He was rubbing his hands together to keep them warm when he looked up and saw Gilde. A smile that rivaled the brightness of the sun came over his face.
“You look beautiful.”
“My face is all red from the cold.”
“Rosy cheeks become you, my dear,” he said and smiled. Then he looked into her eyes, bent down, and kissed her softly.
“Let’s go into town or we’ll freeze to death,” she said.
They walked four blocks into town. Gilde’s legs hurt from the cold, but she had never felt as content as she did walking beside William. He looked so handsome and strong that she wanted him to put his arm around her. She looked up at him.
“I’m so cold…” she said fetchingly.
He smiled and put his arm around her. “You’re my girl now. I guess it’s alright for me to pull you close.”
When they got to town they wandered through the shops trying to stay warm. Finally they found a used bookstore. It had a musty old smell and two floors of shelves filled with dusty books. Although it wasn’t very warm, it was a lot warmer than being outside. Gilde and William spent several hours looking through books and discussing books they’d read. His eyes sparkled with such passion when he talked about the biographies he’d read of doctors who’d made huge strides in medicine.
“Someday, when this is all over, I am going to be a great doctor. I’ve always wanted to do that.”
“I know you will be a wonderful doctor.” She hesitated. “William?”
“Yes, love.”
He’d called her love. That threw her off and she blushed and looked away. He took her chin in his hand and with a tenderness that almost made her cry, he turned her face towards his. “What did you want to say?”
“I don’t want you to go back to the navy. I am afraid for you.” Her voice was so soft it was almost a whisper.
“I don’t want to go. But I have to. If everyone backed out and no one went to fight the Nazis, Hitler would take over the world. I can’t expect other men to go and fight if I am not willing to. Isn’t that right?”
She bit her lip. “I wish you were a doctor already. Then maybe you would be stationed at a local hospital.”
“I have plenty of training to help as a medic. But as much as I care for you, I can’t stay here. I want to help the men at the front who need me. I’ll be a medic and help the doctor on board the ship.”
“But you could be there when they go into battle.”
He nodded and took her hand in both of his. “Your hands are so small. And … cold.”
“It’s cold in here. And … I am nervous.”
“I know. But now I have a special reason to return safely. And because of you I’ll be extra careful.”
William took Gilde to a restaurant for lunch. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been out for a meal. And she'd never been to such a fancy place. He opened the door for her and pulled out her chair. It made her feel pretty and special. He was tall, and heart-wrenchingly handsome, his light brown hair cut short. His most attractive features were those eyes, azure blue eyes full of depth and compassion, and that smile. His smile felt like a secret embrace between them.
A waiter handed Gilde a menu. When she opened it, the entrees were listed but there were no prices.
Gilde read the menu over several times, having no idea what to order. She had never been on a real date before, but she did know that the man always paid the check. She was uncomfortable with the whole process. What if she ordered something that was very expensive. Without prices listed on the menu, she had no idea of what everything cost. If she were so bold as to ask William what to do, she might embarrass him. So, maybe she would just wait and order whatever William ordered. William was watching her and smiling. He could see that she was struggling. He reached across the table and put his hand on hers. “Gilde”—when he said her name it sent fireworks through her body—“order whatever you want. This is a special day.”
Gilde lifted her gaze from the menu and their eyes linked.
“Can I chart this as our first official date?” William asked.
“Yes,” Gilde said. “Our first date.” Gilde was blushing again.
“Or was our first date the other night at the old house that you are sure is haunted?”
“That was a lovely night. After we were inside the house it no longer felt haunted to me.”
“I know. I knew it wouldn’t. I want every date, every minute, every hour that we spend together to be special.”
“You’re really nice to me, William.”
“How old are you, Gilde?”
“I don’t want to tell you.”
“Why?” He looked at her, concerned.
“Because you’ll think that I’m too young for you.”
“Are you too young for me?”
“I hope not. I’m young but I’ve been through a lot and I feel a lot older than I am. But, the truth is, I’m only fifteen.”
“You’re right, fifteen is young, but you’re not too young for me. Lots of Jewish couples marry young. And my intentions with you are respectful and proper. Like I said before, I wasn’t raised exactly Orthodox, but I was raised to respect women, so, I’m not looking for a good-time girl. I want to get married and start a family, and it’s important to me that my wife is Jewish, and once the war is over I sure would like to try to keep a kosher home.”
“Is that all you want from a girl? A wife to give you children and keep your house?”
“Not at all. I have to have feelings for her. Very special feelings. Like the feelings I have for you.”
“Well, I’ll tell you the truth; before I came to live with your family I didn’t know anything about keeping kosher. Sharon and your mother have told me a little, but because of the rations they’ve had to make exceptions in the dietary laws just to survive.”
“It’s a lot of work. But I’d like to try to raise my children in a kosher home. There is really no reason why, only because when I was a young boy that’s the way it was in my house. It’s a nostalgic thing, I suppose. But, I wouldn’t want to be so frum like the Weiss’s.”
“Frum?”
“I thought you knew a little Yiddish?”
“I do, a little, but not that word.”
“It means pious, very religious.”
“Oh, I am glad that’s not what you want. Because, quite frankly, I wouldn’t know how to keep up with that.”
“Boy oh boy, we’re starting to sound pretty serious,” he said.
“Oh, I…” she stammered and looked away.
“Gilde, I am serious about you. That’s why I am saying I would like my children to know the Jewish traditions. I’d like my son to have a bar mitzvah at thirteen. I’d just like to keep up some of the stuff I was raised with. How do you feel about all of this?”
“I do have to admit that I wasn’t raised this way. We had Shabbat dinner, my mother lit the candles. We celebrated Hanukkah and Passover. But my father never fasted for Yom Kippur. I guess my family made their own rules. I don’t know how you feel about that, but for the right person I could learn the traditions, and more about the religious practices.”
“Am I that person, Gilde?” he said. “I guess what I am trying to say is that I have to leave here tomorrow afternoon. I don’t have time to woo you the way I would like to. The way a decent fellow should woo a girl he would want to marry. And believe me, if I had the time I would show you the way a beautiful and special girl like you should be treated. But, I like you, Gilde. I like you a lot. I guess you could say, I more than like you. I think I might be falling in love with you.”
“Oh…” she said and the menu slipped out of her hand and onto to the ground. The waiter appeared immediately, picked it up and handed it back to Gilde. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Do you like me? Even a little?”
“A lot.”
He smiled. “I’m glad. I’m very glad. I know this is very soon, but I don’t have time to waste. I ship out tomo
rrow. I want to ask you ... if maybe you could think about us getting engaged. I mean, I don’t know if your feelings for me are as strong as mine are becoming for you. But just knowing you were here waiting for me to get home would give me the courage to go forward.”
“Marriage?”
“Yes, marriage.”
She was stunned.
“Just say you’ll think about it.”
“I will. I’ll think about it,” she said.
“Would you like me to order for you?” William asked.
“Yes, would you please, Wil?”
“Of course, anything for you, Gilde.”
He ordered a beautiful meal. It seemed to be far more than the rations allowed. But Gilde didn’t say anything. The food was wonderful and she was enthralled with William’s company.
She watched him eat. His mother was right. He was slender and could use a few extra pounds.
They ate slowly, wanting to stay in the warmth of the moment as long as they could, but finally it was time for Gilde to meet Sharon at school. “I want to be there when Sharon gets out of class so she doesn’t suspect that I wasn’t in school today,” Gilde said.
“I hate to part, but I think it’s a wise choice,” William said. “It’s probably best if we keep all of this quiet until you decide whether to accept my proposal.”
Gilde nodded. So, in order to prevent any suspicion, Gilde would meet Sharon as she did every other day. William took Gilde’s hand as they walked quickly towards the school. She liked him, she really liked him. But she hardly knew him.
“Now your little hand is even colder,” he said, taking her palm up to his lips. Then he blew warm air on each of her fingers and kissed them. He smiled and touched her face.
“I do like you, William,” she said.
He pulled her head towards him and kissed her. The kiss was soft and sweet and it made her feel secure in a way she had never felt before. She did not have blood relatives in Britain. She didn’t know what she would find when she returned to Germany. If she was engaged, she would have a future. God willing when the war ended she would have a husband and maybe in a few years a child. Then no matter what she found when she returned to Germany to look for her family, she wouldn’t feel so lost and so alone. Yes, Gilde thought, I could see a life with William.
“Well, Gilde, I am falling for you hard and fast.”
“William, I really care for you too,” she said.
“Enough to marry me?”
“Yes… Yes.”
He lifted her up like she was weightless and spun her around, then he kissed her lips again. She was giggling. “I am so happy, Gilde. Can we tell my parents and sister tonight?”
“Yes,” she said.
“Then I guess it’s alright to say it.”
“To say what?”
“To say I love you,” he said and kissed her. A tear dripped down her cheek. She was not alone anymore. The Lawrences were her family. William would be her husband.
“I love you too,” she said and she meant it.
The tear had frozen on her chin. He tenderly wiped it away with his thumb. Then he kissed her again.
Sharon was just turning the corner as Gilde and William arrived. William left quickly.
“Was that Wil?” Sharon said.
“Yes,” Gilde answered.
“What was he doing here?”
“Oh nothing. I was just leaving school and he was here.”
“What, that doesn’t make sense, Gilde. Are our parents alright?”
“Yes, everything is fine.” Gilde smiled. “Perfect in fact. So, Sharon, how was your day?”
Sharon just looked at Gilde skeptically. Gilde said nothing. Everything would be explained tonight.
CHAPTER 32
“Mazel tov!” Sam Lawrence stood up and clapped his hands. Lenore put her arms around Gilde and kissed her on the forehead.
“Welcome to our family. You’ll be our second daughter,” Lenore said. “I’m kvelling, I’m so happy.”
“And you’ll be my sister.” Sharon smiled, then as soon as Lenore let go of Gilde, Sharon hugged her.
“So … let’s go downstairs to the store and pick out a diamond so I can I make a ring for Gilde.”
“Oh that’s not necessary,” Gilde said. “You’ve done so much for me already.”
“Of course it is necessary. You’re marrying our son. Right, William? Don’t you want Gilde to have the most beautiful engagement ring?”
“I want my Gilde to have everything in the world. No chazeray for my future wife. And when I get out of the service, I am going to work hard and provide a good life for you, Gilde, and God willing, our children,” William said. His eyes were shining with pride. Gilde could see how happy he was, and happiness overflowed from her too.
Gilde choose a small ¼ carat diamond that had been cut and polished into an emerald shape.
“Are you sure you don’t want something bigger?” William asked.
“I’m sure. My hands are so small. This is perfect.”
“And you just want a simple band?” Sam Lawrence asked. “You know you can have whatever you choose.”
“I know, and I am very grateful. But this is all I want. It’s so much more than I ever expected.”
“Well, I am going to stay up all night so that I can have it finished before William leaves in the morning. I want he should see it before he goes.”
“That’s not necessary, Papa. I know you’ll make my Gilde a beautiful ring.” Then turning to Gilde, William said, “As long as my papa has the diamonds, you should choose something bigger.”
Gilde shook her head. “I’m happy with this ring. It’s more than I would ever have hoped for,” she said.
“Oy she’s such a mensch,” Sam said, “a treasure.” He reached over and pinched Gilde’s cheek. “Now it’s your responsibility to bring me plenty of beautiful grandchildren. Such naches that will be for this old man. With pride I’ll show all of my old friends my precious grandbabies.”
Gilde blushed and looked away.
“Maybe we can take a photograph of the ring when it’s finished and send it to Willie,” Lenore said. “That way you won’t be so rushed.”
“Good idea,” Sam answered.
The hours before William had to leave passed quickly. No one in the family wanted to go to sleep. They wanted to savor the time they had left with William. Everyone sat in the living room and talked, telling stories of William’s years growing up, until five in the morning when they were all so tired they could no longer keep their eyes open. William’s train was to leave at eleven in the morning. And although the family only had four hours of sleep they were all awake at nine. Mrs. Lawrence used up all of the egg rations and made a breakfast of scrambled eggs. Everyone, even Sam, took just a little and said they were full, leaving the largest portion for William.
Gilde sat beside her new fiancé. She was quiet. If only she could find the words that would convince him to stay. But there was nothing she could do or say and she knew as much. William’s convictions were too strong. So, she just sat beside him praying that he would return.
CHAPTER 33
1941
It was late afternoon when Gilde and Sharon took the ration books for the family and went shopping for their rations. The jewelry business had fallen off even more since the beginning of the war. So because the family needed the money, Lenore found a job driving a bus. Since she was working most of the time and Sam was trying to drum up business in the store, the household chores fell to Sharon and Gilde.
They were waiting in the butcher shop when they ran into a friend of Sharon’s from school.
“Have you met my future sister-in-law, Gilde Margolis?” Sharon asked Wilma.
“No, we’ve never met. But I didn’t know William was engaged.”
“Yes, he got engaged when he was on leave a couple of days ago.”
“Your family must be very excited.
“Yes. We are.”
“But it m
ust be difficult for you, Gilde, to have your fiancé so far away. I can imagine how hard that must be. By the way, Gilde is a lovely but certainly unusual name.”
“Oh, thank you. Yes, everyone says that it’s an odd name, and yes it is hard for me to be away from William when we just got engaged. Very hard. I wish he would come home.”
“I know what you mean. I’m only in town for a few days. My brother was killed in action.” She crossed herself. “My parents got the death notice and I came home right away.”
“Oh, I am so sorry,” Sharon said.
Gilde felt sick. The words Sharon had just spoken poked at Gilde’s greatest fear. “I’m sorry too,” she stammered.
“Yeah, me and my parents are brokenhearted. My mother is inconsolable. I’m afraid she’s going to get sick. Worse yet, I still have another brother in the service, and after this happened I’m sick with worry about him.”
“Of course you are,” Sharon said. “I haven’t seen you around town for a long time. Have you been gone?”
“I’ve been working in Birmingham in a factory, building parts for planes for the war effort. I’m doing what I can to help.”
“That’s admirable. Very,” Sharon said.
Gilde just nodded and tried to smile. All she could think about was William.
“Write to me sometime, let me know how you’re doing,” Wilma said to Sharon. “I’ll give you my address.”
“I will. I’ll do that.”
Wilma wrote her address and gave it to Sharon. “We all have to do what we can to keep Hitler out of Britain. Because if the Nazis ever come on our shores, it will be a dark day in hell for us.”
Gilde felt like she was in a trance, her mind unable to function as she and Sharon stood waiting for their turn with the butcher.
“Are you all right?” Sharon asked.
“Not really. Are you?”
“Not really. She scared me. Of course we all know what can happen, but, when it gets this close to home it becomes more terrifying,” Sharon said.
“I know. I feel it too.”