War Torn Love

by Londo, Jay M.

  That was at least until he found out he was going to become a father. Suddenly, I was this fragile piece of glass, unable to move without him fussing. This whole Daddy thing has gone to my husband’s head; he was far too protective and smothered me to an extent. All he talked about, baby this, baby that, I am excited too, but he really went above and beyond. I had to approach his mother, and had her talk to him. Tough as my husband is, he was a real Momma’s boy.

  Maryn and I had lunch together the other day. I told her about Abram’s recent pre-Daddy behavior; I wanted some advice on how to handle it, she said, “Oh all new dads get this way with their first born, but by the second, they’re much better, they know what to expect. I went through the same thing as you. They are really not as tough as we give them credit for, I would like to see them try being pregnant for nine months, and then give birth - trust me, they would not be able to handle it.”

  We both began to laugh - I laughed so hard I peed my pants!

  CHAPTER TEN

  “The German and My husband!”

  It was the big day, the family and I, all of us preparing to leave for Abram’s big fight I had been loathing its arrival secretly, it been keeping me up at night. It was being held in Warsaw. I was so excited not for the fight but to be traveling anywhere but this town, especially to the big city of Warsaw. I was not the only one excited about going. And it was not just my own family, I think half our town was also going to be traveling there, watching their adopted son win against the German. It put our small town in the national spotlight. There was mention by the Mayor of actually declaring the day of the fight as a holiday.

  It was marvelous just how much press, and importance there has been placed over this fight - drawing the attention in the entire country in the week leading up to this fight. It was as if this fight was actually Poland going up against their neighbors to the west, Germany. Not too much of a stretch to be making these days, with the way in which Germany have been acting. And to be honest, that made me a little sad. And proud, secretly – my Abram was going into the fight of his life.

  I think both Abram and I were nervous about everything that this fight represented - so much pressure was being put on my husband’s shoulders - the desires and hopes of the entire country, knowing him he certainly did not want to let anyone down. The entire country now was expecting him to win. Neither of us slept well with in the days leading up to the fight. I know I should have, but I couldn’t. Even though we had been being put up in one of the nicest hotels in all Warsaw, certainly the most comfortable bed I had ever slept in my entire life, the bed was so snug, I found it very difficult to settle. When this was all over though, it was going to be difficult going back to my own bed. I had never imagined a bed could be this comfortable. When I laid down, I slowly melted into the mattress surface. It was a four-poster bed, with a canopy. The ceiling was twelve feet high. The suite we were staying in not only had the bed, but a desk and chair to write, two sitting chairs and even a couch - all so unbelievably comfortable, with a lovely flowery print. The suite was at least half the size of our house back home. There was our own balcony that had a bird’s eye view of the city, especially since we were on the tenth floor. We sat higher than the buildings around us. Then there was the bathroom. All in a marble and granites of assorted colors. A huge soaking tub, big enough that both my husband and I could take a bath in. I have fond memories of those baths. In fact we made love right there in the water. It was absolutely- divine. They had a French toilet called the bidet. It washes your undercarriage after you have gone the bathroom. I must admit I sort of was getting attached to that, especially now that I was pregnant, it was slowly getting harder to achieve the simpler tasks. They supplied us with lovely terrycloth robes, fresh linen every single day. In addition, imagine a house cleaner service. I did not have to do a thing. I could have gotten used to this real fast, but truthfully this was not my world - I was a simple person, and was happy with that fact.

  I was disquieted about how this was all going to play out - I worried knowing that there was a prospect that he could get hurt, if this German was the better of the fighters.

  My husband’s trainer had treated the whole family to three separate luxurious hotel rooms, for three whole nights, - at no less than a five-star hotel. Two of the nights we were staying in Warsaw were before the bout, and then one night after the fight since its beginning held at 8:00 pm. Much too far to travel all the way home at night. That was so sweet of him - I could only imagine how much this must have ended up setting him back. Abram or I had never slept in a hotel before, so it was a real treat. Both our families were much to poor for such luxuries in our normal life. It was so nice, almost like a belated honeymoon. Abram and I could make love, without the worry if anyone could hear us, I could just be myself - which was vocal - and this bed did not squeak like ours. I felt like I was royalty staying here. The employees of the “Mamaison Hotel Le Regina Warsaw,” - where we were currently staying - treated me so well. I had never seen a building this fancy before. I was so happy my mother and father could be experiencing all this with me, they do so deserve it. My parents sacrificed so much for my sister and I over the years. We got the lavishness of taking all our meals out in the finest of restaurants - this too was all paid for, there was so many of them from which we can choose from.

  While Abram was off training, and the guys in my family, went along, along with all his friends, who came to show their support, were off watching him train for the fight. That is the last thing I wanted to do, I got to see him train all the time. I was in the city for the first time and I was not going to waste my time. Besides, I tended to distract Abram when I am around.

  I wanted to see all the sights and sounds of the big city for myself. Seeing Abram had lived here in Warsaw as a small boy, before he had moved next door to me, so it was understandable he has already seen many of the sights and truth be told, my husband never liked living in the city. He had told me all about it over the years. While he was here, he just desired to focus on his upcoming-fight. He had taken the time to take me to where he used to have live. After seeing the place, I could understand why he liked living in the country. There was no room to breathe where he had previously lived.

  Now the ladies and I, and Marym’s two young girls spent the two days going to all the many places of interest - sightseeing throughout the city. As we were strolling down the cities many streets, I could not have been more proud when spotting the many posters on buildings -, the posters were announcing the big fight. Seeing a drawing of my husband looking so stoics like that, in his boxing shorts, and boxing gloves held up. We were encountering several of these posters announcing Abram’s big fight against the German throughout the day.

  It seemed The Poles were obviously rallying around my husband - they saw him as representing of all of Poland, regardless of him being a Jew – that really did not matter. They were clearly against Germany, who was rapidly becoming hated these days. Seeing this I could not have been more proud. Who would have known when I married my husband that I would be marrying someone who would eventually become so famous?

  We went to the avenues of many clothing boutiques to see all the latest of women’s fashion. We also rode on the trolleys around the streets of Warsaw. We were able to see much of the city this way, as well as grace our presence at the many different art museums situated throughout the city. It was so wonderful having an opportunity to witness the grand places of interest listed on the tour guild we have with us. My mother-in-law was the best; she had grown up here, so she took us all around. This was all so special especially since I have never been out of my hometown before this trip; I had never been more than twenty miles from home. Frankly, this is the first vacation I have ever taken in my entire life. This was affording me a chance to realize just how much of the world I have not seen in my young life, I felt so completely out of water here. I realized how small my world was. I knew this world was not for me, it was ok to visit. The air was not so f
resh here. Thick black smoke billowing out of the many smoke stakes.

  As we passed through the many of the cities wonderful, ostentatious art museums - to be honest I just do not understand all modern art…I thought a little kid could have done better. I found that I preferred the classical art - I was completely mesmerized by some of the picture, and statues.

  The first night Abram took a break from training; the whole family went and attended an opera. We got all dressed up. The hotel provided babysitter for the girls. We went to dinner beforehand. As soon as we walked into the restraunt, we were treated like royalty, when they saw the name on the reservation. We were provided the best table, the same thing happened at the opera were we were provided box seats, Oh I simply loved it, I began to cry when I could feel the sadness in the lady operatic singer’s voice.

  On the morning of the fight, Abram had just taken a phone call from his trainer. After the call, he excitedly told me, that if he is able to win this bout, that the size of the purse will be large enough that we would have an adequate amount of prize money to build our farmhouse finally - maybe even have a little extra to put away for a rainy day. That sent my emotions through the roof with excitement, “Finally we would have our own place.” We both began dancing around - still secretly, some of my excitement was muted, when I had to think of him having to go in to the ring tonight to earn the prize money. I would give all that up, if I knew I could just keep him safe. I knew he was doing this all for us - he was a proud man. And there was nothing I could say to stop him. I knew he was the type of man that he would sacrifice everything for me - I knew him, he so wanted to give me that house, a place where he and I could raise our babies, and eventually grow old together. I would not dare say anything negative to him, not now.

  It turned out to be such a lovely day to be choosing to be seeing the sights, we lucked out on the weather this time of year, yes it was cold and there was snow on the ground. But the skies have remained blue. Whilst my family and I were taking a tour through this vast city, I saw a picture of the German fighter in the newspaper - after that I began to grow terribly worried, as any wife would. But I would bite my tongue, and not voice my concerns in front of Abram, but that did not mean I held it in front of my family, I could not go through this secretly. I knew he had to stay focused. As a wife, I had to be supportive, regardless of how I was currently really feeling.

  He and I had a lovely lunch together, before he had to leave once more, heading back to train. I tried to engaging in conversation with him, but he was much too focused on the fight at this point. Abram gave me a big, somewhat unconvincing kiss that was suppose to say to me he was going to be ok - he was trying to sway me that there was absolutely nothing for me to be bothered about, he especially did not want me worrying because I was pregnant.

  I smiled, looked softly into his eyes, for a mirror second I saw his normal self-slip out of his fight mode. “Abram I just wanted to wish you luck tonight, though I know you will not need it, you’re ready for this, and you have trained so hard. I have never seen you look so good. I’ll be there ring side rooting for you darling!” I gave him one last passionate kiss.” I will be your greatest fan!”

  “Thanks, I’ll make you real proud of me tonight!”

  “Sweetie you already have! Win or loss or otherwise tonight, you’re a winner to me!”

  He smiled, gave me a kiss that blew me away, I tingled all over afterwards, And then, just like that he was off. I just watch him walk off dumb-founded. Thinking that he never stopped surprising me, he always has so much passion to put out towards our relationship. I just hoped he thought the same thing about me. I hope he knows just how much I loved him - that I too would do anything for him, like carry his baby. Being married to him has been the greatest thing in my life.

  The rest of us not going ahead to the fight just yet - with several hours yet to kill, decided, rather we were going to continue doing some additional sightseeing, and then grab dinner at a pleasant enough looking Eastern Jewish Restaurant, situated about a block from the hotel, before heading off to the fight. The food was positively delicious - I decided to go all out, thanks to the baby driving me to eat. I started my meal off with a small bowl of sour cabbage soup. Then a dish called smalec, then for my main course I had a lovely piece of grilled lamb, and on the side potatoes dumplings, and not that I had the room for desert a piece of sweet poppy cake, with vanilla ice cream, and a cup of coffee. But as good as the food was, and the atmosphere of the restraunt, and of course the wonderful company of my family was the best, We all laughed, and talked, but the whole meal my thoughts were focused squarely on Abram, the only way I was able to eat was I was eating for the baby. I did my best to hide my concerns, I did not want to ruin everyone else’s time.

  My father-in-law saw how saddened, and discontented I was - he saw right through me, “Hana dear please do not worry about your husband - he has been training hard for this fight. Trust me when I say my son is prepared, I have never seen him in better shape. He will do just fine dear! He’ll knock the socks off that German.”

  “Thank you - you’re probably right.”

  After dinner, we caught a taxi to the arena. Our seats were directly up front-ringside - affording us a bird’s eye view of my hubby in action. We were allowed to sit before everyone else - we were considered V.I.P’s. Soon after we had sat down, all the other people had begun pouring in the arena. There was at least a couple thousand people, now all gathered here tonight…I glanced over sitting just four seats from me, there were several high-ranking German Officers taking up the rest of the seats in the aisle.

  As I glanced over at them, they noticed me looking over at them. They looked back over at me and gave me real dirty glances - I had done absolutely nothing to them to justify such a cold calculating stares. I just tried turning the other cheek, being polite, and smiled back. I tried remembering that I was a lady. Especially taxing for me at this moment, because right after the one officer spoke something in the others officer sitting next to him ear. He spoke loud enough that I could purposefully hear it had to do with the fact of my husband being a Jew. It became abundantly clear that they did not like Jews, I overheard that they thought that Jews were inferior to them. The one sitting next to him went as far as to say that we were sub-human. Then they both began laughing aloud, all at my family’s expense.

  I prayed as the announcer came into the ring through the loudspeakers hanging above our heads, to announce the fight. Then he announced Abram’s name, “Abram Balsam,” - my heart skipped a beat just hearing his name reverberate through the speakers. Then as my husband and his trainer began making their way slowly through the crowd of people trying to get up close, and obtain a look at my husband, I turned to look for him, in excitement!

  The crowd began erupting, loudly chanting “Abram, Abram, Abram!” Louder and louder, he walked by me looking stoically, so focused and so determined. He did not even crack a smile. He always gets that way right before a fight. He came into the ring wearing his fight robe I had made for him, out of silk. Once past the ropes, and in the ring, and in true showmanship, he began dancing around, and the crowd ate it up, including me. They then cheered louder.

  Then the announcer announced his opponent’s name, “Burkhard Nast.” My heart skipped a beat once more. Not so much applause for Burkhard Nast - rather there was a whole lot of hecklers as he made his way to the ring. As he walked directly by, looking forward, he had a look of ice-cold stone on his chiseled face. He made his way into the ring. I remember how he danced around the ring; even though he was being heckled by more than two thirds of the audience, he did not care. I think this was just giving him more fervor.

  The two of them met up face to face, as they were both narrated the rules of the fight by the referee. They looked squarely eye-to-eye at one another, both standing about the same height. It looked to me that it was going to be a pretty-good match up

  Burkhard took his mouthpiece out of his mouth, it was clear he was goin
g to say something, “Hey Jew boy, I shall be taking you down right in front of all these Jews that came here to watch me knock the snout out of you!” He then spat on Abram.

  Abram just wiped the spit away with his glove. Amazingly, he shown he was not taken back by this, he held his cool, and he was not going to give him the satisfaction. Abram got right up in his face, and removed his own mouthpiece. “I would like to see you try German!” He did not fell remotely threatened. In fact, he began laughing! And boy did that piss the German off.

  The announcer said, “Ladies and Gentlemen it looks like these two boxers really want to fight, what do you all say we let them, and get this started.”

  Then the announcer approached the two of them once more, “Now you two head back to your respected corners, when the bells ring, I want you two to both come out of your corners fighting.” They both knotted knocking gloves. Both starting some footwork just before, warming up.

  I grabbed on to Poppa’s hand, who was sitting to the right of me, and grabbed onto My Father-in-law’s hand, who was sitting to my left, it felt good having to such strong men in my life, at my side to comfort me, I think I was going to need the both of them to get through all this.