The Day the Flowers Died

by Ami Blackwelder

“It was good, Mama, always a pleasant journey. Rebecca enjoys the scenery too. It’s quite different from the busy city of Munich.”

  “Which is why your father and I chose to live in this house, away from all the hustle.” Deborah’s words carried an air of sagacity.

  Eli told Rebecca a couple months back that his mama was a soft hearted woman and did not much disapprove of him with her, but that his father, the strict center of the family, would rather Eli date a Jewish woman. This soothed Rebecca’s nerves while she sat in the room with Deborah. In fact, Rebecca began to feel more acquainted with Eli’s family than with her own.

  Compared to this, her own home felt quite barren and, besides Mildred, who mostly raised her, and Rueben the chef, she did not have much of a childhood. The time spent with her mother involved formal classes and direction, teaching her to be a lady, a German woman of sophistication. On occasion, she could steal a few laughs from her father when she managed to escape her mother’s rigid grip.

  Rebecca rose from the sofa and sat on the floor with Leah, familiar with the game, one of the few she played as a young girl. Leah looked up with her short bob swaying and smiled.

  Rebecca reached her hand towards the jacks. “May I play?” At Leah’s nod, Rebecca lifted the jacks up high and then released them, letting them dribble to the wood floor. Leah bounced the ball once and lifted one of the scattered jacks into her hands before the ball hit the floor again. They played this game for a few moments with concentrated efforts while Sarah, Eli and Deborah watched in amusement. Eli even saw Sarah sneak a smile at Rebecca and her childlike demeanor.

  The entire Levin family planned to attend the evening service for Rosh Hashanah. Eli had warned Rebecca about the violence from the Nazis the previous year, but she insisted on going, explaining, if he was going to put himself in harms way, she wanted to be there by his side.

  Ezekiel made an appearance, wearing a traditional Jewish garb, a kippah, on his head and Eli pulled his kippah out of his pocket and dressed his head. The family, along with Rebecca, walked to the nearby creek and tossed bread crumbs from their pockets into the water to symbolize the casting of sins. Knowing what to do from Eli, Rebecca took crumbs from him and threw them in. They then walked to the nearby synagogue. Deborah had folded over her arms a few shawls of white with the blue Star of David embroidered on them for covering her and her daughter’s heads during the service. Eli brought a shawl for Rebecca and handed it to her upon entering.

  When they entered the large room, Deborah helped Rebecca place the shawl over her head and then aided Miriam before leading them to wooden benches on the right separated from the men and boys. Women greeted Rebecca with shalom and L’shanah tovah, peace and good year. Eli and Ezekiel departed to another area in front of the room where all the men stood.

  The Shofar, the ram’s horn, sounded like air filled with all the souls it passed over. Rebecca enjoyed the softness it made, especially in contrast to the clamorous noise and shouting on the streets of Munich.

  Rebecca sat in awe at Miriam and Leah, sitting upright in their seats and keeping their mouths closed. She could never achieve that type of discipline as a young girl growing up in Catholic Church.

  When the family left the building, a small but determined group of Nazis waited for members underneath a tree on the lawn. The members ignored the ill minded youth, the disregard bothering the privileged boys. Two of the young men ran up to a tall Jewish man, with a long beard and the kippah over his head, and hit him from behind as he walked down a sidewalk.

  Eli jerked in reaction and darted across the lawn and street in defense of the innocent man. Ezekiel called out, Eli, hoping to draw his son back into safety, but Eli didn’t hear him and pressed forward. He leapt onto one of the Nazis and pulled him to the ground while the other hit Eli in the face.

  The tall man stood back, stunned and unsure of how to fight. Two more blond Nazis in their early twenties pushed through the Jewish crowd to get to the fight. They dragged Eli away from their wounded compatriot and continued to punch him in the face, kicking and spitting on him even when he fell to the ground.

  Jacob and Aaron exited the synagogue, noticed the fight and dropped their books to rush to Eli’s aid. The three fought hand and foot, fist and spit against the four Nazi men, scraping their skin, blooding their noses and mouths until more Jewish men, including Ezekiel, ran to the sidewalk and pulled the Nazis away. Kicking and shouting, the four young Nazis did not go quietly, but they eventually left, realizing they were outnumbered. It left Rebecca in a silent hysteria at the cruelty of the country and unfair treatment of the people living there.

  The Levin family briskly walked to their home with Ezekiel on one side of Eli and Rebecca on the other, holding him up with his arms around their shoulders. Of the three, he was the most badly wounded. Jacob and Aaron wobbled with Eli’s three sisters and Deborah until they reached the Levin home.

  The family, along with Jacob and Aaron, plodded up the driveway to the front door where Ada, peeping through the window, saw them coming. She opened the door with a few wet towels in her hands and pressed them to the faces of the bruised, shaking her head and whispering audibly to herself, “Just like last year. What has gotten into the German youth these days?” The family followed behind Ada, and Ezekiel helped Eli to the living room where he laid down on the far sofa. Jacob and Aaron only had a few scratches on their faces, and blood from their noses ran across their mouths.

  They entered the kitchen to wash it off and returned to the living room. Miriam shouted and cried, clinging to Ada. At first glance, Sarah seemed calm, but closer inspection showed her jaws clenched and her eyes locking up tears. Leah sat next to her brother, stroking his hair while Sarah washed his face with the wet towels Ada provided.

  Deborah shook her head and exited the room to talk with Ezekiel. Eli and Rebecca heard discord between his parents in the next room, but couldn’t distinguish the words. At that moment, Eli’s health concerned Rebecca more than the approving or disapproving parents and she helped his sister tend to his needs.

  Rebecca brought in a glass of water and when she returned, Eli’s face looked much better cleaned of the blood and dirt. When Rebecca tried to lift his shirt to look at his abrasions, her soft hands gently brushed against his skin.

  “Rebecca, don’t,” Eli responded, blocking her with his hand.

  “Eli.” Rebecca pushed his hand away, “this is my job. I’m good at it. Let me do it.” Eli nodded and looked away while Rebecca curled his shirt up and gasped at the extensive red and blue she knew would bruise blue-black. She prepared ice wrapped in towels and requested help from the sisters. “Sarah, could you please get me some ointment. Leah, if you have alcohol?”

  The sisters followed the simple instructions while Miriam sat on Jacob’s lap in the next room. Aaron entered the living room to check on Eli, but his stern expression and shake of his head told Rebecca he had seen enough for today, and after Aaron aided Eli’s injured jaw, Rebecca gestured for him to return to Jacob and help Miriam find comfort.

  The sisters eventually went to bed and Aaron and Jacob returned to their homes. Rebecca rested on one sofa while Eli recuperated with bandages and medicines dressing his body on another in the living room. Almost asleep, Rebecca saw Ezekiel watching them from the hall, then turn away to go back to his room to join his wife.

  * * *

  Monday, October tenth, Eli observed Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, another important holiday ten days after Rosh Hashanah. Rebecca had to work at the hospital, so Eli attended the occasion alone with his family. But Saturday, October fifteenth, she took the day off for the final Jewish feast of that month, much like Passover with food and drink. Eli had enticed her with his mama’s elaborate menu.

  Rebecca wanted to spend more time with Eli’s family and demonstrate her commitment to this relationship between them. She hoped with a fragile hope that her participation in Eli’s traditions would open the emotional doors into his family. Eli cal
led it the Sukkos, but Rebecca had a hard time remembering all the Hebrew names and simply called it the feast.

  Every time she tried to pronounce the name Sukkos, her German accent spoiled it and Eli giggled at her diligent determination. She could not say the word without mispronouncing it and so had resorted to sticking with feast, a word she knew well. Eli told her she could call it the feast of tabernacles or booths if she was more comfortable with that terminology and she nodded her head in exasperation, all the while knowing feast was all she could muster for the moment. Upon approaching the house toward the evening, Eli reminded her of the nature of Hebrew tradition.

  “This feast is going to be a lot like Passover for you with lots of words, prayers and lengthy patience before eating.”

  Rebecca nodded, understanding the formalities with a patient expression. “It’s a lot like Catholicism. We have many particular rituals to abide by as well. It’s nothing a lifetime of growing up in the Catholic Church can’t handle,” Rebecca teased and pinched Eli’s puffed cheeks, which had become so from the cold.

  The family decided to forgo going to synagogue since the last appearance presented risk to Eli’s well being. The two entered the quaint home and made their way to the dining area with Ada by their side. Like at Pesach, Deborah had prepared many dishes for the family to enjoy; however, on this occasion Ada was able to assist in the kitchen after having fully recovered. After leaving Eli and Rebecca to sit at the table, she returned to her duties with Deborah in the kitchen.

  The white cotton table linens with maroon silk napkins decorated the large room. The table groaned, loaded with decadent dishes of apple cake, beef stuffed peppers, chicken soup, brisket, Peacock vegetables of zucchini, squash, onion, peppers, garlic, parsley, and spices. The palatable smells seeped from the platters and over Rebecca’s nostrils, leaving her mouth watery.

  Ezekiel opened with prayers from the prayer book. Eli glanced at Rebecca and spoke in a quiet manner, “the Hallel,” knowing she wanted to learn the correct wording. The recitation came from the book of Psalms and read in hebrew, a reading which Rebecca would have recognized from Catholic school if read in German. The wood stool to the left of the dining table held a collection of three green plants wrapped in bamboo and a fruit. A date palm branch, a willow branch, a myrtle branch and a citron fruit. She pointed to it and nudged Eli’s shoulder.

  “What are those for?”

  “For tomorrow morning, the Four Species are bound and waved to symbolize dedication to God… .We normally would have a tabernacle dwelling outside the home to eat in during Sukkos, but times are too dangerous for such traditions.” Eli lowered his eyes to Ezekiel.

  After the Psalms reading ended, the family performed the washing of the hands and Ezekiel gave the blessing before eating, much like Rebecca had observed at the Passover. After all the rituals, Ada served the food and Rebecca and Eli both filled their plates.

  After the feast, Ezekiel walked with Eli and Rebecca to the living room and sat down to talk. Deborah swung out of the kitchen after putting a few of the dishes in the sink and joined the conversation. Despite the comfortable easiness Rebecca enjoyed with them, the sight of Ezekiel’s worrisome face agitated her nerves. Her body became tense and her hands squeezed Eli’s thigh.

  “You wanted to talk with us, Papa?” Eli began the conversation.

  “Yes, I just wanted to tell you, Eli, that despite my disapproval of wanting my only son to marry a Jewish woman and, despite my belief that the emotions between the two of you would fade, I can see now that your feelings for each other are strong. I can also see Rebecca is a sweet and lovely young lady who loves you, and I would rather have the two of you as part of my family then push you out,” as he said you he looked into Eli’s eyes, “and never know if my son is safe and alright.” Rebecca’s body relaxed and her hands softened their grip.

  “Thank you, Papa.” Eli stood and kissed his father on each cheek, then Ezekiel returned the affections to his son’s forehead.

  “With all the chaos of the country, it makes no sense for us to not stand together. There’s enough division already.” Ezekiel grabbed hold of his son’s hands and squeezed them before letting them go. The wrinkles from Ezekiel’s hands showed a long life.

  Deborah stood, hugging Eli and then Rebecca before speaking, “I’m so glad to see you, Eli, join us this year, remembering our traditions. You’ve been quite neglectful in the past. Maybe Rebecca is good for you. It’s important to never forget where you come from.” As Deborah nodded, affirming her statement, Eli recalled the many times in the past years where he had skipped observing the Jewish feasts. Of late, though, the violence and persecution created an urgency to reaffirm who he was to himself, to his family, and to Rebecca.

  Eli and Rebecca departed from the house late, heading back to their apartment. This ride home was different from previous ones because the approval from Ezekiel warmed and eased their hearts, making them believe their love could survive this country.

  Sunday, November 6, 1932

  The week filled with political unrest, continued violence and disruption on the streets, especially with the anticipated upcoming results of the election Sunday. Cheers from thousands lined on the streets echoed for Hitler throughout Munich and Germany whenever he spoke. Rebecca and Eli tried to avoid his presence along with his supporters, but living in Munich gave ample opportunity for the two to collide.

  Eli came to work midweek to find a window in his father’s office smashed. Ezekiel entered a few minutes later and saw Eli with a broom and dustpan, sweeping up the glass.

  “Good morning, Papa.” The sound of glass rattled into the dustpan and accompanied his greeting.

  “Good morning.” Ezekiel paused for a moment to study the situation, hands on hips. “I hope that’s a gift from the Nazis.”

  “What? Why?” Eli’s head jerked and brows furrowed.

  “Better them than a client mad at us.” Ezekiel and Eli chuckled, then Ezekiel turned toward the door. “I’ll get some plywood to board that up.”

  “No. Let me. You’ve got a client in half an hour. After I take care of this, I’ll get the Scholtzen brief ready for you.”

  Ezekiel nodded, placed his hat on the coat rack by the door and went in search of a morning cup of hot tea.

  Towards the evening, Eli’s room filled with Rebecca and his friends listening in on yet another set of results from the Reichstag elections. Bodies moved to and fro, anxiously awaiting the news.

  Though Robert and Rosalyn wanted to see a Communist government emerge, they would be content if any party but the Nazis took control. Jacob thought a Liberal government might be best, but had never been one to focus on politics if it took time out of his swing. Eli had voted for the Social Democrats every time elections had been called. Rebecca normally followed her father’s persuasions, but this year had been alongside Eli in support of him. Rebecca’s parents were Catholic and Rebecca knew her father would want to vote for the Centre party, but her mother enjoyed appearances, and the Nazi Party had power and her mother had influence over her father.

  This November election differed from the elections of July, because the Nazis lost much of their momentum from middle class citizens. So, when Eli, Rebecca and his friends sat around the radio to hear the outcome, the faces in the room displayed a sense of achievement.

  The radio announced the results with a different speaker from July’s elections. Eli and Aaron stood while Rebecca and Jacob sat. Robert and Rosalyn gripped each others hands.

  “The National Socialist German worker’s party loses two million votes with one hundred and ninety six seats.” A heavy cheer filled the room and then quickly quieted to hear the rest of the results…

  “The Social Democratic Party drops slightly at one hundred and twenty one seats.” The voice paused and then answered… “The Communist Party gains 2.6 of the votes to one hundred seats and the Centre Party drops just slightly to seventy seats.” The faces around the room shifted in stunned disbe
lief for a minuscule moment and then filled with long grins.

  The announcer finished… ”A good day for antifascists, a bad day for the Nazis.”

  Everyone’s pleased faces with the Nazis losing two million votes lightened the room. Eli passed around tall wine glasses and Jacob poured a bottle of bubbly white Champaign. Drips of the bubbles slipped over the sides of the glasses and washed over the fingers as each took a sip and cheered the demise of the Nazis.

  “To knocking those Nazi bastards out of parliament!” Aaron said and his face filled with relief instead of his usual stress and intensity, because though there was still no working government in Berlin, the Nazi Party just fell thirty four seats further from leading it.

  “To the Communist and Social Democratic rallies which tested the streets of Germany!” Robert said and Rosalyn clicked her glass to his.

  “To a hopeful Democracy and liberty!” Eli shouted and Jacob responded, “Hear, hear!” The clinking of glasses filled the room like a musical game.

  The Nazis slid down the ladder rungs on November sixth, but they found a way back up to power. On November seventeenth, Chancellor Papen told President Hindenburg he was unable to form any working coalition and resigned. Two days later, Hitler requested he be made Chancellor, claiming only the Nazis could be relied on. He was denied. On November twenty-first, Hitler approached Hindenburg again with the support of the country’s most influential industrialists, bankers, and business leaders, signing a petition to appoint Hitler Chancellor.

  Hindenburg called Papen and Schleicher into his offices to help him find a solution. Papen suggested eliminating Reichstag altogether, using military and police to control crowds and suppress political parties, much like the days of the Empire with conventional, upper-classes ruling.

  Schleicher disagreed, demanding he would get a majority in Reichstag with Nazi support.

  The two fought for power until Hindenburg nominated Papen to take back control. But Schleicher had the support of the military and, if Papen insisted on his plan, Schleicher warned the country would fall into chaos. Hindenburg declared Schleicher Chancellor with tears plummeting from his eyes and handed in Papen’s resignation, which shocked the country.