Mom nodded to Adalbert. “Thank you for your help. It turned out better than I dreamed.” Her voice sounded softer toward their houseguest.
Adalbert nodded back.
“Mother found this old trunk at the church rummage sale months ago,” said Floyd, sitting on the arm of the sofa. “She had me start work on it, but I wasn’t getting very far fixing it up. Uncle Adalbert took it down to the seminary. An old rabbi there was able to work some magic.”
Kate pointed at him. “So that’s where you were the other night.”
Aunt Elsie rested her fingertips on the lid. “Wonderful Polish carpenter. He leaves Poland in thirty-nine, but first he build trapdoors. Is right word? Hidden walls. To hide those who stayed.”
“Right on!” said Floyd. “Hiding under their noses. I’d like to see a secret room like that.”
“I teach you Polish painting for hope chest if you like. We use bright colors and pictures like you use for pisanki. Chest is special even enough for Kopciuszek princess to store her clothings, nie?”
Kate looked up sharply. Was that a hint? Was Elsie going to give her the dress now? The way Elsie said it started Kate’s imagination whirling, as if her aunt had waved a sparkly magic wand over the chest. You have not yet seen the dress.
Josie spoke up, crashing into Kate’s thoughts. “Open it! Open it!”
“Okay.” Kate laughed, somewhat distracted as she watched the disapproving look pass from Adalbert to Elsie. She hoped the dress would be inside.
She lifted the lid to reveal a divided tray made of cedar, which fit snugly on top of the trunk and was meant to hold smaller items. Nestled into the tray were seven packs of Wrigley gum. Two spearmint, four Doublemint, and one Juicy Fruit. She grinned.
“We scoured the corner stores looking to see if they had any packages left.” Josie held up the squished package of Juicy Fruit. “Found this little treasure when I picked up a dime I dropped at the store by school. It was tucked up against the counter. You were with me, and I was deathly afraid you’d see me buying it.”
Kate laughed. “These are perfect. I’ve only got two pieces left that I’ve been saving. Who would’ve thought war rationing would come between me and my Wrigley’s?” She lifted the tray, still hoping to find the dress inside. But it was empty. Just like Elsie’s steamer trunk.
She packed her disappointment inside and replaced the tray. “Remember when Wrigley’s took their neon sign down to donate to the war effort? All those cute wriggling little fish sent off to make tanks or guns or whatever. I should have taken a picture of it before it was too late.”
“I’m sure they’ll put up a new one after the war,” said Floyd, sticking his wallet in his back pocket as he got ready to leave.
Aunt Elsie cleared her throat. “We say more.” She stood to face everyone in the room. “Thank you for kindness. You are generous family.” She stopped to smile at each of them. “We find new home. Kate and hope chest move back into bedroom.”
“What?” Kate shook her head. They didn’t need to leave now. Floyd’s room would be empty soon, and Mother seemed to have settled into the idea of them being there. And there is the dress.
“We find a little place close by in the brownstone?” Adalbert said the word carefully, around his accent. “I live near the transportation, and Elsie live near to family and this familiar neighborhood. My friends, they help us find the place.”
“We move in few days.” Elsie smiled at Mom. “I preparing rooms, so even I work.”
It was Adalbert’s fault. It seemed he didn’t like how much time she and Elsie were spending together. Likely, he was still trying to cover up the fact his wife was sick, and he didn’t want her talking to Kate any more about the Keeper role. And Mom had been slow to welcome them fully into the family for Babcia’s sake. She wouldn’t try to talk them into staying.
“Dziekuje,” Elsie said soothingly to Kate. “We live close. You visit much and bring tatting, nie?”
“Tak,” Kate answered listlessly.
Noting the time, everyone started filing out, scattered in all different directions. Mother went into her room to finish getting ready and Elsie to the kitchen to finish washing the dishes.
While putting on her shoes, Kate mused over the Oberlins’ leaving. It really made no sense, not now with Floyd leaving. She went to the kitchen to tell them, but caught them with their heads together in argument.
They were speaking Polish, but Kate could pick out a word or two. Kopciuszek. Cinderella.
“Nie!” said Adalbert. He looked up, meeting Kate’s eyes. “Elsie has become attached. She is seeing you like the daughter. But is important we go back to Poland after the war.” He looked sternly at Elsie. “It must be returned.”
Elsie continued washing the dishes, her mouth set in a thin line.
“This reminds me,” said Adalbert. “I am expecting letters. I have been trying to contact people missing. Is very difficult job during wartime, but I must try. Please watch for me. And if anyone not right comes to door, do not tell him where we moving. I already told everyone I know.”
“What do you mean ‘not right’?”
“Suspicious.” Adalbert’s tone was serious. “If your skin gets the goose bumps.”
Elsie stilled her hands in the water. “He means Burgosovs. He no say their name. They love wartime. They break laws and police too busy to see. Be extra careful.”
Her skin already had the goose bumps.
Chapter Eleven
Days after Adalbert and Elsie moved out, Mom woke up early and marched into the kitchen dressed to the nines. Her hair was pulled back into a chignon. Using a hatpin, she secured her good hat, the deep-purple one with the half veil.
“Where are you going?” Kate asked, setting out a bowl to mix pancake batter. “We don’t have to leave for work for another half hour.” Something about her mother’s manner put a queasy feeling in Kate’s stomach.
“This war may be going on for a time yet.” She pulled on her white gloves. “I’m off to secure a better job for myself.” She looked around the apartment. “Seems as though, if we’re ever going to leave this place for something nicer, I’ll have to do it myself. Josie’s mother and I are going to get factory jobs.”
Floyd sauntered into the kitchen and poured himself some coffee. “Our own Rosie the Riveter. Way to go, Mom.”
“What!” Kate exclaimed. “You already have a job.”
Mom blinked and gave a little smile. “Yes, well, this one pays more. I’ll meet you at the store later. I’m sure the factory won’t have us start work right away.” She closed the door.
Floyd tossed a spoon at Kate. “Goober. She’s getting a factory job because of Dad.”
Kate’s eyes flew to Floyd’s face. “What do you mean, because of Dad?”
“It’s her way of helping him get home sooner, don’t you see? All these wives are going stir-crazy with their husbands off fighting.”
“And their sons,” she added.
Floyd ignored her. “It’s the best way for them to help. They make the munitions that their husbands use to fire at the Nazis.”
“But Mom? In a factory?”
“She’s tougher than you think.” He pointed at the door. “Rosie the Riveter.” He sounded proud. “Hey, you should be glad. I saw her looking at modeling schools last week.”
“Ugh, I thought she’d given up.” Kate went back to her pancake mix. “I haven’t been out on a go-see since the movie audition, and they didn’t want me back.”
Someone in the hallway pounded hard on the door. Floyd yanked the door open, and Josie tumbled in. “Did you know about our mothers? Factory jobs! Can you believe it?” Josie took on the Rosie the Riveter pose, making a muscle with one arm and rolling up her sleeve.
“See? She thinks it’s great, too!” Floyd pointed at Josie.
“However did your mother talk mine into taking a job? Think of all the mischief we can get into.” Josie plunked herself down at the table. “What are you makin
g?”
“Pancakes.” Kate scooped out the flour. “You think this is a good idea? I mean, your mother has never worked. My mother, well, you know my mother. A factory?”
“Sure, it’ll be a lark. They get to wear overalls and act like men until the war is over. They’ll be fine. And we’ll be unstoppable. I’ve been waiting for freedom like this my whole life. Yet another thing you take for granted.” Josie twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
“What about your dad?” Kate looked at the time and quickly finished making the batter.
Josie took on a pose imitating her dad. “Proper Italian women belong in the kitchen making the Bolognese sauce.” She giggled. “My mom isn’t going to tell him unless she gets the job. She’s got some guts.”
“Look, I’ve got to get to work—”
“Any word about a job for me?”
Kate shook her head. “But if my mom quits…”
“Swell, ’cause my dad is easing up. He says if I get a job, I’ll have to put my earnings into war bonds. Fine with me. I’ll buy them in Times Square so my name’ll go up on that huge cash register display. You know the one—with an electric news zipper that runs under Lady Liberty’s feet. May be the only time I’ll see my name in lights.”
…
“Mom? Are you home?” Kate was calling out before she even closed the door. Her mother didn’t show up at work, and Kate didn’t know what to tell Miss Lassiter. She had mumbled a lame excuse about Mom having something to do that morning and she’d be there as soon as she could.
Floyd pointed to the bedroom.
The door opened, and out stepped Mom dressed in her navy coveralls, her hair tied back in a red turban. “Well? What do you think?”
Floyd whistled. “Looks like you’re ready to do some heavy liftin’.”
“You look great,” Kate said, less enthusiastically than Floyd. Even as a factory worker, her mother looked fashionable. “Did you call Miss Lassiter? I didn’t know what to tell her today.”
Mom’s smile faltered. “Yes, I called a few minutes ago. She understood. I suggested she hire Josie for the summer, and she agreed. The two of you working could free up one of the junior girls to move up to my position.”
Kate’s mouth fell open. Harmon-Craig was the center of her mother’s life. “What if the war ends next week like you keep saying to Floyd?”
“We’re lucky,” Mom said, ignoring Kate’s protests. “Josie’s mom and I are on the same shift so we can go to work together. It’ll take us an hour or so each way with all the connections we have to make.” She put her arm around Kate. “The bad thing is, you girls are going to be left on your own some nights. You can have sleepovers if you want and if you behave. We’re on twelve-hour shifts, starting with days. In two weeks, we change to nights. Six days a week.”
“Six nights a week you’re leaving Kate?” complained Floyd.
“I can handle it,” Kate said, annoyed. “And Josie will be around.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” said Floyd. “That girl is boy-crazy. I can tell.”
Mom sent a withering look to Floyd. “It’ll work out fine. Kate is an excellent cook and housekeeper. She’s very responsible.”
Kate’s mouth dropped again. Mom wasn’t one for tossing out compliments.
“Quit gaping, Kate.” Mom’s lip began to quiver. “We’re all going to be fine.” She put her hands over her face and ran back to her bedroom.
Kate focused on the ceiling to try to keep her tears from falling out, too. Then she looked at her brother. Floyd stared long and hard at her. He frowned.
“I’m sorry I won’t be here for you, Goober. Do your best. It won’t be long.” He clapped his hands, a smile playing on his lips. “Me and Jimmy are leaving early tomorrow. Getting in a little sightseeing on the way to Texas. A final hurrah before we belong to Uncle Sam.”
He could at least pretend he was sad to leave them. He and Jimmy weren’t two yahoos off on a wild adventure. They weren’t looking ahead far enough. To when they were headed into battle. The real thing.
He stood and enveloped Kate in a big-brother bear hug. “Keep your chin up.”
Kate sniffled. “And you keep yours down. Don’t go sticking it out where it can get shot,” she teased, but her voice quavered.
He released his grip. “Got a date. One last dinner with my girl. We’re going to a starlight dance in Central Park and do the town right.” He walked out into the hallway but hesitated, his hand on the door. He poked his head back in.
“You and Josie want to come?”
“You mean it?”
He tilted his head. “You better go get her before I change my mind.”
Chapter Twelve
Frankie Carle’s Band had already started playing classic big band tunes by the time they arrived at the Central Park Mall. Floyd’s girl was sweet, though obviously surprised to be sharing her date with two other girls.
“Meet me back here when it’s over,” said Floyd before leading his girl into the throng.
“This is a night for love,” said Josie, twirling her army-green skirt. “With this music and starlight setting the mood. Anything can happen.”
“It is romantic,” Kate agreed. The late-summer sun had set, and the soft glow of the park lamps was taking over. There was a joy and energy in the air that pushed out the shadow of war.
“Come on. Let’s go find a lonely sailor.” She grabbed Kate’s hand and pulled her near a group in uniform. “Won’t take long for them to notice us,” she said.
And she was right. As soon as the piano signaled the start of the next song, two of the younger men came over and asked, “Wanna dance?”
They went out on the dance floor, switching partners steadily until Kate convinced Josie to take a break for something to drink. “Got any paper?” asked Josie as they made their way over to a drink table.
“Paper? Why would I bring paper to a dance?”
“To give out your address, of course! These guys are looking for pen pals. I’ve already given out my numbers to five guys.”
“Josie! What if they all think you like them?” They each took a soda.
“Doesn’t matter. Our job is to give them a good send-off. For the war effort, you know?”
“Your mother will kill you.”
“How will she find out?” Josie sipped and twirled at the same time.
“Uh, when all the V-mail starts rolling in.”
Josie’s mouth widened into an O like the thought hadn’t even crossed her mind. “Oh, you’re right. Better make sure I always get the mail. Thanks.”
Frankie Carle’s Band switched to a jumping tune that set the young people to jitterbugging. Several of the boys in foreign uniforms started laughing and pointing like they’d never seen such dancing.
Josie put her hands on her hips and stared down one boy who especially found it funny. “Try it before you laugh,” she said. When he realized she was talking to him, he grinned. “Please, yes?” he asked in a French accent.
She gulped down the last of her soda and went off to teach him the American dance.
While Kate was wondering how Josie was going to finagle a pen pal out of him, a tall boy in a different foreign uniform found her. He wasn’t laughing at the dance, but he was looking at it suspiciously. “I say, would you like to dance—if it’s a slow one next?” His British accent was charming.
“Sure. Where are you from?” She kept slowly sipping her drink. It gave her hands something to do.
“Bristol. We’re only in town to resupply, and then we are back out again.”
Kate nodded, unsure what to say next.
“You always dance like this? What’s it called?”
“It’s fun once you learn. There are different names. The jitterbug or the Lindy. You can teach the girls back in Bristol.”
“My girlfriend may take to it,” he said and then he ducked his head and held up his hands in a surrender pose. “I confess, I have a girl back home. The other blokes
tell me I shouldn’t let the girls at the dances know, but my girl would advise me otherwise.”
“I agree with your girl back home,” she said. As she spoke, she caught a glimpse of a familiar tall-framed boy wearing jeans and a white T-shirt. She stopped dancing for a moment, then smiled apologetically at her dance partner.
“Who’s that?” asked the British fellow, following her gaze. “Your boyfriend?”
“Uh, no. It’s only someone I know from work.” She smiled at the soldier and started dancing again. Surreptitiously, she tried to see who Johnny was dancing with. The area was too crowded. She craned her neck to see, but heads kept bobbing in the way.
“Hello?” A hand waved in front of her face. “Where do you work?”
The British fellow. She snapped back to attention. “At Harmon-Craig. It’s a department store.” She tried to keep her focus on her dance partner, but it was so hard with Johnny only a few couples away.
He laughed. “You want to dance with him? Here, follow me.”
“No, no. It’s okay,” protested Kate, in the Polish way where no means a polite yes.
Within a few turns, they had made their way across the pavement to Johnny and the girl he was dancing with. The British fellow casually bumped into the girl.
“Pardon me,” he said, and before Kate knew what had happened, he had switched partners and was dancing the other girl away. He winked at Kate as they blended into the crowd.
Glad for the darkness to hide her embarrassment, Kate said, “Looks like that British fellow really wanted to dance with your date.”
“Sparky,” said Johnny, crossing his arms. “I should have known. If there’s a dance in town, you’ll be there to stir things up, like one of those buzz bombs Hitler keeps sending to London.”
Honestly. And why does he keep calling me that? If he would pay any real attention to me at all, he would see I’m anything but sparky. She turned to go, but he grabbed her arm. “I’m teasing! Come on, dance with me. I won’t give you a hard time. Besides, it’s a slow song.” He pulled her in close, his hand respectfully at her waist. “You can’t trip up on a slow song.”
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