Page 25 of The Righteous

“We’ve been through all that,” Greta said.

“There is nothing Sammy can do about that. It’s a security measure.

If Sammy could get my international phone service turned on, he would.

When they lift the ban, we will be the first in line to get service.

But if you want to know about your brother’s life, he is doing well.

He is a manager at the company. He makes good money.

And he has a girlfriend.” Greta nodded with a smile.

“They live in an apartment together, even though I don’t approve. They’re not married.”

Julia smiled. That’s exactly what her mother would say.

“What is his girlfriend’s name?” Theresa asked. “What is she like? It’s been ten years, and now my brother is living with a woman and I don’t know about it or even who she is. How time does fly.”

“Her name is Alana,” Greta said. “She’s very pretty and very quiet. At least she is around me. Sammy is crazy about her.”

“And Becca?” Theresa asked. “The last time I saw her, she said she wanted to grow up and be a nurse. Did she follow a career in nursing?”

“Very much so. She is a nurse at Semmelweis University Hospital in the surgery department.”

Theresa hung her head with a touch of sadness.

“My brother is an executive at the Budapest Telephone Company, and he has a girlfriend I have never met. My little sister is a nurse at a prestigious hospital, and the last time I saw her, she was only fourteen years old. Where did the time go? Shame on me for missing out on the lives of my family. I didn’t even visit. ”

“Don’t do that, Terri,” her mother said. “Stop punishing yourself. You’ve worked hard and made a nice career for yourself at Michigan, and for the last five years, it has been impossible for you to visit.”

“I know. It’s that stinkin’ war; that’s the reason why I am here. But I’ll tell you about it later. I have missed so much, and I want to make sure that the Weissbachs are out of harm’s way.”

“I do not feel in harm’s way,” Greta said. “It’s been the same for us since the war started. Nothing’s changed. We live our lives from day to day. Oh, we know there are shortages, and there are regulations, but our lives are stable.”

“Anya, it doesn’t matter what you feel; you don’t know the details. Hungary is in danger, take my word for it. I can tell you more about it when I get a chance. I just want you to protect yourself. Maybe that means leaving Hungary.”

“I’m not leaving without my husband,” Greta said, “and you would have to convince him. That won’t be easy. He refuses to even talk about the war. If I ask him anything about the war or our safety, he just tells me not to worry about it.”

“Anya, he wouldn’t tell you about the dangers because he wouldn’t want you to worry.

It’s his job to protect you. But we should all have a conversation about whether it make sense to leave.

Plans would have to be made. It can’t happen overnight.

Visas, protection letters, travel arrangements, destinations—all those details have to be planned, and that takes a lot of time.

We should begin those discussions before it is too late. ”

“I have an idea. Let me make a nice dinner and invite the family. You and Julia will come too. If the time is right, and if the others don’t object, you can have your conversation.

Don’t be forceful. Maybe say that you think it might be wise to leave Budapest for a little while, until the danger passes.

Then give them a chance to express their opinions.

Talk nicely, please, and don’t make a fuss.

I don’t want hollering at my table. Are you willing to do it on that basis? ”

“That is a wonderful suggestion, Anya. I don’t think we are scheduled for something tomorrow night. I can check when I get back to the embassy this evening. I’ll call you.”

Greta smiled. “Your father is always in a good mood when his stomach is full. You can tell him your thoughts, but remember, he is the man of the house. He will make the decision.”

Julia and Theresa nodded to each other.

“What about Sammy and Becca?” Theresa said. “Will they come to dinner?”

“I will call them. Leave it to me. Unless work says no, they will be here. Are you going to see Apa at Dohány this afternoon? Tell him that Greta said he needs to be home for dinner tomorrow night; he shouldn’t make any of his meetings for tomorrow.”

By agreement, the remainder of the afternoon was spent with talk about the community and the friends that Theresa grew up with, not the war or plans to leave.

When it was time to go, Theresa stopped at the door, gave her mother a big hug and a kiss, and said, “It has been so wonderful to see you, Anya. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you.

I look forward to having dinner with the family tomorrow. ”

“Your visit is a blessing,” said Greta. “I hope it never comes to leaving Budapest, but if we decide that would make sense, I will listen to what you have to say.”

Theresa nodded, and the girls left the house.