Page 17 of Under a Sunburnt Sky

“We have money,” replied Tata.“I spoke to a few of the others, and they gave me enough for more supplies.There is so much need in the ghetto.”

“I’ll bring whatever I can.”He gathered up what Tata gave him and shoved it into his pockets.

“You will be careful?”asked Babcia, approaching him with a mug of hot tea.

Jan took the tea and sipped it.“I’m careful.They’re not fast enough to catch me.”

Tata shook his head, laughing.“Ah, the confidence of youth.”

Babcia took the food supplies and carried them away to store them out of sight.Nacha shrugged off her coat and hung it on the coatrack by the door.Then she unwound her scarf from her head and let it fall to her shoulders.

“And how is your mother?”asked Tata as he packed the medical supplies into a small box.He didn’t look up from his task, but Nacha noted the tension in his shoulders.

“She’s fine.Busy trying to find out how long they intend to keep you here and how to get more supplies over the wall.”

Tata inhaled a sharp breath.“She does too much.”

“She wants to,” replied Jan with a smile.

“Take care of her, won’t you?”Tata glanced up at Jan for a moment, then returned to his task.

“I will.”