“At least we’re in passenger cars this time.”
Oscar looked out the train window at the passing countryside. He saw farm fields with cows grazing, chickens pecking the dirt, and the occasional pig, rolling in mud. They passed villages, many of them little more than piles of rubble. A boy pedaled alongside the train on a bicycle. He took off his cap and waved. Oscar waved back.
“We’re still being watched by soldiers.” Kati’s voice broke into his thoughts.
“The Russians aren’t as nice as the Americans or British, but they’re nicer than the Nazis,” said Paul.
“At least they are taking us home.” Oscar turned to his mother. “Aren’t they, Anyu?”
“Yes, darling.” She gave him a weak smile.
As Oscar turned back to the window he thought about what had happened since their liberation. In the end, they had stayed in Hillersleben for four months—their mother remained in the hospital the whole time. In August, the British, who had replaced the Americans, had turned all the Hungarian refugees over to the Russian army. The Russians were now in charge of people from Eastern European countries, including Hungary. They put them on a train for Budapest.
Although they were in a passenger train, conditions were far from good. The train moved slowly, stopping often to let troop trains go by or to wait for a damaged bridge to be repaired. Food was whatever the Russians could scavenge from people along the way. There was no place to bathe and only one toilet for each overcrowded car. But we are going home.
Oscar’s body convulsed with a wracking cough. His mother looked at him with a worried expression.
“Oscar, your cold is getting worse.”
“I’m all right, Anyu.” Oscar tried to stifle another cough, but it forced its way out.
Anyu sighed. “At least Paul is fine.”
“I am fine, too, Auntie Lenke,” said Kati. She was seated across from them, between her mother and Magdi.
“Thank God.” Anyu rested her head against the back of the seat and closed her eyes. Just then the train squealed to a stop.
“Another delay,” Aunt Bella grumbled. “Will we ever get home? The war has been over for five months but we are still wandering around Europe like lost souls.”
Oscar pulled down the window and stuck his head outside. The train had stopped in the middle of a village. Three Russian soldiers were arguing with a group of women. One of them pointed to a badly damaged house. Most of the roof was gone and the windows were shattered. The soldier snapped an order. The woman turned and ran to the house, returning a few minutes later with a basket filled with bread, a fat round sausage, and some apples. The other women, who had scattered at the soldier’s command, returned with similarly filled baskets, which the soldiers took before jumping back on the train.
Oscar turned away from the window. Anyu had fallen asleep. Paul was curled up on the seat with his head in her lap. Aunt Bella had also dozed off. Kati and Magdi were playing a clapping game. He wrapped his arms around his chest. No more coughing, he told himself. I have to be strong so I can help find Apu. He closed his eyes and let the rhythm of the train rock him to sleep.