In the Mouth of the Wolf by Rose Zar Read Free Book Online Page A

that?” I cried. “You’re old enough to be my father. Aren’t you ashamed? Leave me alone or I swear I’ll tell Krysia everything. How would you like that? What do you need me for? There are hundreds of women who’d come running after you gladly. What do you want with me?”
    I pleaded, cajoled, threatened for all I was worth. He was a huge, powerful man, and if he decided to grab me, I wouldn’t have been able to fight him off. Nothing seemed to work until I said, “What if someone did that to your daughter? How would you feel then?” That touched him. He thought the world of Krysia, and the idea of someone molesting her was enough to bring him back to his senses. He got up and went back to his own bed, grumbling. I didn’t shut my eyes for the rest of the night. He didn’t bother me again that night, but somehow I knew this wasn’t the end of the matter.
    Â 
    Krysia came back the next morning, and we set to work cleaning the whole house. It was late in the evening by the time we finished. Only one chore remained: washing the floor. We were on our knees scrubbing down the workroomwhen the door opened and in came the boss and Mr. Kaminski. They were both very drunk. Grabbing two nearby stools, they flopped themselves down.
    â€œHey, Wanda,” said Mr. Kaminski. “Come to the tavern with me. I’ll buy you a drink.”
    â€œNo, thanks,” I replied. “I don’t drink, and I don’t want to go to the tavern.”
    â€œAw, come on! We’ll have a good time. Your boss was telling all the boys what a nice-looking girl he had working for him. I just want to give them a look at you.”
    â€œNow listen here, Mr. Kaminski,” I said very firmly. “I am not going to the tavern with you. I have a boyfriend in Piotrków, and if I wanted to go to a tavern, I’d go with him. Besides, you’re married. If you need someone to go with, take your wife.”
    He gave me a dirty look. I ignored him and turned my attention back to the floor. I heard him mutter something to the boss. Then all of a sudden he began speaking in a weird singsong. It didn’t make sense, and it certainly sounded silly. He must really be drunk, I thought. Krysia began to giggle. “Mr. Kaminski, what are you doing? What are you saying?”
    His arm shot out. His finger pointed at me. “Ask Wanda! She’ll know…because that’s Jewish !”
    I froze, but just for a moment. “Keep your head,” I told myself. “You’ll be all right if you keep your head.” He was probably so drunk he didn’t know what he was saying. “I should know?” I shrugged nonchalantly. “Why should I?”
    â€œWhy? Because your name isn’t Wanda. Your name’s Sarah!” All Jewish girls were named Sarah as far as Poles were concerned.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” I answered, lookinghim straight in the eye. “My name is Wanda Gajda, and you know it!”
    â€œOh, no, it’s not!” he insisted.
    Then Krysia jumped in. “You’re crazy! Wanda is my best friend. She’s not Jewish!” Everyone started arguing at once until Mr. Kaminski finally bellowed, “If you’re not Jewish, prove it! Show me your passport!”
    â€œGladly!” I took out my passport and handed it to him. He examined it a moment, then slipped it into his pocket.
    â€œThis passport is mine now. I’m taking it to the police. I’m not hiding Jews in my house!”
    He might be bluffing, but I knew one thing: I had to get that passport back.
    â€œYou don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr. Kaminski,” I said. “If anyone’s going to the police, it’s me. Since when do you have the right to confiscate my passport? Who knows what you’re planning to do with it? If you don’t give my passport back right now, you’d better watch