Page 26 of Cilka's Journey

Yelena looks at Josie.

“You can stay,” she answers, the chill still in her voice.

Cilka looks away, holding one hand in another, trying to quell the shaking, as Josie is examined.

Bardejov, Czechoslovakia, 1940

Cilka and her sister, Magda, walk down a street in their hometown of Bardejov, on a fragrant spring day. Magda smiles at two boys walking toward them. She is two years older than Cilka and Cilka admires the way she walks, her elegant wrists with her watch glinting in the sunlight, her hips gently swinging.

“They both like you,” Cilka says. “Which one do you like the best?”

“They’re just boys,” Magda says.

The boys position themselves in front of Cilka and Magda, forcing the girls to either stop or walk around them. Magda stops and Cilka follows suit.

“Hello, Lazlo, Jardin,” Magda says.

“So, who’s this pretty little thing with you?” Lazlo says, his eyes wandering up and down Cilka.

“She’s my sister, my younger sister. Take your eyes off her,” Magda snaps.

“No boy or man is going to want to take his eyes off her,” Lazlo sneers.

Cilka’s stomach lurches in a confusing way. She looks down at the ground.

“Come on, Cilka, let’s go.” Magda grabs Cilka’s hand and pulls her away.

“Hey, Cilka, lose your sister and come and find me,” Lazlo calls out.

Magda squeezes Cilka’s arm.

“Ow! Stop it, let me go. What’s your problem?” Cilka says, shaking her arm free.

“You’re only fourteen, Cilka,” Magda snaps back at her.

“I know how old I am,” she says defiantly. “He’s quite good-looking. How well do you know him?”

Magda stops, puts her face close to Cilka’s.

“Don’t be stupid, Cilka. You’re just a child. He’s a… well, he’s not a man but he’s not a boy either. You have to be careful.”

Cilka brings her arms across her chest. “So, I’m never allowed to talk to a boy, is that what you’re saying?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. One day you’ll grow up, then you’ll know…”

“Know what? What do you know about boys? I’ve never seen you alone with a boy.”

Magda looks away, a dark cloud on her beautiful face. Cilka has never seen her look this way, shadows behind her eyes.

“Magda, are you all right?”

“Come on, let’s get the shopping done and get home before curfew.”

“No, why can’t we stay out? I don’t want to obey such a stupid rule. We haven’t done anything wrong.”

“You can be such a child, Cilka. Do you want to get Papa into trouble because you won’t do as you’re told? This is so like you, always wanting things your way. This time, little sister, you do as I say and we go home before the curfew.”

“And if we don’t? What will they do to us?”