Recap: A strange envelope with Arabic writing on it arrives at Aliza’s house. Her mother says not to open it and secrets it away. Aliza opens the journal to distract herself from her worry about the strange envelope. In the journal, Aida found out her father is in the Syrian prison. She’s working in her father’s store. Her mother is unwell.
I closed up the shop, pulling down the iron gate and locking it with the key. I moved mechanically on automatic. Aba was in prison. I wanted to go to him but the guards there would never let me in. Angry tears splashed down my cheeks. Why did these cruel people have the right to imprison my righteous Aba?
I strode home, and when I walked in the door, Aunt Bea greeted me with a grim face. “Aida, your mother is very ill. I took her to the doctor. They can’t do anything. She needs heart surgery as soon as possible, and the best place would be to go to North America. Can you go to Rabbi H? Tell him it’s an emergency.”
I was in a bad dream. This couldn’t be happening. If Ima left, I’d be all alone now. Stella was away maybe for good. Aba is in prison.
I’ll go now to Rabbi H. The sun was setting in rose-colored bands as I hurried down the stone path towards Rabbi H’s house.
I kicked a stone along the way. I felt like a dark cloud was enveloping me. Nothing seemed good. How would I manage?
Just then, Vanna appeared. “Hi, Aida.”
“Hi,” I said not wanting to speak to her or anyone.
“I wanted to tell you something,” Vanna whispered.
She motioned for me to follow her to a spot off the road near some bushes. “I don’t want anyone to hear. The walls have ears.”
Yes, that was true.
“I went to the prison yesterday. My uncle is in charge there and he wanted to show it off to me.
So, what did this have to do with me?
“I saw your father.”
“You did? How is he?”
“He looks frail and ill, but he told me to give you this.”
“How did he know he could trust you?”
“I went over to him when my aunt and uncle were busy looking over some paperwork. I told him I could take a message to you.”
“That was kind of you. You risked getting in grave danger.”
“I don’t like the prison or how my aunt and uncle treat people. It’s not right. My parents didn’t believe in doing things this way.”
“Where are your parents?”
Vanna looked down at the ground. “With Allah.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Here, take the message. He wrote it on this torn paper I gave him. When you have one to take back, I will find a way to take it back.”
“I appreciate this, but I don’t want to endanger you.”
“Vanna!” Mrs. Abbar’s voice rang in the courtyard.
“See you.” Vanna raced back towards her aunt’s house.
I couldn’t believe she had endangered herself like this for me.
I opened the paper. It was short, but it was what I needed to hear.
On the paper was written: “Don’t give up hope. I will be free. Hashem is with us, Aida. Love, Aba.”
Tears ran unchecked down my checks as I walked with more hope towards Rabbi H’s house.
The Rebbetzin answered the door. Inside, there was the scent of cinnamon and apples cooking. “Come in, Aida.”
Rabbi H came into the living room and asked me to come into his study.
Rabbi H’s dark eyes were filled with sympathy when he heard about my father in prison. I showed him the note.
“He’s a brave man.”
Tears welled in my eyes, and I wiped them away. “Vanna brought me the note. She’s the niece of Mr. and Mrs. Abbar.”
“Oh yes, I know who they are. Poor girl. She must be careful. They will have no mercy on her if they discover what she did.”
“Rabbi, I have to get a visa for my mother. My Aunt Bea took her to the doctor. She needs heart surgery that can only be done in North America.”
Rabbi H steepled his hands and was thoughtful.
“Yes, I will work on it right away. But what about you, Aida. We need to find a way for you to go with her.”
“I could go with my mother?”
“It is possible.”
I felt a burst of hope inside, but then I thought about my father.
“But my father is still here in prison.”
“We will work on that. I will contact Miss Beth. We need political pressure.”
“I will come to the spice shop as soon as I have any word on the visa. Be brave, my dear. Hashem should protect you.” He rose.
His kindness caused more tears to flow.
“Thank you, Rabbi. I really appreciate everything.”
I didn’t rise because there was something else I needed to ask him.
“Rabbi, should I tell my mother about Aba being in prison. She is in very delicate health, and she hopes and waits every day for a letter.”
Rabbi H sat down again. “This is not a simple question. I think, Aida, you will know whether it is okay to tell her. You know your mother and Hashem will help you make the right decision.”
…
As I was strolling home, an Arab boy who was walking nearby stopped and shouted, “Where are you going Musawi? Ugly Musawi.”
I ignored him. I would not let his jeers bother me. I clenched my fist and forced myself to keep walking.
I prayed that Rabbi H would get the visa quickly for Ima and that, somehow, he could get help from Miss Beth for my father.
To be continued…
Susie Garber is the author of an historical fiction novel, Flight of the Doves (Menucha Publishing, 2023), Please Be Polite (Menucha Publishers, 2022), A Bridge in Time (Menucha Publishing, 2021), Secrets in Disguise (Menucha Publishers, 2020), Denver Dreams (a novel, Jerusalem Publications, 2009), Memorable Characters…Magnificent Stories (Scholastic, 2002), Befriend (Menucha Publishers, 2013), The Road Less Traveled (Feldheim, 2015), fiction serials and features in Binah Magazine and Binyan Magazine, “Moon Song” in Binyan (2021-2022), and Alaskan Gold ( 2023-2024).