Warsaw Freedom

Warsaw Freedom

by

Kimberly Kaplan

Copyright 2012 by Kimberly Kaplan

All rights reserved

Published by Kimberly Kaplan

For more information or questions visit my website

kimberlykaplan.com

or contact tipsautismmom@yahoo.com

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THANKS

Michael and Jason

Louise Damberg

Mom, for writing before me

Prologue

How had he survived the war? He did not like to think about World War II or his own survival. The memories made him too sad. Whenever he had been pressed to discuss the war, he had always opted to talk about two women instead. One of the women was his mother. Both women had possessed courage beyond any he could ever imagine. That was why he felt more comfortable telling their story. Theirs was a story worth telling.

Chapter One

She was polishing the bronze pieces, the ones with diamond inlays, when she looked up and saw her friend enter the jewelry shop. Stefania had never seen Fil look so worried. Yet she knew what it was about. Of course she knew.

Fil? Stefania said.

They are coming, he said. Fil shook his head slightly, then leaned against one of the jewelry cases, exhausted.

Stefania watched Fil rub his hands. Usually, whenever he visited the shop, those hands held a basket of pastries from his bakery. Fil held no such basket today. Why had he not brought some of his sweets this time?

Fil, we have heard the rumors before.

They crossed the border last night. My cousin works in the hall. He received a wire. They are coming, Stefania. The Germans are coming to Warsaw.

Stefania still held her polishing cloth. She looked at her own hands when she realized she was squeezing the cloth. She folded it and laid it on the counter.

Will you go to the meeting tonight? Stefania asked. We can confirm your information.

Fil shook his head then looked up at Stefania. We will not be going. We are leaving.

Stefania quickly maneuvered around the counter to face Fil. No, you cannot leave.

My cousin tells me that the Germans will march across Poland quickly. They will make it here in, perhaps, one or two weeks. This is our opportunity.

To run away from your home? Where will you go?

North, he said. We hope to make it to Switzerland.

With the baby?

Fil glared at Stefania. We have no future here! My cousin tells me that when they take Warsaw, they will take everything—my home, my bakery.

You do not know this. Your cousin cannot...

He works with the general council. He does know, Stefania.

Stefania studied Fil’s face for a moment. His expression was a look Stefania had never seen on her friend—a combination of rage, worry, and defiance. Yet, she had seen this same look on others. It was becoming common.

The door opened and a man entered. The man was Janek Benman, Stefania’s husband. Janek stopped between Fil and Stefania. What is it? he asked them.

Fil says he has confirmation that the Germans have invaded Poland.

Janek let out a breath. He did this often, took his time before speaking. He finally said, They will come here, of course.

Two weeks at most, said Fil.

You do not know that, snapped Stefania.

Fil shook his head. Janek, we are leaving. Please, do me a favor. Discuss the possibility of leaving with your wife.

I am standing right here, said Stefania.

Fil gave Stefania a sharp look. But you are not listening.

Janek put up his hand. No bickering, please. He knew his wife and Fil, even though close friends who trusted each other, often argued. It was almost as if the two of them liked arguing with each other. Their arguments were known to last many hours. This time, they did not have many hours.

Janek looked at his wife. Why don’t you go meet the boys, Stefania?

Where are they? asked Fil.

School, said Stefania.

Fil shook his head and paced to the other side of the shop. Do you listen at the community meetings, Stefania? You go to all of them. You sit with Ringelbaum and Trottem. You nod your head like you understand. You offer your opinions, but do you listen?

Of course I do. There is a reason why I am asked my opinion, Fil.

And, yet, you still send your sons to school?

The schools are still open. They need an education. So, yes, they go to school.

Fil again paced around the jewelry shop. For the last two months, many at the meetings agreed the Germans are coming. And now it is true.

And what does that mean, Fil? That you pack up your life and run away?

We should have left a month ago. I wanted to. But Uni talked me out of it. Now it will be more difficult.

Janek put his hand on Fil’s shoulder. Fil, you must have other things to do besides engage Stefania in yet another long-winded argument. He looked from Fil to Stefania then back to Fil. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was you two who are married.

Arguing this strongly, and this often, made it hard for Stefania to stop arguing. All I am saying, Fil, is it is not easy to give up a life and run away. What do you take with you? Where do you go? How do you feed your family? You with four children—and one is a baby!

Stefania…, Janek said softly. Stefania hated how Janek could contain his emotions with his voice. She often struggled to read those emotions. Was he upset? Was he fearful? His best friend had just told him that he is leaving because the German nation is invading Poland and will be in Warsaw soon. How did this news affect him? She knew when to ask him, though. She did know her husband. She would ask at home that evening during their quiet time.

Janek held out his right hand to his friend. Fil did not accept Janek’s hand, but he finally looked more like himself. He went to his dearest friend and wrapped his arms around him. I know you do not hug, Janek, but let this remind you of our friendship.

After Fil released Janek and stepped back, Janek tugged at the bottom of his jacket to compose himself, then he looked back at his friend. I will remember you, my friend. And not just because of a bear hug. Fil smiled.

Now that Stefania was looking at the real Fil, her anger subsided. Fil was not the only person who was leaving. He was also not the only one she had argued with. Many were leaving, or trying to leave. Stefania had argued for staying. Perhaps the Germans would simply install a new government and nothing would change. She had argued against panicking. That was one reason she always attended the meetings—to try to calm people down. But most she knew were panicking.

Her argument with Fil, however, was over. He had made his decision. She could see it in his smile. She went to her friend and wrapped her arms around him. They hugged for a long moment and then Stefania asked, When can I see Uni? I need to say goodbye.

Fil’s frown returned. This time his look was pure sadness. She left with the children this morning. We will stay at her sister’s overnight and leave the next morning.

Stefania nodded, then looked at Janek.

Janek knew his wife wanted to say goodbye to her friend, but Janek was simply not prudent for Stefania to spend half traveling to northern Warsaw. These days, families tried not to separate for more than a few hours, and, if they did, it was only within a few blocks, like their boys’ school.

Janek shook his head slightly and Stefania understood. She looked at Fil. Hug her for me, please.

I will.

Fil headed to the door, opened it, and carefully shut it behind him, without looking back at his friends. Stefania and Janek watched him through the window. He crossed the street, turned a corner, and disappeared.

Janek reached out his hand and Stefania took it. I should go get the boys, said Stefania.

Yes, said Janek. It is not easy for you, is it?

Stefania let go of Janek’s hand and said, I really didn’t think Fil and Uni would leave.

Stefania headed to the door. Will you go to the meeting tonight? said Janek. Stefania stopped at the door and turned back to her husband. Of course.

Will you tell me what they are saying at the meeting?

Of course, Janek.

Really tell me, Stefania. If they are promoting leaving?

Now you’re considering it?

We have not discussed it.

And we won’t.

Stefania opened the door and closed it behind her not nearly as quietly as Fil had. She would not discuss it. She crossed her arms and hugged her body as she began to walk toward Sienna Street and the boys’ school.

She knew Janek would revisit the topic of leaving during their quiet time tonight. Over the last three months, she had never understood how easy it seemed for people to leave. And, now, Janek wanted to leave?

Janek was not like her first husband, Ichaak, who had died in a bar fight after only one year of marriage. When she and Ichaak were in disagreement, Ichaak stormed out of the house and drank and brawled.

When Janek felt strongly about something, he had a way of steering her toward his views. She liked that he did not panic easily, and she trusted his instincts, so from time to time she would bend her views. But this time? Could she consider leaving Warsaw?

Stefania stopped across the street from her sons’ school. Among the trickle of students leaving the school were her sons. Her older boy, Josek, was fifteen. He had a wiry frame with dark features. He not only looked more like Stefania’s side of the family but he also shared Stefania’s argumentative nature. Julian had recently turned thirteen. He was as tall as Josek, and bulkier, and would be taller than his father, Stefania figured. Julian definitely took after Janek’s nature.

As she watched her sons notice her and cross the street toward her, Stefania thought again, could she leave Warsaw? But she could not think about that question right now. She had other duties. Patience, she reminded herself as her boys were only a few feet away. For them, and Janek, I must be patient.

* * *

Stefania went to the community meeting that night. As she walked in, Heinman was speaking. When this Hitler became leader of his Nazi party, many still hoped that his words were not true, Heinman was saying. Heinman always attended the meetings and was known for giving long, and very loud, speeches. He had his followers and sometimes was persuasive. He also had his naysayers.

Stefania found a seat toward the back. For some reason, she did not feel like sitting with her regulars.

"We all prayed he was not a man of action. We were wrong, Heinman said. He raised a fist into the air and many heads in the room nodded their approval. Poland is now going to be a satellite nation of Germany."

We do not know that, said a man in the front row. Stefania craned her neck to see who had spoken. She was pretty sure it was her friend Ringelbaum.

We do. We are all Germans now.

They are not even in Warsaw, Ringelbaum said while throwing his hands up in the air.

Yet, Heinman shot back, they will be soon!

Like Stefania and Fil, Ringelbaum and Heinman were familiar sparring partners. With a topic of this importance, the forty people in attendance were listening attentively.

Stefania stood up. Excuse me, she said, as Heinman and many others turned to see who had spoken. What can they do? I own a business. Can Germany take my business from me?

They could, answered Heinman.

But do you know for sure? said Stefania. She had come to this meeting to get answers. She was determined to bring something substantial back to Janek. Can you say positively that it will happen that way?

Heinman shifted his stance. He had sparred with Stefania Benman in the past. Did he have enough energy to do so now? I...cannot say for certain.

What is happening with the Polish officials? What plans have they made?

Heinman shook his head. I do not know.

Are they still here? Do they think the rest of us should leave?

I have not heard, Heinman said, again shifting uncomfortably.

If Poland does become, what you call ‘a satellite German nation,’ then tell us exactly what that will mean, Heinman, said Stefania. Will I still own my business? Can I remain in my home? Can my sons stay in the same school? Do I have to learn German?

Several chuckles were heard in the room, and Heinman’s face turned red as he realized Stefania had taken over the argument. He was a competitor, though, and wanted to recapture his audience. I advocate leaving. I will not stay to find out what the German plans are for us.

For Warsaw.

For us.

What does that mean? asked Stefania.

This Hitler has strongly implied a dislike for Jews. In Germany, they are persecuted.

You know this for a fact?

A silence invaded the argument for a moment. Arguing with Stefania Benman was exhausting and one had to be quick on one’s feet. Heinman had an answer for her this time. I have spoken with German Jewish refugees. They had to run from Germany to escape strict new policies that were aimed to harm them specifically.

They ran to Poland? Not very smart. More laughter. Stefania had not intended to make light of this meeting, and she immediately regretted the comment that had caused the laughter. They should not be laughing right now, thought Stefania.

One more line of questions, if you don’t mind, said Stefania. Should all the residents of Warsaw simply run away? Is that the type of people we are? Is that how we feel about our home? Do we really know for certain that because Germans have crossed the Polish border they will come here and take over? And what exactly does that mean? I will not leave my home. I fear a...transition. I do not look forward to it. But, I will not leave. I will never be German. Whether I have to live under German law or not, I am a Pole. A Jewish Pole. And I live in Warsaw. And that will never change.

Stefania realized she had said enough. She had not come to the meeting in search of an argument. It was pointless. She had made her decision. She suddenly wanted to leave. She headed to the door and swiftly walked out of the room and down the street to her home.

* * *

An hour later, Stefania was sitting on the piano bench next to Josek. He was practicing his scales on Stefania’s mother’s piano. Josek was eager to finish his lesson and return to his comic, 120 Adventures of Koziolek Matolek. He was not concentrating and was making mistakes.

Josek did not often make mistakes during his lessons. He had Stefania’s musical ability. Stefania’s mother had played the piano professionally and her uncle was a professional violinist. Her sister and younger brother were both musical as well. Her childhood home had always been filled with music.

Stefania should have been bothered not only by Josek’s mistakes but also by the piano being out of tune. Yet Stefania had not stopped Josek to correct him.

Josek finally stopped and looked at his mother. Am I finished yet, Mama?

Stefania smiled at her son. She realized they both were not interested in music this evening. Yes, she said. She watched Josek get up from the piano bench, grab his comic book, and head down the hallway toward his bedroom, slip inside, and close the door.

Stefania swiveled her legs to the opposite side of the bench to face her husband. Where is Julian? she asked.

His room, I think, Janek said.

Where else would he be? Stefania thought. We’ve forbidden our sons to go anywhere except school and the shop. I should know better than to ask that question. Stefania took a deep breath. This was not the usual time that she and Janek talked, but she suddenly felt she needed to say something important. I will not leave, Janek.

Janek put down his newspaper. He stared at Stefania for a moment. I know.

And?

And...we stay.

Stefania nodded. I think we should stop sending the boys to school.

Why is that?

There are not many students left and only a handful of teachers. I can give them lessons here and at the shop.

Janek nodded. Stefania stood up from the piano bench, walked to the couch, and sat close to her husband. I think staying does not mean living carelessly. I think we should still be smart and careful.

"Ironic that you want to be smart and not send the boys to school."

Stefania smiled and Janek put his arm around her. She did love Janek’s sense of humor. She also loved his subtle way at intimacy. His joke was meant to get her to smile and it worked.

I want to hide some of the good pieces, Janek.

You really do want to be careful.

The Germans will come here. Our forces will fight but, I don’t know, do you feel confident Poland can keep them out of Warsaw?

Everything I have read says they have large numbers of well-trained fighters. We are a smaller nation, especially our armed forces. No, I do not believe we can keep them out.

We have about a dozen pieces that are worth the most. I have checked the books and discussed them with Ricker and Pressell.

You’ve been discussing our pieces with our competitors?

To cost compare. I know which ones I do not want to sell. And I think they should be hidden.

At the shop?

I think some there and a few here as well.

Janek smoothed out his newspaper for a long moment. Stefania knew the discussion had not ended. She also knew Janek was preparing to say something important. He looked back at his wife and said, Stefania, are we discussing being careful, or are we discussing living in fear?

It is not fear. I do not feel fear when I walk the streets.

What will you feel when they are here?

"I do not know. I cannot predict it.’

Then what is it that we are discussing?

Stefania took her time. She would not let her proclivity for blurting out an answer to overcome her at this moment. She knew what she wanted to say, but how to say it to Janek? I am not saying we hide here. That is living in fear. I will not do that.

We might have to. It might become unsafe.

Stefania nodded. Yes, it might come to that. That is true. But while we still live here and go outside, we cannot walk around in fear.

Warsaw is not the same place, Stefania.

I believe in Warsaw. I believe it will come back. We can run the shop.

We’ve had no business for three weeks.

Then I propose we go to prepare. We can act like all is normal but we need to get the good pieces and perhaps even hide some food there.

At the shop?

Janek, we do not know where we will be when they come. We do not know for sure even if the Germans will take over Warsaw. We know nothing. We are lucky, in a way. Our shop is six blocks away. We have two places to go if we need to. I propose we simply prepare.

Wouldn’t leaving be simpler?

There it was, she had not yet convinced Janek to stay. I will not leave, Janek. I cannot leave. She looked down at her hands. She wanted to look at Janek but decided she did not want to see his reaction.

You’ve been called stubborn by others, Janek said with a small smile. Stefania knew he was teasing again yet was also serious. They had argued in the past about Stefania’s stubbornness, a trait she did not fully acknowledge. She did not feel stubborn. Strong? Yes. Confident? Yes. Happy to be living in Warsaw, Poland? Yes. She did not agree with the moniker of stubborn because she would relent at times. What about this time? Stefania thought. If I stand my ground, Janek believes I’m simply being stubborn. Even if it is not so.

Stefania felt a sudden heaviness. She felt exhausted and knew she needed to rest. She laid her head on Janek’s shoulder. My life is here, she whispered. With you and the boys. I am prepared to adjust my life here in Warsaw. I am not prepared to go beyond Warsaw.

Janek squeezed his wife. He nodded but did not reply. They sat quietly for a long time. There would be no more words tonight. No arguments. No discussions. Only holding onto each other.

* * *

It had been less than two weeks since the Germans had invaded Poland for the second time in the 20th century. Stefania and her family had hidden in the basement of their building, along with several other neighbors. They had been there for three weeks.

During their seclusion, they had not seen nor heard any German troops. But German airplanes had dropped shells, and bombs had gone off. Some sounded distant; others did not.

Finally, after one full day of relative quiet, Stefani and her family returned to their apartment. Provisions were beginning to run low, and the boys were beginning to feel too shut in.

Luckily, their building had been spared a direct hit. Their front-facing windows had been shattered, but the rest of their apartment was in decent shape.

After a few hours of cleaning up and boarding the windows, Stefania looked at her husband. We need to retrieve those pieces from the shop, Janek.

Janek put down his hammer. I will go, he said.

We go together, said Stefania.

Stefania, I want you and the boys to stay here.

Stefania shook her head. This time, she thought, I am going to be stubborn. I want to go, Janek. And I do not want to leave the boys here alone.

We can stay by ourselves, Mama, said Josek.

No, Stefania said quickly. We all go together.

Janek’s shoulders slumped. He wanted to argue with his wife, even though he felt his chances of success against Stefania were low. Stefania was adept at confrontation; Janek was weak when it came to debate.

He certainly felt his wife was being stubborn. But there was something else in her look and her tone. A determination of sorts. An eagerness. Did she think the worst was over?

Perhaps it was. His wife had strong instincts. He trusted her. Is that what you want?

Stefania knew Janek never passed up an opportunity to re-confirm a significant decision. This was a significant decision. She was glad he was asking her again. Yes, she said.

Janek looked at Josek. Get your brother, we are going, he said.

Pappy, we can stay.

You will come. Now go get Julian.

Josek frowned and headed to the back bedroom to retrieve Julian.

A few minutes later, they ventured outside. Stefania’s stomach fell at the first thing she saw, the Saski building one block away. Its facade and a top corner were gone. Stefania loved that building. It had elaborate arches and lovely bronze pieces adorning the entranceway. If they could one day have afforded it, she had dreamed of living there.

Stefania looked at the rest of her street. The ground was pockmarked with holes. Many windows were completely missing. Debris was everywhere. They heard a distant siren.

What made Stefania feel worse was the lack of people. She saw two men in front of one building and an old woman strolling slowly away from them. She noticed a few children hanging out of a long window. But that was all.

Where were all the people? The bombs had stopped. According to their neighbor’s wireless, the Germans were in Warsaw and beginning to take over the Polish government and re-organize. Where were all the Warsawians? Her people? Her friends? This neighborhood had had such life just a few weeks ago.

Janek took Stefania’s elbow and guided her down the street. They walked the six blocks to their shop slowly. They had to be careful where they stepped and did not want to appear as if they were rushing.

They stopped in front of their shop. The windows had been blown out. The glass from the large panes had shattered inside the shop and now covered the floor. The building itself had a few spots where it had suffered damage, but it was still standing, unlike the building directly across the street, which lay in rubble.

They stared at the shop for a long moment. Janek stepped carefully inside the shop through the door frame. He noticed a section of the ceiling had fallen.

He looked back at Stefania and the boys. Josek, take Julian to the alley. Find the large pieces of wood and drag them here.

What wood? asked Josek.

The pieces your father and I put there a few days ago, said Stefania. It had been a last-minute decision by Stefania and Janek to buy some boards and hide them in case they were needed to make quick repairs to the shop. They were needed.

Josek shrugged and headed toward the nearby alley. Julian said, What about nails?

They’re inside. I’ll get them, said Stefania as she carefully stepped toward the shop.

Josek grabbed his brother’s sleeve and the two boys headed off to get the boards.

Janek and Stefania had to step very carefully inside the shop. Janek immediately retrieved the six valuable pieces of jewelry they had hidden. He put them in his pockets. He thought of a few other pieces, less valuable ones but pieces that might come in handy. The ones he could safely locate inside the shattered glass cases he added to his pockets.

Stefania found the can of nails and the hammer.

The boys dragged the first board to the front of the shop and all four of them began to hammer it into place. They repeated this procedure four more times, three more boards to cover up the windows and one to replace the glass from the door.

When they had finished, Janek closed the door and joined his wife and sons in the street. That was when they saw their first glimpse of German troops.

A truck roared down the street toward them. Janek instinctively maneuvered his wife and sons a safe distance from the oncoming truck.

Stefania felt herself holding her breath as the truck reached them, then passed without stopping. The back of the truck held about twenty German soldiers. Each wore a dark uniform, sat on a bench, and held a rifle in his hands.

How come they went by? asked Josek.

They do not want to talk to us right now, answered Janek.

Stefania watched the truck turn right at the next large intersection and disappear. That might be the only time they won’t bother us, said Stefania.

A bomb suddenly went off. The sound had been so different in the street. In the basement, they had known exactly when a bomb had been near and when one had been distant. Outside, it was