“When is your train tomorrow?”
“Eight o’clock in the morning. Pass me the ball.”
“It’s no fun playing football with you.”
“Yeah, I know. You suck.”
“No, there used to be ten of us playing together. That was fun. What’s a game of football with just two players!!”
“I know, I hope school reopens soon and we get to play again.”
“Am not too hopeful; from what I heard from my dad, school is not going to reopen very soon.”
“Hmm, my dad was saying something like that too. Since Paris fell, he has been very gloomy.”
“Let’s stop this game and chat.”
“Yeah, it is boring anyway.”
“We sit under the tree?”
“Yeah.”
“You are lucky Oskar. You are travelling tomorrow. You know, the last time I travelled was five years ago, when my parents took me to Warsaw.”
“Am not sure how lucky I am. My parents didn’t look very happy this morning when I mentioned about the trip.”
“Why? They don’t like to travel in trains?”
“No, something else they won’t tell me. Come to think of it, the Germans ordered to keep our doors open before we leave our house. Who travels like that? Last year, when we went to visit my uncle at Krakow, we had our doors locked.”
“Oh, I think there’s some mystery there. Let’s find it out. First thing, you don’t board the train tomorrow. Stay back with me. We will investigate in the night; let’s find out what the Germans have planned.”
“Ha ha, you baby Sherlock Holmes. I can’t risk that. You didn’t see the posters around the city yesterday, did you? It said clearly, any Jew who doesn’t board the train ‘will be subject to death penalty’”.
“Oh. I see.”
“It’s late. Gotta go. Will you come to see me off at the station?”
“I don’t know. My mom won’t allow me perhaps.”
“Then here take these.”
“What? Ten toy soldiers, two boxes of marbles and these adventure books?”
“Yes, the Germans asked to carry the essentials only. Although marbles are essential, I will take enough in my pockets. Don’t lose them. I’ll get them back from you once am back. And one thing. you have a habit of folding pages. Don’t do that with my books.”
“I will not.”
“You better not. If I see my books have folded pages, you’ll get a black eye.”
***************************
“Finally, you managed to meet me at the station?”
“Yes, my mom is busy in the kitchen. I sneaked out.”
“Great. Take care of my marbles and remember what I said about the book.”
“I will. Why are you wearing a thick jacket. It’s pretty warm.”
“Dumbo, we will face winter in three months. It’s better to be prepared for the future.”
“What!! You’ll be away from home for three months!! I want to travel with you. Can you tell the German officer am your brother?”
“Forget it. A blond boy like you can never be passed as a Jew. You don’t even have a blue star armband. And besides, do you think this train ride will be very delightful? Just look at the train.”
“Hmm, I can see your point. The train looks rather dull, with just one door and no windows. What’s the space on the top for?”
“That’s for ventilation, I mean, letting the air in.”
“There are no seats or benches in the train?”
“No. Only the floor for all of us to sit on.”
“Why are they taking you in such a bad train?”
“I guess this is the beginning of an adventure; you know adventurers not always get the best transports. Remember ‘Around the world in eighty days’.’’
“I do.”
“Well, my mom’s calling me. Bye!! Take care!! Don’t fold the pages.”
“I won’t. Will you write to me once you reach your destination?”
“I will send you postcards. Bye!”
No, Oskar has never sent me a postcard. I have never heard of him again, none has. The books are still with me, pages unfolded.
