“I’m glad. The two of you are so perfect together,” Rosalyn said and Rebecca smiled with relief. Aaron tapped his foot near the table, bouncing his shoulders back and forth and Rosalyn leapt and dragged him onto the wooden floors. Eli laughed and threw his head back at Rosalyn’s brazen attempts.
“Come on, Aaron. It’s real easy. You just gotta let it all go.” Rosalyn wiggled her body, her hips swayed side to side. Her dark skirt and beige top caught the friction in the wind and ruffled over her figure. Aaron almost let out a smile, trying to keep up with a girl who had been swinging for seven years. The two of them relaxed in each other’s arms. Robert strutted over to Eli and stood near the table, watching his girlfriend swirl in the freedom of the room.
“She’s really something,” Robert said and his stare glistened at the sight of her, patiently waiting for her to finish so that he could have his dance.
“She is,” Eli agreed.
Not socially adept like his friends, Aaron rarely danced or socialized with young woman. His mind was astute and he spent most of his time in his work and on the politics of the country. But Robert always told Aaron to take advantage of his young age, to find someone he cared about and settle down before time caught up to him and he found himself old.
Rosalyn and Robert believed everyone should be equal in treatment and assets which is why they both joined the Communist party. Since the influx of racism, prejudice and brutal treatment against many of the Jews, Gypsies, Africans, homosexuals, and even the crippled of Germany, Robert and Rosalyn’s sympathies grew even more for Aaron.
When the song ended, another one followed, but Rosalyn glided back to the table with Aaron and sat next to Rebecca. Robert joined Rosalyn and sat across from her while Aaron stared off into the dance floor, watching Jacob persuade his new lady. Eli laughed at the sight of Jacob swirling close to their table and then to the dance floor.
“He meets someone new every time I go out with him,” Eli chuckled.
“He’s got a spark the girls can’t resist.” Robert joked without a hint of jealousy, because both of them came into the dance room with the woman they wanted.
When the night slowed and the crowds dwindled from sixty to twenty, Eli and Rebecca headed back to their apartment. Jacob road home with Aaron, and Robert drove Rosalyn home.
“Thank you for coming with me, Rebecca,” Eli said with great pleasure.
“I had a good time. I hope you did too.”
“I did.” Eli let the words escape like he couldn’t resist them. He slept in Rebecca’s room as most weekends they tried to make their own.
After the good news of the two week hold on SA activity, towards the end of the month, Hermann Goring was elected as chairman of the German Senate.
This weighed heavily on Eli and his friends for it meant one more man for the National Socialist party. His nuances of agreement would more likely fall under Hitler’s persuasions than Schleicher’s, because he worked under Hitler’s orders in the twenties. Though more humane than Hitler, it was a faltered sense of humanity. But, Hindenburg now had two influential members for National Socialism (Papen and Goring) who were preferable still to the National Fascism of Hitler and so Eli hoped like many, this would be good for the country.
Thursday, September 15, 1932
Rebecca called Eli as the morning broke through her window because, after sitting down with a cup of tea and her morning paper, violence covered the front page. The two week hiatus of the Nazi SA activity ended. On September twelfth, messages flew between Göring and Papen. The Reichstag, under Göring’s chairmanship, gave Papen’s government a no-confidence vote. In response, Papen dissolved the Reichstag, resulting in a call for new elections.
The country grew tired of elections and campaigns, wanting results rather than promises. Added to this frustration, the Nazi party’s fervor exploded. Rebecca’s hands shook as she put down the paper and picked up the phone.
“Eli,” her sweet voice woke him.
“Rebecca,” he didn’t have to wonder; he knew her voice like the back of his own hands.
“I don’t want you to go into work today. One hundred and fifteen people have been killed in political riots.” She emphasized the numbers. “Violence is escalating.”
After a long pause, Eli spoke with a firm, soft tone. “Rebecca, I can’t hide because of the Nazis. I’d be turning my back on my father and the business. I’d be giving into them, telling them they’ve beaten me. Forget my body. I won’t let them crush my spirit and mind.” At Eli’s strong words, Rebecca knew he was right, but couldn’t bear the thought of him in danger. She continued in her persuasions for her lawyer to stay indoors, but Eli’s will dominated.
“I worry about you. How will I be able to concentrate on my patients when I’m worrying about you?” Her voice became desperate.
“I’ll be inside my office the entire time.” His voice rose high with his next sentence. “I won’t even go out to lunch. I’ll bring it with me. We all have so much to do to keep the firm alive. I can’t bail out on my father when he needs me.” With the last words, my father needs me, Rebecca retracted her desire for him to stay in his room.
“Alright, but, Eli, promise me you’ll stay in the building and won’t leave for anything, not even to go to the courthouse. It’s crazy over there.”
“I promise.” Eli made the sound of kisses and Rebecca smiled and hung up. She had a day free from the hospital and, while Eli tried to get back into the habit of work despite the violence, she decided to meet up with her old friends from University.
Bernard and Louise waited at a coffee shop in downtown Munich. Traffic and people filled the busy streets even though poverty and hunger saturated the overcrowded cities of Germany. The streets left Rebecca feeling guilty for the affluent life style she was raised in and accustomed to.
She never lacked for food on the table or warm clothes to wear and, even when she couldn’t afford something she desired, her father on occasion would slip behind her mother’s back and buy her the luxury.
Rebecca dropped her change into the hands of a poor man in unwashed, ripped pants and tee shirt. He thanked her as the coins hit his worn, tired, outstretched hands. Strolling to the table where Bernard and Louise waved to her, she thought of ways she could help the poor. When she saw her friends, she rushed to them, feeling like she’d returned to her days at University.
“It’s been too long,” Bernard said, “where have you been hiding?” He brushed his fingers through his stark blond hair.
“I’ve acquired a nursing position at the hospital near the courthouse. You know the one?”
“I do,” Louise interjected, “I pass it every day on my way to the clinic.”
“You work at a clinic now?” Rebecca smiled wide, “So you’ve accomplished what you wanted.”
“Well, not completely.” Louise rolled her eyes to Bernard. “I still haven’t been able to get him to ask me to marry him.”
Bernard laughed in a way that seemed calloused, and then responded, “I will, Louise. You know I want to get things settled with work first.” Louise nodded, wiping the smudge from Bernard’s mouth.
“Please, Rebecca, order something to eat. I’m having a chocolate croissant. They are delectable.” Bernard waved the waiter over.
Rebecca pointed to the croissant in front of Bernard and said, “I’ll have one of those,” and just as the waiter turned around, she finished with, “and a large coffee, please.” Rebecca looked at Louise. “I’m so glad to finally be doing this with you two.”
“Yes, very glad,” Louise agreed.
“I was just thinking how sad it is that so many are on the streets without food and shelter. I thought maybe a few of us could collect a pile of old clothes and donate them to those in need.”
“What a splendid idea,” Louise responded.
Bernard rolled his eyes, “The unemployment rate is rising because there are simply no more jobs.”
“Because businesses are running out of mo
ney to pay employees.” Rebecca added, “so many unjustly.”
“There are no more jobs because the Jews have stolen them all.” Bernard raised his glass of juice to his mouth.
“Some of the unemployed are Jewish, Bernard, fired for no reason,” Rebecca implored, remembering her friend Aaron and the name Ms. Eppes from the hospital.
“If you consider freeing up jobs for the hard working Germans no reason. The Jews are a crushing presence,” Bernard said with his chin raised and his shoulders squared.
Rebecca bit her lip, trying to control the urge to smack him. The waiter set her croissant on a white plate in front of her and she stared at it in loss of appetite.
Louise tugged on Bernard’s shirt to keep him from instigating an argument. Louise and Rebecca had been good friends at University and, though they had drifted apart, she still enjoyed Rebecca’s company. Never one to cause strife, Louise followed Bernard and his Nazi ideals without giving it too much thought. Bernard appreciated the Nazi’s growing influence and the youth growing in rapid numbers toward their ideals. Louise appreciated Bernard.
Though the Nazis redefined what it was to be German, Louise would not be troubled with semantics. She would inevitably follow without question what her country folk believed. But neither her politics nor lack of them bound her to Rebecca. They shared a compassion that led them both to the field of Nursing. Rebecca and Louise did not like to see others suffer and, on this point, she vehemently differed with Bernard and the Nazis.
“You can’t think what is happening is good, all this violence and prejudice. You can’t be on the side of the Nazis, Bernard?” Rebecca asked in innocent naivety, unable to grasp a friend from University could differ with her on such fundamental matters.
“I’m sorry to offend you. Are you still dating the Jewish lad I saw you with at the New Year’s Eve party?” Bernard’s words simmered to courtesy.
“Yes, I am.” Rebecca folded her arms.
“Well, I’m not going to pretend to dislike the Nazi party just because you do, Rebecca. I voted for them. You are a German; you must be able to see their logic, the good they want to bring to the German country?”
“What logic is there in hate?” Rebecca responded, pushing her croissant away, her uncomfortable demeanor obvious.
Louise placed a hand on Rebecca’s arm. “Do stay, Rebecca. Simply because we vary on politics doesn’t mean we can’t hang out together.”
Rebecca offered a taut smile to Louise, knowing she was not at least in thought a Nazi, but her actions kept her close to their activities, which repulsed Rebecca.
“I’m sorry, Louise, but I don’t feel right speaking with the two of you if you support the violent brutality and racism of the Nazi party. They’re destroying people’s livelihood and beating innocent people on the streets.”
Bernard’s upper lip curled at her words and his brows pulled back like a rabid dog about to bite. “But consorting with Jewish men is perfectly acceptable.” Bernard tore a chunk out of his croissant.
Standing, Rebecca stared at the two of them and then darted her eyes in Bernard’s direction. “I’m sorry you’ve forgotten your Catholic values, Bernard. I know our parents are members for the Centre’s Party. It’s a shame to see you lost in the fascism of Hitler.”
“My father is weak. That’s why he can’t see the future of our country rests in the hands of the Nazi party. I pity him and you.” His cheeks reddened with his flaring nostrils.
Rebecca smiled at Louise before turning away and walking to her car.
* * *
Rebecca planned a special evening for September twenty-fifth, Eli’s birthday. She phoned him at the office to come back to her place after work. Eli’s forehead wrinkled in thought and his eyes widened with anticipation. She typically didn’t contact him at his office to invite him to her room; they usually only spent Friday and Saturday nights together. But this sudden interest in spending Sunday evening with her, excited him and he wondered if it had anything to do with his birthday, though he didn’t remember her talking about it.
“But what are we going to do Sunday?” Eli inquired.
“There is something I must share with you,” Rebecca whispered.
“Must share with me? That sounds desperate.”
“It is desperate, because if I don’t get to see you Sunday, I don’t think I will ever be the same again.”
“Well then, I’d better be there.”
“Yes, you’d better be.” Rebecca mimicked the smile Eli had on his lips on the other end, both filled with anticipation.
After work at six, Eli locked his office and drove home in his car, with its taped windshield cracked by the thrown bottle. Eagerness hurried his feet up the stairs to her room and he knocked a few times.
“Come in,” her sultry voice invited.
Eli slid the unlocked door open and stepped into a room lit only by two candles on each end of her table. A meal she’d stayed home to make sat in the center, its enticing aroma sharpening his hunger and its decorative colors pleasing to his eyes. Eli shut the door behind him and embraced her with outstretched arms. Taking off his coat, he followed her to the table and sat down with her.
“You did this for me?”
“It is your birthday, isn’t it? You mentioned it a few months back.”
Eli stood and stretched over the table to kiss her on the lips twice, his tie dangling unnoticed in the center plate, and then he returned to his seat.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and I’m not finished,” she said in a sensual tone. “I also have a gift for you. Its small, but I think you’ll like it.”
Eli smiled, the corners of his lips almost found their way to his eyes. He dug his fork into the mashed potatoes, broiled beef and corn. “It’s delicious.”
“Thank you.”
Upon finishing the meal, she carried out a small rectangular package encased with silver wrapping paper and handed it to him before kissing him on the lips. He unwrapped the gift and found a book of poetry from Penina Moise, an American Jewish poet of the eighteen hundreds. His eyes glanced over it with a mix of tears and enthusiasm and then he stood to hug her.
“Where did you find this?”
“My father bought a collection of poetry books on a visit to England when I was young. He gave me a few, which I brought with me to Munich. But I didn’t remember I had it until I was weeding through my closet to find clothes for the poor. I knew you would appreciate it so consider it yours.”
“I am so elated. I’ve been looking for this and can’t find it anywhere. Most Jewish books aren’t stocked anymore in Munich.”
“I knew you were looking for it.” Rebecca grinned, “which is why I was so excited to find it for you.”
He put the book on the table, running his hand over the cover, then turned to her. “You are too good to me. With all the insanity around us, you are my one bright light.”
“Sshhh.” She raised a finger to his lips, the falling sun wrapping their bodies in shadow. “Let’s not worry about anything outside my door…not tonight.”
Rebecca laced her arms around Eli and he whisked her off into her bedroom.
* * *
Towards the end of the month, the radio reported that Eva Braun, Hitler’s girlfriend, had attempted to commit suicide by shooting herself in the neck. The attention starved young woman craved spending time with the Nazi leader consumed with leading a political party. Upon hearing the news, Hitler rushed to the hospital and sat by her side until her recovery.
The distraction slowed the Nazi party further which was already losing momentum from a constant demand of re-elections, a siding with the Communist party to attack transport workers, and the violence of the SA. The party alienated much of the middle class.
Eli’s room filled with delight at the news of it all, knowing it would affect the number of votes for the Nazis in the upcoming election in early November. Frail hopes grew and people started to believe that the National Soc
ialist and Nazi parties might collapse. For the Social Democrats or Centre Party, both more supportive of Jewish people, a win became possible.
Saturday, October 1, 1932
Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year: Eli told Rebecca a week in advance about the upcoming Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of their New Year. He invited her to participate in it with him at his family’s home.
Ezekiel, though disapproving of their relationship, was proud to see his son remember his heritage and invite Rebecca. Ezekiel was also glad to see Rebecca willing to observe and learn a new tradition.
Last year on Rosh Hashanah after synagogue, groups of Nazis waited outside to brutalize the Jewish fellowship. Brawls broke out, wounding many. This year, Eli and Ezekiel worried something like that would also occur.
Rebecca rode with Eli to the Levin home on Saturday afternoon after they ate in Munich.
Ada opened the door, welcoming both Eli and Rebecca inside and then, out of social decorum, guided them to the living room where Eli’s family awaited.
When Rebecca turned the corner after a long walk through the corridor, she saw Miriam’s bright eyes shine out from under her mama’s arm where they sat on the sofa. Sarah sat on the far sofa with her posture upright as Rebecca had been shown many times by her own mother.
“Welcome Eli and Rebecca,” Deborah said with warm affection and rose to hug her son and then Rebecca. The hospitality surprised Rebecca since their last visit ended after an argument between Eli and his father. Rebecca accepted the hug and followed Eli to the sofa across from Deborah. After Leah’s big brown eyes became bored of staring at the new guest, she returned her focus to the game on the floor.
“How was your trip, Eli?” Deborah asked in a curt tone, her attention divided between him and Miriam. The girl put her fingers inside her mouth and wiggled them around until Deborah pulled her hand away from her face and held it down on her lap.
The Day the Flowers Died Page 14