Chapter 50 Section fifty

Henrik paled visibly, his glass trembled in his hand, and for a good minute he just stared at me, unable to utter a word. "Henrik, what's the matter? Is there something wrong?" Finally, he said, "Anka, are you sure? How can you be sure it's there?" "Mum told me that the day we got the news. I had completely forgotten about it because the name didn't mean anything to me at the time. But on the train from Mejidi, I also saw That name was printed on the document that Haim read to us. So when I saw it on your timetable, I recognized it." I added excitedly, "Henrik, it's in the It's on your list. I see your name written next to it. You'll be there tomorrow, and you must take us with you."

Henrik stood up and paced the room, not wanting to look at me. "Are you sure, Anka? Are you sure it's Auschwitz? You're not mistaken?" "Very sure. Mother, and all of us, are going to Auschwitz-Birkenau. I saw the name again, and I remember it all now." I couldn't sit still, jumped up and grabbed Henrik's arm, "Don't you understand? If my mother wasn't on the first train that crashed, but on the second train, I'm sure she must be Yes, then she must be there now, working as a seamstress, wondering if she will ever see her child again."

Henrik stared into the distance, expressionless. I said again: "Maybe, just maybe, Ilo's parents got there alive too? Henrik, we must go there tomorrow. Please promise to take us there." Hearing this request, Henrik took both of my arms and held me firmly, looking me in the eye for the first time.I saw tears in his eyes, and my excitement turned to worry. "Anka...I don't know what to tell you, God, help me, I really don't know." He stared at me as if he didn't know how to express his thoughts.Finally, he said, "Anka, I've been inside these camps. I deliver to them, and I ship out what they make for distribution." He paused, as if that was enough explanation.

I looked into his eyes, puzzled, "So?" Henrik organized the language carefully, "There are different types of camps, Anka. Some of them, such as Plazo, are what are commonly called labor camps, serving military industrial production. Others...they are... " "Henrik, what the hell? Tell me what they are!" "Sorry, Anka, I can't tell. I can't take your hope away." I grabbed his hands and made him listen to me, "Henrik, what you're saying doesn't make any sense, what the hell is that? You have to tell me." "No, Anka. That's enough. I can't go on. Tomorrow I'll arrange for you to return to Wojciech and Isabella. You'll stay there until the war is over. By then, maybe, God Bless you all to be reunited with your loved ones."

"No, Henrik! I don't! You must take us to Auschwitz. At least send us to the gate, and from there we will ask ourselves. We are not as fragile as you think, we have gone so far on our own." far. All I ask is that you take us to the gate, and you must do us this favor, I beg you." Henrik shook his head, avoiding my gaze again, "Absolutely not. Auschwitz-Birkenau is not a place for children, never." He grabbed my arm, "Anka, if your mother With the skills you say, if she was a good tailor, maybe she is still there now. But in Auschwitz, they can't take children, and I will never take you there anyway .If it were Plazo, I might consider your request, but not Auschwitz, absolutely not."

I yelled at him, unable to control my emotions anymore, "Why are you doing this, Henrik? Why don't you help us now when you've been so kind to us?" The hands of the phonograph stopped, but no one paid any attention.Henrik looked into the distance, as if thinking of a set of countermeasures.Finally, he finally replied: "A typhus epidemic is going on in Auschwitz, and many people have died." I heard this, and cried and begged: "Henrik, don't you have the heart to see our parents die without knowing that their children are still alive and well?" "I'm sorry, but I will never send you in with my own hands..." His voice broke off, unwilling to say any more, and shook his head sadly. "No, boy, no. I can't even think about it. Be good, Anka. It's war time, don't you know? The Russians are marching on the Polish frontier, and we believe the war is coming soon." It's over, but until then, you'll have to stay with my brother. He and Isabella will take good care of you until this nightmare is over. I'll cover your living expenses, so you don't have to worry about those factors. Stop arguing, Anka. This matter is non-negotiable."

I yelled hysterically, "But where's our mother! We're so close! We didn't come all the way here to be driven back at the last minute! I don't, Henrik! I don't! You want Take us there, you have to do it, you're going to drive us to-" He slapped me across the face, interrupting my shouting.It wasn't to punish me, it was to stop my madness, but I ran out of the room sobbing and threw myself on the bed, not caring if I woke Nikolai and Ilo. I really can't figure out why Henrik, who has always been so friendly, is trying to stop us now.Full of doubts, I sobbed, put my arms around the two sleeping children, and brought them close to me.