The Voyage (12 page)

Chapter 44

Every two weeks Anna sent a letter home to her parents in Germany. Finally, she received an answer. When she recognized her mother’s handwriting on the envelope, she felt her heart begin to beat faster and let out a small cry of excitement. Then she tore the envelope and read.

My Dearest Anna,

Your father and I were so happy to hear from you. It warms my heart to know that you are all right, but I must admit that Papa and I were very surprised to hear that you had gotten married. We pray that he is a good person and that he treats you well, loves you, and gives you a decent life. Oh, how I wish we could have been there with you to see you take your vows. Your papa would have been so proud to see you under the
chuppah
. But times are not so good, and we must be thankful that at least you have married a nice Jewish boy, and you are happy. You see, before I received your letter, news of what happened on the
St. Louis
had reached us, and we were worried. At least now we know that you are safe and not alone in Cuba. This is a comfort to Papa and me.

We are all right here. So far, we have not had any problems. Please do not worry about us. Soon this Nazi problem will all be over and done with. The German people are too smart to allow this to continue. After all, this is the country that gave the world Mozart and Beethoven; it is far too civilized to put up with Hitler much longer. And once this monster is gone and we can get out, your papa and I will join you in America or maybe you and your husband will choose to come home to Germany. For now, may you be healthy and safe, and may God watch over you and guide you, my dear and precious child. I send all of our love to you. 

Mama

Anna held the letter to her breast. Her mother had touched this very same paper. She held it to her nose, hoping to get a whiff of her mother’s perfume.

“Mama,” she whispered, kissing the letter.

Then she sat down at the small kitchen table, got a piece of paper and a pen.

She wrote:

Mama,

I was so glad to get your letter. It means everything to me to hear from you. I think of you and Papa every day, and I pray you are both healthy and all is well. Alex, that’s my husband, knows how much I miss you, because I must tell him a hundred times every week.  When we are all together again, it will be the happiest day of my life. Our reunion is never far from my thoughts. I look at Alex and I know that you will be pleased with your son-in-law. He is a good, kind man, and he will be good to you and treat you as if you were his own parents. I love you and Papa more than you will ever know. In fact, I never realized how much I loved you until I was forced to leave you. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. When the war is over, and we can only pray that Hitler will be defeated, God willing, I will come back to Germany to find you. But no matter what happens with the war and everything, I want you to know that I swear on my life that I will never forget you and Papa. Your grandchildren, when they are born, will know everything about you. I will tell them how wonderful it was to grow up with parents like you. And I will pray that I can do even half as good a job of parenting my children as you did for me. You will always be with me in my heart and in my spirit, and someday, with God’s help, we will be reunited again.

Always and forever,

Your Anna

Chapter 45

True to both her word and to her nature, Benita Garcia came into the salon two weeks later, demanding that Anna take care of her hair and nails immediately. Claudia bit her nail, anticipating the tantrum that would ensue. She explained that Anna had a full book of clients that day and would not be able to accommodate another customer, even Mrs. Garcia. 

“I’m sorry Mrs. Garcia. I am looking at the book right now, and she has someone every half hour. It would be impossible for her to fit you in.”

“I don’t want to hear what you have to say. Go and ask her,” Mrs. Garcia said.

“I’m sorry, but it is impossible. She is not even scheduled to take a meal break today.”

“I said ask her.” Mrs. Garcia raised her voice and pounded her fist on the reception desk, daring anyone to defy her.

“Wait here. She’s in the back doing a shampoo for one of the girls. I’ll ask her, but I doubt she’ll be able to help you.”

Claudia found Anna wrapping the client’s newly-washed hair in a towel and sending her off to wait for her hairdresser.

“Anna, I know how busy you are today. Your manicure just got here waiting. She’s waiting in the front.  But Mrs. Garcia is here and she is raising hell, as usual. Do you want to come up to the front and tell her that she needs to make an appointment for tomorrow? You are not available today.”

Anna straightened her shirt; it was covered with water and soap from the shampoo she’d just finished. Her face was wet with sweat, as it was an extremely hot day and the fans were not working. “I’ll take her, right now. My other client will have to wait. Or she can make another appointment,” Anna said.

“But Anna, that’s not right.”

“I know, but I want to take Mrs. Garcia first. I can do her hair and nails quickly. Then I will work on the other one.”

“Are you sure? It’s a lot of pressure on you,” Claudia asked.

“Absolutely,” Anna said. She could barely contain her excitement. Had Mrs. Garcia come with news about the visas?  Anna said a silent prayer that it would be good news. Then she raced up to the reception desk, where she found Benita Garcia tapping her foot.

“What took you so long?” She asked Anna.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Garcia. I will do your hair and nails immediately.”

“Now, that’s more like it. Let’s get started shall we? I’ve been waiting for almost an hour.”

As they walked toward the back of the salon to wash Mrs. Garcia’s hair, Anna saw Claudia silently say shaking her head.  “She’s only been waiting five minutes.”

Anna nodded and smiled to let Claudia know that it was all right. She could see by the look on Claudia’s face that her boss was amazed at her patience.

After the shampoo, Anna escorted Mrs. Garcia to an open hairdressing station and began to set pink rollers into her hair. Mrs. Garcia did not speak and Anna could hardly keep her hands steady. She was afraid to ask, so she waited. Benita’s hair was nearly all rolled up before she said anything.

“I can’t help you. It is impossible to obtain visas into the United States,” Benita said.

Anna could not control the tears that were swelling in her eyes. She was so disappointed that she could not speak. Instead, she just nodded and began to help Mrs. Garcia to a seat in the sun, where her hair would dry more quickly.

“Thank you for trying, anyway,” Anna finally managed. She was glad she had not told Alex about the conversation with Mrs. Garcia. She’d wanted to surprise him. Now at least she would not have to thwart his dreams.

Benita Garcia laughed loudly. “Anna, my dear, I was just joking. I have the visas.”

“Mrs. Garcia....” Anna took the old woman into her arms. “Tell me what you need. I will give you all the money that we have.”

“Well, I had to grease a palm or two, but it’s done. And you needn’t pay me. I have plenty of money…”

“God bless you, God bless you.” Anna was crying, and everyone in the salon had stopped working to watch the interaction between the most difficult client and the quiet girl who was always kind to everyone.

“Enough, you’re ruining my reputation. We wouldn’t want them to think I did anything nice, now, would we?” Benita Garcia laughed again. Then she continued, “You and your husband report to the immigration office first thing tomorrow morning. Ask for Jorge Garcia; he is expecting you. You said that you have an uncle in the United States?”

“Yes, my uncle Max.”

“He will need to sponsor you and your husband by signing an affidavit that he will promise to support the two of you financially. America will only accept immigrants that they are sure will not become a burden on the already strained economy.”

“I understand. I am sure my uncle will sign whatever is necessary. He has been trying to help us for a long time.”

“Yes, well, usually it takes at least two to three years for your number to come up, even with help, but I’ve made these other arrangements, and that will speed the process. Do as I say and go tomorrow, ask for Jorge Garcia. He will direct you from there.”

“I will do what you tell me to do.” Anna smiled through her tears.

“Now hurry up and get my nails polished. You know how I hate to wait,” Benita said. Her voice was caustic and demanding, but her smile was warm and loving.

Chapter 46

After a year and a half in the tropics, Alex and Anna boarded a ship headed for New York. They held hands as their hearts beat with excitement. Soon, they would be in America, the land of opportunity. 

The ship they were able to afford passage on was nothing like the
MS St. Louis
. There were no bands or fancy food. In fact, they shared a bunk bed deep within the belly of the vessel, surrounded on all sides by other hopeful immigrants.  Neither Anna nor Alex had experienced seasickness on the
St. Louis
, however here they were both nauseated for most of the voyage. Because a large group of people had been stuffed into a small, enclosed room, sometimes violent fights broke out, not to mention all of the illness that spread through the germ-infested air.

But in spite of its cargo, the ship sailed up the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, passing the beautiful beaches of Miami and continuing toward the port of the city of New York, and the gateway to the land of plenty, Ellis Island.

As the ship came into port, the passengers rushed up to the lower deck where they were able to see the Statue of Liberty, holding her torch high and welcoming them into the new world. Although there were over a hundred people, no one spoke. They were all in awe of the beauty of the copper statue, the symbol that meant they had arrived. Alex leaned over and kissed the top of Anna’s head.

“I can’t believe we are actually here,” he said.

“I know. We are in America... It’s like a dream,” she said, and looked up at him, her eyes glowing with excitement.

When they left the ship, they were directed into a line which had formed on the bridge into the port. Alex carried the cardboard suitcase with all of their possessions as they went to the end of the line. It took hours to reach the front, where they were examined by doctors and dentists. They saw others walking around with markings on their bodies, such as H, or E. They had no idea what this meant, only that these people were to be detained and held in quarantine. 

“Look healthy, pinch your cheeks,” Alex heard a man say to his young daughter. The girl was pale and had been coughing for most of the trip.

Alex squeezed Anna’s hand, and gave her a wink and a worried smile as they were separated to see the doctor individually.

The exam was extensive. Not only were they checked for physical defects, but mental defects, as well.

Several hours later, Alex waited outside the building until Anna finally joined him. They had passed the test. Then they boarded the ferry that took them to Manhattan. They were now in the United States of America.

Uncle Max had wired them directions to the apartment he shared with Aunt Edith, and although Alex had done a fair job of learning to read English, the bus numbers and street names were still difficult for him to navigate. But they asked directions and made their way to the Jewish section of Manhattan. When they arrived, they climbed three flights of stairs in a red brick building to find the apartment. Anna knocked on the door. A plump woman with a bright smile and graying brown hair opened the door.

“You made it…” she said. “I’m your aunt Edith.” The woman opened her flabby arms to take them both into a big bear hug. “Come in, come in… Don’t stand in the hallway.”

Anna walked in first; then Alex followed her. She looked around at the small apartment, clean and modestly furnished.

“Sit, sit, you must be tired, yes? You must be hungry, too. Well don’t you worry, I’m gonna make you something right away. In fact, I have a little chicken soup left from last night. I’ll make you both a bowl with a piece of
Challah
. How does that sound?
Oy
, Max was right; you are a pretty little thing. Am I rambling? I ramble sometimes. I’m sorry. It’s just that Max works for such long hours, and I am all alone, with no one to talk to. It will be good to have you here. There I go again; I am rambling. I’m sorry. Let me get that food. I’ll be right back.”

When Aunt Edith went into the kitchen, Anna smiled at Alex.

“She’s excited,” he said.

“She’s funny,” Anna said.

Anna sat down on the sofa and Alex sat beside her. Neither of them spoke, but their eyes caught, and they could see in each other’s expression that they were comfortable here at Anna’s uncle’s house, at least for now.

The food was delicious, good, old-fashioned Jewish cooking, the way that it had been so long ago when they were just children in Germany. Anna’s attempts at preparing their old favorites had been good, but this was truly authentic.

“It reminds me of my mother’s chicken soup,” Anna said.

“Yes, it’s strange, but I felt the same thing. My mother used to make it just like this, too,” Alex said, sipping a spoonful of hot broth.

Aunt Edith refilled their bowls twice, and they both finished every drop, and then thanked Aunt Edith a thousand times. 

“You two look tired. Let me show you the room where you will be staying.”

It was a pleasant room with a red and yellow flowered bedspread and matching curtains, the dresser was light blond wood, and there was a small closet to hang things. Both Anna and Alex were too tired to unpack. They took turns going to the bathroom to clean up, and then went directly to bed, where they slept all the way through until the following morning. Even though they arose early, Uncle Max had already left for work. He was a butcher, Edith explained. The customers began to come early. He kept terrible hours.

“We don’t have a lot, but Max does all right. People will always have need for a kosher butcher, thanks be to God,” Aunt Edith said. “And we always seem to have enough to eat...so for that I am thankful, too.”

“Yes, wherever our people settle, be it here or anywhere else, they will always need a kosher butcher, so it is a very good profession to be in.” Alex smiled.

“Max says that he will take you to work with him, Alex. He says he is going to teach you, apprentice you; I think that’s what he called it.  Then you will have a trade. You will be a butcher, too.”

Alex smiled at her, but inside he was cringing. He could do almost anything, almost anything but this. The killing of animals sickened him; he couldn’t bear to see the blood. This was going to be a challenge, but he couldn’t let Anna down. He had to try.

“I want to get a job, too,” Anna said. “I have experience working in a beauty shop. Do you think they would hire me here?”

“I don’t know. You can try if you want to…”

“Yes, I will do that today.”

“Why don’t I go along with you to make sure that you are safe? Again, Anna, we are in a new place, we don’t know much about the neighborhoods,” Alex said.

“All right. Come with me, then.”

None of the beauty salons were interested, they already had their staff, and besides, Anna’s English was still limited.

“I don’t know what I am going to do,” Anna said.

“Well, perhaps I will do well enough as a butcher to support us, and you can go to school instead of working.”

“I want to do both. I plan to go to school. But I want to bring some money into the house; I cannot just live with my aunt and uncle and not contribute.”

“But my contribution will be for both of us.”

“No, I feel that I need to do something as well. I need to be productive.”

“Sweetheart, let me do this for you. If we find that it is necessary, you can get a job, but for now, can we just try it my way? You stay at home and learn how to make that special chicken soup, so that you can make it for our children when they are born, all right?”

She nodded, but since they had landed in Cuba, Anna had grown from a child into a woman. She had earned her own money, and learned her own self-worth.