The Urn
Chapter 9
January 1941
Written and illustrated
by Elaine Troisi
The underground vault was about ten by twelve. It was clad with steel sheets all the way around and sealed against moisture as well. It smelled of oil paint and old paper. As Jacob stepped on the bottom rung of the ladder, a rush of air flooded the room.
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| A peek at one area of the basement refuge drawing by Elaine Troisi |
Moishe stood behind him. “What do you think of that, son?”
Just then, Max appeared behind them. “Jacob’s not you son, Papa, I am!” his jealousy was clear. “And why are you showing him our treasures? You are too willing to trust him.” He pointed his finger at Jacob, nearly jabbing him in the nose, but Jacob stopped him. Max’s face turned red with anger.
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| Moishe grows serious drawing by Elaine Troisi |
Jacob was shocked. He didn’t know what to do. “Perhaps you would be happier if I called your father Mr Soneberg instead of Moishe.” Then he turned. “I’ll leave you two to work things out. I’ll wake Hannah.”
Moishe was very upset. He took Jacob’s arm. “No, please don’t go. The 3 of us will work this out together.”
“Then I will have to leave,” Max said defiantly to his father.
“For goodness sake, no one is going to leave!” He was flushed. “Max behave like the man you are, not a petulant child.”
“Let me explain something to both of you young men.” He turned to face his son, “First, Max, you are my blood, and I love you more than anything. Second, you have always wanted a brother!”
Max looked from his father to Jacob, You are right about that. “I’ve wanted a brother ever since I can remember. But I do not know this … this … stranger. And, second, Papa, I can’t remember when you told me you love me,” he said sadly.
From the top of the ladder came a voice. It was Golde. “Every night, Max.” Her voice was a soft caress, “when you were falling asleep, your father told you he loved you.”
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| Golde explains the love Moishe has for Max drawing by Elaine Troisi |
“Mama, but I thought that was you whispering in my ear,” he said to her.
“No. Max, your father told you every night, as did I. Perhaps we should tell you more often, when you are awake. She looked at Moishe who gave a gentle nod.
“I have cake and tea.” She pointed to Hannah. “Should we wake her?”
“No, this is the first fearless sleep she’s had in almost a year,” Jacob said.
“Then I will set the table and let her sleep in the bunk room. Come up to the basement when you have finished your tour of the collections.”
The three men stared at one another. Max spoke first. “Yes, finish the tour first, and you explain your number 3 at the table with Mama.”
“Three? Moishe said, puzzled. Oh, yes! He said as he remembered. “Three will explain a lot to both of you.”
“Here,” Max said to Jacob, “look at these.”
Jacob turned and was aghast at what he saw. “I have only seen paintings like these in books,” Jacob stammered. “Where did all of this come from? Yours?” he queried.
“Yes, I was a collector of fine art, as was my father,” Moishe said pointing to a large vase atop an ornate pedestal in the center of the space.
Jacob could hardly take his eyes off the Renoirs and Monets against the walls. “Van Gogh!” he exclaimed.
Then he moved to stand next to Moishe. “This urn was left to me by my father. It is my most cherished possession!”
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| Jacob sees THE URN for the first time watercolor by Elaine Troisi |
Jacob looked closer. “Be careful, Jacob,” Moishe whispered.” This canopic jar dates back many centuries before Christ turned water into wine. Its value is incalculable. Notice the blue lapis and the red carnelian.” He traced the lapis with his finger, gently, lovingly. His face softened into a near smile.
Jacob didn’t know how to respond, so he savored the moment, too.
Jacob spoke first. “How were you able to keep these precious things from getting into the hands of the Germans?’
“You know,” Max joined in now, speaking softly, “Have you wondered why Paris isn’t being bombarded and destroyed by the Germans?”
“Yes,” Jacob said trying to come up with an answer. “Everywhere we traveled to get here was ravaged and bombed. You name it, we experienced the destruction. The footprint of hate was everywhere!” Jacob exclaimed.
“Well, the hate lives on, but because of one German, Commander Heinrich von Cholitz, Paris still stands. He’s a vicious man, but he defied Hitler’s command to level our beautiful beacon of light, culture, and joy.” Moishe’s voice rose as he spoke.
“I don’t get it, Mr Soneberg,” Jacob said, confused.
“It’s complicated, just like the enemy,” Max interjected noticing Moishe’s nod. “Let’s just say eventually even Hitler decided it was the right decision to spare the city which holds the greatest art collection in the world. Wealth! And that’s when the looting of the Jewish communities began. Now do you see the connection, Jacob. My father is a clever man,” he said proudly. “Go on, Papa.”
“I get it. When they came to your house, you had already secreted your valuables down here.” Jacob glanced around. There was silver, jewelry, and other valuables everywhere.
“I wasn’t about to let those Nazi bastards seize everything I worked a lifetime for!” Moishe’s eyes grew dark and angry. “with my contacts, we have begun to sell a few items to fund our campaign.!”
Eyes wide, Jacob felt something take root in his chest. It was purpose. “Moishe,” he blurted, “I can help you and Max.” At that, Max looked at Jacob.” I want to join the Resistance, to help. Perhaps the newspaper… to assist Max. If he will take me on.”
Golde was at the ladder.” Come on, lads, the tea is getting cold.”
“Oh, Jacob, I was hoping …
After checking on Hannah who looked flushed, they sat at the table.
“Golde, “Jacob asked, “is Hannah looking flushed to you, too.”
“She’s fine, Jacob, but you’ll be a papa by tomorrow!
Jacob gasped, worried, “what will we do?”
Max place a gentle arm around his shoulder. “Mama has delivered babies before, so don’t worry, my boy,” he looked at his father. After a brief pause, the joke sank in. Everyone laughed.
Golde poured the tea and cut the cake. “I don’t have the ingredients for a proper cake,” she apologized, “but the tea is real.”
“Umm, delicious,” they murmured.
Max said, “what is number 3?”
“Oh, yes. This will come as a big surprise, so hold on. Years ago, Jacob, when you dad still owned his steel mill, I did business with him now and then. As a matter of fact, the steel in the vault…” Seeing Jacob’s reaction, he paused.
Jacob rose from his seat, disbelief on his face. “You knew my father? I must have been very young.”
“Yes, you and Max were young children then. I even did business with Rachel’s father. He owned a very prosperous jewelry shop. He designed our wedding bands for us.” Now he was smiling, as he took Golde’s hand. “They are also in the vault room.”
Jacob, still in utter shock, “Did our parents know one another before the ghetto?”
“I’m not sure, Jacob. Their work was so different, but it’s possible.”
“Now, Max, does this help you understand why I trust Hannah and Jacob. Both the Solomon’ and the Rabinowicz’s are fine, honest people,” he he explained, “And one more thing, shortly after they were confined to the ghetto, your father, Asher Solomon, and Hannah’s father, Lieb Rabinowicz joined the Resistance. In fact, the Resistance along with brave men in the Ghetto are preparing for an uprising within a year to defeat the Germans. Then they will escape the Ghetto forever!”
Jacob slumped back into his chair, overwhelmed. Max leaned in close, offering comfort while feeling ashamed of his behavior in the vault.
Then came a blood curdling scream!
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Chapter 10 will be ready for your eyes on Friday evening, July 25, 2025
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