Chapter 49 Section 49

I couldn't hide my excitement when Henrik arrived, but given Ilo's presence, I didn't share my findings directly, but exchanged polite greetings with him. Nicholas and Ilo proudly showed the fruits of their labor to Henrik. Henrik watched with a smile on his face and praised a few words from time to time.Of course I wasn't expecting or intending for the kids to get paid, but I still felt happy when Henrik reached into his pocket and pulled out two coins to reward them.He turned to me again, and I held up a hand in refusal, telling him that it was the best thing he could do for us to stay.

I helped Henrik make tea and told him that we didn't need much food, I didn't want to use up his food reserves any more, and that what we used to eat at home was simple.So Henrik asked about our life in Romania, listening patiently to Nikolai's rough Polish, admiring Ilo's language skills, while carefully avoiding the subject of loved ones. After dinner, Henrik turned on the gramophone, Ilo and Nikolay danced to the Hungarian waltz, while Henrik and I enjoyed hot tea from the kettle.In Megidia, the phonograph was a luxury I could only dream of, and Nikolai was the first to see such a thing, and was immediately fascinated by the box that made the music, and went to turn the record back to the beginning after each song , never tire of it.

Both kids got excited and boisterous, and I tried to keep them quiet, but Henrik stopped them.I realized that he wanted the kids to go to bed early so they could discuss something more serious with me.So I encouraged the children to dance more vigorously, until it was dark, and they rose wearily from the ground, and gladly accepted my offer to send them to bed. In less than an hour, both children fell asleep, and this time, I made sure that Ilo was indeed asleep, and then quietly went back to the next room where Henrik was.He turned the music down, poured himself and me another cup of hot tea, and we started talking tonight.

I couldn't hide my excitement, and after I justified myself, I couldn't wait to tell the whole story. "Henrik, I have to tell you something. Please don't think I'm snooping, but today I happened to see your delivery schedule and went through them all." Henrik waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter, it's just my work schedule, and it doesn't involve any privacy, Anka. You don't have to worry about it." But I still think it should be explained clearly.I said, "I accidentally dropped them on the floor when I was cleaning the cupboards. I picked up the papers and tried to put them in order, so I saw what they were." I couldn't hold back anymore. Stopped, and said eagerly: "Henrik, I already know which labor camp my mother is in. As soon as I saw the name in the directory, I immediately remembered it. My mother is in Auschwitz-Birkenau .”