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KUNATI BOOK PUBLISHERS
Infinity Publishing
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An Eye For An Eye (Excerpt)by Alvin Abram |
CHAPTER
ONE
Friday,
November 11, 1921 Miriam
Ackerman lay on the floor, her life ebbing from her as the blood
spread into an ever-widening pool around her body. The apartment was
quiet, quieter than she could ever remember. The furniture appeared to her
as if through a haze, although she was inches from the table and chairs.
She tried to move her arm but it felt detached from her body. She lay
inert her breathing shallow, and tried to move her hand again, but felt no
movement. “Josef! Josef!” she cried. How long had it been since she had been standing in front of the mirror, she wondered, admiring her growing belly? She tried to remember what she had been thinking just a short time ago . . .
Miriam
stepped away from the
bed and stood before the full-length mirror. Approvingly, her hands gently
caressed her extended belly, her fingertips feeling for the life that grew
inside her. Responding to her touch, the baby kicked. She lay back,
propped up by two pillows, and once again let her hands trace over her
abdomen until she found the right spot and waited. She felt the pressure
of her son’s kick and smiled. She wanted a son. Maybe, with a son, Josef
would realize his first priority was his family and relegate to second
place the supposed injustices of the world that he rebelled against.
As she lay there, she thought of the day she first met Josef. She
had been hurrying home from work to help her mother with the Sabbath meal.
There was old snow on the ground and she sensed a hint of spring in the
air as she waited to cross Zgierska Street. Then she noticed four young
men arguing on the steps of the Hebrew Academy. She was close enough to
overhear their heated comments.
“Listen to me!” Josef said. “All of you live in your prayer
books more than you live on these streets. All the bad things happening in
Germany are signs of what will happen to the Jews in Poland. The Soviets
have the answer. The past won’t help you.” Josef abruptly stopped,
suddenly aware of a girl staring at them. A smile spread across his face.
Miriam’s cheeks darkened several shades to crimson. She quickly
turned away and resumed walking, but in the wrong direction. Reluctant to
go back and face the boys again, she continued to the next intersection.
She heard footsteps behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the
young man in the light-coloured clothing racing after her. She quickened
her pace, but he soon caught up with her. He was breathing heavily.
“Hello,” he blurted out, “My name is Josef Ackerman.”
Miriam continued her quick pace, ignoring him.
She stopped abruptly and glared at him. “Why are you following
me?” she demanded.
“I know all about you.”
“You know nothing. Who are you?”
“Your future husband, I hope.”
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