Page 95 of Cilka's Journey

“Cilka, what’s happening?”

Yelena is following Josie back into the room.

“I don’t know,” Cilka says, heart still racing. “Yelena Georgiyevna, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know. Just wait a moment. I was told to bring you here.”

Maria Danilovna walks into the room, Natia in her arms.

Josie cries out and runs to her daughter, stopping herself before she snatches her from the well-dressed stranger’s arms. Maria hands Natia over, the little girl clearly happy and calm.

“She’s a beautiful little girl, Jozefína,” Maria says. “Come.” She beckons them back down the corridor. Cilka glances at Alexandr, who nods at her and then sits back at his desk. They go into a dull gray room and Maria closes the door.

Maria turns to Cilka. “I kept my promise.”

“What’s going on?” Josie demands, clutching Natia, terrified.

Cilka strokes Natia’s face, then Josie’s.

“Josie, this is Maria Danilovna, the wife of Commandant Alexei Demyanovich. You have nothing to fear. She is helping you.”

“Helping me how?”

“Jozefína, I offered to help Cilka Klein after she saved the life of my daughter, not once, but twice—”

“Well, it wasn’t really me—”

“I’m telling the story, Cilka!” Maria says. “She saved my daughter’s life twice. I asked her what I could do to help her, in gratitude for her care. She didn’t ask for anything for herself; she told me about you and asked if I could help you and your daughter.”

“I don’t understand, you offered to help her and instead you’re helping me?”

“Yes, there is a car waiting outside. It will take you and Natia to the train station and from there to Moscow. A friend of mine, Stepanida Fabiyanovna, will meet you in Moscow and take you home with her. I’m hoping you will take up the opportunity of living with her, earning a small allowance by performing duties and helping in her home.”

Josie, holding Natia, drops to the floor, sobbing, overcome. Cilka bends down beside her, hugging the two of them. Yelena and Maria look on, wiping tears from their own eyes. Natia wriggles free and reaches to put her tiny hands around Cilka’s neck. Cilka sweeps the little girl into her arms, holding her close. She kisses her over and over on the face until the little girl bats her away, causing Josie and Cilka to laugh through their tears. Slowly, they all stand up together.

“Mumma,” Natia squeals as she thrusts her arms toward her mother. Josie takes her.

Maria smiles warmly, wiping her eyes. “I’ll leave you to say goodbye properly. Give my best wishes to Stepanida Fabiyanovna. Tell her I will write soon.”

As Maria Danilovna opens the door, Cilka runs after her, surprising herself by wrapping her arms around her. She catches herself, steps back.

“How can I ever thank you?”

“You already have. Take care, Cilka. I’ll be checking on you from time to time.”

She gives them all one final nod, and leaves.

The door opens again. It is a guard.

“Time to go. The car is waiting, the train won’t.” He holds up a small bag. “The commandant’s wife asked me to give you this; it’s some clothes for the little one. I’ll put it in the car.”

They walk back into the reception area. Josie quickly runs over to Alexandr.

“Goodbye, Alexandr,” she says.

“Good luck, Josie,” he says, pressing his hands over hers, over the child.

As Josie walks back toward the group, Alexandr locks eyes with Cilka. She turns away, puts her arm around Josie and Natia, and walks out into the open with them.