Chapter 8

Colonel Max Brodsky gave the eulogy at the funeral of Brigadier General Benjamin Grossman while Herzl sat in the front row staring blindly at the casket that contained what had been collected of his father’s body.

“My very dear and close friend, Benjamin Grossman,” Brodsky said, “a dear friend and warm comrade to so many of us here today, has been a hero for all the years he lived in Israel. His contributions to the defense of his beloved land need no repeating here. In his rise to the rank of brigadier general he gave constant proof of that heroism time after time; his men loved him as well as respecting him.”

He paused and looked down at the casket sadly.

“Now he is dead, and in dying he gave further proof of that heroism. He was investigating an organization of enemies of Israel, the organization that had killed his beloved wife, Deborah. At the time of his death he gave his life to save the lives of others, including my own, and that of his son. But Benjamin Grossman will never really be dead to those of us fortunate enough to know and admire him. He will live in our hearts and memories as long as we live. And he left a fine, strong sabra son to carry on his name.”

He looked down at Herzl; Herzl’s eyes left the casket to look up at the speaker at the podium.

“For all the time I have known him, Benjamin Grossman was a fine man, a dedicated husband, a wonderful father, a great Israeli, and he gave his own life to save others. There is little more any man can wish to have said for him when his time comes.”

Herzl and Brodsky stood alone after Morris Wolf and the other old friends of Benjamin Grossman had left the cemetery.

“Remember what I said,” Brodsky said in a kindly tone. “Forget everything else. For all the time I knew him he was a fine man, a dedicated husband, a wonderful father, a great Israeli, and he gave his life to save yours and mine. Those are the characteristics you’ve inherited, Herzl. No others. Plus the wonderful ones you have from your mother. Don’t think of the past; you are the present, and the future.” He hesitated a moment and then said, “We’re both alone. Why not come and live with me?”

Herzl shook his head slowly.

“No,” he said quietly, “I’m going to Munich. And when I come back I hope not to be alone.”