The Voyage: A Historical Novel set during the Holocaust, inspired by real events

by Roberta Kagan

She smiled back at him and picked up her fork.

  “Don’t be so sad, Anna. Such a beautiful lady should not be sad,” Valente said, and he reached over and touched her hand.

  She looked up from her plate. Their eyes met.

  Chapter 57

  “Don’t be so damn sensitive. So I called you Jew boy. So fucking what?” The boy had a thick New York accent. He wiped his crooked nose with the sleeve of his shirt, then handed Alex a hot dog he’d bought from the nearby vendor. “Eat this. You look like you’re dying.”

  “Thank you,” Alex said.

  “Hey, you probably never guessed, but I’m a Jew too. My name is Abe Kohan. You are?” Abe asked.

  “Alex Mittleman.” Alex took a bite. He felt the salvia increase in his mouth as he began to gobble the food.

  “Now you probably want to know why I been following you, right?”

  Alex nodded.

  “Ya see, I’m a business man. I got a whole group of fellas who sell newspaper subscriptions for me. They stand out on the corners. Every time they make a sale, I make a few cents. Got it?”

  “So you want me to sell papers?”

  “Well, ya see, that’s just it. I don’t want you to sell papers. I got enough men doing that. I’m trying to recruit a few boys to sell sandwiches outside of the World’s Fair. From what I hear, the food inside the fair is real expensive. Mothers with lots of kids will be looking to feed them cheap. That’s where you come in. Every morning Then you’re gonna make sandwiches. Wrap ‘em up and stand outside the gates of the fair. The loaf‘ll cost you about five cents, the jam another five. You sell the sandwiches for five cents apiece. And for every one that you sell, you’re gonna pay me two cents. You got it? Now, if you turn out to be an ass and you try to do this without me, I’ll send my boys over and they’ll make you sorry. You understand?”

  Alex nodded. He needed a job. This was proposition felt like a godsend.

  “So what do you say?Yyou wanna do it?”

  “Yes, of course I do.” Alex squeezed the three dollars in his pocket.

  “What’s a matter?” Abe said.

  “Nothing,” Alex answered, still afraid that one of these street hoodlums might steal his money if they found out that he had some.

  “Come on, what’s your beef? I can see you got a problem. You might as well tell me.”

  “It’s not with you I have a problem. You see, my wife is in the hospital. When she gets out, we have no place to live. Our apartment building was burned down. I have a few dollars but not enough to rent a place.”

  “Hmmm…” Abe said. “So you want me to cuff you the dough to get an apartment?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I mean you want me to make you a loan?”

  “Oh no, I couldn’t expect that.”

  “Well, I got an idea. Finish your food and follow me,” Abe said.

  Alex stuffed the rest of the hot dog into his mouth, got up, and followed Abe.

  “You speak good English for a greenhorn.” Abe looked over at Alex and saw the look on his face, and then Abe laughed. “Hey, what’s the sense in you taking offense? My folks were greenhorns. Nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “What’s a greenhorn?” Alex asked.

  “An immigrant, coming from Europe, that’s all.” Abe patted Alex’s back. “Come on, I think I know a fella who can help you.”

  They walked for two miles, until they reached an area very similar to the one where Alex and Anna had lived with her aunt and uncle.

  “Wait here,” Abe said as he started walking toward the door of a rundown tenement. “Hey watch it.” Abe said to a child who accidently hit him with a ball he was throwing.

  Just as Abe walked up the sidewalk, a short stockman limped out of the building. In fact, before Alex saw his face he thought he was a child with a deformity. Now Alex knew that the man was a dwarf.

  “Gimpy!” Abe said. “How you doing?”

  “All right, Abe. You?” They shook hands.

  “Can’t complain. Listen, you still got that garden apartment for rent?”

  “Yeah, nobody wants it. It floods when it rains and it still stinks from the last flood. Fulla mold, too.”

  “I got a business proposal for you.”

  “Yeah, so what else is new? I wouldn’t expect anything less from you Abe. Go ahead, spring it on me.”

  “I got this guy who needs to rent a place. He don’t have too much dough, but then again that place ain’t worth too much, right?”

  “I ain’t saying nothing. I’m just listening.”

  “He’ll give you two dollars and fifty cents for the first month. Then from then on he’ll pay you three dollars. What do you say?”

  “That ain’t enough. Come on Abe? It’s still an apartment.”

  “Gimpy, right now you ain’t getting’ nothing.’ Tthe place is vacant. It stinks; don’t nobody want to live in it. And let’s face it, two bucks-fifty is more than you had before I got here, right?”

  Gimpy rubbed his head with his short, fat fingers. Alex watched and listened, saying nothing. He was holding his breath, praying that the little man would accept the offer.

  “Yeah, I guess so…better than nothing. What the hell, I’ll take it.”

  “Good. Good. Now, you gotta pay me a little finder’s fee. I mean, shit Gimpy, we all gotta survive.”

  “I expected that too. I know you better than to do something for nothing, Abe. So, I’ll give you a dollar for finding me a tenant; that oughta do it. Then, I’ll get it back from the owner of this dump. He’ll be glad I rented that place. It’s been vacant forever.”

  “Good enough,” Abe said, shaking his hand. “Come on over here Alex, I want to introduce you to your new building manager.”

  Chapter 58

  The apartment needed a lot of work, but at least they would have a roof over their heads and a place where Anna would be safe. As soon as he earned enough money, Alex would move them out. But for now, it seemed as if God had intervened with a blessing.

  “I left you with a little dough to buy the loaf, the jam and pick up a little food for yourself. You’re also gonna need money for the subway to the fairgrounds. It’s in Queens. Have you ever been out that way?”

  “No,” Alex said.

  “I’ll give you directions. When can you start?”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, that’s good. Here, let me spot you a little extra cash in case of an emergency. You’ll owe it to me from your first day’s pay. Now don’t be a rum-dumb and try to run out on me. I know where you live,” Abe said.

  “I wouldn’t do that. I appreciate your help, so much,” Alex said, and there were tears in his eyes.

  “Hey, hey… Don’t start bawling like a little girl. Go on and get your wife. I’ll drop by your apartment tomorrow night to collect my share.”

  Alex bit his lip. The emptiness that always plagued him like a wound deep in his chest seemed more pronounced and aching right now. His hand went to his throat, which was as dry as the sand on a scorching afternoon in the desert.

  “Thank you,” Alex said as Abe walked away without ever hearing him, because his voice never rose above a whisper. Cruelty made Alex nervous and angry, but kindness made him cry.

  Chapter 59

  “What do you mean she was discharged and she is not here?” Alex asked the nurse in Anna’s room when he found another girl in the bed she’d occupied.

  “She went home this morning. My brother took her,” Gabby said. She was a little disgusted by the fact that it had taken Alex so long to show up.

  “When?”

  “A few hours ago.”

  “Oh my God!”

  “What?” Gabby asked.

  “Anna doesn’t know...”Alex said.

  “Doesn’t know what?”

  But Alex was already running down the hospital corridor.

  Chapter 60

  “I’m sorry,” Valente said. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

 
Anna nodded. She wanted to be offended, the way a married woman should feel when another man flirted with her. But in truth, it scared her just how much she was enjoying Valente’s company.

  “Can you forgive me?”

  “Yes. It’s all right,” she said.

  “It’s just that, I feel that there is something very special about you...”

  “Valente, don’t. I am married, very married. I am not in the market for a boyfriend on the side, if you understand what I mean.”

  “Again, I am sorry. It’s just that…”

  “Perhaps we should go. I need to get home,” Anna said.

  He called for the waitress and requested the check.

  “I feel so funny, you paying for my food. I will pay you back everything you have given me. I will pay you for this food and for the carfare.”

  “It is my pleasure. I would not accept any money from you, ever. You insult me by offering.”

  “Well, thank you.”

  “You are very welcome,” he said, and his smile made her tingle in a way that made her feel very guilty.

  As they walked down the street, Anna noticed how Valente walked on the outside toward the curb. His manners impressed her.

  “It is a beautiful day. Soon it will be cold. Why don’t we take advantage of the nice weather and walk through Central Park?” Valente suggested.

  “I don’t think I should.”

  “Please, do it for me?” he asked.

  Anna was angry with Alex, tired of his emotional breakdowns. She had endured enough of the constant threat that he would collapse at any moment. There was no telling where he had disappeared to this past week. All she knew was that he was not going to continue working with her uncle, and he would have to find work elsewhere. When she’d first met Alex she’d been so taken in by his broken spirit. Anna had longed to hold him, to mother him, to save him from the demons that haunted his tortured soul. Instead she’d found that now her spirit was sinking and she had begun to feel trapped by his needy, depressive, self-indulgent behavior.

  She was still young. She longed to be young, to enjoy life...

  “Valente?” She said, turning to look at him.

  “Yes…”

  “Why don’t we take that walk through the park?”

  “I’d love to, Anna…”

  There was an old man on the corner selling single roses. Valente ran ahead of Anna to the vendor. After flipping a coin out of his pocket and handing it to the old man, he selected a red rose. Walking back, he handed it to Anna. Then he took her hand and kissed it.

  She smiled, she felt good, like dancing on the clouds, even though she still felt terribly guilty.

  Chapter 61

  Alex’s heart beat in his throat as he ran all the way back to the charred remains of the tenement where they had lived.

  Even though it had been days since the fire, the area smelled of smoke for at least a block on either side of the building.

  Chapter 62

  “Oh my God!” Anna said as she approached the burnt out ruins. She ran forward, her hand covering her lips.

  Valente followed close behind her.

  Two women who lived next door stood on the stoop outside while their children played. A pile of orange peels lay on the step as they divided the slices between them. Anna recognized them both. She ran over to the women.

  “What happened here?” Anna asked, pointing to the burned-out ruins.

  “You don’t know?”

  “No, I’ve been sick. I was in the hospital.”

  “What was wrong with you?” One of the women with a long grey wool dress asked.

  “Nothing, it was nothing. What happened here, please tell me?”

  The other woman, known to be one of the neighborhood gossips said, “There was a fire.” She got up from where she was seated, and put a hand on Anna’s shoulder “I’m sorry. You’re aunt and uncle didn’t make it.”

  “What? Uncle Max? Aunt Edith?” Anna asked. Sshe could hardly catch her breath. “Are you sure?” she asked, but she didn’t wait for an answer. She knew that the women spoke the truth. That was why her aunt and uncle had not returned to the hospital. Anna’s face was hot. She could not catch a deep breath, and she was afraid she might pass out. But she had to ask, she had to know, “My husband? Was my husband in the fire too?” Anna suddenly felt the love she had always felt toward Alex come creeping up and filling her with fear. God help me if anything has happened to him. I will never forgive myself.

  “No, I saw him here the day after it happened. He’s fine.”

  If he was unharmed then where was he? Anna felt her head spinning. She leaned against the iron rail that led to the apartment building. Damn you, Alex, she thought. You’ve run away again, disappeared when I really needed you, leaving me to face the loss of the baby, and now this, all alone. Once she knew he was all right, she was angry with him again. It was time to face facts. Alex could not be depended upon. Hhe would never be a man she could count on through bad times. She would miss him, miss everything they’d shared together, but perhaps it was best that he was gone.

  Valente touched her shoulder from behind. “Anna.”

  She whirled around, remembering that he was there.

  “Anna, I’m sorry. Come, you can stay at my house. My mother will understand,” Valente said.

  But Anna just stood there; her feet were glued to the pavement.

  “Come.” His voice was tender and his arm felt strong as he enveloped her shoulder.

  She was trembling, leaning against him.

  “Come…” He whispered again.

  Chapter 63

  There was no use just standing there in front of the ruins of her life. Anna clumsily thanked the two women and then turned back to Valente.

  “Are you sure your mother won’t mind? I will only stay until I can get a place of my own.”

  “I am sure.” Valente smiled. “Very sure. Everything will be fine. I’ll take care of you. Come away from here. Let’s go.”

  It felt good to just drop the burden for a few minutes and let Valente lead her away. She rested her head on his shoulder and he gently squeezed her arm.

  Anna’s thoughts weighted heavily on her mind as she began to walk away. She had so many questions, and none of them could be answered. Valente pushed their way through a group of children playing with jacks and a ball, gently leading Anna, then another group of little girls playing hopscotch.

  Where was Alex? Would she ever see him again? Anna wondered. He was such a troubled man. Even she could not help him. Alex.

  Valente and Anna were halfway down the street, almost ready to turn the corner, when Anna heard Alex cry out.

  “Anna..! Anna! Please…”

  She turned around to see him standing there, his hands limp at his sides. He looked so small and helpless that she felt as if her heart was breaking. His hands went up in a gesture of desperation.

  “Anna…” he cried again.

  Tears fell from her eyes. What was she going to do with him?

  “Please…” Alex ran toward her.

  She glared at him. She had so many questions, but all she could do was shake her head.

  Alex glanced at Valente, and Anna saw the hurt in his eyes. She wanted to turn and walk away with Valente, to leave Alex’s constant need to feed off her strength behind. It was becoming exhausting to watch his every move and wonder if he was going to have an emotional episode and disappear for an undetermined amount of time, or leave a perfectly good job in a terrible economy because of something that troubled him from his past. Anything could set him off, anything at all, and he needed constant reassurance from her that no matter what happened, she would be there, she would understand, and she would love and nurture him. ll afternoon with Valente, she’d allowed herself to imagine a life where for once she could be the weak one, where she could have the indulgence of leaning on someone else, and he would be there and be strong enough to lift her up.

  “Anna...” Alex said. “Ann
a, my Anna?” His hands went up in a gesture of helplessness. His handsome face contorted with pain.

  She shook her head, and tried to turn away, but not before she saw that there were tears in his eyes.

  “I love you, Anna.”

  Again, she shook her head.

  “I can’t, Alex…”

  He fell to knees, and she heard the crack as his knee caps hit the pavement. “Please, Anna, don’t leave me. You are my whole life, my everything… The reason I get up in the morning, the reason I am still alive… Anna, please.”

  She was angry. He’d evoked feelings of guilt in her and she resented them.

  “Then where in hell were you, Alex? I was in the hospital for a week. I had no idea what happened here…to Uncle Max and Aunt Edith. I was coping with the loss of our child. But you? No Alex, you had to go off alone. Yes, our lives always have to revolve around what Alex needs. I can’t do it anymore. I just can’t.”

  “Anna, please listen to me. I had to find us a place to live. I couldn’t bring you home from the hospital without a place. I wouldn’t let you live in the park like a bum and subject you to constant danger. So, I sold my blood in order to get enough money to rent an apartment. As soon as I found somewhere to take you, I came for you. I was never going to leave you…”

  “Oh God, Alex.”

  “Please Anna. I have a job, too. It’s not much, but it’s a start. Please, don’t leave me. Give me another chance. I promise I will never do this again. If I feel that I must be on my own for some reason, I will talk to you about it. I won’t run away. We will work it out together.”

  She loved him.

  As she watched her incredibly handsome husband begging her on his knees in the middle of Delancey Street, her heart began to melt. Dear Lord, Alex was truly handsome. There was no doubt about that.

  “Do you promise never to disappear again?”

  “Yes. I promise. Please, Anna. I love you…”

  She turned to Valente, and carefully removed his arm from her shoulder; then she gently took her small bag from his hand. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Thank you for everything today. I will pay you back all of the money that you spent, but I must go with my husband now.”