Kanada by Eva Wiseman Read Free Book Online Page A

room for the others and helped Grandmama put her feet on top of the wooden stool.
    “Much better,” she said.
    Agi came outside, carrying a large old-fashioned camera and a tripod. “I only have enough film for two pictures, and the film is very old. The photos might not even turn out.”
    “Let's see what happens,” I said. “I'll take a picture of you, Agi, and you can send it to Jonah.”
    Agi blushed fiery red as she stood in front of the wrought-iron gate. She looked pretty in her short-sleeved print dress. She had copied the hairstyle of the American movie starJudy Garland, with her long hair flowing over her shoulders and a large sausage curl at her forehead.
    “Take my picture here, with the fence and the house in the background,” she said.
    I snapped her photo.
    “Thank you, Jutka,” she said. “Now perhaps Jonah won't forget me. It's your turn next. Stand behind my mother and I'll take your picture.”
    “Absolutely not!” cried Mrs. Grazer. “I'll be the photographer. I can't possibly have my photo taken today without any lipstick or powder and my hair like a rat's nest. I don't want Fritzi to see me like this.”
    “You're being silly, Kati,” said Mama. “As long as Fritzi can see your picture, he won't care about your hairstyle.”
    When we saw that there was no convincing Agi's mother, Agi handed her the camera and took her spot on the bench. I stood behind them, my hands resting on Grandmama's shoulders, grinning from ear to ear.
    “Well, that's the end of the film,” said Agi after her mother took the picture. “I'll develop the photos tonight.”
    The next morning, Agi showed me the photographs.
    “They're blurry,” I said.
    “I told you they might not turn out. The film is old, but there is no way of getting new film these days.”
    “Let me see.” Grandmama held the photographs carefully. “Your papas and Dezso and Jonah won't care how clear the pictures are as long as they can see you.” She shook herhead. “Agi, I do wish that your mother would have allowed herself to be photographed.”
    “So do I,” Agi said, “but once Mother makes up her mind about something there is no changing it.” She gave a small, rueful laugh. “I showed her the pictures this morning. She is still in bed.” She turned to me. “Where is your mother? I'd like to show her the photos.”
    “She went for a walk. She should be back soon.”
    As if on cue, the door burst open. Mama, her face pale, clutched a sheet of paper in her hand.
    “What's the matter? What's wrong?” Agi asked.
    Mama sank down on a chair, gasping. “This announcement is all over the walls of the ghetto.” She handed the paper to Grandmama. Grandmama read it and passed it to me:
    THE ENTIRE JEWISH POPULATION
OF PPA IS ORDERED TO
REPORT TO THE MAIN GATE OF
THE JEWISH GHETTO
TOMORROW, JUNE 29, 1944, AT 8 A.M.
EACH PERSON IS ALLOWED ONE PIECE
OF LUGGAGE, MAXIMUM WEIGHT 15 KG.

ANYONE DISOBEYING THIS ORDER
WILL BE SHOT!
    The order was signed by the police chief, Principal Nemeth's cousin.
    “Well, it was to be expected,” said Grandmama tartly. “We knew that it would happen sooner or later. We are better off somewhere else than in this filthy, overcrowded ghetto. But it'll be difficult to leave the last of our things behind.”
    “How will Papa find us when he comes back?” Mama fretted.
    “How will Jonah find me?” Agi cried. “He'll forget me! I won't be able to send him my photo!”
    “He won't forget you! He'll remember you, just as you remember him.” I knew my words were useless.
    Grandmama put her arm around Mama's shoulders. “Don't worry, Kornelia! The authorities will know where we've been moved. I know my son. He'll find us somehow.”
    “Papa will have no trouble finding us!” I sounded childish, even to my own ears. “We don't have much time to get ready. We better plan what to take with us.”

Thursday, June 29, 1944 –
Friday, June 30, 1944
    T hat evening, we stowed most of our money and jewelry