Only Us (A Holocaust Love Story), Simon and Garfunkel

Chapter 3

"Momma, where are you taking Jerome?" Art watched his mother grab Jerome by the hand and started to play with the door knob.

"A better place." His mother opened the door.

"You're murdering him?" Art asked shocked.

"No, I'm going to get him smuggled out of the ghetto. He might have a better life. It was a very tough decision, I had to choose between my three children. It will always be a burden to me that I had to choose only one of you, but at least it puts my mind at ease that one of you might survive." She teared up.

"We all couldn't go?" Art got angry. He wanted Jerome's chance at life. Then he thought that he was thinking selfishly. Everyone in the ghetto wanted a bigger chance of survival, but they didn't get the opportunity. Art respected his mother's decision a little bit more. 

"Nope, I was told they would take one of my children. It breaks my heart." She placed her hand on her heart.

"Good luck, I'm going to miss you Jerome." Art hugged Jerome for the last time.

"Bye!" He waved.

Art had tears streaming down his face. That would be the last time he'd ever see his brother. Jerome was one of his best friends, and he was always there. He would come to Art for advice. Art would miss that. His face was gleeful as he left the room, he knew he might actually become happy.

Art followed his mother. Instead of leaving, he looked to the side to see if Paul was sitting there. He was. Instead of having the piece of paper out in front of himself studying letters, he had an old photo in his hands.

"Paul, are you okay?" Art could see Paul's rosy cheeks, and once he raised his head Art saw the tears that were falling down his face.

"I miss him so much." Paul pointed to his father in the picture. 

Art nodded, "My brother was just taken away, my mother wanted to give him a better life."

"Just imagine watching your father get shot," Paul said, disregarding what Art just had said.

"It's hard, I bet." Art sighed.

"It was heart wrenching, my mother is heartbroken." He cried harder. "I want to see the ghetto, I want to know it all."

"Are you crazy? You could get killed right on sight, that is dangerous!" Art shouted.

"I don't care at this point, I'm going to end up dead anyway. We all will be dead!" Paul screamed through clenched teeth.

"Don't think like that, we will survive." Art tried to reason with Paul.

"No, they are ruthless. They will kill anyone of us for their pleasure!" Paul got up.

He started to walk across the hall, his hands deep in his pockets. He wouldn't look up from the ground, he was determined to see the hell hole he lived in. He didn't want to be shielded from the horrors anymore. Art stood idol for a moment, before following Paul.

"Why are you following me?" Paul asked.

"You shouldn't go alone," Art held his hand out. Paul took it with pleasure, he was relieved Art wanted to go with him. "We need to be extra careful."

They leaped down the steps, but when they made it to the door they both froze like ice. Art stared at Paul for approval for a short second. Paul outstretched his hand and opened the door. I really am crazy, he thought to himself. They made it out the apartment, and Paul took a good look around. He absorbed his surroundings.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Art asked to make sure.

"Yes, now you can come with me or you can go back." Paul continued on his journey.