Wherever We Go

Chapter 5:

Josef stood, his back to the sea, watching Europe fade away from sight. The air was salty and fresh and reminded him of his father, who was a gruff fisherman. He would go fishing with him sometimes. Don't dwell on the past, Jojo. Klara had said this, the last time he'd seen her. She'd meant it about him telling her he was sorry, sorry for not spending more time with her.

He'd cried.

She didn't.

Anyways. He was on his way to see Zofia. Along the way, he'd wondered if this was the right choice and that maybe, maybe he should turn back. Because maybe he shouldn't even think about seeing her.

But he'd missed her. And he'd gotten many signs.

And he wanted to see her. Even from afar.

He couldn't help himself.

He didn't recognize himself.

Why was he here again?

The old Josef would have stoically walked back to Cauta, his old province and stayed there, and not come back. Maybe become a fisherman, like his father.

But this new Josef?

What had changed him?

Zofia had.

She'd broken down his walls and he loved her. Maybe she'd loved him once.

Days passed on the huge steamer and before he knew it, it had landed in Canada.

Josef knew that the Presidential Refugee Fund had sponsored him and he nodded blankly at Bas, his guide.

" Hello there, I'm Bas, Bas Smith. Say, you alright there?"

Josef nodded. Another chance to stay back. Another chance to hide.

" I'll take you to your boarding house. Say, I got a letter from a lady named Millie Yost. She said that you wanted to go to 221, Koontz Street, District 3, Ontario, Canada?"
" Mrs. Yost told you?"
" Uh-huh! I got a letter. So you want to go there? Because it's not far, I can show you the place today before it gets dark. "
" Alright, where am I staying?"
" Mrs. Bowman's boarding house. The PRF has paid them already so you don't. Its like three blocks away from the place you want to go to. Say, you know anyone there?:

" Uh, yes. "Josef didn't remember the car ride to the boarding house. He didn't remember Bas chattering on and on. The only thing he remembered was the small blue house that Zofia lived in.