My Name Is Naomi

Chapter Eighteen

Present Day

January, 1942

New York, America

Naomi carefully stood near the edge of the sidewalk, watching the people buzz around her. She had never seen a place so alive and full of people before. She had heard stories about New York, but they didn't do it justice. The buildings were taller and the streets more crowded. She didn't even know where to begin. Where was she supposed to go, now that she was here?

After getting to Canada, she took a train to America, which had brought her here. She didn't have any connections to anyone and she wasn't sure how well Jews were excepted in America. So far, no one had tried to snatch her away and send her off back to Germany. In fact, she had already seen plenty of other people walking around these streets. There was a Polish man and his dog, and an Irish woman with her toddler, and even an Asian man trying to sell fish. It seemed as if Naomi wasn't alone as an immigrant. America was full of them.

"Young miss? Are you lost?" An older man came up to her, peering at her peculiarly.

"Well I...I came here from Germany and I don't know why." She tried to explain in her best English.

"You wouldn't happen to be Naomi Adler?" The older man asked curiously.

"Yes, why? Do I know you?" She asked, confused.

"No you don't know me but...I do know you. You look exactly like your mother." The man's eyes saddened slightly. "But, she is not here with you?"

"My family did not make it to America with me."

"I see." He said sadly.

Naomi shook her head, "You still, haven't told me who you are, sir."

"I'm David Lee. I'm your grandfather." He said.

"I don't have family in America." Naomi replied.

"Your mother is Joanna Adler, correct? And your father is Dov Adler?" The man asked.

"Yes, how did you--" she struggled to find the correct English phrase.

"How did I know?" He said. She nodded. "Because Joanna is my daughter. Your father sent me a telegram five months ago that you were all coming here. I come by the ports every single day, waiting for my family to show up. And here you are."

She could see joyful tears welling up in his deep brown eyes. They were her mother's eyes. Naomi smiled, reaching over to hug her grandfather, "I'm so happy that I have family in America."

He hugged her back before pulling away to wipe his wet cheeks, "Where are my manners? Come. I'm sure Mary Grace will want to see her granddaughter."

Naomi followed after the old man, down the busy streets, and up to a small little apartment. It was cute and had little flower boxes in front of the windows. Her grandfather opened the door for her, gesturing her inside. He called out, "Mary Grace! Guess who's home!?"

"David, this better hadn't be another one of your stray cats you find on the streets..." an older woman began, stopping when she saw Naomi. She brought her hands to her mouth. "My word she looks like Joanna."

"Mary Grace, meet Joanna's daughter, Naomi Adler. Your granddaughter." Davis announced, smiling proudly.

Mary Grace crushed her in a tight hug. She pulled back, her hands on Naomi's shoulders, "Do you like cookies? I just made some, fresh from the oven."

"I would love some. Thank you." Naomi said, her mouth already watering. When was the last time she had eaten?

Mary Grace ushered her into the kitchen, sitting her down in front of a plate of cookies and milk. She and David watched as Naomi practically devoured the plate. When Naomi was finished, she pushed the plate away, sighing, "They were delicious. Thank you."

"So, do you know what happened to the rest of your family?" David asked anxiously. "You have a younger sister named Ayala, correct?"

"Yes, I do. She's really sweet." Naomi smiled. Her smile fell slightly. "We were separated."

"How?" David asked. Sensing her hesitancy, he added. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"No, no I need to. You need to know about my mother." Naomi took in a deep breath. "It was December when our house was bombed by the Germans. I was hiding underneath my father's desk and had been buried by rubble. The Germans came and took my family away. Before that, my father had found me and told me to go to America. He didn't tell my why or how. So I traveled all the way here as a stowaway on one of the ships. I don't know what happened to my family, but from what I've heard about what was happening to the other Jews...they were probably being taken to concentration camps. They probably aren't even alive anymore."

Naomi was sobbing by now, "I don't have anyone left except you."

Mary Grace came around the table and hugged her granddaughter, "We won't ever leave you, Naomi. We are here to stay. We've all had to loose those that we love in the wars. We understand your pain."

Her grandmother and grandfather shared a knowing look, as if they had gone through this before. Naomi nodded, taking a deep breath. She tried pulling herself together, knowing that all wasn't lost. She had a wonderful home to live in with her grandparents. She was still alive, despite all that she had gone through. She had come a long way, with people like her father and Wolfgang who had helped her reach her destination. And for the first time in months, she felt like she was home.

Copyright © 2017 by Rosanna Parker

All Rights Reserved

So I'm getting really close to wrapping this up! I hope you enjoy these last few chapters :) Please vote and comments because that always means a lot!

-Rosanna