Chapter Twenty-Seven

The plan was to take the train through Austria and Czechoslovakia, and from there cross the border into Poland. Once they were across, they’d take the train to Katowice and then find a bus to get them the rest of the way. That was all the information Lidka would share with the Kolodenkos. She said Malwinka lived outside Katowice but would not say where, no matter how often Mr. De Luca tried to trick the information out of her.

“Here are your train tickets,” he said. “I will also buy your bus tickets, just let me know to which town.”

“Nice try, Tony. You like to keep some of your residences secret; so do they,” Lidka said for the final time as they stood near the ticket counter.

Nessa bristled at the use of the familiar name, but she didn’t comment.

The train was scheduled to leave soon, so it was time for good-byes. It was strange to be back at the train station so soon and to be leaving the Kolodenkos behind. Nessa stood with her arms crossed, staring at the roof of the train station. Beside her, Princess Kolodenko unconsciously played with the zipper on her purse. Mr. De Luca was unreadable. After saying good-bye to the girls, he took Johnny aside. Kate strained to listen in, but with all the surrounding noise of the train being prepped to leave, she couldn’t hear anything.

Finally, the last call was given and it was time to go. Princess Kolodenko handed Kate the basket she’d brought from the villa. “This should hold you for the trip,” she said. Maria had packed them several meals. The basket was heavy like the one they tried to deliver to the babuszka.

“Do not look back,” Lidka said after they’d found their seats. “It is easier to leave if you do not.”

Kate wasn’t sure if Lidka said that for her benefit or not. But she had no intention of ignoring the people waiting to see them off.

There was a blast of the whistle followed by a sudden jerk as the train started to move. Kate leaned close to the window and when she saw the Kolodenkos, she gave them a hearty wave. Johnny stood above her and waved as well. Lidka made a noise of disgust before settling into a brooding silence. Kate was glad for the quiet, because it gave her time to think. Johnny held tight to her hand, as if letting go would separate them completely.

The trip would take a couple days if all went well. They had several stops and train changes that could add any number of delays. The car was only half full when they started, but after two stops, several families had boarded and filled in all the empty seats. After sighing several times, Lidka found a newspaper to use as a fan.

They changed trains in Rome, using the between time to have an early lunch, seated knee to knee on a crowded bench. “It’s too bad we can’t do a little exploring while we’re here,” Johnny said.

“Do not waste time sightseeing,” Lidka said, breaking her silence. “You should plan what to do with Malwinka. She can be intimidating. You need to be prepared.”

How can I prepare to meet a legend who strikes fear in one person and fidelity in another? The more Kate learned about Malwinka, the less she knew. It seemed everyone who met her had a different opinion on the woman. It was all so confusing. So she changed the subject. “What did you do after you left the Kolodenkos last?” she asked. She knew it was a point of contention with the family, being the final straw as far as Nessa was concerned. That Lidka had broken Princess Kolodenko’s heart by leaving without telling them. Too many people disappeared during the war, never to be heard from again, and it left a person raw.

Lidka eyed her warily. “I went all over the land, looking for my place. It was hard, but you learn. People everywhere are the same. They think they are different, but when they are desperate they are not. They wanting food. They wanting clothing. They have things to trade that they have hidden. We all hide items to protect them during the war.” She smiled. “Especially where the borders have changed. The Germans who found themselves in the Regained Lands, now part of Poland, have the greatest need and are under much persecution. The anger is still there. We are all angry.”

“Is that why you came back?” Johnny asked.

She quirked a smile. “They are making us go back into our pens. Poles go here. Ukrainians go here. Germans there. Greeks there. And no one wants the Jews anywhere. You would go into villages and people are gone—houses standing, food abandoned, tables with dishes set. Like a life-size dollhouse.”

“I don’t understand,” Kate said. “The war is over. Why can’t everyone go back to their homes?”

“The main war is over, but the aftershocks go on, like earthquake. It is getting better.” She nodded to the people who were on the train with them. “You see all the women, and children, and old people.” She looked at Johnny again. “So many young men have died. Lots of girls are going to America to marry their American soldier boyfriends. Maybe I should go too, eh?” She reached over Kate and playful swatted Johnny’s arm. “I joking. I do not need anyone. I will live to be an old maid. I have had enough of soldiers.”

At Milan, while Lidka was in the ladies’ room, Kate and Johnny discussed their plans. “I’ll be honest and tell Malwinka what I need. There is no reason to make up a story or try to steal them from her. I’m sure she already knows why I am coming to see her.”

Johnny nodded while he flipped open his sketchbook. The arching steel roof above the terminal had caught his artist’s eye and he started to draw. “I agree. We’ll just pray she has a kinder heart than we expect her to have. Be honest, but don’t tell her everything. Only what she needs to know.”

Johnny drew what he could, but soon it was time to board the train. The cars were prepared for nighttime with compartments sectioned off and bunk beds stacked. Lidka smiled. “Thank you, Tony. We traveling in style on this train.” She yawned loudly and stretched. “Good, I am tired of cattle cars.” She noticed Johnny and Kate were holding hands. “So sorry you will be separated. This is the longest part of our journey, so get some sleep. Good night, Johnny,” she said and motioned for Kate to follow her. Over her shoulder she said, “We wake up in Austria, so have your papers ready for the customs people.”

“See you in the morning.” Johnny squeezed her hand and let go.

Kate smiled and followed Lidka. She didn’t like the tone in the girl’s voice when she said they would be separated. So when they found two empty bunks, she propped her bag up as a pillow in case Lidka was tempted to dig through her things looking for the dresses once Kate was asleep. “Good night, Lidka.”

Early in the morning, the customs agents were waiting on the train, and they quickly cleared Kate and Lidka before moving on to the next car. The girls got off and waited on the platform for Johnny. Slowly, the overcast sky had begun to lighten, but still no Johnny.

“The train is going to leave,” Kate said, her voice strained. She craned her neck to see down the row of windows. “I hope he didn’t oversleep. Can we send someone to find him?”

Before Lidka could answer, Johnny bounded off the train. “That was close. They had all kinds of questions for me, and it took some time to find an English speaker who was awake.” He waved as an older gentleman in a fedora and overcoat walked past. “Thanks again.”

Lidka made a noise like mfff and marched off to look at the schedule.

When they caught up with her, she pointed. “That is our train. It is not fancy but will take us to the edge of Czechoslovakia where we change to our last train to Poland. Just over half a day more. Are you ready?”

Kate’s mouth went dry. “Yes.”

The final train through Czechoslovakia stopped at the Polish border. “We get out and walk across,” Lidka said, hiking her bag onto her shoulder.

They got in the long line with their bags to cross the border. It inched forward as everyone’s papers were checked and stamped. Finally, it was their turn. Lidka handled the communication. A border guard spoke to Kate in Polish and she waited for Lidka to translate before answering. He nodded and stamped their paperwork, but when it came to Johnny, he held up his hand for him to stop. “Nie,” he said. The guard wouldn’t let him pass.

Kate touched Lidka’s arm.

“What is going on?” Johnny asked.

Lidka asked the guard, then translated his answer. “They not happy with your papers and will not let you cross. He wants you turn back.” She shrugged, looking unconcerned.

Kate’s eyes grew wide. “Our paperwork checks out. Why doesn’t his?”

Lidka frowned. “Maybe it is because Johnny is here for a movie? They don’t trust the Western press.”

“He’s not the press.”

Lidka spoke again to the guard, telling him Johnny was a visitor, and something using too many words Kate didn’t understand.

This time the guard grew angry. He shook his head and told Johnny to go back.

Again, Lidka shrugged. “I cannot convince them. Do you want to return to Italy?”

Kate looked helplessly at Johnny. “We can’t leave him here by himself.”

“Fine. We turn around.” Lidka started back the way they had come.

Kate didn’t move. She thought of Elsie clutching that diamond. Her hopes were pinned on Kate. Answers were in Poland. The shoes were in Poland. “What is that word the guard used: toe-var-shish?”

“Towarzysz. It means comrade or what is English? Partner. He told me his partner said to not let anyone through who does not have proper paperwork, no exceptions.” She grinned. “I told him Johnny had chocolate with him as bribe, and that is when he got angry. This one thinks he is honest.”

Johnny lifted an eyebrow as if to ask, “What do you want to do?” When she hesitated, he set his jaw. “Can I talk to you alone?” He grabbed her elbow and led her away from Lidka.

“We need to decide now,” Lidka said, raising her voice. “They will send all of us back if we stand here blocking the peoples.”

“I need to go on with her,” Kate whispered. “I’ve come this far and I’ll always have questions if I don’t.”

“She’s done this on purpose. She’s trying to get you alone.”

Kate stepped closer to Johnny so Lidka couldn’t overhear. “I know. But what other choice do I have?”

He took her hands in his. “Wait for Nessa. We’ll try again when her paperwork comes through.”

She shook her head, watching his posture harden. He was steeling himself against her. “Please don’t get mad.”

“I’m trying not to, but I think you are being reckless.”

“Maybe I am, but we’re so close, and we’re running out of time. The summer will be over before we know it and we’ll be back on that ship.”

His jaw remained set.

“What?”

He smirked. “I’m imagining a life where you always choose the Kolodenkos over everything else.”

Kate looked at him incredulously. “Is that what you think I’m doing?” She exhaled. Of course that’s what she was doing. Would always do. It was one of the reasons Babcia thought the legacy was a curse, not a blessing. If she and Johnny were going to continue, they’d each have to decide what the legacy meant to them as a couple. If anything at all. “Maybe so, but this time I’m also choosing my dad.”

The guard walked over to them, arms crossed and face stern.

“Go or stay?” Lidka asked.

Johnny dropped Kate’s hands. “I’ll cable my dad and then turn around for another bumpy ride back. Send us a telegram when you get there so we know you arrived.” He looked at Lidka for confirmation.

“Yes, yes of course. It will be the first thing we do.”

Johnny didn’t look convinced. He shoved his bag at Kate. “I’ve got some money and things in there you could use.”

Kate refused. “No. You keep it.”

“You’re sure?” He hugged Kate and whispered in her ear. “Watch your back. If Lidka tries anything funny, go to the police. I’ll see if I can meet up with your brother in the American zone of Germany and come round that way.” He held her face and kissed her before letting her go. “I will find you.”

“You’d better.” Her voice carried the tone of an apology. She didn’t want to say good-bye on such a sour note. She dug her fingernails into her hand to keep from crying; she couldn’t take Lidka’s scorn right now. She watched him walk away as long as she could, but the crowd was impatient and they pushed her forward while at the same time swallowing him up, and her heart along with him.

She knew he’d be okay on his own, but would she? A surprising ache welled up inside after he disappeared. They were partners, working together to find her dad. Now she was alone. Just the way Lidka wanted her to be.