on her blouse, but that felt wrong. She could not show it to the world. She could not even show it to herself. Her breathing quickened, her eyes welled as she touched the emerald's facets and ran her finger along the diamonds. But she had grown accustomed to its weight on her chest. She would feel, not naked, but incomplete, without it. She tucked it under the soft cotton of her blouse.

  Andras helped Ella into the coach and took his seat to drive the carriage. Ella leaned back on the cushions looking out at their route, a path she had walked just a little more than a week ago.

  She had been on an adventure then.

  Now she was on a mission.

  She must explain to Tante what had happened, hoping that she would understand. She wanted Tante's help. That was selfish, but it was true. She had made so much progress toward her goal: work and independence. Tante was the foundation of that progress.

  She wasn't sure Tante would understand. If she didn't, then Ella would have to start again, maybe by appealing to Rózsa, though she thought Rózsa would be less likely to forgive her. Or maybe Suska, if she could find her.

  Those were contingencies. Perhaps they wouldn’t be needed.

  The carriage crossed the Chain Bridge and traveled south. Looking to the right Ella could see the Buda Hills across the green-brown Danube.

  The carriage turned left onto Tante's street, drove past the little park and stopped in front of Tante's building.

  Ella climbed the stairs to Tante's apartment, holding the hand rail, stopping several times to calm her breathing. She knocked on the heavy wooden door.

  Mihály opened the door, a smile on his face. When he recognized Ella, his eyes widened and his mouth opened without uttering a sound. He shook his head as if to clear his mind.

  "Ella! Our lost Ella!"

  Ella smiled. "Hello Mihály!"

  She was glad it was Mihály greeting her. She could practice her explanation on him, before she tried it on his mother.

  "I'm sorry I disappeared."

  Not taking his eyes off her, he stood aside to allow her to enter. "But why?"

  "Oh, it was not my idea to disappear!" She looked at him, happy to see his intent look. "I was abducted!"

  His eyes grew wider still. "Really?"

  "Yes, my family hired detectives to find me!"

  Ella wasn't sure of the details. Miklos said that "we" hired detectives, but she wasn't sure whether we meant her family or if it included Ede.

  "They captured me." She shrugged, happy that she could do it without much pain. "And dislocated my shoulder."

  His brown eyes softened. "You would think they could have been more careful!"

  She laughed. "I guess I wasn't very cooperative."

  He smiled, his eyes a little easier. "No, Lady of Another Sort, I suppose you would not cooperate."

  She exhaled, relaxing her clenched teeth. He seemed to understand. "I'm so sorry! I've returned to you just as soon as I could."

  "Yes, yes. But you are here now."

  He grasped her hand and led her to the salon.

  The room was crowded and smoky. People stood or sat, sipped drinks, ate tidbits, puffed on pipes. Tilly passed a tray of little savories. Karl passed a tray of sweets.

  Mihály made his way through the room, turning this way and that to avoid bumping people, excusing himself when he was blocked.

  Finally they stood before the sofa. Onkel Mihály sat at one end, Tante reclined, her head resting on her husband's shoulder, a cigarette at her lips.

  Mihály released Ella's hand and nudged her forward. "Mutti, look who I've found!"

  "Ella!" Tante's hand dropped and the cigarette rolled from her fingers. Mihály picked it up and crushed it in the overflowing ashtray.

  "Ella, my dear!" Tante sat up. "Ella, we were so worried about you!"

  She slid over, making room for Ella. "Come sit next to me."

  Ella exhaled and settled on the sofa. "I am so sorry, Tante. So sorry to worry you!"

  Mihály's smile broadened. "I need to greet our visitors, Ella. But come talk to me when you're free."

  "What happened?" Tante smoothed her dress, then stared at Ella, waiting for an explanation.

  "I was trying to return to your house from Rózsa's and I got lost. I must have wandered into a bad neighborhood and
a man grabbed me."

  "Oh, my dear!” Tante’s hand flew to her throat. “I should have sent someone with you. It's my fault!"

  "No, no. I had lost the map Mausi had drawn for me. It was my fault. I am so sorry!"

  "Never mind. But how did you escape?"

  Ella retold her story, Tante listening and asking questions.

  "So it was your family who abducted you."

  "Yes."

  "And are you to be married then?"

  "Oh, no!” Ella studied Tante’s face, looking for signs of approval. “I want to be on my own. I want to work.” Her eyes wandered to the floor. “But, well, I'm afraid Rózsa will think I am terribly unreliable and...."

  Tante laughed. "Oh, she'll grumble all right. She's already grumbled." Tante snorted. "But don't worry. I'll take care of her."

  The excitement over, Tante withdrew a cigarette from her case.

  "But where are you staying?"

  "At my Aunt Ilona's, in Buda. She's been terribly kind."

  "Wonderful."

  Tante lit her cigarette.

  "Are you ready to work?" Tante's eyes skimmed Ella's face. "You're looking a little pale."

  "Oh, I'm fine."

  Ella wasn't sure how fine she was, but she felt she needed to be available and reliable so this opportunity wouldn't slip away.

  "I will see Rózsa in the next day or two. We will find work for you."

  As she looked at Ella she exhaled her blue smoke.

  The pungent fumes irritated Ella's eyes.

  "Thank you!"

  "By the way, we've met a fellow from Nagykanizsa, Dr. Herczeg. Perhaps you know him?"

  Dr. Herczeg? Ella put her hand on the sofa to steady herself and closed her eyes.

  That must be Dr. Ede Herczeg. He had his PhD, so people would address him with the title ‘Doctor.’ She had never heard him called Dr. Herczeg. It was so formal. It placed him at a level far above hers.

  "Ella, dear, are you not feeling well?"

  Ella, looking at Tante, forced a smile. "I'm fine."

  "Yes. Dr. Herczeg is here somewhere." Tante's eyes swept the room and then she waved her cigarette toward the far corner.

  Ella's gaze turned in the direction Tante indicated and she saw Ede near the salon door, several people encircling him.

  Her throat constricted.

  "Ah, you do know him!" Tante said triumphantly. "You should say hello!"

  Ella nodded.

  "And he was to marry you?"

  How could Tante know that?

  "Oh, Ella dear, it is written all over your face."

  It was as if Tante were reading her mind. It was all too much.

  Fatigue swept over her and she felt the room swim. She would like to scurry away so that Ede would not see her. But Tante would notice. She must pretend it was all under her control. She must act like everything was just the way she wanted it to be.

  "Tante, I am a bit tired. I will say hello to Dr. Herczeg and then be on my way."

  "Yes, yes, my dear." Tante patted Ella's knee. "You are looking a little worn out. You go and rest. I will be in touch. Does your aunt have a telephone?"

  Ella heard Tante bragging about her new-fangled instruments. She gave Aunt Ilona's full name so that Tante could call her.

  Ella took a deep breath and approached the group surrounding Ede.

  He was talking to Laura.

  Tall, slender Laura, her hair up in a fine style, a silk scarf of blues around her collar, her wide eyes, looking at him. Ede's laugh drifted through the smoky room. Laura's dark eyes lit up, with a broad smile on her perfect lips, a delighted look on her face.

  Maybe Ede would marry someone like Laura, someone who had gone to university, someone educated, someone who could talk properly about all the things Ella did not understand, things like the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, like universal suffrage and the nationalities.

  Laura's eyes drifted to Ella.

  "Ella!" She hugged Ella. "What happened to you? You disappeared into thin air."

  Ella nodded. "Yes, yes. I met with some adventures." She tried to smile. "I'm a little tired right now, just on my way home. I've told your mother all about it."

  "Well, I'm happy you've reemerged. I was concerned."

  "Thank you."

  Ella was feeling wobbly. She put her hand on Laura's arm to steady herself and looked at Ede.

  He looked away.

  After Salon

  "Ella dear, you really should eat some supper."

  Ella opened her eyes. Aunt Ilona looked down on her, her lips puckered with concern. Ella inhaled deeply so she could speak loud enough for her aunt to hear.

  "I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep."

  "No wonder, going into Pest for an afternoon after being so ill."

  Aunt Ilona smoothed a lock of hair from Ella's forehead.

  "You should eat, child. You need to gain your strength back."

  Ella sat up. She took in another deep breath and bellowed. "Yes, yes. I will."

  "I could have Flora bring supper here, if you're too tired to come to the dining room."

  "No. I'm coming. I'm fine now. Really."

  The two of them settled at the table in the dining room. It was a lovely room, not large, but inviting, even in the summer gloaming. A lofty oak tree was visible through the large window, the branches swaying in a gentle evening breeze. Flora had not turned on the lamps yet.

  "Did you accomplish what you wanted at your friend's this afternoon?"

  What interesting words her aunt used. She understood more than she let on. She knew Ella thought it was important to go to the salon. She didn't know why, and being tactful, she didn't ask. Ella wondered again at her aunt's support.

  "Yes, thank you. I think I did."

  Ella dipped her spoon in the consommé.

  "Aunt, might you have a map of Budapest?"

  "I must have one."

  She turned toward the kitchen's doorway.

  "Flora, do we have a map of Budapest?"

  Flora appeared, wiping her hands on a towel.

  "We do somewhere, Ma'am. Do you need it tonight?"

  Flora's mother had worked in Grandmother's house and the young Flora had tagged along with her mother. When Aunt Ilona was married, she brought Flora along with her to be her cook.

  By now Flora was more than a cook. She was a member of the family, especially since Ilona's husband had died.

  Ella smiled at Flora. "Thank you. I don't need it tonight. When you have time would be fine."

  "Very well, Miss." Flora disappeared back into the kitchen.

  "Why are you interested in a map of Budapest, child?"

  "I must learn my way around, Auntie."

  "Learn your way around?"

  "Yes, dear Auntie."

  Ella wondered how much she should say. If she told Ilona her plans, the news would get back to her parents. Maybe that was good. Better to send the information through Ilona then trying to explain herself.

  "My dear auntie, since I am not to be married, I will need to find a way to support myself."

  Ilona's forehead wrinkled with concern.

  "I have found some friends who will help me find work, as a children's tutor."

  Ilona inhaled. "Oh, my dear child, that’ll not be an easy life."

  Ilona was right, it would not be an easy life, but she hoped it would allow her to be her own master. She didn't think Ilona would understand, so she just nodded.

  "Surely your parents can find you a husband."

  Ella had to smile. Why did the world think that the only proper position for a woman was wife?

  "It would be difficult to find a husband for me now, now that the engagement with Ede has been broken."

  Ilona nodded.

  Everyone understood how a broken engagement tainted a woman. She was found lacking after an initial "taste," something like meat that had gone bad.

  Ilona cast her eyes down.

  "Cheer up, Auntie. It will be an intere
sting life. I will learn all kinds of things."

  Ilona nodded and smiled, but her sad eyes betrayed her attempt at a better mood.

  "And, Auntie, might I stay with you a little longer, until I find a position and can find myself a room?"

  "Oh." Auntie must be digesting the idea of Ella living in a room by herself. She patted her lips with her napkin, perhaps to hide her frown. She cleared her throat.

  "Of course, my child. You are welcome here. Old widows like company. Maybe you could even stay here once you have a job, to keep your ancient auntie company."

  "Thank you!" She pushed up from the table, went to Ilona, hugging her. "I would like that."

  Ella excused herself right after supper. She was exhausted. It had been a busy day, a good day, even a successful day. Tante was not upset with her and would still help her find work. She could stay with Aunt Ilona, kind sweet Ilona. Everything was going smoothly. Everyone at Tante's had been so nice. Not just Cecile, but Mihály, and even Laura.

  Elegant, beautiful, intelligent Laura, her gaze on Ede. Laura who chose her beaus, her eyes sparkling. And Ede, his smile turned to her, favoring her with his mellow laugh.

  Ella swallowed.

  Her eyes welled.

  She pushed her face into the pillow to smother her sobs.

  Work!

  Ella climbed the stairs to Rózsa's office, Flora a few steps behind her. Aunt Ilona hired Andras to take her to Pest again and didn't insist, but wanted Flora to accompany her.

  Ella wasn't sure why this trip seemed to require a companion, while the journey to the salon did not, but she didn't argue. The main object was to get to Rózsa's.

  She wondered how she might manage if she had work in Pest. How would she get back and forth? She couldn't afford to hire Andras for every trip, not on a tutor's wages.

  She had asked Flora about using the tram that ran between Buda and Pest. Flora had been discouraging. The trams were very crowded, slow, and used by drunks, rag men, and similar unsavory characters.

  Another problem to be solved.

  But she shouldn't borrow trouble. She didn't have work yet. She would figure out transport when she knew where she had to go.

  She knocked at Rózsa's door.