This will be my last post for this year. Crazy to think that we're coming to the end of 2014. I lost a lot of good friends this year and I will miss them forever. My book is doing pretty well, and I've met some really great author buddies and learned so much more about what I need to do to promote it.
The faires went well this season, all three of them. Things got hectic, but we couldn't have pulled it off without our fantastic and amazing cast and crew (you know who you are).
I've been more brave about sharing my older short fiction with you all and you've been either kind or really like my short stories, and I've actually got some of my short fiction published in Innovate Magazine (and another one just got published this week) The link is here: Innovate #8
This is another fiction piece, but this time it's based off a real story - my dad's story. I changed the names and I'm not sure if my timing is correct, but I think I'm pretty close.
Here we go - Enjoy!
Train Trio
As I happen to be an Italian Jew and not that any people are aware that there was the Italian part of the Holocaust - This piece is based off of a True story - my dad and his family left Italy when my dad was 7 and my Uncle was 3 with my Nonna (Grandmother in Italian) only to meet my Grandfather in Switzerland somewhere on a train with passports for all three. I'm sure at that time; she had to think quick on her feet as Mussolini was just still in power. This is a "fictionalized version of the truth" since I wasn't there, I am not sure exactly what they were thinking or doing, and this piece will be in Honor of my dad.
Now, mind you, my father and his family had it pretty easy during this time since my Grandfather was at one time a General for the Italian Army (I’m not sure how far up his rank was), and probably knew some people to talk to get his family safely to Switzerland at that time. I realize there were other Jews that were not so lucky and this piece will also be a reminder to their honor and their families.
* A little long even for me*
*Also, this piece will most likely have some light profanity in it to keep with the pace - maybe a little graphic as well*
*Also, this piece will most likely have some light profanity in it to keep with the pace - maybe a little graphic as well*
*names have been changed to protect my father and my Uncle*
Characters of Train Trio:
Bianca- mother of two little boys
Vincenzo - age 5
Marino - age 3
Rondo - father of same little boys
Conductor Saulnier - Conductor of the Train
Uncle Antonio - Uncle who lives in France
Aunt Lucia - Uncle Antonio's wife
May 1939
Milan, Italy
Bianca -
I was hoping to hear from Rondo, it has been so long. I did not expect this letter today but yet, here I am reading it. I am trying my best not to wake the boys up from their sound sleep, but this letter from Rondo is filled with fear. I can feel myself trying not to cry as I read the line "You must pack everything, take the boys and then take the train in France to meet me June 12th and then meet me in Switzerland. I will be there with Antonio and Lucia to help with the boys, just make sure that you bring your passport for you and the boys. If the conductor asks, you just tell him you are visiting your family." I find myself wiping a tear from my cheek as I hear my name being called by my oldest boy.
"Mama?" The young boy looks so innocent, so young yet so sweet, "Why are you crying mama?"
"It's nothing." I say proudly and as strong as I can be, "Go wake Marino up, we need to talk altogether, and I'll make breakfast."
"Hey Marino, little brother, it is time to wake up!" Vincenzo calls down the hallway "Mama wants us to eat breakfast and talk."
"Mama!" Marino wakes up with a start "Vincenzo woke me up!"
"Yes, well, it is time to wake up, so come downstairs and eat some breakfast with us, melon and eggs, your favorite!" I say loudly folding the letter up neatly and putting it in the drawer.
Marino and Vincenzo came to the table still in pajamas as the eggs start to fry in the pan. I cut up the melon but am still thinking about what Rondo had said in the letter - "Ow!" I cry out loud as I look at my finger that now has a small slice with blood on it.
"Mama!" Vincenzo calls to me, "Are you okay mama?
"Yes, yes, I'm fine" as I wipe my finger off on a kitchen towel knowing that soon I will need to pack all of it up in boxes somewhere. I am not sure how to bring up the fact that we all need to pack our things, our belongings, our valuables, and our life - up in boxes. The eggs are finally cooked well enough and I slice the melon so pink and ripe on the plates for the boys. "Eat up." I say to them wiping another tear from my cheek.
"Mama, why you cry?" Marino still does not seem to have his words right yet.
"It's why are you crying, silly!" Vincenzo does his best to correct him.
I take the letter out of the drawer and unfold it, I know that both boys don't know how to read yet, but they know what a letter is.
"A letter! A letter!" Marino cries.
"Who is it from Mama?" Vincenzo looks over my shoulder out of curiosity.
"It is from your papa who is visiting Uncle Antonio and Aunt Lucia" I say "He writes to say that he loves us, but that we are in terrible danger."
"Danger?" Marino is startled with this new word, he tries his best to announce it, but it comes out Dah Gher.
I decide not to correct him, "Yes, we need to pack up all of our belongings and go on a train to meet Papa in Switzerland. Uncle Antonio and Aunt Lucia will be there too."
Marino drops his fork on the floor, which I usually scold him, I just calmly pick it up and put it in the sink this time around. Vincenzo tries his best to put on a brave smile.
"As long as we're together mama, that's what counts right?" He asks with a sparkle in his eye.
I try not to cry again, and I have nothing else to say but "Right."
Early June 1939
Vincenzo -
Mama will be mad if I can't pack my stuff all by myself, I need to find my red truck. I know I left it there, oh I see it's in the box with all my other toys. Marino needs help too, I should help him, but I need to finish.
"Mama!" I hear Marino my little brother calling down the hall and Mama is on the phone with Papa trying to talk about what time the train is going to be at the station, I run down the hall.
"Shh!!! Mama's on the phone Marino, do you need help?" I ask him trying to be a good boy for Mama. Marino points to his blanket on the bed, "I need my blanket but I can't reach it."
"Oh Marino, yes you can, watch me." I climb up with the step stool in place and grab the dark green blanket. "See, it's not that hard. Now we just need to put it in the box, with all your other toys, okay?"
Marino looks confused, but does as I tell him.
Mama gets off the phone, "What was all the fuss about?"
"Oh, nothing, I helped Marino get his blanket off the bed." I say beaming with pride.
"Good boy Vincenzo, thank you for helping Marino, now go back to packing your own things and I'll help Marino with his, okay?" she smiles but I see tears behind her eyes.
"How's Papa?" I ask.
"Papa is fine, now just go!" she starts to get that voice, I know not to ask any more questions and finish up packing.
Early June 1939-
Bianca -
I do hope we have everything packed and ready, I hope the movers don't break any of our things. The boys at least seem excited; it's more of an adventure for them. I have the passports for the boys and one for myself; I just hope that Rondo remembers what platform I'm supposed to meet him on.
Conductor Saulnier-
Oh these people with the kids! I almost tripped over the bags! "Madam," I say as kindly with my 'conductor voice' as I can, "do you need assistance?"
"Oh yes, please, that would ever be so kind of you." she says looking at her two boys closely making sure they are not getting into further trouble, "Marino, please, stop running, we're about to board the train any minute now."
I help her with her baggage on to the train and help her to her seats with the two young boys. I smile when she gives me a few Francs for my troubles, I know I am not supposed to take it, but I put it in my right pocket for my lunch later on my shift.
Characters of Train Trio:
Bianca- mother of two little boys
Vincenzo - age 5
Marino - age 3
Rondo - father of same little boys
Conductor Saulnier - Conductor of the Train
Uncle Antonio - Uncle who lives in France
Aunt Lucia - Uncle Antonio's wife
May 1939
Milan, Italy
Bianca -
I was hoping to hear from Rondo, it has been so long. I did not expect this letter today but yet, here I am reading it. I am trying my best not to wake the boys up from their sound sleep, but this letter from Rondo is filled with fear. I can feel myself trying not to cry as I read the line "You must pack everything, take the boys and then take the train in France to meet me June 12th and then meet me in Switzerland. I will be there with Antonio and Lucia to help with the boys, just make sure that you bring your passport for you and the boys. If the conductor asks, you just tell him you are visiting your family." I find myself wiping a tear from my cheek as I hear my name being called by my oldest boy.
"Mama?" The young boy looks so innocent, so young yet so sweet, "Why are you crying mama?"
"It's nothing." I say proudly and as strong as I can be, "Go wake Marino up, we need to talk altogether, and I'll make breakfast."
"Hey Marino, little brother, it is time to wake up!" Vincenzo calls down the hallway "Mama wants us to eat breakfast and talk."
"Mama!" Marino wakes up with a start "Vincenzo woke me up!"
"Yes, well, it is time to wake up, so come downstairs and eat some breakfast with us, melon and eggs, your favorite!" I say loudly folding the letter up neatly and putting it in the drawer.
Marino and Vincenzo came to the table still in pajamas as the eggs start to fry in the pan. I cut up the melon but am still thinking about what Rondo had said in the letter - "Ow!" I cry out loud as I look at my finger that now has a small slice with blood on it.
"Mama!" Vincenzo calls to me, "Are you okay mama?
"Yes, yes, I'm fine" as I wipe my finger off on a kitchen towel knowing that soon I will need to pack all of it up in boxes somewhere. I am not sure how to bring up the fact that we all need to pack our things, our belongings, our valuables, and our life - up in boxes. The eggs are finally cooked well enough and I slice the melon so pink and ripe on the plates for the boys. "Eat up." I say to them wiping another tear from my cheek.
"Mama, why you cry?" Marino still does not seem to have his words right yet.
"It's why are you crying, silly!" Vincenzo does his best to correct him.
I take the letter out of the drawer and unfold it, I know that both boys don't know how to read yet, but they know what a letter is.
"A letter! A letter!" Marino cries.
"Who is it from Mama?" Vincenzo looks over my shoulder out of curiosity.
"It is from your papa who is visiting Uncle Antonio and Aunt Lucia" I say "He writes to say that he loves us, but that we are in terrible danger."
"Danger?" Marino is startled with this new word, he tries his best to announce it, but it comes out Dah Gher.
I decide not to correct him, "Yes, we need to pack up all of our belongings and go on a train to meet Papa in Switzerland. Uncle Antonio and Aunt Lucia will be there too."
Marino drops his fork on the floor, which I usually scold him, I just calmly pick it up and put it in the sink this time around. Vincenzo tries his best to put on a brave smile.
"As long as we're together mama, that's what counts right?" He asks with a sparkle in his eye.
I try not to cry again, and I have nothing else to say but "Right."
Early June 1939
Vincenzo -
Mama will be mad if I can't pack my stuff all by myself, I need to find my red truck. I know I left it there, oh I see it's in the box with all my other toys. Marino needs help too, I should help him, but I need to finish.
"Mama!" I hear Marino my little brother calling down the hall and Mama is on the phone with Papa trying to talk about what time the train is going to be at the station, I run down the hall.
"Shh!!! Mama's on the phone Marino, do you need help?" I ask him trying to be a good boy for Mama. Marino points to his blanket on the bed, "I need my blanket but I can't reach it."
"Oh Marino, yes you can, watch me." I climb up with the step stool in place and grab the dark green blanket. "See, it's not that hard. Now we just need to put it in the box, with all your other toys, okay?"
Marino looks confused, but does as I tell him.
Mama gets off the phone, "What was all the fuss about?"
"Oh, nothing, I helped Marino get his blanket off the bed." I say beaming with pride.
"Good boy Vincenzo, thank you for helping Marino, now go back to packing your own things and I'll help Marino with his, okay?" she smiles but I see tears behind her eyes.
"How's Papa?" I ask.
"Papa is fine, now just go!" she starts to get that voice, I know not to ask any more questions and finish up packing.
Early June 1939-
Bianca -
I do hope we have everything packed and ready, I hope the movers don't break any of our things. The boys at least seem excited; it's more of an adventure for them. I have the passports for the boys and one for myself; I just hope that Rondo remembers what platform I'm supposed to meet him on.
Conductor Saulnier-
Oh these people with the kids! I almost tripped over the bags! "Madam," I say as kindly with my 'conductor voice' as I can, "do you need assistance?"
"Oh yes, please, that would ever be so kind of you." she says looking at her two boys closely making sure they are not getting into further trouble, "Marino, please, stop running, we're about to board the train any minute now."
I help her with her baggage on to the train and help her to her seats with the two young boys. I smile when she gives me a few Francs for my troubles, I know I am not supposed to take it, but I put it in my right pocket for my lunch later on my shift.
Marino-
What fun! The train is so big! I can't believe we are going on this wonderful adventure! A new place! I have heard so much about this new home, I hope that it is as grand as I have been told it is. Mama still looks sad, I try not to pester her, I know that it will make her sadder. I sit in the seat after the Conductor seats us. I want the window seat - wow, look at all these trains! Neat! I poke my big brother in the shoulder, "Vincenzo look at all these trains!"
My brother nods and smiles but looks at Mama to make sure that she is okay. I just keep staring out the window.
Vincenzo
Mama is trying so hard not to cry, I'm afraid of saying anything to her to make her cry. I just keep Marino busy with talking about the trains and our adventure. I know that Papa is at the other end of the train ride and I will be happy to see him again.
Bianca-
We are finally on the train, I wonder when that Conductor will take our tickets, it seems like forever. I wonder if I can get the boys food, or if they are hungry. I completely got so caught up in today, I almost forgot to give the boys breakfast. I thought it would be nice to just eat out at a cafe rather than unpack everything again.
Conductor Saulnier-
"Tickets! Please take out your tickets and Passports please!" I do my fast walk down the aisles. I meet again with the nice lady and her two young boys. "I need your Tickets, please." I say again with a smile to make her at ease, she seems unsure, tense, and a little sad.
What fun! The train is so big! I can't believe we are going on this wonderful adventure! A new place! I have heard so much about this new home, I hope that it is as grand as I have been told it is. Mama still looks sad, I try not to pester her, I know that it will make her sadder. I sit in the seat after the Conductor seats us. I want the window seat - wow, look at all these trains! Neat! I poke my big brother in the shoulder, "Vincenzo look at all these trains!"
My brother nods and smiles but looks at Mama to make sure that she is okay. I just keep staring out the window.
Vincenzo
Mama is trying so hard not to cry, I'm afraid of saying anything to her to make her cry. I just keep Marino busy with talking about the trains and our adventure. I know that Papa is at the other end of the train ride and I will be happy to see him again.
Bianca-
We are finally on the train, I wonder when that Conductor will take our tickets, it seems like forever. I wonder if I can get the boys food, or if they are hungry. I completely got so caught up in today, I almost forgot to give the boys breakfast. I thought it would be nice to just eat out at a cafe rather than unpack everything again.
Conductor Saulnier-
"Tickets! Please take out your tickets and Passports please!" I do my fast walk down the aisles. I meet again with the nice lady and her two young boys. "I need your Tickets, please." I say again with a smile to make her at ease, she seems unsure, tense, and a little sad.
The passes me the tickets for all three of them and shows me her passport. I see now why she was so tense. I remember the few Francs that she gave me before.
"I'm visiting family in Switzerland." she says to me as she adds another few francs in my palm.
I nod with understanding, my family had to protect themselves too, what with this Dictator coming into Italy, and no one stood a chance.
"I see." I say, and put the money with my other amount in my right pocket; oh I will have a fine lunch today! Piazza de la Rizzo here I come!
Switzerland - June 12th, 1939
Rondo-
I can see the train approaching, I try not to get too excited or agitated with my brother and sister in law. I tap my brother on the shoulder. "Antonio, here comes the train! We must be swift! We cannot take any chances!"
Antonio just gives me a shrug and says "No worries, my brother! You worry too much! Lucia will handle the boys and you and I will handle the luggage, it's all under control."
Lucia agrees with him, "Yes, Rondo, just be patient, you will see, everyone will be fine."
Bianca-
We approach the final stop, the final destination, our new temporary home until we reach America. I am still unsure about everything, but know that we got here safely with the boys. I see Rondo, Antonio and Lucia at the station and I smile for the first time in what seems like an eternity. I know now that everyone will be okay and we will be together again.
- Fine-
*edited the piece for location - I did check the dates - my dad was born 1932 and was 5 when they left Italy to go to Switzerland. I hope this brings some sort of clarification even though my father (to this day) does not talk about this and if I ask him about it, he tells me it was not as dramatic as I think it was.
"I'm visiting family in Switzerland." she says to me as she adds another few francs in my palm.
I nod with understanding, my family had to protect themselves too, what with this Dictator coming into Italy, and no one stood a chance.
"I see." I say, and put the money with my other amount in my right pocket; oh I will have a fine lunch today! Piazza de la Rizzo here I come!
Switzerland - June 12th, 1939
Rondo-
I can see the train approaching, I try not to get too excited or agitated with my brother and sister in law. I tap my brother on the shoulder. "Antonio, here comes the train! We must be swift! We cannot take any chances!"
Antonio just gives me a shrug and says "No worries, my brother! You worry too much! Lucia will handle the boys and you and I will handle the luggage, it's all under control."
Lucia agrees with him, "Yes, Rondo, just be patient, you will see, everyone will be fine."
Bianca-
We approach the final stop, the final destination, our new temporary home until we reach America. I am still unsure about everything, but know that we got here safely with the boys. I see Rondo, Antonio and Lucia at the station and I smile for the first time in what seems like an eternity. I know now that everyone will be okay and we will be together again.
- Fine-
*edited the piece for location - I did check the dates - my dad was born 1932 and was 5 when they left Italy to go to Switzerland. I hope this brings some sort of clarification even though my father (to this day) does not talk about this and if I ask him about it, he tells me it was not as dramatic as I think it was.
Happy Holidays everyone!! Stay safe and see you next year in 2015!
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