Wherever We Go

Chapter 6:

Zofia

I've been here for a month or so. Abek and I've been settling in well. We live with a fifty year old lady - Ms. Potts. Abek has been going to school. I've been staying home, helping Ms. Potts sew. It's almost a coincidence, she has a small business making clothes.

Life here is quiet and I've been given lots of time to think.

I mostly think about what to do next. I can't stay here forever, taking Ms. Potts' charity.

Abek needs to go to school. I need to find somewhere to settle again.

Sometimes, in the quiet of the afternoons, when I walk through the woods, I think about Josef.

I wonder where he is and how he is doing.

I do miss him.

I wonder if he is thinking about me too.

Anyways, he is gone. Got to start over now.

I've written to Gosia and she sent over the suitcase of family heirlooms.

I've also gotten a letter from DIma.

He'd written that he'd missed me and that he was glad that I was doing well. He invited me to visit and maybe stay.

Gallant Dima.

Josef I still love.

Anyways. I wrote back to Dima, apologizing that I took his money and wondering how he's doing. He said it was okay and that he wishes to see me.

I also think about what to do next.

Stay in Canada? Find a job or work for Ms. Potts?

Abek can stay in school and won't have to switch.

Go back to Sosnowiec? Try to start Chomicki & Lederman again?

I asked Abek what we should do. He didn't really care as long as it was stable and he got to stay with me. We are family now, small but nonetheless one.

Ms. Potts said that we were welcome to stay with her as she lived alone.

Anyways. Life is peaceful now. But so different.

Today is Saturday. Abek is watching Ms. Potts old television. I can hear the sounds of cartoon characters coming to life. Ms. Potts is making pancakes. She always does and always adds some maple syrup. It's like honey but thicker and sweeter.

"Good morning, dearie. " She absently flips a pancake.

"Good morning Ms. Potts. "

" Hi Zofia. " Abek's eyes are watching me but he is sitting on the couch eating and watching the mouse and cat chase each other.

"Hey Abek. " I ruffle his hair.

"Come have something to eat, Zofia. "
I take a plate and Ms. Potts lays some food on my plate and hands me a mug of coffee. I sit at the kitchen obediently eating.

"Do we have any sewing that needs to be done?"
"Well, actually, now that you have mentioned it, we don't have anything. You were really good yesterday and we finished everything. SO we can rest for a while today. Do you have any plans for today?"

"Not really, just maybe take a walk? Abek, have you finished your homework yet?"
"Not yet, but I'll do it after breakfast alright?"
"Fine, but get it down as soon as you can."

There is a quiet knocking on the front door. Probably just another customer.

"I'll get it Zofia, can you watch the pan?"
I nodded and stand up and turn the fire on low.

"Zofia? It's a man and he says that he would like to see you. " Ms. Potts calls from the hallway.

I walk to the door and standing there on the doorstep, almost timidly is

its

Josef.

"Josef?" My voice cracks.

My mind blankly registers that Ms. Potts has gently closed the door and I'm on the doorstep.

"Zofia?"

Before he finishes that sentence, I throw my arms around him.

He came and found me.

He came and found me.

Josef came and found me.