Edith Perl - Not Even a Number: Surviving Larger C - Auschwitz II - Birkenau

Published by Motivational Press, Inc.

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Copyright 2017 by Edith Perl & Lindsay Preston

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ISBN: 978-1-62865-396-0

CHAPTER SIX

HOUSE ARREST

I t was a cool April day, the Sunday after Passover. The fog hung low in the valley like the lurking sadness that hung in our hearts. Papa decided that he must know what was going on in the city and no matter how hard Momma protested, Papa insisted. He kissed Momma and wiped away her tears and headed out towards Chynadiyovo. I watched him out the window. He faded quickly into the fog.

Papa knew well enough to keep cover, so he walked along, ducking into the brush when he saw anyone. When he came to the Latorica Bridge he had no choice but to address the Gendarme, and hope he could cross. Papa approached the Gendarme who sat straight back atop his thoroughbred. The Gendarme turned out to be an old family friend. Papa thought that he may be in luck. He and the Gendarme used to play cards together, they had many good laughs back in the day. As Papa approached, the Gendarme whipped his nightstick down at Papa, almost clubbing him on the head.

Dont you recognize me? Papa asked.

Yes, I do Mr. Kalus but I have orders to turn back the Jews.

Only the Jews?

Yes, the Gendarme replied.

Can you please tell me why? Papa asked.

No, Mr. Kalus, I cannot. Now, turn around and go back to where you came from.

Papa tipped his hat to his old friend and headed home.

Momma and I were preparing lunch when Papa returned home. We could tell right away that something was wrong. The room lingered in silence. We waited for Papa to speak. I could feel the room bubbling and I thought I was going to burst if he didnt say something soon.

I fear the Jews are in trouble on the other side of the bridge. I fear for us, too, was all Papa said before heading into the living room.

I couldnt breathe. I couldnt stand the tension in the house. I thought if I got outside somehow the fear would dissipate. So I ran. There was a spot on top of a hill where I could see across the river to Chynadiyovo. I thought that if I could see something that we would find that Papa was just imagining things, that everything was okay on the other side of the river.

I stood perched atop the hill, from there, I could see the red slate roof of the three-story stone building that we called the torture chamber. The building housed the Secret Police, Gestapo, Arrow Cross, Gendarmes and political prisoners. The brick wall surrounding the building hid many secrets from the public. But other than the inside those walls, from where I stood, nothing seemed out of the norm on the other side of the bridge.

* * *

In spite of all the fears surrounding us, my friends and I managed to muster up the ability for some normalcy of teenage life. As the weather began to warm, there were picnics and gatherings to attend. And, I still had Jacob. At least for the moment. That was until the order for house arrest came for the Jews across the river. That was what was what was to put an end to whatever normalcies we had left.

Two days before the order came down Jacob and I had been at a picnic with our friends. He looked so handsome, his sandy brown hair blowing in the breeze and the specs of green in his hazel eyes sparkling in the sun. He had gallantly spread out his jacket on the ground as we sat together with our friends. We all laughed and talked as if our world wasnt coming to an end. We spoke of impossible futures and gossiped as if there wasnt imminent doom awaiting us.

I was busy chatting with one of my girlfriends when Jacob got up and walked to the bank of the river. When I noticed he was gone I excused myself to see if he was all right. He was sitting and staring at the glistening water. I tiptoed over and tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned, I could see that he had been crying. He quickly wiped his tears.

>Whats wrong? Why are you crying? I asked

Because of you because I love you because I know I could lose you.

I knelt down and held him. I had no words to comfort him. He was right.

Im leaving with the Hungarian military for Poland. I may never come back or his words trailed off.

Jacob, promise me to take care of yourself and stay alive. Who knows what will happen. I might die if I have to go to Poland or if some of the other rumors we have heard are true. You know how strong I am, I said as I made a muscle with my very skinny arm. I had hoped it would garner a smile out of him. It didnt. Just take care of yourself, I said without knowing what else to say. Jacob took my hand and held it. We sat and watched the river in silence, the laughter of our friends murmuring in the background.

***

Two days later, when I got the news that the Jews across the river, including Jacob, were under house arrest I knew I had to see him just one more time. I had to tell him I love him, but I knew my parents would never let me try to sneak across to the other side of the river.

I knew what I had to do. I woke up early the next morning while everyone in my house slept. I dressed myself to look like a peasant girl and quietly left the house. I hurried down the path and across the fields, the morning dew dampened the edges of my long black skirt. A tattered scarf hung over my rough white linen blouse. On my arm was a woven basket that carried a few eggs, walnuts and vegetables. I covered it with an old paisley handkerchief. To finish my disguise, I got a crucifix from our mill hand and placed it on top of the handkerchief.

I came to a dead stop at the bridge that crossed over to Chynadiyovo where Jacob lived. My heart pounded. I knew that if I was I caught I could be turned over to the brutal Nyilas. The same Gendarme who stood guard when my Papa came across was there again. He had been to our house before and I knew that he could possibly recognize me. As I approached, I kept my head bowed, Good morning, I said.

What is this? he asked staring at me and pressing his bayonet against my chest.

Cant a poor gentile girl deliver eggs and feed her family? I asked.

He uncovered the basket. He pushed the goods around to verify the contents. He seemed satisfied and motioned me to cross the bridge. I first went to the gentile section in case the Gendarme was watching. I then backtracked to Jacobs house.

It was a beautiful day but there werent any children outside playing. There werent any people on their way to market or to the local businesses. No one was working outside in their yards or fixing up their homes. The silence was haunting. I could taste the tears in the air.

Jacob lived next to the synagogue. His house appeared to be deserted. I looked around before I knocked on his door. His mother answered, I could tell she had been crying. She threw her arms around me. I felt the weight of her body fall upon my shoulders, and I knew that Jacob wasnt there. She told me that the Gestapo had come at dawn. When her husband had opened the door, a machine gun was shoved into his face and he was ordered into the street to join the other Jews. The Mayor was there with a registration sheet to make sure that every Jewish man was present and accounted for. They took Jacob and the other men to the schoolyard. As far as she knew, the men were being sent to Mukacheve to work.