“Sing!” someone shouts, breaking through the blur of my thoughts.
“Sing!” another voice follows.
My heart aches too much to sing with this morning’s goodbyes still fresh in my mind. Mother’s tears and Grandmother’s attempt to show strength despite all she has already lived through, gnaws at my stomach. And Father’s voice as he told me he’ll miss me… Everything hurts and no matter how many last words we shared, none of them convey the immeasurable distance between us.
Despite it all, I take in the view of the sky and let the melody form deep within my throat, my voice trembling as I attempt to shut out the world around me.
The sky is dark and gray
but behind the clouds, it’s blue.
When I return to the present moment following the chorus, my heart leaps into my throat as I spot her figure glowing in the murky light, her face a golden ray of light amid the gray flock of spectators. She isn’t smiling, but her gaze draws me in, holding me still within this dreamlike moment where the notes of my song float through the air between us. My savior…
Lovely days will come
soon for me and you.
Keep me in your dreams,
And I’ll come to you each night.
Hold me in your arms
Until the morning light
The words of the song fade away and I stumble forward, reaching to grasp her hand, my heart pounding in my chest.“What is your name?” I press with determination, making sure I don’t miss the opportunity to ask again.
Her cheeks blush and she touches her fingers to them, smiling shyly. “It was too late when I realized we didn’t exchange—I’m Ella Bosko,” she says, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’m Luka Dulski, and—and I can’t believe you’re here.”
She peers up at the sky for a short second then shakes her head. “Boy, you’re really taking this humble act a little too far…” Her gaze floats back to mine with a look of intent. “I wanted to hear you sing again,” she admits, her eyes falling to my watch. It’s around the time when the German soldiers will be making their rounds.
“Sing,” she whispers.
“You just took my breath away… Now, I can’t sing.”
“Oh, but you must. Please, do sing!” a gruff voice thunders over mine. “Entertain us, Jewish singer!” A soldier—he must have been standing here this whole time.
“I—I think I’m done,” I say, pulling Ella in behind me.
“No, don’t stop on account of me. Everyone wants to hear you. It’s clear, yes? You’ve even captured the attention of a non-Jewish woman.” He tsks his tongue at me. “We can’t have that here. Shame, shame.”
“She’s a friend,” I argue, nearly choking on my words as this soldier stares at me like I’m his next meal.
“You shouldn’t be hanging around these dirty Jews…friend,” he says to Ella.
I reach down and grab my cap full of coins as the gathering disperses behind the soldier who’s holding his hard stare over me.
“They aren’t—” Ella replies.
But I cut her off, speaking over her. “Good night to you,” I say, leading us away from the soldier. My pulse races and my breaths are short the faster I walk and pull Ella alongside.
The soldier laughs from behind us. “Good night to you,” he says, mocking me in a feminine tone.
“I’m so sorry. It’s not safe for you here, clearly.”
“It’s not safe anywhere in this city,” she says. “But at least I have a good reason for being here.”
