Warm regards to your family and mine.
24 November 1975
My dearest and most beloved, my Michael,
Today I phoned your mother and we spoke at length. I’ll try to visit them during the week. I began a new painting– abstract. The start pleases me very much; may the continuation be just as good.
It’s been two days without letters from you.
Michael, I love you; I love you terribly. I am yours with every fiber of my being and in my soul.
If only I knew where you were now, I’d start running toward you, running and running until I reached you. I’d kiss you and turn around.
Maybe dreams will bring us together, I hope so. When I dream of you, the dream becomes reality; when you are here with me, reality becomes a dream. A mixture of presence and absence.
My love, already half a week has passed. I hope you’ll be here this weekend. You know I can’t live without you – I must be with you, to cover your face with caresses and kisses. Oh, Michael, my yearning grows and grows, swelling into a flood that nothing can withstand.
My man, I am waiting for you, I love you madly.
Yours, yours, yours,
Lily.
P.S. Greetings to David.
Chapter 29
First Honeymoon?
David and Serge served as the witnesses at the rabbinate. I don’t know what questions they were asked, but I’m sure neither of them broke the ninth commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
On Saturday morning, Lily painted. She completed a piece she was supposed to hand in on Sunday morning. We spent the afternoon at the United Cinema. Lily watched the movie, and I caught up on some sleep; all I can remember was the way home.
On Sunday, I returned to base.
“Michael,” I heard the squad commander’s voice. We were in some lecture about the judicial system. For the first time, half the platoon had fallen asleep on the floor, the accumulated fatigue taking its toll. I hadn’t done much better. I managed to hold out only by putting drops in my eyes every hour or so.
“Yes, Commander,” I shook my head quickly, jumped up, and saluted.
“Come!”
I followed him out.
“You can take leave until the end of the week,” he said, surprising me.
“I don’t understand, Commander. Did something happen?” My first thought was of Lily.
“Didn’t you get married?”
“Yes, Commander … not exactly … but yes!”
“I heard from your friends, so you deserve a week’s leave.” He was determined and ignored my “not exactly.”
“But … but I didn’t ask.” I felt confused.
“I know! But I decided!” He emphasized the final words. “Don’t worry, this isn’t a dismissal.”
“If they’re giving, don’t refuse…” I faintly remembered my brother’s words.
