No Time for Tears (50 page)

As June approached, the excitement over Chia’s wedding took precedence over all else. But when Chavala sent the tickets for the family, there was an exception that made her terribly sad … how could she call it a reunion of family if Sheine would not share in the important event? And how could she? Her husband, son of an anti-Semitic mother … Sheine still having in her heart to live a deception about what was left of her true feelings…

For several days she could not even wait on the trade, instead sitting in the office and trying to work on the books.

Moishe went upstairs to Chavala’s small office, sat in front of her desk. “You know, you and I have shared a lot of things. Now, tell me what’s bothering you.”

“Nothing … what brought this on?”

“The way you’re acting.”

“How am I acting?”

“Sad.”

“Why should I be sad … that’s nonsense … I have a lot of things on my mind—”

“Such as?”

“Four businesses.”

“But that’s not new … for God’s sake, Chavala, don’t always be so brave. You have a problem, talk about it.”

She looked at him. Maybe it would help to talk about it. “I want Sheine at the wedding …”

“So? Why don’t you write and ask her?”

“Well, as I told you when I came back from Berlin and I’d seen Sheine, she told me she’s expecting a baby and—”

“So … pregnant women don’t travel? What is she going to take, a horse and wagon? She’ll be on a luxury liner.”

Chavala said nothing.

“To ask wouldn’t hurt.”

But Chavala was thinking about her anti-Semitic mother-in-law. Still, she told herself, she wasn’t inviting the mother-in-law. “Well, maybe you’re right …” She was grateful to him for making her face her reluctance, and helping her overcome it. Including the worrisome prospect of meeting a true-blue Aryan like Gunter,

As soon as Moishe left, Chavala took out a piece of stationery headed “Landau’s Fine Jewelry,” and began:

My Dearest Sheine,

The memory I have of the last time we saw each other in Berlin becomes more vivid with the passing of each day. Even a brief moment can become a timeless gift, which is the case with you and me. I long to see you.

As you know from my last letter, Chia is getting married and the family are all coming from Palestine. The only sadness will be if you aren’t here. If I had one wish it would be to share this joyous time with you. Do you think it might be possible for you and Gunter to come? Please try, my Dearest Sheine.

I pray that you are well and happy. Write soon, as I will count the moments for your reply.

Your loving sister,

Chavala

Sheine opened the small metal box at the post office and found the letter from Chavala. Quickly she sat on a wooden bench and opened it. After she’d finished, there was a long moment when she wondered if it would be possible … there was
nothing
in this world she wanted so much as to be reunited, after all these years, with her family.

She thought of little else that day, and in the evening when she and Gunter were alone in their rooms, her pulse raced as she handed him the letter and even more so as she watched him reading it.

When he’d finished, he handed it back to Sheine, then said, “Obviously, dear, you want to go, and that’s understandable. But how do you think your family is going to accept me?”

Forgetting the rejections she’d had from his family, she put her arms around him, grateful for his not saying no. “You mean that we can go?”

“I wouldn’t want to deny you … but the question remains. Will they?”

“They’ll love you—”

“That’s a bit more than I was asking.”

“They’re very happy for us, the baby … that’s all they want… my happiness …”

He hesitated, remembering the reaction of her family when they’d married. Still, time could change things … look how his mother had mellowed about his wife… “Well, if it means that much to you, then, yes, we shall go.”

Amidst her rush of gratitude was a sobering thought… “What will you tell your mother?”

Poor Elsa—he still thought of her by that name—she still lives with ghosts. Of course, it was all unfortunately the residue of her Jewishness, her apprehension about her past He sighed to himself, determined to put her mind at rest. Taking her in his arms, he smiled down at her. “Darling, my mother is not our keeper. We’ll tell her we are taking a holiday. There, do you feel better now?”

She did. How could she not with such a sweet understanding husband so unlike his mother…

When Gunter retired that evening, she could scarcely wait to write Chavala.

And when Chavala received the letter, her world was finally complete.

Waiting for the family to arrive strained Chavala’s self-discipline to its outer limits. She marked off each day that brought them closer. But it seemed that when one waited, time never passed.

Still, in the next month there were a million things to do, which made the waiting a
little
easier. The ceremony would be held in the large chapel at Temple Rodeph Shalom, accommodating two hundred and fifty people, and the reception at the Plaza Hotel. The bride’s dress was purchased at Bergdorf Goodman, and the bridesmaids’ dresses at Bonwit Teller. This was going to be the wedding to end all weddings. Chavala worked for hours at a time with the florist on decorations for the
chuppah.
White roses, small orchids, peonies, baby’s breath and green maidenhair fern created the dome from which hung satin ribbons entwined with lily of the valley. White streamers and tall standards filled with gladiolus would line the aisle, and on the pulpit would be large roses, gladiolus stalks and lilacs. For the table centerpieces, baskets of pink peonies sitting on pink damask tablecloths.

The next project on Chavala’s agenda was more complicated. Going over the menu with the caterer at the Plaza, it was decided that the food would not only be the finest but also strictly
kosher.
Raizel and her sons were especially to be considered in this connection … including not having Beef Wellington, out of the question. Chicken, but strictly
kosher
,
was the compromise. On the five-tiered wedding cake, were would be no compromise.

The orchestra … Chavala had auditioned them personally … had been engaged, as well as the photographer, a man whose pants were too tight, but what could you do? … he had a very good professional reputation … And all none too soon. Tomorrow was
the day.
The family was arriving.

Chavala was a nervous wreck as she stood at dockside waiting with Julie, Moishe, Chia and Lenny. Each moment seemed an eternity as the giant steamer was nudged by the tugboats into its pier. When it finally had stopped, Joshua looked up, then screamed out, “There’s papa… Reuven, look over
here
…”

Although the little boy’s voice could not be heard from the deck above, Reuven saw his brother being held up on the shoulder of his uncle Moishe. Reuven waved back furiously, laughing with excitement at the sight of Joshua.

And then things began to happen at what seemed a furious pace as the passengers began walking, running down the gangplank. When the family was finally assembled, laughter, tears, excited conversation overlapped … “It’s unbelievable” … “Chia! I can’t believe it’s you” … “Oh, Dvora, and Ari” … “Aunt Chavala” … “Pnina, what a beauty …” Reuven kissed and hugged Chavala. “I’m very happy to see you, mother…”

In spite of the excitement, Chavala was not only touched by this open display of affection from her previously disapproving son, but surprised that he’d called her mother instead of
ema.
“You’ve learned English,” she said, and laughed a little nervously.

“I had to. Aunt Dvora’s a slavedriver. It’s all her fault… I’m glad you approve …”

“Oh, I do, it’s wonderful…”

And then came the moment when not only Joshua was in Dovid’s arms, but so was she, being embraced. The deep thrill that went through her, right to her very soul… “Dovid, oh God, seeing you, I don’t have the words …”And then in a whisper … “I love you, Dovid.”

“Those are the best words, Chavala. And they are mine to you—”

Suddenly it occurred to Chavala that neither Lenny nor Julie had been introduced. In Hebrew she said to the family, “This is Julie, Moishe’s wife, and come meet Lenny, Chia’s
chatan
.” Excitedly, the family greeted the new additions. A slight problem, however … since the acknowledgment was made in Hebrew, Julie and Lenny couldn’t understand one word. Moishe came to the rescue and interpreted.

The preparations had included housing for the family. Raizel and her sons were driven to Mrs. Zuckerman’s, where everything would be
kosher.
A suite of rooms was reserved at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, since
kosher
was not a problem—nor would the language be a barrier—Ari, after all, having been born and bred in New Jersey, U.S.A.

After the family had been settled, Chavala went back to her apartment to supervise the preparations for dinner that evening. She suggested that, since she would not be available, Dovid and Reuven take over the role of family guide.

After an hour’s rest, the family was gathered together, and the sights of Manhattan loomed before them. Each place they stopped at was awesome. New York was a city of towers that seemed to reach up and touch the sky. As they walked the streets, they had to step aside to allow the ongoing flow of this multitude of humanity that passed them. Zvi looked at his father, “I don’t like it,
abba
.”

Ari laughed, “To tell you the truth, I’m not crazy about it either, Zvi. I never was, but then, the whole world isn’t Palestine.”

Overhearing the remark, Reuven said, “It is for me.” Reuven was still Reuven.

When they finally stopped at Schrafft’s Restaurant to rest their weary feet, the family all agreed Manhattan wasn’t Tel Aviv.

Raizel, seated close to her sons around the large round table, felt all but forgotten until the waitress asked for orders. She looked at Ari and in Yiddish asked, “What did the lady say?”

“She wanted to know what you want… we’re going to have coffee and cake and ice cream sundaes. What would you like?”

What she would like was to be back in Mea Shearim, where she didn’t have to contend with this dreadful
trayf.
From these dishes and cups she wouldn’t drink. “Thank you very much,” she told Ari, “but I’m not hungry.”

Her sons followed her example. They sat and observed as the coffee cakes and ice cream sundaes were being served and delightedly consumed. Watching the family, the two oldest sons, sitting there with their black broad-brimmed hats, looked meaningfully at one another … it was Sodom, said the first with his eyes, and the other’s silent response was, Gomorrah.

At seven they all arrived to be greeted by an ebullient Chavala. No denying it, Chavala’s apartment was magnificent, though Zvi said to his father, “I like our place better.”

Reuven agreed.

But Dvora did not share her husband’s or Reuven’s feelings. She was proud of Chavala, and grateful to her. “This is beautiful, Chavala … I’m so proud of you.”

Chavala thanked her and told her how proud she was of Dvora … of
all
of the family … “And to think I have you all together. Would you have believed when we left that little
shtetl
that we’d be here in New York City tonight waiting for little Chia to be married?”

“No, I surely didn’t, I wouldn’t even have been able to imagine it. But thank God it happened.”

Thank God, Mr. Leibowitz and the
landsman
, Chavala thought, and kissed Dvora. “Now, then, I think we’re all ready to go to dinner.”

The next day the family collected once again for the arrival of Sheine and Gunter. Again the kissing, the hugging, except for Gunter, who stood awkwardly aside until Sheine took his hand in hers and said to the family, “This is Gunter.”

Uneasily, formally, he acknowledged the introduction.

Dovid greatly helped by holding out his hand. “It’s a pleasure. I’m sorry we took so long, but, welcome. You’ve made all of us very happy by coming, and helping to make this family gathering complete.”

Sheine, deeply grateful for those words, could barely control her emotions as she stood now in front of Dovid … She had married Gunter because of Dovid, her frustrated love for him being so great at the time. It was almost a perverse reaction. And, now, as she and Dovid, she too close to the middle of her life, embraced, she knew her love was even greater than before, but so very different … love had so many faces, disguises … now Dovid was once again the brother she had had as a little girl. Now her love for him had come full circle, back to reality. It was a great relief…

The next day the shopping for Dvora, Pnina and Sheine began. For Raizel, there was no choice … she would wear black silk with a white lace collar, as well as a black sheitel.

Standing in front of the triple mirror at Bergdorfs, Dvora looked at herself in the pink flowered chiffon and hardly recognized herself. A far cry from overalls. Viewing her reflection in the mirror, Chavala said, “It’s perfect, Dvora, that’s the one, it’s lovely …”

Looking at the price tag, Dvora said, “I really don’t know what to say.”

Chavala understood. “What is there to say? It’s gorgeous. Of everything you tried on, that’s the one. End of discussion.”

Dvora was still reluctant.

Chavala decided she needed an ally. She went to the adjacent fitting room and brought Sheine back with her. The two sisters then surveyed Dvora solemnly and with great care.

“Why in the world are you hesitating?” Sheine finally asked.

“Well,” Dvora said, “it’s so expensive, and when will I wear it again—?”

“To Zvi’s bar mitzvah. You’re taking it. Am I right, Sheine?” Chavala said.

“You’re absolutely right. Now, what do you think of mine?”

“What could be better with your coloring? You were always at your best in blue.”

Sheine laughed. “I wasn’t thinking so much of the color. How does it look with my bulging belly?”

“Like tailor-made. With all those flounces, no one will even see. Now, let’s see how Julie’s getting on with
her
bulging belly.”