János laid in his bed all night replaying the events from dinner. After his grandfather had admitted that they purchased a steam boat ticket, his mind went blank. He sobbed loudly into his hands in front of everyone at the dinner table. He had never shown that kind of emotion as the young man of the house. When he looked up finally, he saw they were all crying with him, even his grandfather.
"Of course we don't want you to leave, fiú", his grandfather had said through his quivering lip. It was almost amazing to see him behave that way, that his emotions were simply too strong to keep in.
"We just want what is best for you, drágám", his grandmother said sweetly.
"Imagine," she continued, "not having to choose between buying new shoes for your growing child or feeding them dinner. That, drágám, is success."
As he tossed and turned that night, he kept replaying their words. János had never envisioned "success" for himself. Where they came from, people didn't want success, they just wanted to survive.
Perhaps that's the whole problem, he thought. As he laid there unable to sleep, he was starting to understand the pure selfless act of love his family had done for him. Why should he stay somewhere and actively struggle day in and day out, when he could go somewhere that he doesn't have to? Why would he choose to raise a family in a country on the brink of decline when he could go to a country that was still just beginning?
Family, he thought. That's the only reason.
As he contemplated everything in his mind, he started to at least understand why all of this was happening. However, he would stay in his impoverished town and raise another impoverished but loving family if it meant he could stay here and be with his grandparents until the end of their lives, and if it meant he could take care of his mother. Josef and Zsuzsanna had been the foundation of his entire life, and had given every ounce of their love and support to János and his mother. It only felt right to do the same for them.
János barely slept that night. When dawn broke, he quietly got out of his cot, dressed, and left through the kitchen. He was surprised his grandmother wasn't up yet.
He needed to see Évike. It had been about a week since he visited her, and he thought it might take his mind off things.
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János took his time meandering through the old and worn down streets of Szeged, past the neighbors cottages until he got to the main street of town. He passed people emerging for the days work, elderly women out buying bread, and vendors prepping their carts for the day. The Balog family bakery, called "Szegedi Pékség", was just past the big mustard colored city hall building. Their family had owned it for decades, when Évike's great grandfather decided the town needed a sturdy bakery. They baked many different types of bread, plenty of desserts, and sometimes full meals for those visiting the town. Évike's father, György, was a very large man. He had a mean glimmer in his eye every time János came to see his daughter. He knew why, of course. János was beyond poor and had nothing to offer Évike. György knew János couldn't support her or the life she deserved, and he wanted to marry her off to anyone but János. The Balog's were not rich by any means, but they certainly had more money and assets than the Fodor's. János knew how Évike felt about him, even if they had never spoke of it before. He used to think that one day he would have to put his foot down in front of György and demand that he respect his daughters wishes. Now it seems like György might just get his wish.
János opened the door quietly and peaked his head in. Évike was standing over the counter, apron already on, kneading a hunk of dough. Her blonde hair softly curled around her rounded face and she wore a faded blue dress.
"Jó reggelt." János said through the door. Évike jumped and clutched her chest.
"Istenem! My God!" she breathed at him, still clutching her chest with a doughy hand.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." he said, already entranced in her deep green eyes. "I'm sorry it's been a while since I have visited you."
"It's quite alright, János. Actually, today might not be a good day for you to be here anyway." she said in a hushed tone. János raised his eyebrows at her.
"My brother told us last night he's moving to America. He claims this country is pathetic, and he wants a rich life in America. My father called him a coward and kicked him out of the house on the spot." she continued and the rage in her started to rise.
János' mouth hung open in disbelief. He didn't say anything for what felt like forever as Évike continued to knead her dough.
"A coward?" János asked finally.
"Of course a coward! Our family spends centuries trying to better themselves here and tries to better their community and country and he wants to leave it all behind!" she tried not to yell. "It's sickening" she finished.
János felt sick.
YOU ARE READING
Paved with Gold
Historical FictionBeginning in Hungary in 1905, nineteen year old János Fodor is forced to leave his homeland and his childhood love behind for a new life in America. He sails across the ocean and ends up in Ohio, where the trials of a foreign language and xenophobic...