All Backs Were Turned by Marek Hlasko Read Free Book Online Page A

the floor, and lifted it over his head. Israel threw himself against him. The old man entered the room and pointed at Dov with his hand entwined up to the shoulder with a leather strap from his phylacteries.
    â€œI would listen to you, son,” he said in his shrill, old man’s voice, “if you were a man. But you’re not. I don’t know what it is you lack, but you must be lacking something if your wife has left you. If you want something from me or your brother while you’re in this house, ask. Never tell us what to do.”
    He left, closing the door softly.

L ITTLE D OV DROVE SLOWLY; IT WAS DARK NOW ALTHOUGH the moon was still out, suspended over the mountain range—the desert lay shrouded in darkness and quiet, without light, without sound, and yet they could still smell it, smell the invisible waves of heat it sent out tirelessly. He drove toward the beach, swerving to the right a little awkwardly and too sharply whenever a car came from the opposite direction.
    â€œDo you want to swim, Dov?” Esther asked.
    He turned to her; it seemed to him that he could see her profile in the dark—the high forehead, the short, straight nose, the strong neck. “No, I don’t,” he said. “I didn’t say anything about swimming.”
    â€œDov,” she said, “we did it twice already today. Please, Dov, no more.”
    The right-hand wheels rasped against the sand as he pulled her to him. “Did we really? I have a bad memory, Esther. Like all men who work too hard.”
    â€œPlease, I just can’t,” she said.
    â€œYou won’t know that for sure until you try.”
    Near the airport he turned left off the highway. They began bouncing up and down as the jeep made its way over the rough terrain. Esther caught his arm.
    â€œNo, Esther,” he said. “Put your hands around my neck and hug me.”
    â€œYes,” she said. She did what he asked, but even in the darkness she felt embarrassed.
    Little Dov stopped being aware of the smell of the sea: he inhaled only the smell of her skin, gentle and strong like the scent of fresh bread. He felt her breath on his neck, hot and clean like a child’s. Unable to go on driving, he stopped the jeep, jumped out, and held out his hand to her. “Come.”
    â€œThere are people here, Dov.”
    â€œDon’t be ashamed, Esther. You’re pretty and clean, and you smell like fresh bread.”
    He knelt on the sand and so did she, then he lay down next to her and started peeling off her dress and her swimsuit.
    â€œYou’re like an animal, Dov,” she said. “It’s really a miracle that you can speak and read. And that you have a kind heart. Yes, you’re an animal.”
    â€œAnd you’re my wife, Esther, and I love you,” he said. “Do you think many men love their wives? Think about it, Esther.”
    He could feel her hands pushing his belly away; weak, hot hands that couldn’t put up much resistance.
    â€œDov,” she said. “Dov, I hurt all over inside. If you really love me—”
    â€œDon’t worry. When you get hot and moist, it won’t hurt.”
    â€œBut I’ll scream, Dov. You know I always scream. I can’t control myself.”
    He got up, unsteady on his legs, and went to the jeep. He pulled the starter and the engine roared into life.
    â€œNow you can scream all you want, Esther. All you want.”
    He felt her hands tighten on his back, and then a great joy began to mount in him, he was getting closer and closer to something he could never reach and where he could never stay, and then his head was empty of all thought and he heard the sound of his own teeth grinding sand. He lay exhausted, feeling her hands on his face, brushing it clean.
    â€œEsther,” he said after a while, looking at her face, now pale and tired. “You know how to make me happy. And you always will.”
    Suddenly he heard