A girl and her camera

Chapter eleven

Out of all the days of the week, Martha was only too glad that it was finally Tuesday. Sunday was spent, of course, helping Hanna get ready for the ball. And then when Monday came, she'd spent almost every spare moment possible, comforting her friend. Hanna, to Martha's surprise, had come to school with more, unflattering foundation. This time, in blotches around her neck. At first, Martha madly assumed they were love-spots; like the kind Eve often sported to her jealous girl-friends. But when she saw, yet, another swollen cheek, Martha knew there was no question as to how Hanna got those bruises.

With Hanna's troubles, there was also that of her brother's. Michael had decided, after much thought, to accept the position in Auschwitz. And Vera was not happy about it. In fact, she'd refused to even look at her elder son for two days straight. How could this happen? Martha asked herself. Her family hardly ever fought; and when they did, it was hardly anything serious. And now her mother and brother were silently feuding. With Martha placed firmly in the middle of them.

This was why Martha couldn't wait to go back to the Ghetto, with her camera. To escape her troubles, with Samuel, and with any luck, he might make them all melt away with one of his powerful kisses. Of course Martha would have to work as well. But as long as she was in his brilliant company, there couldn't be any harm in just stealing a few kisses, could there? As long as it was kept extremely private, Martha wasn't overly worried. In fact, it just might be Martha to initiate the first kiss this time.

And so, Martha performed the usual tasks that afternoon, when the school bell rang. She packed her camera into her satchel, made sure the tins of sardines were well hidden beneath her school sweater, and started on her way to the Ghetto gates. There, the guard had let her in, without question, and Martha let out a sigh of relief. She was back! She kept thinking. And the day seemed to bright and lovely, that Martha just had to pull out her camera. A flock of pigeons in particular, were sitting in a neat row, along one of the washing lines, strung across two buildings that stood, side-by-side.

As Martha wound up her camera, to capture the lovely sight, she felt the hairs at the back of her neck stand up, as somebody crept up behind her. Feeling the fright coarse through her, she thought for a moment that it was Theon, come to exact his revenge. But when she caught hold of that delicious, boyish smell, she let out a small sigh. It was only Samuel behind her, coming to greet her after her three-day-absence.

"I missed you," He whispered, his breath tickling the nape of her neck.

"I missed you too," Martha wanted to turn to face him, so that he might hug her. But she was preoccupied. "So much troublesome quarrels had me running in different directions. But not now. As soon as I'm done here, you have my full, undivided attention."

"Now, that's what I like to hear." He said, "I've been waiting far too long for your undivided attention."

When the shot of the pigeons was finally finished, Martha stashed her camera away, and allowed Samuel's warm, capable arm to wrap around her shoulders. Ah! Now that she was finally in his desired company, she could at last, relax. No school, no family troubles...just her and Samuel.

"What's wrong?" He asked her, instinctively pulling her closer. "You seem miles away."

"Just thoughts about home," She said, "Mama's not talking to Michael, Hanna came to school yesterday morning with fresh bruises, and I've been stuck either trying to keep the peace, or to stop all the morbid thoughts from becoming realities."

"Morbid thoughts...do you mean Hanna?" He asked.

"Her sister said some awful things to her, the night after the ball ended. And when Hanna fought back, her sister got angry. And now she keeps saying that she's this big disappointment to her family, and that everybody would be happier if she just disappeared."