To Earth and Back

  > > >

  The scene showed Mr. Behr and Pesche seated at the kitchen table. Mrs. Behr and the children were upstairs.

  “Trouble is coming, Pesche,” Mr. Behr said with gravity. “You must go.”

  Pesche drew back. “No, Mr. Behr, my place is here...to protect the family. For this, you hired me.”

  “I hired you to protect us from local trouble, not the German Army. If you try to protect us now, you will certainly die, and us with you. Please understand. I am not letting you go. If you are willing, you can still work for me, only in a different way.”

  Pesche’s forehead wrinkled. “How, ‘in a different way?’”

  “We have the Swiss passports. We should be all right. But if not...if they take us away, I want you to try to find us and do everything you can to free us—even if it’s just one of us. Are you willing to try?”

  Pesche smiled. “I will.”

  Mr. Behr opened a box he had brought to the table, removed a large sum of money, and placed it in Pesche’s hand. “If we are arrested, use this to hire whoever you need to help us. If we cannot be helped, use the money to fight the Germans.” He then opened a small envelope and poured out a dozen diamonds. “And these are for you, for your excellent service to my family and me.”

  Pesche’s eyes began to tear. “No, Mr. Behr—too much.”

  Ignoring his objection, Mr. Behr said, “Go now, my friend. The Germans will be coming. Watch from a distance. Who knows, maybe they will leave us alone.”

  # # #

  “It seems to me that Pesche was a good investment,” Merrick noted. “But didn’t Mr. Behr hold anything back for the family?”

  Ari nodded, and said, “He kept several dozen stones and a fair amount of cash. Mrs. Behr concealed the stones in the hems of their clothing and sewed the cash into the lining of their bags.”

  CHAPTER 15

  “Thirty days later, the Germans reached Kopasvar,” Ari said. “They cleared the buildings in the northwest quarter of town for a ghetto, fanned out into the countryside, and began a systematic round-up of the Jews. On a spring day in 1944, a squad of German soldiers entered the farm.”

  > > >

  Mr. Behr was standing in front of the barn. He turned at the unfamiliar sound of an approaching vehicle and went to alert the family. After retrieving the Swedish passports, he brought everyone outside and instructed them to remain silent.

  The small personnel carrier ground to a halt in front of the house, only yards from the family. A young lieutenant with holstered sidearm dismounted from the passenger side. Two soldiers who stood behind the cab jumped to the ground, shouldered their rifles, and quickly joined him as he approached the family. Their faces were uniformly stern. The lieutenant’s expression altered briefly when he took note of Mrs. Behr. “Papers!” he demanded.

  Mr. Behr presented the passports as his wife stood silent. Adie held onto the boys, the youngest clutching a small stuffed bear, the other, a comic book.

  “This passport says you are from Sweden,” the lieutenant said with a skeptical look. “If this is so, then say something in Swedish.”

  Mr. Behr responded in German. “We were originally from the United States. We do not speak the language.”

  “How can you have Swedish passports and not speak a word of the language?” he asked, spreading his arms in a mocking gesture. Then addressing his men from the corner of his mouth—“This Jew thinks he’s going to...what do they say in America...‘pull my leg.’”

  The two soldiers started to laugh.

  Mr. Behr protested, saying, “Surely not everyone with a German passport speaks German.”

  One of the soldiers quickly raised the butt of his gun to strike Mr. Behr, but the lieutenant caught the man mid-swing. “Out of respect for Frau Behr, the distinguished pianist,” he dipped his helmet, “you will not be struck for insolence,” he said, in a condescending tone.

  Stress registered immediately on Mrs. Behr’s face.

  “Yes, Frau Behr, even humble lieutenants like me appreciate a good concert from time to time.” His face hardened. “I know your family is German, and I know your husband is Jewish; the children also. My orders are to bring in all Jews—no exceptions. However, you, Frau Behr, are not a Jew, and therefore are free to go.”

  “I will not leave my family,” Mrs. Behr said with conviction.

  “I expected not,” the lieutenant said, turning back to Mr. Behr. “You may bring two bags—no more. Ten minutes, then we go to Kopasvar. You may present your case to the commandant.”

  # # #

  CHAPTER 16

  “Evidently, the German troops in Kopasvar had very little experience in running a detention facility,” Ari said. “They just checked the family for weapons and assigned them to an upstairs apartment near the center of the ghetto.

  “Living conditions were deplorable, and food was scarce. Fortunately, some concerned townspeople managed to persuade the Germans to allow food deliveries. When Pesche got word, he and two other partisans volunteered to help. Once inside the ghetto, Pesche arranged a meeting with the Jewish leadership, telling the Germans he needed to coordinate food distribution.” Ari tipped his head toward the display. “This was their first discussion.”

  > > >

  Five Jewish council members stood opposite the partisans in a ground floor apartment-turned-office. Time was limited, and the conversation moved briskly. Both parties spoke Hungarian.

  “It is important you know,” Pesche began, “we are partisans. If the Germans find out, we will die. You must understand, things are very bad for Jews in Hungary. Many are deported to work camps. This place is a waiting station. Soon, all Jews will be loaded on trains and moved north.”

  Pesche’s words were blunt and clearly shocked the Jewish leadership. “Why are you telling us this if things are so hopeless?” the head council member asked. “Certainly you don’t expect us to tell everyone. There would be panic.”

  “The Germans built this place very fast,” Pesche continued. “We have seen weaknesses…. They brought you in, but took no names. Soon you will be registered. There may still be time to get some of the young people out.”

  Appearing skeptical, the councilman asked, “How many? When?”

  “Six, maybe ten, but soon, very soon. Keep these young ones inside, away from the guards, so when they leave, they will not be missed.”

  “You said, ‘young people.’ How young?”

  “Teenage...maybe fourteen...eighteen; like that. They must be strong to walk a long distance for many days.”

  “Why? Where will you take them?”

  “Partisan camps in Hungary; maybe Czechoslovakia. We will send a message back so you know.” Pesche looked intently at the head council member. “We must go now. Think about this. Talk with the parents who have children this age. We will try to come back tomorrow. You must have an answer. There may be no other chance to talk.”

  The councilman gave a nod. “We will have an answer...and thank you for taking the risk to see us.”

  Pesche remained stern-faced. “If tomorrow you say, ‘yes,’ we will discuss a plan. One thing more—tell Mr. Behr, Pesche was here.”

  # # #

  “What did Pesche mean by ‘weaknesses?’” Merrick asked.

  “Just that the Germans were in such a rush to set up the ghetto, they hadn’t adequately planned to contain the population. Pesche and his comrades discovered a few weak areas in the Germans’ strategy and planned to take advantage.”

  “So how did Adie’s parents take all this?”

  “Not well—as you might expect. For Mr. Behr, the thought of sending Adie away was pure torment; while at the same time I think he found some consolation in knowing that she would be in Pesche’s care. Ultimately, he came to terms with it and spoke with Mrs. Behr. As I recall, the dialog was fairly heated. She felt the risks were too high—higher than keeping Adie in the ghetto. But Mr. Behr was determined, and eventually she gave in. Even so, when they spoke with Ad
ie the next day, it all started over again—very difficult, very emotional. In the end, Adie promised to obey her parents and go, with the hope of seeing them again after the war. Here’s what happened the next day when Pesche returned.”

  > > >

  Pesche stood alone this time, facing all eight council members. He was quick and focused. “Someone must watch at the window for the Germans,” he said. “Quickly, what is your decision?”

  “Seven families have agreed; eight children in all,” the head council member said.

  “Is Adie Behr one of these?”

  With a confused expression, the head member said, “Yes, why?”

  “I will speak quickly, now. Please listen carefully. I have worked for Mr. Behr five years. He continues to employ me. I promised to help if his family was arrested. Tell him I have spoken with my comrades. We feel that their boys are too young to travel and pose too great a risk. So, I can only help Adie.” Pesche paused for effect. “Now—very important: We will not take the others without Adie. She must be with them.” Pesche scanned the council. “Do you understand this?”

  They responded with a nod.

  “Then this I promise. We will protect all these children with our lives.” Pesche’s expression was bold and unswerving. “Now, here is our plan. On Sunday, week after next, at half past one in the morning, we will be at the edge of the wooded area on the northwest corner of the ghetto. The building on that corner has six upstairs apartments. Put two children in each of the four apartments closest to the corner. The Germans have boarded up the apartments below and sealed the upstairs windows where the children will be, so they should not expect an escape there. Between now and then, scrape the caulking and pry the nails from these window frames so you can remove them quickly. On the night of the escape, listen for gunfire and some explosions from the southeast. The gunfire will continue. There have been partisan attacks to the east lately. The Germans will think that partisans are coming to liberate the ghetto. When you hear the first shots, have someone set fire to the abandoned store on the southeast corner of the ghetto—a big fire. Use things that burn fast. This should draw most of the sentries. The northwest corner is lightly patrolled, anyway. Be ready. When you see a light flash from the trees, remove the windows and lower the young people to the ground. Have them run quickly to the woods. We will find them and take—”

  “German guard!” the lookout warned. “Coming this way!”

  “Make sure you prepare everything carefully beforehand,” Pesche said, accelerating his words, “and make sure the young ones dress in dark clothes.”

  The door swung open and slammed into the wall. The soldier stomped into the room, his boots echoing loudly off the wooden floor. In a commanding voice and eyeing Pesche with disdain, he shouted, “Enough! Out! You must go!”

  Pesche’s humble nod did little to appease the soldier, who gave him a rude shove to quicken his pace.

  # # #

  “The head of the council wasted no time in passing the plan along to the parents,” Ari said. “The Behrs and a few other parents thought it might be a good idea to contact the resident doctor to see if there was anything they could do to prepare the children for their journey. The doctor recommended as much exercise as they could stand and as much food as could be spared. They exercised inside to avoid the guards.

  “It was clear early on that the young people would need something to carry their food and personal things. Fortunately, several women had brought sewing kits into the ghetto and volunteered to make rucksacks. Meanwhile, Mrs. Behr removed the jewels and money from the seams of Adie’s regular clothes and sewed everything into the dark clothes she would wear for the escape.

  “Over the next few days, Mr. Behr discussed a number of subjects with Adie, such as Pesche’s commitment to the family and the partisans’ plan for escape, including the ultimatum.”

  “Ultimatum?” Merrick said. “You mean, ‘Take Adie, or the deal’s off?’”

  Ari nodded. “Her father also reminded her of the strongbox he had buried, that if she ever went back for it, she could get a fair price for the jewels from his old friend, Mr. Braunstein, in New York.

  “Now, about a week before the planned escape, an unsettling event occurred in eastern Hungary. Several Jewish partisans attacked a Gestapo train carrying Jews north to a concentration camp. They freed hundreds, but killed the Gestapo guards and the train crew. Word of the incident arrived in Kopasvar the next day, and as you might expect, the humiliation infuriated the Germans—put them in an ugly mood.”

  “Good grief,” Merrick said.

  “Listen, my friend, I should warn you...some of this next sequence is disturbing. But if you want to know who Adie is, then it’s something you should see. For me, watching this was pure torture—haunted me for weeks. So if you don’t mind, I’m going to step into the bedroom. Zoey will let me know when it’s over. Are you okay with this?”

  “I am.”

  Ari stepped out, and the sequence began.

  > > >

  The family sat around the table, eating a meager dinner. Mr. Behr finished and went into the bedroom.

  Adie had eaten sparingly, and when her mother walked into the kitchen, she quietly shared what remained on her plate with her brothers.

  Merrick uttered a soft groan, impressed as always with her kindness.

  Joining her mother at the sink, Adie said, “Mama, why do I have to go? I’d rather stay with you and Papa. Anyway, Davy and Gil need me.”

  “Nonsense,” her mother scolded. “Others are counting on you. You must go, and that’s the end of it.”

  Mr. Behr emerged from the bedroom. “And what is this about?”

  Mrs. Behr turned and smiled. “Just girl-talk,” she said, not wishing to revisit the already sensitive issue.

  Adie retrieved the plates from the table and returned to the kitchen, while Davy, comic book in hand, retreated with Gil to the balcony where a tug-of-war began.

  “You know the rules,” Mrs. Behr cautioned in a low but stern voice, “no noise or fighting!”

  The boys were clearly beyond listening, pulling at the comic with all their might. Then Gil suddenly lost his grip and Davy stumbled backward against the waist-high balcony, knocking a flowerpot off the ledge. The crash came seconds later as the pot shattered loudly on the sidewalk below. Mr. Behr quickly motioned the boys back into the apartment. He walked to the balcony and looked over, locking eyes with one of two enraged guards narrowly missed by the pot.

  “No—no,” Merrick mumbled as the drama played out.

  The guards entered the building and bolted up the stairs. The apartment door burst open, and they began hurling insults as they took hold of Mr. and Mrs. Behr. Trying to remain calm, Mr. Behr took responsibility for the ‘accident.’ The reaction was immediate; a fist to the jaw that nearly knocked him off his feet. As the guards began to drag them from the apartment, Adie lunged forward in an effort to free her mother from the German’s grip. The soldier, seeing her coming, spun her mother out of the way and kicked Adie’s legs out from under her. Her glasses flew off, and she crashed to the floor. As she started to rise, the soldier unslung his rifle and mercilessly slammed her in the face, impacting her left eye. She fell to the floor unconscious.

  Her parents were barely out of the building when neighbors rushed into the apartment. The woman from next door crouched to help Adie and sent her husband for the doctor.

  # # # Thirty Minutes Later > > >

  Adie was lying in her bed, still unconscious with a bandage over one eye.

  Referring to Adie’s brothers, the doctor asked, “Who will take care of them while their parents are confined?”

  “My husband and I,” the neighbor said, glancing down at Adie. “Is she going to be all right?”

  The doctor gave a halfhearted nod. “Looks like a mild concussion. She should be conscious soon.” He paused. “It’s her vision that concerns me. I’m afraid she may have lost sight in that eye.”

  The
neighbor groaned. “How heartless...heartless…. What should we do?”

  “Just keep the eye covered for now.” He passed her an extra dressing for the wound. “Rest is important. She’s young. I expect a quick recovery.” Adie began to stir. “See, already she wakes.”

  # # #

  Merrick felt crushed as Ari approached from the bedroom. “What an incredible disregard for human life...were they all so merciless?” he asked, referring to the soldiers.

  “Unfortunately, many were,” Ari said. “In this case though, the train incident put them on edge, ready to strike out at the slightest thing. Sadly, it didn’t stop there. The commandant was so bent on revenge that the following morning he took Adie’s parents and four others into a back alley and set them before a firing squad. They were all completely innocent.”

  Merrick’s eyes locked on the floor. He tried with difficulty to process Ari’s words.

  For Ari, Merrick’s sadness was painful to watch.

  “I know that bad things happen in war,” Merrick said. “It’s just...well...this is personal.” He continued staring at the floor.

  “Yes,” Ari said, “just as I felt. You wish there were something you could do, but you’re powerless—helpless.”

  Merrick looked tired.

  “Well, my friend, I think maybe you’ve seen enough for one day. We can pick this up another time.”

  Merrick glanced at Ari. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to go on for just a bit. I don’t see how things could get any worse, and I’d like to end on a more positive note.”

  Ari gave a nod and went to the kitchen for drinks, picking up the conversation as he returned. “The Jewish leadership kept her parents’ death a secret. They were afraid Adie might become bitter and refuse to leave, which would have blocked the other children from escaping. So they just kept leading her on. She recovered from the injury more quickly than expected, though she did lose sight in the eye and retained some minor scarring.