War Torn Love (14 page)

             
I looked around the room - everyone’s ears immediately perked up, with intense interest. They scooted forward in their chairs, not to miss a single word, only waiting to hear Poppa only confirm what they all now suspected this was all about, after all - what else could this possibly be about? 

             
“I want you all to know, I have decided after Abram had a meaningful conversion with me. I agreed I would give my permission to the consent to your dear son Abram, to marry our dear baby, Hana upon both their graduation,
” It
has been made quite clear that once again, our families shall forever be cemented closer ties, and our family trees united.”

             
Everyone got up out of his or her chair, and cheered, everyone in the room began lining up, one after another to come hug me, and shacking Adams hand in congratulations’.

             
Poppa once again spoke up - managing to gain the attention of the excited room the room went silent, “I propose that we toss to our future bride and groom,”

             
Poppa offered up a cigar to the other men including for the first time Abram was to be included with the other men. Abram smiled with the fact he was being included, a rite of passage. Abram began coughing on his first puffs. He had never smoked before this night. He was ecstatic when he was handed a cigar. But shortly after lighting up,
he turning a bit green around the gills, he decided not to finish the rest, he handed it over to his father. He quickly ran outside, and he threw up. The other men began laughing, at his expense, I thought it was quite funny myself, and desiring to join in, but thought it best to bite my tongue. I would laugh later when no one else was around, I ran to his aid instead.

             
Abram’s Dad chimed in, “Hear, hear, I will second that. I to agree to this union, my son couldn’t be marrying a more beautiful, kind woman. I couldn’t think of a more perfect bride for him! And I should be so lucky to have beautiful grandchildren - as beautiful as her.”

             
“Thank you!” I said. The room was electrified with emotions.

             
Momma then chimed in, “Ladies it looks like we have another wedding to plan!”

             
Abram’s Mom, my Momma, and my sister smiled and clapped. Something about women and wedding, Momma loved everything about them - she was a great party organizer, she planned to the smallest of details.

             
Marym who was pregnant, with her second child brought up an interesting question, that none of us had considered, wrapped up in all the excitement, “So guy’s, when is the big day going to be?”

             
“You know I don’t know!”  We hadn’t really talked about it, we weren’t sure Poppa was going to say yes I guess.”

             
This got us thinking. Abram and I glanced over at one another, excited with the fact that we were deciding when we would be getting married - I whispered in Abram’s
ear it
had suddenly dawned on me. I had the perfect day in mind. Since Poppa wanted us to wait until we are graduated.

             
After he had heard my purposed wedding date, he smiled, “Really?”

             
“Yes, I’m sure.”

             
“I think that’s a wonderful idea!”

             
“Go ahead Abram tell them!”

             
“Well everybody we graduate on May 12
^th,
as you know, and we don’t desire waiting any longer, we would like our wedding day to be on June 24
^th
, Hana’s 18
^th
birthday, see she wants to share her birthday with me, so it can be both our day. Oh and another reason is, she said it will be easier on me to remember our anniversary.”

             
Everyone began laughing!

             
Momma excitedly said, “Well than we better get started, seeing we have less than two months to plan this - not much time Hana dear, but we’ll find a way to make it work.”

             
“Thanks Momma!”

             
We all celebrated late into the night that is of course, with the exception of my darling three-year-old niece, who was fast asleep in my bed where it was quite. I
was simply on cloud nine the whole evening - it all seemed so unbelievable, that my dream was finally materializing. It dawned on me,

             
“Oh my gosh, I’m actually engaged.”

             
In all the excite Abram’s mother had a funny look on her face, she left the house for a couple of minutes, then when she returned. I noticed her talking to Abram privately.

             
“Then Abram came over to me, “excuse me everyone could I have your attention one moment,” Abram got down on one knee, and then slipped beautiful engagement ring on my finger.

             
Then his mother said, “My darling, this ring has been in my family for six generation, now that you’re going to be come my daughter-in-law. I want you to have it. Since I do not have any daughter of my own, except your sister, and now you of course. I would be honored if you would have it now.”

             
“Oh thank you it’s so pretty!”

             
Later after everyone else had left the house, not remotely tired, I could not possibly sleep. Momma came into my room, wearing her bathrobe, I put my book down, she hoped into bed with me, she brushed my hair, and we talked for several hours, women to women. I had all kinds of questions for her, what it may be like, once I get married. I have been very curious about the wedding night. Momma blushed a little. Nevertheless, she told me all about it. It was customary that a mother passes this
knowledge onto their daughters, before their wedding night. She said I could wear her mother’s - my grandmother’s - wedding dress. Since I was a smaller dress size than
,
neither she nor
my sister could fit in it. I guess grandmother and I were the same size. We ending up falling asleep in each other arms, Poppa discovered us later asleep - when he had gotten up to go the bathroom, and Momma was not there.  He let us be. In the morning, he told us both how beautiful and peaceful we both had looked.

CHAPTER SIX        

                   
     
“THE GRADUATION”

             
It was finally graduation night for Abram and I and the rest of the seniors at my school. Funny I knew I ought to be in high spirits about this - but honestly, my mind was so whole-heartedly on my upcoming wedding, I just wanted to get this over with once and for all. I wanted to be done with school. Then I’d be one step closer to the wedding - become a wife, and hopefully a Momma.

             
Growing up in a time that I did, the world was suffering an economic depression – and I will not sugar coat it. It was hard.  So many Jews had been migrating to Poland, after the Russian Revolution
in 1917. Many were poor, putting addition strains on things. As poor as my own family was, during the time. I knew what an extraordinary extravagance it was when - for an early graduation present - my parents presented me a brand–new-store-bought dress. Such a rare treat - in fact, it was my first and only store bought dress. Usually it was mother, or later me that sewed all my clothes. It was simply lovely - the stitching was quite
-
unique, I would love to know how to do it. It was a cotton material, light yellow dye, with lovely spring colored floral prints, with lots of ruffles and lace sewn in. The dress came straight from Paris, and was the latest fashion I’m sure of it. A new hat with large colorful feathers, accompanied my dress along with and a pair of
black pumps, with brace buckles - he height of the heel was at least an inch high. I had to practice just to walking in them. I simply looked divine.  My sister was so sweet to me - she had bought me silk stockings to go with my dress. My legs looked amazing in those shoes. The cut of the dress was as if it was tailored especially for me.

             
It was a beautiful day. The ceremony was to be held outside and - thankfully for us - there was no rain.

             
My teachers had elected me to present a speech at the ceremony, I was
Valedictorian
- seems I had maintained the best grades of all the students. A lot of good it did me - I wasn’t able to afford to go on to college, most graduating tonight wouldn’t be going. I was quite nervous about any form of public speaking. Concerned about this, I practiced quite a few times in front of my audience, which at the moment consisting of Abram. I ‘m afraid to speak in front of crowds, I’m more an introvert. I tend to be completely gripped by fear. And my fear was only escalating the closer to the speech that we got.

             
Abram and I had to show up early to the school in order to help the other seniors decorate for the big event. I was also the president of the decorating committee. I worked hard all week preparing for this.

             
After several, separate speeches by the various teachers from the high school, the Principal spoke. It was a very pleasant, upbeat speak I had to go up after that that was a lot of pressure to be placed on me, at least I looked good. He called me up to the podium.  After slowly, nervously getting up from my chair from which I was
sitting, where I, gripping onto the seat with my hands not wanting to let go until this was all over, I had been looking around. I realized just how many people had shown up for this graduation ceremony - so many different family members had shown up.  It seemed each one of my steps I took etching my way forward, my stride grew smaller, and slower, in order to attempt to postpone of the inevitable. I was growing quite nervous.  I knew I could not put it off any longer. I couldn’t let my family down - they were so proud of me. I sucked it up, and took a big breath. I rose up onto the stage, my legs like lead. Trying to work on the quivering, I strode to the podium, and turned. As I now looked out in the midst of the crowd of people - oh, there were scores of people, more than I had imagined would have shown up, I gulped, my
eyes dropping to the paper. I
pa
u
sed
for a couple of seconds, and it drew out.