Belle's Story

Chapter Eight

She awoke a half an hour later. Other than being a little groggy, I didn’t see any visible signs that Belle was feeling poorly. I helped her up and brought her a brush so she could remake that trademarked bun. Then I asked if we could have another installment of her journey.

“Where did I leave off?”

“You had just sent your mother the telegram and were on your way back to Mazowiecki.”

“Yes, of course. Several weeks passed since my trip to Minsk. My savings were quickly dwindling and I had not heard back from my mother. I had spent most of my rent money, so I would have to leave the boarding house by the end of the week. I used my food allowance to take the train to Minsk and purchase the telegram. I had enough money for two or three more days of food, plus a train ticket back to Pavoloch. I did not want to return to Pavoloch without Mae. But, I would help no one if I starved. I was debating with myself about what to do, when a letter arrived from my mother at the boarding house. She did not have good news. Papa would not send more money, not because he was still angry, but because of the unrest at home.

“Two days after Mama received my telegram, there was a major upheaval in Kiev. Revolutionaries marched into town and raided the government offices. The constable had been executed. Then the Revolutionaries headed southwest and eventually entered Pavoloch. Vladovich, the Revolutionary leader, confiscated much of Papa’s belongings and money. But, they had let him live and kept the home intact. I was relieved that my family was safe, but concerned that I was stuck. I could not go home, not without finding Mae. I wrote my mother that I was staying in Mazowiecki. I would find a job and save money for a ticket to America, if needed. I would find Mae, and hopefully bring her back to Russia.

“The next day I returned to the butcher shop where Mae had worked. I introduced myself again to the wife, her name was Lidyia, and reminded her I was Mae’s sister. I spoke in Yiddish. I told her I was educated at the Gymnasium in Vilna.”

“Vilna, really?’ She said. “Your sister did not tell me that.”

“Mae only attended the Gymnasium for a few months. I graduated from Vilna this year.”

“You are lucky girls to have parents who could send you to such a good school. Oh, for my girls to have just a little education. I have a boy also. He studies with the rabbi, at least for now. God willing, we'll be able to finish his studies and have his bar mitzvah before the Cossacks shut down our Shul. But, he could benefit from some more worldly knowledge.”

I offered to tutor her children in return for room, board and a small salary. She said she would speak to her husband and for me to come back tomorrow.

Luckily when I returned the next day, she accepted my offer. I moved to a little room above the butcher shop, where Mae had stayed just a few weeks before, and was introduced to three girls and a boy. I would have limited time with Yakov, the boy, as he was studying Torah with the rabbi. The girls, Marya, Nadia and Rebekkah would study with me full time. I was to teach them literature, mathematics and French. I would start lessons immediately.”

Belle started to weave a little as she spoke. Her eyelids sank toward her cheekbones and her skin had turned from the rosy complexion I’d seen when we walked down the street to a putty-gray. The day had taken much out of her. Perhaps too much.

“Do you want to lie down again?” I asked.

“I’ll just lie down on the sofa here.”

“Of course”

I brought Belle a pillow and two blankets and helped her lie down, a process that was beginning to become routine.

“Are you okay, grandma?”