The Day the Flowers Died (4 page)

“Thank you, kind sir,” the panhandler said.

Eli smiled and turned to escort her inside.  They jumped to
the side when a waiter dashed out the door, motivated by yells of
the owner to “move that bum away from my place of business!” The
waiter dragged the panhandler up and asked him to leave the street,
his eyes filled with a silent apology.

“Can’t a man make a living anymore?” the beggar grunted,
stuffing the money from the pan into his pockets, then waddled away
with a limp in his left leg.

The owner behind the counter watched Eli and Rebecca select a
table by the window.  Dressed in common white pants and beige
shirt, his tall frame made its way to their table.

“Eli, it’s nice to see you today.  How’s business going for
you?”

“I can’t complain.  So many have been hit hard by the
crashing stock market.”

“Yes, yes.  It’s a real shame.” The owner didn’t try to
build any façade of real concern. “Here are your menus.” He smiled
into his mustache and headed behind the counter.

“A compassionate man,” Rebecca remarked with sarcasm.

“Yes, the sincerity is overwhelming,” Eli returned her
humor.

Studying Eli’s face, she admired his sculptured features in
privacy, a jagged nose, bushy brows, and defined cheeks.  When
he glanced up, her gaze darted to her menu.

“How do you know him?” she asked.

“I used to eat here on occasion with my father.” He stopped to
give the waiter their orders.

When the waiter left, she asked, “How did things go for you when
you arrived at your mama’s party?”

“The eating had slowed and the drinking had intensified. 
Many of my relatives were there, so when I slid in, no one missed
me.  I didn’t have such luck with my mama, though.” He made a
funny grimace.  “She made it very clear I’d better be there
for the entire celebration next year or she may disown her only
son.”

Rebecca’s face grew alarmed.

“She doesn’t really mean it.  She says something like that
at least once a year.” His voice went up an octave into a motherly
tone, “Eli, you’d better make it to Shabbos this morning or I’m
going to have to disown my only son and you know what a heartache
that will be for me.”

Eli moved his hands in sway and wrinkled his forehead, imitating
his concerned mother.  “Eli, the Seder for Pesach is only a
couple days away and you still haven’t gotten the bitter herbs, the
eggs, or the chicken I requested.  Am I going to have to
disown my only son? Don’t do this to your mother.” He finished with
a pointing, wavering forefinger, making Rebecca laugh at his
antics.  He settled when the waiter set his pastrami on rye in
front of him, and Rebecca enjoyed her chicken sandwich.  She
tore the sandwich into tiny pieces, then placed one into her mouth,
savoring each taste.

When they finished with lunch, he waved away the waiter’s offer
for coffee.

“The meal was delicious.  Thank you so much, Eli.”

“It was my pleasure.” Eli picked up the tab and they ambled
towards their apartment building.  Rebecca let go of Eli’s
hands just before he opened the door to the brown brick
building.

“So, I’ll see you later.  I have to get going.  My
parents are expecting me to visit them this weekend,” Rebecca
reminded.

“Yes, of course.  I almost forgot. I’ll see you later
then.” Eli reached to her cheek and kissed her once. Rebecca turned
away to hail a cab and, before she jumped into it, she glanced at
Eli to find him still watching her.

“Thank you again for the tulip.  It’s lovely,” she said,
then the cab door shut and she disappeared.  When the cab
drove up to Rebecca’s home just outside of Munich, she felt that
familiar knot in her stomach, hoping to avoid another argument with
her mother this time. The driver stopped in front of a large,
lavish home on a street filled with other large, lavish homes. It
had been several months since her last visit, before meeting Eli. A
maid in black garb and a white apron rushed out the front doors,
waving and calling out to Rebecca.

“It’s good to have you back with us.” She spoke with a light
Austrian accent, her blond red hair twisted underneath her white
bonnet and only strands of it escaped around her face.

“Mildred!” Rebecca’s smile widened and she hugged her.

“No luggage, Ms. Baum?”

“Please call me Rebecca. Just because I’ve moved out, Mildred,
it doesn’t mean you have to go back to formalities.” Mildred’s
rounded cheeks puffed pink from the cold weather.

“Yes, Rebecca,” she said with a servitude tone.  A tall man
with a receding gray-blond hairline stumbled out of the front doors
and embraced Rebecca.

“Papa!” Rebecca kissed him on the cheek and he took her hand as
they walked together.

“The daughter whom I haven’t seen in ages.”

“It’s only been a couple months.”

“You’re going to have to tell us all about your adventures in
Munich and University. Your mama is excited to talk with you. She
found someone you’ll really like.”

“Papa, I don’t need setting up,” she declared through gritted
teeth, “Besides, I’ve already found someone.” Her voice
softened.

“Really? You’re going to have to bring him home sometime and let
us meet him.” Father and daughter stopped inside the entryway,
where she took off her coat.

 A tall woman wrapped in a long, grey, silky dress walked
through a swinging door and into the entryway, arms extended.
“Rebecca.” She glided over to her daughter and kissed her once on
each cheek.

“Mutti.” Rebecca tried to ease the tension inside as she hugged
her.

“I’ve found someone for you,” she whispered into her daughter’s
ears. “He comes from a long line of strong German ancestry. 
His family is well off and he is so polite and well mannered. 
You’re going to love him.”

“Mutti, slow down.” Rebecca rushed her words, “As I was telling
Papa…I’ve found someone in Munich.”

“Ah!” Her mother shook Rebecca’s arm in delight.  “Courted
by two men.  Maybe there is hope for you yet, my
darling.  You’re going to have to let us meet this stranger,”
she rushed her thoughts in excitement, “Perhaps this
Christmas.  It’s coming up quickly.”

“Perhaps, Mutti.  I’ll have to see what he’s doing. 
He’s a lawyer and they get busy.” Rebecca offered the detail of
Eli’s profession early, hoping to soothe her mother’s expectations
and satiate her appetite for more details.  But this
information only teased her mother for more.  She walked with
Rebecca, holding onto her arm, into the dining area for a proper
discussion.  Rebecca’s father headed into his study to read,
wanting to avoid his wife’s gossip.  After dinner, he could
spend more time with Rebecca.

The two women wandered onto the balcony patio while sipping
tea.  Rebecca’s mother kept her busy with questions of
matrimony and University well into the early evening.  Rebecca
bit her lip when she told small white lies to keep her mother
happy.  Her mind fluttered back to moments she spent with Eli
and somehow the time flew without agitation and with dinner almost
served.

Dinner brought a welcomed interruption for Rebecca, and her
father made it known he intended to dominate the conversation by a
loud clearing of his throat.

“You are happy in Munich?” He filled his plate with the
assortment of foods brought by the chef and servants.

“Yes, very much, Papa.  It’s so busy, I’m rarely ever
bored.”

“Your studies are going well?”

“I’ve almost completed my courses.  By summer next year I
should graduate.”

“That’s very good.” He paused for a sip of wine.  “So, what
is this I hear about a new man in your life?” Her father, always
predictably direct, arched an eyebrow.

Rebecca knew she’d have to answer the plethora of questions from
her parents.  She came prepared with the easiest and most
accurate answers, though not necessarily completely truthful.

“He’s a lawyer, working for his father.  He graduated from
Ludwig Maximilians two years ago.” She emphasized his
university.  “He’s smart and funny, too.” She laughed in
thought of some of their conversations.

“So when will we meet him?”

“Soon, I hope. Mutti wants me to bring him down for Christmas,
but I have to see what his plans are then.”

“Well, don’t keep him away too long or your mama might just make
arrangements for your wedding with…what is his name…?” Her father
looked to her mother.

“Carl,” her mother said through her teeth, disappointed that no
one could remember the name of the young man she chose for
Rebecca.

Rebecca laughed at her father’s remark, hiding her large teeth
behind her hands.

“Dear, you know it’s impolite to laugh at the table while we are
trying to have a serious conversation,” her mother fussed, quick to
point out Rebecca’s fault.

“Yes, Mutti.”

Her father glanced at Rebecca and the two shared a secret
smile.

Rebecca headed to her room after dinner, which had remained the
same since the day she left.  Many of her old clothes still
hung in the closet and many of her favorite toiletries still
lingered on the vanity and in the bathroom. She prepared for bed
and let her head fall to her thick feather pillows while pulling up
the Egyptian silk comforter over her body.  Recounting the
evening, she felt happy that she avoided all the anxiety ridden
questions.

Sunday morning, her mother made her dress in her Sunday’s best
to attend mass at the Lugwigskirche Catholic church.  The
dress buttoned to the very top of Rebecca’s neck and draped in
length, covering her ankles.

They sat in the second row near the front; her parents sat on
either side of her. She felt squeezed by proper society while
sitting tightly between them. Peering ahead at the tall brown worn
wooden pulpit, she waited for the priest to give his sermon. Mass
was long, even longer then Rebecca’s work day at the diner. 
After mass, her parents drove her back to their home up a long high
hill and parked their black Daimler-Benz. “Mildred!” Her mother
called out to the maid who still remained only the help since her
hiring twenty years ago. Mildred raced to the Benz, dusting off her
apron with her hands.

“Yes, Mrs. Baum, may I do something for you?”

“I need help getting inside. My feet are swelling underneath
me.” Rebecca’s mother clung onto her like a patient to a doctor
stepping in her high heels over the grains of pebble and sand until
she reached the door.  “Thank you, Mildred.” She let go of the
maid’s arm and plodded into the large house.  Rebecca and her
father walked arm in arm over the bumpy walkway.  At the door,
Rebecca kissed her father on his cheek and announced her
departure.

“I’ve got to get going.  I don’t want to get back into
Munich too late.”

“Certainly, dear.” Her father smiled cordially and her mother
scampered back to the front door and asked in motherly
disappointment, “Leaving so quickly?”

“I’m sorry, but with the traffic I would like to make it to my
apartment before dark.”

“I’ll see you at Christmas then. Don’t forget to bring your
special someone.  We’re looking forward to meeting him.”
Rebecca hugged her mother, who kissed her again on both cheeks,
then headed to the front gate for the waiting taxi.  In the
cab, Rebecca stared out the window, watching the scenery of lush
living fade the closer she got to Munich.  In the city, she
drove past a struggling mix of the homeless, now abundant on the
streets, and knew the employed lived inside the warm buildings.

 Once home, she rushed upstairs to get her bag of laundry
to wash by hand in her bathroom.  Normally, Rebecca would have
more time to finish up her menial tasks, but since she kept a
promise to see her parents and go with them to service, the day
offered less time then she hoped and her legs couldn’t move her
fast enough.

She laid her apron out in the bathroom, knowing it wouldn't be
dry in time if she didn’t wash it first when she returned with
groceries.  She heard a few steps in the apartment above her
and wondered if Eli was home yet from his day. Without hesitation
in her step, she smiled at the ceiling and then headed outside for
fresh air before the evening caught up with her.

Sunday, November 8, 1931

Rebecca and Eli ambled down the chilly sidewalk hand in hand,
their bodies close enough to keep each other warmer than if they
walked alone. Rebecca fiddled with her rose colored knit hat her
mother gave her. Benches lined the sidewalk outside the park and
they cozily sat side by side on one in the middle.Eli wrapped his
arm around Rebecca and saw her nose turning a fast red. He rubbed
it with his hands, a task Rebecca was becoming familiar with.
Laughing at her easy vulnerability to the cold, he took off his
long strapped, leather brown bag carrying a few books and laid it
across his legs. He took out a book, laid his head on her lap and
gazed up at her. Though certainly taboo, being around her made him
feel free. Caressing his face, her fingers touched his cheeks and
forehead and then circled around to his chin.

“Feels like you've missed a shave again,” Rebecca remarked
without feeling she would offend him.

“You are a very perceptive young woman.” He raised an index
finger in emphasis.  “I'll have to remedy my error later.”

“No error,” she smiled wide.  “I kind of like it, all rough
and manly.”

She lowered her head to his and Eli planned to give her a peck
on the lips.  Yet, after their lips touched, he lingered there
and then laid his head back on the warmth of her lap garbed in a
thick dark wool skirt.  Eli opened the book.

“Who are we reading today?” Rebecca asked.

“Heinrich Heine, a German poet of Jewish origin.”

“Oh.” Rebecca teased with catty intonation.

“Are you mocking me?” Eli asked halfheartedly with the look of
sensuality in his dark brown eyes.