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

by Roberta Kagan

  Every time Anna had the opportunity, she asked her customers. Most said that they did not interfere in their husband’s business affairs, and brushed off her request to discuss their latest party or the newest fashion.

  One afternoon an old woman came into the shop, perhaps seventy-five, maybe eighty, but she kept her hair coiffed in a teased-up do that stood high on her head like a crown. Her hands were parchment-white, with raised, thick, purple veins, and she wore long crimson nails that curved under her slender fingers. Her name was Benita Garcia, and everyone at the salon both feared and disliked her. She was a strong woman who demanded immediate service, and expected excellence at every turn. Benita’s reputation for cruelty included being the cause for several of the hairdressers leaving and going to work for a competitor, just to get away from her. However, even though she’d been asked to leave and not return by Claudia, Benita continued to patronize the shop. When Anna had done her shampoos, she demanded a long massage, and then after Anna had taken the knots out of her long, thin hair, she expected her neck and shoulders rubbed. Some of the girls complained, and even refused to comply because she was known to forget to tip, even though everyone knew she was very rich. But nobody could say where her money came from. Several of the girls speculated she’d been born an heiress, but no one knew for sure. Anna never refused any of Benita’s requests. She’d always shown Benita the respect the older woman demanded, never arguing with her or expecting a tip for her services. Then, when Anna was promoted to the manicure table, she spent extra time massaging Benita’s old arthritic hands, and allowed Benita to take as much time as she needed to select the perfect nail polish. Because of all of this, Benita had always liked Anna, and even occasionally remembered to give her a small tip.

  Anna dared not ask Benita for help with her visas. She knew the older woman could be caustic, and expected a refusal followed, by a reprimand, and heaven knew what else. If Anna said the wrong thing, or asked the wrong question, Benita could see to it that it cost Anna her job, or worse.

  On a busy Friday morning, Benita came into the shop without an appointment. Claudia simply did not have room to fit her into the schedule with any of the hairdressers or manicurists. Benita responded by throwing a tantrum.

  “I have been a customer of this salon for years. You mean to tell me that you cannot take me today? I have a very important dinner tonight with my husband’s colleagues, and their wives. I need to have my hair and nails looking perfect,” Benita said, banging her fist on the reception table.

  “I’m sorry. I cannot help you.” Claudia hoped that Benita would leave the salon permanently and go to another one; she’d had enough of this old woman’s antics.

  Again Benita hammered the reception desk. “Do you hear me? I need to have this done…today!”

  “There is nothing we can do for you here,” Claudia said. All the other customers grew quiet, watching the old woman’s outburst.

  Anna, seated at the manicurists table just a few feet away, had just finished polishing a customer’s nails. Gingerly, she got up and went to the reception desk.

  “May I offer to help?” Anna said.

  Claudia looked at her, relieved, wondering what Anna could possibly do.

  “I have been watching the girls do Benita’s hair since I started working here. I can forgo my lunch hour today and do her hair and nails. Of course, that is if it’s all right with you,” Anna said.

  “Do you think you could do it right? My hair I mean?” Benita asked.

  “I believe I can,” Anna said.

  “If you want her to try, I would agree to it,” Claudia said.

  “It’s not like I have much choice, but if I don’t like it…well… I am not going to pay for something I don’t like.”

  Anna worked on pure commission, so Claudia waited for her to decide.

  “It’s up to you, Anna,” Claudia said

  “I will try for you, Mrs. Garcia.”

  “All right, I suppose. What else can I do? Well, don’t just stand there; let’s get started.”

  Anna felt the sweat bead under her arms. Benita Garcia demanded perfection. But Anna did her best, and by the time she’d finished, Benita sat looking in the mirror. She glanced at Anna, and a smile came over her wrinkled face.

  “You know, Anna, you never cease to amaze me. You have more patience than anyone I have ever met. In fact, I hate to admit this, but sometimes I push people just to see how they will respond. I suppose it is just age that makes me ornery. However, you have done a wonderful job today.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate your loyalty as a customer to the shop.”

  “You’re about the only one who does. They think I don’t know that they talk badly about me and that they wish I would leave this shop forever. Of course I know. Nothing gets by me.” She laughed. “But they don’t have the guts to throw me out permanently. They’ve asked me to leave, but always welcome me back when I show up. Ahh, well, at least they all know who I am; I’m not just some person who comes to get their hair done and remains anonymous. I’d rather have everyone talk badly about me than just not talk about me at all.”

  Anna was not sure how to respond, so she just smiled. “I am glad you like your hair and nails.”

  “Anna, there is something I would like to discuss with you, but not here. It’s a bit of a secret. Can you meet me after work, for a cup of coffee, perhaps? I won’t have much time to spend with you, because I have that dinner to attend, but a few minutes are all I will need.”

  Anna tilted her head and looked at the old woman, bewildered. What could Benita Garcia want with her?

  Benita smiled, then winked, “So, you’ll be there?”

  “Of course I will meet with you. We close at 6:00 tonight. I hope that is all right. I will come immediately after we close,” Anna said. Alex would be a little upset at her being late to celebrate the Sabbath, but Mrs. Garcia’s proposal intrigued her; she wanted to know more.

  “There is a little cafeteria right around the corner, the one right by the park where the men play dominoes? Are you familiar with that place?”

  “Yes, of course, they are famous for having the best coffee in Havana.”

  “Meet me there. Don’t be late. I will be waiting.”

  At the workday’s end, Anna hurried through clean up. She wanted to get to the coffee shop as quickly as possible so that she could get home before dark. All day she contemplated what the old woman might have on her mind. She decided that Mrs. Garcia probably planned to offer her a job doing her hair and nails privately. Claudia usually frowned upon taking customers from the shop and doing their services at home, but Anna knew that Claudia would be glad to be rid of this particular customer. And for Anna it meant full payment for her work, not just commission, making it a nice sum of extra money. She and Alex could use the cash. Every penny they saved was a penny closer to getting to America. And Alex still did not know that all of their previous savings had been stolen. Because Anna knew how delicate Alex could be, she had continued to put off telling him. However, before Anna mentioned anything to Claudia about taking this customer privately, she would first meet with Benita Garcia to be sure that is what Mrs. Garcia had in mind.

  When Anna arrived, Benita was sitting outside under an umbrella, drinking a cup of thick black Cuban coffee. She had another mug filled for Anna sitting on the table waiting. Anna sat down and glanced at the contents of the cup; it looked like wet mud.

  “That was rather brave of you today, Anna, to agree to take care of me, even though you have very little experience doing hair, and I can be such a pain in the ass, and then to sacrifice your lunch hour too.”

  “I wanted to see to it that you to had everything done for tonight. You said you had an important dinner.”

  “You have always been kind to me,” Mrs. Garcia said. “You are good girl, not like the others. They are such trash. Hmmm, I know trash when I see it. I know class too. I can tell you were raised properly.” Benita sipped her coffee, blowing
on it first to cool it down. “Your parents should be proud. I would tell them myself, if you would like. Are they here or still in Europe?”

  “I suppose you know that I am from Europe by my accent?”

  “Of course, dear, you speak broken Spanish with a German accent. It is rather obvious.” Benita raised her eyebrows; then she smiled.

  “I suppose it is,” Anna said, looking down into her coffee cup.

  “What is it Anna? Something is wrong…tell me. I am not a patient woman, but you may just find that contrary to popular consensus, I can be a very good friend, to someone who deserves that friendship.”

  Anna had never discussed everything that happened on the MS St. Louis and all that had taken place before she’d boarded. She doubted that Mrs. Garcia even knew she was Jewish. But something told her to tell the woman the entire story. How her parents had sacrificed everything to get her out of Germany, even that Alex had been in Dachau, and his entire family had been murdered. Anna looked into Benita’s dark eyes, and suddenly she realized that the mean old woman was merely an act. This woman was kind and compassionate, and maybe too kind, so she hid what she thought was a weakness by being hard and uncompromising.

  “I know you are in a hurry, but I will be as brief as possible. I am going to tell you something I have never told anyone,” Anna said.

  Mrs. Garcia nodded. “Go on Anna… I’m listening.”

  A breeze rustled the trees; Anna ran her index finger along the top of the coffee cup. She bit her lower lip, swallowed, and began to speak.

  Then Anna told her the entire story, from the time she left her beloved parents in Germany, until Manny had paid for her and Alex to leave the MS St. Louis.

  Mrs. Garcia sat, silent, looking directly into Anna’s eyes. She did not speak until Anna had finished.

  Then Mrs. Garcia nodded, blew on her hot coffee, took a sip and spoke.

  “So you and your husband are trying to get visas into the United States and you are having a difficult time?” Benita Garcia asked.

  “Yes.” Anna nodded. “We are trying. My uncle is in America and he is doing what he can to assist.”

  “I see,” Benita Garcia said, wrapping her red-nailed fingers around the warm coffee mug. “I think I might be able to help. I don’t know if you will need some money. But if so, can you get any?”

  “I will contact my uncle and see what can be done. My husband and I have a little bit saved. We have both been working hard and saving everything we could. But recently our apartment was broken into and the thief took everything. My husband doesn’t know. He is an emotional man. It stems from his time in the concentration camp, and I just haven’t had the heart to tell him. ” Suddenly Anna was crying.

  Benita Garcia nodded again.

  “I understand,” she said, “Don’t tell him. After his being tortured in a camp, I can see why he is an emotional wreck. Let this just be our secret for now, and let me see what I can do. Give me a week or two. I’ll come into the shop and ask for you when I have some information.”

  “Mrs. Garcia…”

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you.”

  “I haven’t done anything yet.” Benita Garcia had turned back into the hard old woman hiding her feelings. She got up slowly and for the first time, Anna noticed how arthritic she was. Then Benita Garcia bent over and stretched her back, patted Anna’s shoulder, and left.

  Chapter 44

  Every two weeks Anna sent a letter home to her parents in Germany. Finally, she received an answer. When she recognized her mother’s handwriting on the envelope, she felt her heart begin to beat faster and let out a small cry of excitement. Then she tore the envelope and read.

  My Dearest Anna,

  Your father and I were so happy to hear from you. It warms my heart to know that you are all right, but I must admit that Papa and I were very surprised to hear that you had gotten married. We pray that he is a good person and that he treats you well, loves you, and gives you a decent life. Oh, how I wish we could have been there with you to see you take your vows. Your papa would have been so proud to see you under the chuppah. But times are not so good, and we must be thankful that at least you have married a nice Jewish boy, and you are happy. You see, before I received your letter, news of what happened on the St. Louis had reached us, and we were worried. At least now we know that you are safe and not alone in Cuba. This is a comfort to Papa and me.

  We are all right here. So far, we have not had any problems. Please do not worry about us. Soon this Nazi problem will all be over and done with. The German people are too smart to allow this to continue. After all, this is the country that gave the world Mozart and Beethoven; it is far too civilized to put up with Hitler much longer. And once this monster is gone and we can get out, your papa and I will join you in America or maybe you and your husband will choose to come home to Germany. For now, may you be healthy and safe, and may God watch over you and guide you, my dear and precious child. I send all of our love to you.

  Mama

  Anna held the letter to her breast. Her mother had touched this very same paper. She held it to her nose, hoping to get a whiff of her mother’s perfume.

  “Mama,” she whispered, kissing the letter.

  Then she sat down at the small kitchen table, got a piece of paper and a pen.

  She wrote:

  Mama,

  I was so glad to get your letter. It means everything to me to hear from you. I think of you and Papa every day, and I pray you are both healthy and all is well. Alex, that’s my husband, knows how much I miss you, because I must tell him a hundred times every week. When we are all together again, it will be the happiest day of my life. Our reunion is never far from my thoughts. I look at Alex and I know that you will be pleased with your son-in-law. He is a good, kind man, and he will be good to you and treat you as if you were his own parents. I love you and Papa more than you will ever know. In fact, I never realized how much I loved you until I was forced to leave you. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. When the war is over, and we can only pray that Hitler will be defeated, God willing, I will come back to Germany to find you. But no matter what happens with the war and everything, I want you to know that I swear on my life that I will never forget you and Papa. Your grandchildren, when they are born, will know everything about you. I will tell them how wonderful it was to grow up with parents like you. And I will pray that I can do even half as good a job of parenting my children as you did for me. You will always be with me in my heart and in my spirit, and someday, with God’s help, we will be reunited again.

  Always and forever,

  Your Anna

  Chapter 45

  True to both her word and to her nature, Benita Garcia came into the salon two weeks later, demanding that Anna take care of her hair and nails immediately. Claudia bit her nail, anticipating the tantrum that would ensue. She explained that Anna had a full book of clients that day and would not be able to accommodate another customer, even Mrs. Garcia.

  “I’m sorry Mrs. Garcia. I am looking at the book right now, and she has someone every half hour. It would be impossible for her to fit you in.”

  “I don’t want to hear what you have to say. Go and ask her,” Mrs. Garcia said.

  “I’m sorry, but it is impossible. She is not even scheduled to take a meal break today.”

  “I said ask her.” Mrs. Garcia raised her voice and pounded her fist on the reception desk, daring anyone to defy her.

  “Wait here. She’s in the back doing a shampoo for one of the girls. I’ll ask her, but I doubt she’ll be able to help you.”

  Claudia found Anna wrapping the client’s newly-washed hair in a towel and sending her off to wait for her hairdresser.

  “Anna, I know how busy you are today. Your manicure just got here waiting. She’s waiting in the front. But Mrs. Garcia is here and she is raising hell, as usual. Do you want to come up to the front and tell her that she needs to make an appointment for tomorrow? You are not availa
ble today.”

  Anna straightened her shirt; it was covered with water and soap from the shampoo she’d just finished. Her face was wet with sweat, as it was an extremely hot day and the fans were not working. “I’ll take her, right now. My other client will have to wait. Or she can make another appointment,” Anna said.

  “But Anna, that’s not right.”

  “I know, but I want to take Mrs. Garcia first. I can do her hair and nails quickly. Then I will work on the other one.”

  “Are you sure? It’s a lot of pressure on you,” Claudia asked.

  “Absolutely,” Anna said. She could barely contain her excitement. Had Mrs. Garcia come with news about the visas? Anna said a silent prayer that it would be good news. Then she raced up to the reception desk, where she found Benita Garcia tapping her foot.

  “What took you so long?” She asked Anna.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Garcia. I will do your hair and nails immediately.”

  “Now, that’s more like it. Let’s get started shall we? I’ve been waiting for almost an hour.”

  As they walked toward the back of the salon to wash Mrs. Garcia’s hair, Anna saw Claudia silently say shaking her head. “She’s only been waiting five minutes.”

  Anna nodded and smiled to let Claudia know that it was all right. She could see by the look on Claudia’s face that her boss was amazed at her patience.

  After the shampoo, Anna escorted Mrs. Garcia to an open hairdressing station and began to set pink rollers into her hair. Mrs. Garcia did not speak and Anna could hardly keep her hands steady. She was afraid to ask, so she waited. Benita’s hair was nearly all rolled up before she said anything.

  “I can’t help you. It is impossible to obtain visas into the United States,” Benita said.

  Anna could not control the tears that were swelling in her eyes. She was so disappointed that she could not speak. Instead, she just nodded and began to help Mrs. Garcia to a seat in the sun, where her hair would dry more quickly.