“Not yet. But I’m not going to stop trying.”
Just then, a tall man wearing an army uniform walked over to Rachel’s side. His skin was darkly tanned, his hair dark and curly, and his eyes were the most arresting blue Katja had ever seen.
“This is Elan Amsel, my boyfriend,” Rachel said. “He’s been in the IDF forever. How many years have you been with the IDF, Elan?”
“This is my third term.” Elan answered
“Nice to meet you,” Katja said. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”
Elan’s eyes caught Katja’s. She felt as if she were glued to his gaze. Katja was on the brink of womanhood at nearly sixteen, lovely, carefree, and innocent. She could not help but stare. Elan was the most attractive man she’d ever seen. But, he was Rachel’s boyfriend. Katja quickly looked away, but when she turned back and stole a second glance, Elan’s eyes were still bonded to her.
“Mendel!!!” Rachel called across the room. “Come over here.”
Mendel had just arrived, tall and lanky in his IDF uniform.
Mendel walked over. “Kat, it’s real good to see you.” He hugged Katja. “I missed you,” Mendel said.
“I missed you, too,” Katja said to Mendel, but she still felt Elan’s eyes on her back. When she turned, Elan smiled at her. She did not return his smile.
“Come sit, sit, it’s time for the prayers,” one of the older women in the kitchen called out. “Sit, please, sit . . .”
Some of the men adjusted their yarmulkes. Finally, everyone was seated. Elan had worked his way to a chair between Rachel and Katja while Mendel sat on Katja’s other side. There were platters of matzo placed upon the white tablecloth and it had been embroidered with a blue Star of David. When everyone grew silent, the rabbi stood up at the front of the table and the prayers began.
Although Katja did not look his way, she knew that Elan was watching her. She could feel his stare, and she hoped that Rachel was too engrossed in the prayers to notice. When the time came for the Rabbi to ask the four questions of the youngest participant at the table, he turned to a small boy that looked to be about four years old, and said “Moishe, you are the youngest, can you ask the four questions?”
The child nodded, his face serious. There were smaller children at the dinner, but they were too young to shoulder this responsibility.
“So, Moishe, are you ready?” the young Rabbi asked.
“I am ready,” Moishe asserted.
The adults smiled as they watched Moishe undertake the job. They could see by the serious expression on the child’s face that he felt that the responsibility was enormous.
Then the Rabbi began the questions . . .
“Why is this night different from every other night?” the rabbi asked.
Moishe began to carefully repeat the answer in the prayer book. But Katja did not hear him, because Elan leaned over whispering in Katja’s ear, just loud enough for her to hear. His hot breath shot through her like a bolt of electricity. “This night is different from every other night,” he said, his voice deep and hoarse, “because tonight is the night that I met you, Katja, the woman I am going to marry.”
Chapter 53
“Can I walk you back to your room?” Mendel asked Katja after the celebration following dinner.
“Yes, I’d like that,” she said. “Let me say good night to everyone first and then we’ll walk. I want to hear all about the army.”
“I’ll wait here,” Mendel said.
Katja said goodnight and “Good Pasach” to her parents, to Shana and her husband, Avi, and to all of her friends. Then she hugged Rachel and gave her the necklace.
“Happy Pasach,” she said, winking, “my blood sister.”
“Happy Pasach.” Rachel embraced Katja. “You still remember when we did that?”
“Of course, how could I forget? I was so scared to cut myself,” Katja said with a short laugh.
“We’ll always be blood sisters,” Rachel said, hugging Katja again. “You didn’t have to get me a present. It’s not Hanukah.”
“I know. I wanted to give you something so that every time you put it on you would think of me,” Katja said.
“I think about you all the time, and Mendel, too. You two are my best friends in the world.”
“So, are you and Elan serious? I mean, are you thinking about marriage?”
“Me? Hell no. I want to fly planes, not sit at home and diaper babies.”
“Having babies is not such a bad thing.”
“No, it’s not a bad thing; it’s just a paralyzing thing. I mean, it keeps you stuck at home . . . do you know what I mean?” Rachel said.
“Rachel, I know what you mean, but I hope someday you will decide to have children. Of course, I don’t know from experience, but I believe it is the most wonderful thing that can ever happen to a woman. At least, that is what my mother told me,” Katja said.
“Yep, that sounds like Zofia,” Rachel said and they both laughed.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Katja said.
“Yes, in the morning,” Rachel answered.
“Happy Pasach,” Elan called out to Katja as he saw her leaving, but Katja did not turn around; she had already begun walking away quickly.
As they walked through the kibbutz, Katja looked up to see Mendel glance at her.
“You look different than I remember,” Mendel said.
“It’s only been three months since your last visit. HOW? Different in what way?”
“Don’t be alarmed,” he laughed. “I mean . . . well, different in a good way. I guess what I’m trying to say is that . . .” He hesitated and cleared his throat “Well, just that . . . you are beautiful, Katja.”
“Oh Mendel; you are so silly, you’re always teasing me. You just wanted to shake me up and make me wonder what had changed. I thought I’d gotten fat or looked old or something.”
“No Kat, I’m not teasing. In fact, I am really very serious,” he said this as he stopped walking and looked directly at her. You really are beautiful, Katja. You look like a golden goddess.”
“You’re embarrassing me, Mendel. What’s gotten into you? A golden goddess? What does that mean?”
“I don’t know, you have beautiful golden curls and your skin is so light and pale,” he said this while looking down, not able to meet her eyes directly.
She laughed. “Well, thank you . . . I think?”
“I mean it as a compliment in every way,” Mendel said, still not looking at her.
“So what is it like?”
“What?” Mendel’s head tilted to the side as if he didn’t understand the question.
“The army.”
Mendel let out a short laugh. “Oh that,” he said. “I had no idea what you were talking about.”
“Yes, the army. I want to know all about it. Soon it will be my time to serve and I’m a little nervous. I’ve never been away from my parents,” she said.
“Lots of exercise; lots of discipline. They are training us for the worst possible scenarios, and the truth is they don’t let up. They want us to be the strongest of the strong. Every day we are reminded that we are Israel’s only defense against a hostile world. Sometimes they make us wear the same uniform without washing it for a week, so that we can get used to the feeling in case it happens that we are in the field and we can’t bathe,” he said.
“Ewww. So, it’s hard?”
“Yes, very. But it’s worth it. This country is built on the blood of our ancestors. And the world is not eager to help us protect it. So every soldier must be willing to die in order to keep possession of our homeland. We are all that stands between our small country and all of her enemies. There is no room for mistakes. If we lose Israel, we will never get a second chance to win her back.”
“Are you ever scared?”
“Sure. Of course, I’m terrified. But what can we do, you and I both know that without Israel, it is just a matter of time before some dictator decides to eradicate our people. We
’re Jews after all, we’re the Chosen People , chosen for what I am still not sure, but with God’s help we have finally taken possession of our dream. Every day of my life, I heard the words; we must have a homeland, the Promised Land. ”
She nodded. “Yes, it’s true.”
They continued to walk until they stood together in front of her room.
“It’s good to have you home at the kibbutz, Mendel,” She said.
“It’s good to be home. This is the only home I have ever known. These people are my family.”
“Mine, too,” she said.
“Yes, but I can hardly remember my parents. At least both of yours are here.”
“Yes, thank God, they are both here. I am one of the lucky ones . . .” Katja said, “one of the few lucky ones.”
Chapter 54
School was not in session for the full eight days of Passover, and as long as war did not break out, the soldiers were permitted to stay on leave. Katja was glad that her friends would be with her, but she was concerned about Elan’s outward display of attraction to her. He was attractive, there was no denying that, but he was also her best friend’s boyfriend. Not just her best friend, but her blood sister. She would rather die than hurt Rachel. Elan’s reckless attention, and casual flirtations, bothered Katja. She was afraid that he posed a danger to the friendship Katja held so dear. She would be glad when he returned to his army base.
Katja did not go to breakfast the following morning for fear of seeing Elan, of having to talk to him, of the possibility of his saying something flirtatious and unsuitable where Rachel could overhear him. She waited until everyone had left the dining area, and then decided she would go and find something quick to eat. But as soon as she left her room, she was bombarded by several of her female students. The girls were eleven s and they emulated Katja, their pretty teacher. They loved to follow her around and talk about hairstyles and clothing trends that they had seen in magazines. Not that Katja was up on these things; she wasn’t for the most part, but she let them talk.
Today one of her students had a pile of pictures of American movie stars that she’d cut out of a magazine, handsome men with sly, seductive smiles. Katja glanced at the photos and laughed. One of the girls asked her if she planned to marry and have children someday. Katja just smiled and said she didn’t know. She hoped so.
“It’s a mitzvah to get married and have lots and lots of Jewish children to replace all of the Jewish people that the Nazis killed,” said one of the young girls, spouting the rhetoric that they were constantly fed.
“So I hear,” Katja said.
“Katja will get married when she meets the right fellow,” another of the girls offered. “And we will have the biggest wedding. I want to help you do your hair. We could put wild flowers in it; it would look very glamorous. Like a movie star from Hollywood in America.”
Katja laughed again, but she found herself glancing at the door to Mendel’s room. However, she was not looking for Mendel but for Elan, who was sharing a room with Mendel for the holiday. What am I doing? she thought. I don’t want to see him. His flattery does nothing for me but cause me trouble.
“Well, girls, I am going to the kitchen to see if my mother and the rest of the ladies need any help preparing the food for the Seder tonight.”
“Can we help?”
“Sure, you can ask the women in the kitchen. They always need help,” Katja said, still distracted with thoughts of Elan and Rachel.
When Katja got to the kitchen, Zofia was chopping apples to make charoset for Passover dinner.
“Good morning, Sunshine. You missed breakfast,” Zofia said.
“I know, Mama. I overslept. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, it’s all right. I suppose with school not being in session, it must have been nice for you to get a little extra rest. Here, have some matzo and an apple.”
“Yes, it was nice to get a little extra sleep,” Katja said, biting into a crisp, sweet apple. “By the way, do you need any help in the kitchen?” Katja asked.
“Of course, but don’t you want to spend a little time with Rachel and Mendel before they have to go back to their base?”
“I’ll see them tonight,” Katja said. She picked up a red apple and a paring knife and she began peeling it.
Zofia studied her daughter. She knew Katja very well, knew her facial expressions. Something was not right.
“Sunshine, what is it?” Zofia asked, stopping what she was doing. She wiped her hands on her apron and then took Katja’s hands in hers. “Come, sit. You’ll talk to me, you’ll tell me what is causing you distress. Whenever your friends come home from the IDF you always look so worried. I know you have a bit more than two years before you have to go, but is that it? Is that what is frightening you??”
“Yes, Mama. I’m not made for the IDF. I am not like Rachel. I’m scared, I’m not that strong.”
“I know, Sunshine. I know how you are. You’re sweet and gentle and you’re a tender, beautiful soul. But everyone must serve. Our country needs us. Yes?”
“Yes, I know, Mama.”
“And besides, don’t worry too much. You are a woman; they will give you a job working in an office.”
“But I will miss you and papa. I know it sounds childish, but I’ve never been so far away from both of you. And for two years!”
“We’ll miss you, too, more than you could ever know. But you’ll come home for holidays and before you know it, your service time will be over,” Zofia said.
It was true that Katja had been concerned about her requirement to serve in the IDF, but that was not what was uppermost on her mind right now. Katja was annoyed at herself; she was angry that she felt out of control and was allowing an inexplicable attraction to Elan to dominate her thoughts. The more she tried to push those dangerous thoughts out of her mind, the stronger they became. But how could she ever explain this to her mother? Just these feelings felt like a betrayal to Rachel.
The door to the dining room opened and Rachel came into the kitchen. From where Katja sat at the table with her, Zofia could see the necklace that Katja had given Rachel sparkle against Rachel’s sunburned chest. Rachel walked over and kissed Zofia’s cheek, then Katja’s.
“Thank you, I love it,” Rachel said, her hand gently caressing the necklace.
“I’m glad,” Katja said. “I can’t tell you how lost I’ve been without you and Mendel. It was always the three of us together, and all of a sudden you two were off to the army and I was all alone here.”
“Yes, I’ve missed you, too. I see you are busy, but if your mother wouldn’t mind, I wanted to ask you if you would like to come outside. Elan is playing the guitar and everyone is singing along. I thought you might enjoy it,” Rachel said.
“Oh—I should help my mother prepare for tonight,” Katja said.
“Nonsense!” Zofia snapped, sounding harsher than she intended. “Since when have I needed you to help me peel a few apples? Go—go outside and be with the other young people. Enjoy your time with your friends.”
“But Mama—there is a lot to do—”
“Go. Go now—take her with you, Rachel. She works too hard, and never takes the time to have any fun.”
“See, your mother insists. Come on, Katja,” Rachel said.
Rachel took Katja’s upper arm and pulled her up. Katja shook her head. “Well, I can’t fight both of you. If you insist . . .”
“I do,” Zofia said.
“And so do I. Come on,” Rachel said. “Mendel is outside, too.”
The trees were filled with blossoms, and flowers had begun to poke their delicate green stalks through the ground. Spring was on its way.
“Di Di Akezi einayim V’elvav, Di Di Di, Hey Hey Hey,” Elan sang as he strummed the guitar.
A chorus of the children’s voices raised in song greeted Katja as she walked over to the tree where Mendel was sitting and waiting.
“Just the girl I want to see,” Mendel said. His voice was almost drowned out by the s
inging. “Sit, here, next to me.” He patted the ground.
The shade from the tree blocked the direct sunlight. Only tiny slivers peeked through the branches.
Katja smoothed her skirt and then sat down, turning to smile at Mendel. Then she began to sing along.
“Di Di Di . . .”
The depth of Elan’s stare when he saw Katja stopped her cold. Those blue eyes were the color of a bluebird she remembered seeing in a picture book long ago; bright, arresting, and royal. His gaze was bold and direct, filled with desire. Could Rachel see the lust in his eyes? Did Rachel notice Elan looking at Katja? Katja felt a shiver go up her spine. She snapped her head away from Elan’s gaze, but before she did, she gave him a look of disdain. Mendel noticed Katja trembling and he put his arm around her.
“Are you chilled?” Mendel asked. The weather was still cool, although each day it grew warmer. “Would you like me to go back to my room and bring a jacket for you?”
“No, I’m all right,” Katja said, leaning close to her old friend Mendel, as he gently caressed her arm. She was so close to him that, in spite of the music, she still heard him sigh.
The eight days of Passover flew by so quickly it seemed as if Mendel and Rachel had just arrived, and now the time had come for them to leave. Katja loved having her friends back at home. Often, in the late afternoon, she took long walks with Mendel. In the morning, while cleaning up after breakfast, she spent hours talking with Rachel, but most of all she spent a good deal of time during the entire week avoiding Elan.
Time was going by so quickly. Katja knew that the years until she entered the IDF would could come and go in a heartbeat, and then she would be a soldier.. She understood that it was her duty. However, she was afraid, afraid a war would break out during her term of service and she would be close to combat, perhaps even in the line of fire. She’d never held a gun, and she had never wanted to. But, besides fear of the army itself, Katja was also uneasy about leaving home. For as long as she could remember, she had been at her mother’s side. They were closer than sisters in many ways and that bond had grown even stronger after Rachel and Mendel had been drafted. Being an only child, Katja felt very close to both of her parents. She could talk to her mother about almost anything; they would sit together and talk for hours about Katja’s feelings, her hopes and dreams. Sometimes they would laugh about the strange nature of the opposite sex. Katja loved her mother, but her father was her rock, her strength. When she thought about the man she would someday marry, she wanted him to be just like Isaac.
The Promised Land (All My Love, Detrick Series) (All My Love Detrick Book 3) Page 20