THE URN
CHAPTER 22
Written and illustrated by Elaine Troisi
4 Rue du Tresor, Paris
November 1943
Hannah and Jacob were in a panic. Max, too. Max raced back to HQ and explained to Colette what happened, and she, too, agreed to help. They returned to 4 Rue du Tresor where Jacob was trying to comfort Hannah, and find out what happened to Rachel. After brief introductions, Hannah welcomed Colette into the search party.
Hannah was sobbing, and Jacob was trying to console her, but there was no comforting her. Their baby girl was missing!
Colette asked Hannah,“Is there any sign she was taken?”
“No, no. She pulled her little chair to the door and climbed up to release the latch somehow.” More sobs and gasps.
Colette took her trembling hand. She spoke softly, like silk. “Shh, shh, Hannah. I understand. Really I do. We will find her. Shush now, dear.” She smiled at Hannah whose body began to relax.
She managed a whimper, “But Colette, I don't think you understand. Rachel has never been out. Just once. She was only an infant then, and she can't possibly remember.”
It was already 7 a.m. The sky was a brilliant blue, the air crisp and chilly, with a hint of wood smoke from the nearby homes. Big puffs of fog came with each breath.
Max decided it would be too dangerous to travel as a foursome. They agreed to meet back at the house at 7:30, no matter what. “I'll go with Colette,” he said taking her hand, “and we will go around to the back alley this way, while you and Jacob go the other.” He paused. “Please go as if you are out for a morning stroll and do nothing to draw attention to yourselves. Jacob, you know what I mean.” Jacob nodded, though every nerve in his body was afire.
Colette asked aloud as they walked, “Max, where would a little girl go?”
“I wish I knew. I fear she’s lost by now. Otherwise, she’s hungry and looking for home.” He shook his head with worry. “Maybe she’s curled up on the front stoop of another house, wrapped in her blanket, sleeping soundly…”
Colette said, resting her head on his shoulder, “Then that's where we will start.”
They walked on at a natural pace, though they wanted to run, and fast. The sound of a child’S laughter echoed down a nearby alley, and Colette's eyes lit up. “Max, is there a playground nearby?”
Max looked into her eyes. “You are brilliant, Colette.Yes, there is! Come, this way!”
They turned down the alley, the smell of fresh bread wafting from the bakery. They increased their pace. Like following a breadcrumb trail, they found Hannah’s scarf, then the blanket. They heard giggling, and the creak of a swing.
There she was, in Hannah’s arms, her cheeks rosy from the cold, her eyes shining with excitement.
“Guess we all came to the same realization,” Jacob said, his eyes bright with delight!
“Uncle Max,” Rachel screamed, waving her rabbit in the air. “Come play with me!”
The group stayed for another fifteen minutes, taking turns pushing Rachel on the swing. The metal chains creaked, and the air was thick with the earthy smell of fallen leaves . Rachel's laughter was infectious, and soon they were all smiling.
Finally, Hannah said, “Rachel, sweetheart, it's time to go. It's cold out. Let's go home. How does hot chocolate sound to you?”
“With crushed candy on top, Mama?”
They sipped the hot chocolate, sweet and crunchy, very grateful for the warmth of the fire Jacob lit in the stove. The steaming cups of chocolate warmed their stomachs as well, after the cold of the brisk outdoors.
Rachel giggled as she licked the chocolate mustache that had formed on her upper lip, tickling her nose. After the round of hot chocolate, Rachel began to yawn. Her morning adventures had tired her. Off for a nap, but before going to her room, she ran to Colette and gave her a big hug and wet kiss, whispering,“I like you, Alette!” Everyone smiled at the mispronunciation of Colette’s name.
Max leaned in, “I do believe she’s flirting with you, Colette. Need I worry?” She knocked his elbow from under his chin, slightly embarrassed.
Hannah returned a few moments later. “Out like a light from her morning in the playground. “We will have to set her down for a serious talk, though,” she said, looking at Jacob.
“And now I will fix the door lock,” he said, rising.
“And I must be returning to headquarters,” Colette announced. “It's already 9:30. And you gentleman must get busy writing about the women joining the movement and their vital work as couriers, spies, and saboteurs. She winked at them, a hint at the day’s topic for the newspaper issue. “The war won't last forever, you know, and women will carry the victory banner, right beside you heroes, when we stomp on the backs of the likes of General Dietrich von Cholitz himself!”
“Here, here,” Max and Jacob thumped the table simultaneously.
“Are you permitted to tell us what your role is in the Resistance?” Hannah looked at Colette with admiration and wonder.
“Well, I'll try. It's a bit complicated. When an agent needs to be dropped off or picked up by air, my job is to scout out an obscure area for the Westland Lysander to land and take off on moonlit nights.”
“Oh, my. That sounds very dangerous!” Hannah covered her mouth.
“It’s the women pilots and agents who take all the risk, not so much me, Hannah. And I'm extremely careful!”
“I want to know more, Colette.” She paused to gather her thoughts. “But how do you find long enough runways, and how are they lit, and who does it, and , and …”
Jacob put a hand on Hannah’s arm. He could see her mind racing like a shooting star in a night sky. “I can explain it to you later, Hannah. Right now, Colette has to go do her job.”
Colette rose, not eager to leave the warmth of their kitchen, with its lingering fragrance of chocolate, but duty called. Max stood as well, holding her hand.
“Would you like to have dinner with us tonight? I have a chicken to roast,” Hannah offered. “Have you ever had latkes?”s
Max looked at Colette and tugged her hand. “That would be lovely, Hannah. Being French, I have access to a bakery. Shall I bring freshly baked bread?”
Colette parted shortly after, with Max by her side. Jacob got tools for the front door while Hannah cleaned up. She giggled as she set the cups in the dishpan.
“What's that about?" Jacob asked, tapping the deadbolt in place.
“I was just thinking what a cute couple they make!”
“Like us?” Jacob laughed.
She dried her hands in her apron and went to Jacob, arms open. They kissed. He said, your neck is as sweet as hot chocolate on an autumn morning.Yum,” he nibbled.
“Oh, you! What a poet!” She laughed, pushing him away and returned to the sink. “What's a Lysander?”
They sat at the table while he explained the process … how Colette would search in the day for a small meadow or field. Small because the Lysander, or Lizzie, needed only a short field for landing and takeoff, unlike larger planes. Then, on a chosen moonlit night, Colette and one other would report to the site. For runway lights, they taped three flashlights to spikes, which they then stuck in the ground in a ‘Y’ formation. That, along with the moonlight and a secret Morse code message, made for a quick landing and handoff. Within fifteen minutes, the field was returned to its pristine condition. And Colette and her friend would disappear into the woods on their bikes. “Quite an operation! Wouldn't you agree?” he asked. “And all I do is write and print!”
“And be a wonderful father and husband, too!” She kissed him warmly. Then he disappeared into the bunker to write this day’s article for the newspaper.
But her mind was deep in thought when she heard, “Mama!” from upstairs.
The afternoon flew by with songs and Rachel’s imaginary forest. Hannah imagined a tiny plane landing in the forest, whisking Rachel away to safety.
At three o’clock, Max returned for a slab of slathered bread, then a nap before dinner. Jacob came up to play with Rachel, who was very content to entertain herself. So, Jacob returned to the kitchen and offered his services. He tapped Hannah on the shoulder, and she nearly jumped out of her skin, the pungent onion rolling from her hand into the sink.
“Hey, hey. Are those onion tears or real tears?” he asked.
“Both, I guess.”
“Golde and Moishe on your mind?” He pulled her close.
“That, and more …Sit with me,Jacob. We need to talk.” She poured two cups of tea, black, no sugar. She wrapped her hands around the cup, soaking in its warmth and savoring the scent of freshly brewed tea leaves.
“I have a plan, Jacob, and I fear you won't approve.”
Jewish Lexicon
Latkes are made from grated potatoes, garlic, onion. Add a small amount of flour, an egg, and seasoning. Form patties and fry til crispy. Serve with applesauce or sour cream. Yum!😋
Historical Notes
Known as the 'spy taxi,' the Lizzie or Westland Lysander was used by the British Expeditionary Force in France in WWII
General Dietrich von Cholitz was Hitler's commander in Paris during WWII
ENJOY chapter 22 and watch for the next chapter on January 30! And, as always, I'm listening!
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