Recap: Aliza’s mother broke off the engagement because she didn’t want to put her chasan’s children in danger the way her children were. In the end, they decided to stay engaged anyway. Aliza asks Dalya if she’d like to read the journal with her.
[Vanna is hiding from her wicked aunt in Aida’s house. Aida’s mother is in the hospital.]
I held my breath waiting for the siren to die away. Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door.
“Who is it?” I asked with a shaking voice.
Aunt Bea was there with a tray of muffins. Should I tell her about Vanna?
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
“I can tell something is wrong. I know you too well. What is it?”
I hesitated.
“I will take you now to visit your mother. They will allow a short visit. Can you come now?”
I hesitated. I had a fugitive hiding in the back room. “I just want to get something to bring Mommy.”
I went over to the closet and whispered. “I’ll be back in a while.”
I followed my aunt out the door. She whispered to me as we hurried down the stone steps of the courtyard towards the main street.
“She’s doing okay. I spoke with her doctor. He is working with Rabbi H to try to get her a surgery date in Canada. Then comes the hard part of procuring the visa.” She pointed to the sky. “With Hashem’s help, it will happen.”
We passed an orange tree; the scent wafted towards us. We headed towards the bus stop.
…
A woman wearing a black burka with only her eyes showing stood at the bus stop holding the hand of a little girl with pigtails.
I thought about Vanna sitting in the stuffy closet in my house. Things were happening so fast.
The bus pulled up with a loud screech. The driver glared at us as we stepped inside. He drove extra fast. I knew it was in order to scare us.
I grabbed the back of the seat in front of me until my knuckles were white, but I wouldn’t let him have the satisfaction of hearing me say it was too fast or my showing any fear.
The Arab woman who was on with her child yelled at him in Arabic to slow down.
Finally, we made it to the hospital.
It was noisy and dirty in the hospital lobby. Muslim nurses rushed around and people were yelling in Arabic.
Aunt Bea located the steps, and we climbed two flights to Ima’s room.
The room had five people in slim beds crowded together. It was noisy and dirty, and I hated to see Ima in a place like this.
Aunt Bea took her hand. “We will get you out soon. Rabbi H is working very hard.”
Ima smiled weakly. She hugged me and asked how I was doing.
I put up a brave front. “Baruch Hashem,” I said. “Everything is fine.”
“If only Aba would write to us.”
“He will, Miriam.” Aunt Bea shot me a warning look. I wasn’t allowed to let her know about Aba being in prison.
…
On the walk back to the bus stop, Aunt Bea whispered in my ear. “With Hashem’s help, Rabbi H is going to get the visa for your mother soon.
“Aida, what’s wrong. I feel you are nervous about something. Is it your mother or your father?”
I hesitated again. Should I tell her? She would know what to do. I needed guidance.
“Aunt Bea, I have to tell you something.”
I took a deep breath. “Vanna Abbar is hiding in my house.”
“What?”
“She ran away from home and she’s hiding in my closet. Her aunt found out she was––”
Aunt Bea gasped. “Having her in your house makes things unsafe. We better go to Rabbi H now.”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t turn her away.”
“No, of course not. Especially since she’s been helping, but that can put you in grave danger. You know who the Abbars are. They are heavily involved with the Mukhabarat.”
I swallowed.
When we reached my house, Aunt Bea went in back and called to Vanna. “I have food for you. You must be starving.”
Vanna came out into the kitchen. Aunt Bea served her some vegetables and hummus. She was just about to eat when a police siren sounded.
“Quick, both of you go hide.” My aunt pushed us towards the back room.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to cause danger for you. I will leave when it is very dark.” Vanna’s eyes were wide.
“No, no,” Aunt Bea said. “You can’t leave without a plan and protection. Stay hidden now. Hurry both of you. We’ll talk later.”
The siren grew louder and louder and then it stopped.
My heart was thudding against my chest.
“The police car is here in front!” Aunt Bea called to us.
Police in Syria were connected with the Mukhabarat, the evil Syrian intelligence.
Vanna and I scurried into the closet. I slid closed the door that looked like part of the wall, and I began praying silently.
There was a loud rap on the door. “Open up!” a gruff voice rang through the air.
I heard the click of the door opening. “We are looking for the daughter of the spice merchant and for Vanna Abbar.”
“I am sorry, sir.” Aunt Bea’s voice was confident and calm.
“There is a warrant out for these two. Be sure to contact us if you find them. We will take a look around to be sure.”
I heard the sound of the policeman’s boots scratching against the floor.
My heart was pounding in my ears. Vanna grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
To be continued…
Susie Garber is the author of an historical fiction novel, Flight of the Doves (Menucha Publishing, 2023), Please Be Polite (Menucha Publishers, 2022), A Bridge in Time (Menucha Publishing, 2021), Secrets in Disguise (Menucha Publishers, 2020), Denver Dreams (a novel, Jerusalem Publications, 2009), Memorable Characters…Magnificent Stories (Scholastic, 2002), Befriend (Menucha Publishers, 2013), The Road Less Traveled (Feldheim, 2015), fiction serials and features in Binah Magazine and Binyan Magazine, “Moon Song” in Binyan (2021-2022), and Alaskan Gold ( 2023-2024).
