Albany Park

By Myles (Mickey) Golde

Victor Wayne and Shirley Siegal are 14 year old Von Steuben high school freshmen, living in the predominately Jewish neighborhood of Chicagos Albany Park, in 1945. Follow the twists and turns of their lives in the 1940s, 50s and into the 90s as they take you through the familiar Chicago and Florida locations.
Though Albany Park is a work of fiction, it is based on many actual events as it describes lifestyles of the characters and the era.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477221327

Myles (Mickey) Golde

Myles (Mickey) Golde is a lifelong resident of Chicago and the city’s northern suburbs. A graduate of the public school system, he went on to receive a JD from the John Marshall Law School in 1955. Following two years in the Army and a short stint as an attorney, Mr. Golde went into the sanitary maintenance business with his brother. In 1998 they sold their company OSS Inc., the largest Food Plant Sanitation Contractor in the Midwest to Omni Inc., a national service contractor. Mickey and Nancy, his wife of fifty nine years, reside in Highland Park, Illinois and Boca Raton, Florida. They have three children, Bradley, Michael and Leslie, and three grandchildren, Quinn, Lilia and Lucy Belle. . Prior to writing Albany Park, Mr. Golde wrote many human interest stories for the Lerner Papers of Chicago and other local publications.

Book preview

Chapter 1

From a distance, the gong of a Church bell tolled. Then the piercing sound of the school bell and a siren shrieked as bells, horns and sirens from all directions joined in.

Hey, the war must be over, yelled a tall dark-haired boy as he dropped a baseball bat, raising a puff of dust on the worn gravel of the school yard. A wide grin, showing dimples, crossed his finely chiseled features as he whooped and jumped in the direction of the other three boys in the lineball game converging on the pitcher’s mound. Stocky and bespectacled Jim Vogel, tall and sporting a few blemishes on his face, Sam Greenstein, short and pudgy Al Gordon and Victor Wayne, the tall wavy-haired boy who dropped the bat, clasped hands, hugging, jumping and screaming.

Japan’s surrender had been anticipated for several days. On August 6th, the radio blared with the news that the Japanese city of Hiroshima was almost completely destroyed by a single, highly secret United States Atomic Bomb. Three days later another atom bomb hit Nagasaki with similar devastation. The world waited in horror after hearing the reports of the destruction caused by this powerful new weapon. That night President Truman, broadcasting on national and worldwide radio, issued an ultimatum to the Japanese to surrender unconditionally or accept the consequences of additional bombs on their cities.

On August 14th, Emperor Hirohito, of Japan, spoke to his nation and admitted defeat. Celebrations immediately erupted throughout the world.

Every kid in the school yard had stopped what they were doing. Swift pitching games ceased, the players gathering to jump and scream with the lineball players. Poker games in the secluded area near the school boiler room broke up as did the crap game, scrambling the gamblers as they picked up their bets. Hands slapped backs and boys of all ages shouted, jumped and ran in every direction. Loungers sprawling on the school stairs sprung to their feet, as small boys in short pants playing pinners, abandoned their rubber balls, and girls jumping rope stopped in mid-air, all running to join the crowds screaming and hugging one another.

Clouds of dust floated from the tamped-down gravel against the deep colored red brick of the school as kids rushed from one group to another and the crowd got larger.

Within minutes men, and women joined the gang of kids in the school yard, waving flags, banging pots, and cheering.

Vic, Sam, Al and Jim continued to pound each other on the back; laughing hysterically and screaming, The war is over, the war is over!

Mitzi Rubin, a thin blonde woman without a trace of makeup and hair tied, exposing her long sensuous neck, came running from her apartment down the street. Her baggy house dress and apron, damp from washing a load of laundry, clung to her legs. Smiling broadly with tears flowing and holding a four foot American flag in her slender hands, she climbed to the head of the steps near the south end of the campus. Looking toward the sky as if praying, she started to sing, in a strong clear voice, God Bless America land that I love. Hearing her German accent, Vic Wayne stopped and smiled. The words coming from her sounded more meaningful he thought, especially when he remembered that she had been the only survivor in her family to escape from Germany before the war. By the time she reached the word America, everyone in the large group that had gathered to watch her, joined in. Dragging out the final word, she waved the flag in a wide circle and the singers followed her, singing the song again . This time, even louder. Laughing hilariously at the singing and cheers, she continued to lead the expanding crowd in The Star Spangled Banner. At the conclusion, she waved the flag to the hilarious delight and applause of the crowd. With the flag held high, she descended the steps. A parade followed her. Shouts erupted as people sang and loudly screamed other patriotic songs and phrases.

Passing Vic, she smiled and said, Where have you been? I haven’t seen you lately. His face flushed, remembering how he had met the lonely twenty-year-old wife of a soldier and the close friendship they formed the previous summer. He hadn’t seen her since three months after he started going steady with Shirley Siegal. Waving, he mumbled, Just been busy, and turned away; knowing she couldn’t hear him over the din in the school yard. Her only response was raised eyebrows, a tilted head and a shrug.

Out of the corner of his eye, Vic spotted Shirley at a distance, talking and laughing with some girls, and remembered he was to meet her today at the school. He started in her direction and hesitated, noticing how she stood out in the crowd. Even at fourteen, she looked seductive. Her dark curly hair, accentuating her bright eyes and the way she moved always set her apart. Her hips, and legs, especially when viewed from behind, had the effect of making one eager to see what the rest of her looked like. Sighing he looked down, just feeling like he didn’t want to be with her today, but last night she insisted on seeing him even though she knew he would be playing ball with his friends. Lately she seemed to always be around; he could never just be by himself or with the guys. Turning, he slapped Jim on the back. C’mon let’s go, he said, ducking away from where Shirley was standing. Jim pushed back his glasses with his forefinger, noticing his friend avoiding his girlfriend.

What’s up weren’t you meeting Shirley today?

Let’s get outta here, before she sees me.

Hurrying south from the school, the boys could hear radios playing through open windows on the warm August day, blaring The White Cliffs of Dover, God Bless America and Sousa marches. Oh beautiful for spacious skies, sang out from one, followed by Edward R. Murrow’s voice, reporting from London, echoed loudly from a basement apartment close to the sidewalk. Further down the street, a prayer was heard from another radio, with a background of Battle Hymn of the Republic", playing softly, as the solemnity of the moment struck.

Sirens and bells continued while the boys worked their way down Springfield. Reaching the first corner, Vic stopped, holding up his hand and shouted over the noise, Hey let’s go downtown; I bet it’s wild there.

Yeah let’s go, they all agreed. Tugging at his drooping pants, stocky Jim Vogel led the way toward Lawrence Avenue to catch a ride.

It didn’t take long for a bright red and yellow streetcar to come into view; moving toward the El station to downtown. Normally, the streetcars roared as they raced down the tracks, but this one was very crowded and the slow clickety-clack of the wheels on the tracks could be heard. Sam and Vic trotted alongside the lazy pace of the creaking car and grabbed at the support handles on the open rear platform, holding out hands to help Jim and Al find spots to grab while standing on the jammed step.

The florid faced conductor, hat in hand, was using his sleeve to wipe away the sweat on his forehead, his other hand continuously pulled the cord on the clanging bell and waved anyone off that was attempting to pay the six cent fare. Not today, he shouted, the war is over.

At Kimball, the boys, along with about half the passengers got off to run into the station and board the Elevated train to the Loop. All of them, except Jim, were wearing scruffy bleached overalls, with striped short sleeved knit shirts that had seen better days.

Huffing up the stairs to the platform, Jim straightened his collar and rubbed at a large smudge on the front his shirt shouting, my Mom would faint if she saw me going downtown dressed like this.

Between them they had less than three dollars, which they had counted up before boarding the street car. It didn’t seem to matter today. The seats on the train filed quickly and several passengers stood in the aisle. Slowly, they left the station. .

At, the first stop, Kedzie, the doors opened and another boisterous group pushed aboard. They were led by two men who ran in, clinked whiskey bottles and took swigs. A group of kids in summer playground clothes and several men in work clothes, stormed in, others in straw hats and ties and women in lightweight summer dresses followed. All were happy, shouting, singing and waving flags or blowing horns as they joined the lively crowd going deeper into the city.

By the time they reached Fullerton, the last stop before entering the year-old subway tunnel, the train had slowed, but didn’t stop to take on more passengers. It was already too crowded. Entering the tunnel the roar of the wheels bouncing off the walls heard through the open windows, added to the noise of the shouts and singing. At Lake Street, the train screeched to a stop. Many of the passengers, including the boys, got off, leaving the sagging wicker covered seats of the old El car empty. With Vic leading the way, the four of them ran up the stairs to State Street. They were greeted with a mass of screaming people for as far as the eye could see.

Jim climbed onto the fence surrounding the subway station entrance and the others followed. From that vantage point, they were three to four feet higher than the street. Turning and twisting they looked in every direction without encountering any empty space in the huge, joyous mob. All traffic on the normally bustling street, had stopped. On top of a streetcar directly in front of them, a husky sailor without a hat was waving a flag. Another sailor had climbed a light pole and was singing Anchors Away at the top of his lungs. To the right and left, soldiers and sailors were being mobbed by women. Men were drinking bottles of whiskey which they shared with anyone wanting a taste. Two soldiers, each with a chest full of ribbons, were laughing and kissing women as they passed around large pitchers of beer. A sailor stripped to his undershirt handed Vic a bottle of beer, saying, Drink up, kid, now you won’t have to go to war! Vic took a gulp as the laughing sailor motioned with his head to the others and said, Give some to your pals, too.

A pretty blonde with a short pleated skirt that flared to reveal her pink panties and the dark, eyebrow-pencil line down the back of her bare legs, made to look like she was wearing hose, was jitterbugging with a soldier to the Andrews Sisters, belting out Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy From Company B. Hundreds watched, clapping with hands over their heads as the music blasted from loudspeakers attached to the brightly lit canopy of the State and Lake Theater. The soldier’s hat flew off as he swung the blonde around in a circle where a space had widened for the dancers. Squealing at the end of the dance, the blonde threw her arms around the soldier’s neck and gave him a big smooch. The crowd hooted and applauded.

Two soldiers, a sailor wearing an Army cap and a marine with his shirt tail flying squirreled up a street car further down the street. Once on top, they joined hands and began singing, The Caissons Go Rolling Along, as voices all around joined in they continued with the Marine Hymn, Anchors Away and Air Corps, songs.

By seven o’clock, the mob began to thin. The boys had been there since about two and had eaten only a couple of sandwiches, along with two shared root beers, that had been given to them by a gray haired woman in a Red Cross Uniform.

Sam, tired of watching all the young women kissing the servicemen, walked up to a dark-haired girl who had just kissed a sailor, spun her around and pressed his lips on her mouth. Pushing him away, she squinted, made a sour face and laughed, Easy, junior, you’re too young.

Everyone in earshot roared and Jim almost lost his glasses as he scooted away, managing a pinch on the thigh of a tubby young redhead.

Al Gordon signaled the boys to watch as he quickly felt the breast of a young woman wearing a bright red dress. Winking, he bumped into another girl grabbing a handful of her ample behind and quickly ran, getting lost in the crowd.

Vic, with Jim following walked down a block and stood in a doorway taking in the sights and tried to make eye contact with a group of girls about their age that were close by. The girls ignored them and turned away. One in particular, a tall brunette with a bright smile finally turned back. Vic looked directly at her, as she walked over to him.

What you looking at, good looking? she said loudly, flinging her arms around his shoulders and kissing him on the mouth. Her friends screamed as she held on for a second and then they all ran off. Vic laughed as he wiped away the lipstick. Wide-eyed Jim slapped him on the back. Leave it to you, Wayne, he grinned. All the women go for you.

Turning back, they looked for Al and Sam. Twenty minutes later, without any luck, they gave up and retreated down into the subway. On the platform, three black kids with a sax, trumpet and drum, circled a hat on the ground holding coins and a few dollars as soldiers and sailors danced to the music with girls and women of all ages. Most of the men watching the dancers were swaying drunk or halfway under the influence. Others waved bottles or passed them around while the women with them were laughing hysterically at the show. A few of the ladies looked like they had been drinking, too.

Jim stood quietly, wiping his glasses on his shirt tail and scrunching up his eyes, trying not to miss anything. Vic, a small smile on his face, stood tapping his foot and clapping to the beat of the music. The crowd wound down as the whooshing sound of a slowing train approached; drowning out a loud rendition of Glenn Miller’s In The Mood. Jim motioned with a flick of his head that it was time to board a train home. Once again, no one was collecting fares, and they stood in the crowded train almost all the way back to Albany Park.

Across from the end of the Ravenswood line at Kimball, they boarded a westbound streetcar. Vic jumped off the back platform at Central Park with a wave to Jim and started walking toward Monticello. Humming the Marine Hymn, his head was still reeling from all he had witnessed downtown. He remembered how Pa described the excitement at the end of the First World War. Now he too, would have something to tell his kids years from now.

He spotted Shirley on the corner of Monticello and Lawrence, a half a block from his house Turning and tucking at her blouse, she was fluffing her hair and looking at her reflection in the large plate glass window of Korb’s Delicatessen. Spotting him, her hands went to her hips and as he got closer he could see her lips drawn tightly. He tried to be casual as he approached; he could tell she was mad.

Where ya been? she wanted to know, I’ve been at your house and even your mother didn’t know where you were. Don’t you care that I’ve been waiting here for over an hour, she hissed, spitting out the words. And weren’t we supposed to see each other at the school this afternoon.

Coming closer, he ran his hand through his mussed hair. Stopping, he stuffed one hand into his back pocket and shrugged as if he didn’t understand. Oh yeah, I forgot with the war ending and all. I went downtown with the guys.

What about me? she answered, through her tightly clenched teeth. Lately, you’re always forgetting or too busy or something.

Hey, cool it Shirley, he said, shifting from one foot to the other. I just forgot. Don’t make such a big deal about it. Besides, I don’t have to report to you.

You don’t care. Everybody else is more important than me. You’re always with Sam or Jim or I don’t know who, she scolded, standing her ground, her hands still on her hips.

He saw her eyes narrowing and her lips pull tighter as she waited for his response.

Oh come on, stop that crap. You know I gotta work and yeah, I get together with my friends. And sometimes we play ball or do things.

Yeah, I bet. She sniffled. I know you got another girlfriend.

Oh, cut it out. How can I have another girlfriend? You never let me alone. Everywhere I go, you’re keeping tabs on me. You’re always asking the guys where I am and wanting to know everything about me. And I told you to stop calling me at home. My Ma doesn’t like it.

Look Victor, I just care about you but you treat me like dirt. If you only knew how you hurt me. The other boys treat their girlfriends nicer. You’re always too busy. Her voice rose. Look what you did today. The war is over; I thought you’d want to be with me, so we could celebrate together. Instead, you ran downtown with your friends and didn’t even think about me.

Hey Shirley, cut it out. You act like we’re married. I can’t take this crap anymore. Maybe we should just forget about it.

She burst into tears and moved toward him. He backed away, turning his palms up.

In fact, you know what? he said, shaking his head. I’ve had it. Let’s just take it easy for a while. Maybe it’s time for you to find someone else.

He started walking away but she ran in front of him, blocking his path. Wait! Victor, what are you saying? I love you.

Forget it, Shirley. I’ve had enough of this. Go find someone else. I can’t take it anymore. We’re not even fifteen, and you want to be so serious.

Pushing her away and running a few steps, he turned. And stop crying. You’re always crying. I can’t take that either. Just stay away from me.

Vic broke into a run as he turned down Monticello. And I want my Aztec jacket back too, he yelled over his shoulder as he checked to make sure she wasn’t following him.

Seeing Ma and Pa and the neighbors sitting on the stoop of the three flat next door, he put Shirley out of his mind. Through the open windows, Vic could hear the nine o’clock news reports flowing out into the street; the celebration was still in full swing on State Street. His little sisters, Faith and Lilly, along with two little girls from next door, all looking weary from the long day, were sitting on the concrete steps. Lilly’s eyes were almost closed as she tried to suppress a yawn but she did manage a smile when she saw Vic. Faith just leaned against the short brick wall, where the folks were sitting, and grinned. The neighbor girls giggled shyly looking at Faith and Lilly watching them talking to their big brother as they murmured, hi Vic.

Ma’s shiny black hair was swept up in back and she flashed one of her glorious, light- up-the-room smiles when she saw him coming. Vic noticed her big soup pot, which she must have been pounding a few hours earlier, was next to her on the ground. Pa’s eyes were a little glassy as he waved and slurred a hello. He had a few drinks in him, Vic figured. Both greeted him with hugs and Ma kissed him on the cheek, whispering, Thank God, it’s over.

From the extra squeeze she gave him, he could tell she was relieved.

Anything else goin’ on? he asked.

What, isn’t this enough? Oh, now that you mention it, that pushy little Shirley Siegal was looking for you earlier, she answered with shake of her head.

Looking down and putting his arm around her, he smiled sheepishly. Ah, don’t worry Ma, she’s nothing, she just likes to bother me.

Letting go, he grinned, Weren’t you worried about me?

Not today, Ma smiled back. The war is over and I’m glad Frank is coming home without a scratch.

Vic noticed tears in her eyes.

Chapter 2

The last few weeks had been very tough on Ma. Vic’s older brother Frank had returned from Europe after V-E day and was on a thirty-day furlough from the Army with orders to report to Fort Sheridan north of the city for assignment to the west coast and most likely the Pacific.

Frank, at twenty years old, had been through eight months of heavy combat leading to the victory in Europe. Out of a company of one hundred and ten men, only he and seven others had survived without being killed or wounded. His division had been part of the Allied First Army that fought in the bloody Battle of the Bulge and the advance through the Hurtgen forest. At the war’s end in May, they were occupying the German coastal city of Bremerhaven. Frank was the company’s Motor Sergeant, in charge of all the company vehicles.

He surprised the family by arriving home on a Friday night in the middle of July while Ma was preparing dinner for the family; including Frank’s wife Sally, who came over every Friday.

In the parlor, Pa was listening to the radio. Gabriel Heater had just signed on with his familiar, Ah, there’s good news tonight, when the doorbell sounded. Vic, without a shirt, on his way to the bathroom, opened the door.

With a big grin, Frank snapped to attention and saluted. Eyes bulging and mouth open, but unable to make a sound, Vic stared at his soldier brother; in his rumpled Army khakis with the pants tucked into his boots and a chest full of ribbons. A large duffle bag was at his feet.

Oh my God, he finally screamed, opening the door wide. It’s Frank.

Ma and Sally rushed to the door knocking Vic aside as they kissed and hugged their hero husband and son, home from the war.

Pa roused from the couch, was there in an instant, followed by seventeen-year-old Flo, running out of her bedroom in a slip, her hair up in curlers. Close behind were, chubby, ten–year-old Faith, standing back but jumping up and down with her braids flying; and little six-year-old Lilly, bawling, as she peeked through her fingers, frightened by the noise and excitement. Tears flowed as hands and arms tugged Frank into the dining room.

The table was set for a usual Friday night, with the remnants of dishes from three sets Ma had from when she first married. The six dining room chairs and one paint-chipped kitchen chair were in their usual places; Sally’s being in Frank’s spot.

With Sally at his side, Frank wiped his sleeve across his eyes and hugged everyone. Ma was holding the now-quiet Lilly. He held out his arms to the little girl, who nestled her face into Ma’s neck. Pa put a finger to his lips, signaling for quiet. Slowly, Lilly rubbed her eyes and started to smile and then reached out. Frank took her gently and she giggled when he kissed her. She loosened up when he said, Hi, Lilly, don’t you remember your big brother? Smiling, she showed the wide gap where her front teeth were missing and flung her arms around his neck.

Putting her down, he kissed Sally and hugged Ma again, saying, You’ll never know how much I love and missed all of you. With a handkerchief pulled from his pocket, he wiped at his eyes. This room is just the way I imagined, except I see Lilly graduated to a regular chair from her high chair.

Looking around again, he said, Wait, aren’t the curtains new?

The curtains are the same, Ma said, tugging at the hem to show him the deep golden shade. I only dyed them a little darker than they were. But I’m sure glad you’re home. Now that you’re here, maybe I can get the room painted.

Pa rolled his eyes, while everyone else laughed, knowing that she had been after him to paint the room for months.

Flo, her slip clinging to her legs, hustled to set another place and motioned to Vic to grab another chair from the kitchen.

Frank sat next to Sally, who glued herself to his side with her arms around him. Ma, on the other side, just gazed at her son with tears brimming.

Vic couldn’t get over his big brother. He appeared taller, slimmer and older in his uniform. And when he rolled up the cuffs of his shirt, he looked broader across the shoulders. His eyes looked tired but intense as they took in the family and the surroundings. He also talked more softly than Vic remembered. He couldn’t wait get him alone, so he could ask him if he killed any Germans, and especially, he wanted to know the truth about the Jews who were tortured and killed in the concentration camps.

Why didn’t you let us know you were coming? Pa asked. I was worried when we didn’t get a letter for so long.

Sorry, Frank apologized. It all happened so quick. We didn’t know until the day we got orders to sail that we were going back to the States. The rumors were that they were moving troops, especially infantry, to the Pacific. There were a lot of stories about the invasion of Japan and the fact that they were already beefing up the forces and sending equipment to Australia and New Zealand.

You mean they were sending you right from winning the war in Europe to fight in the Pacific? Pa queried.

Hell, Pa, who knows, that’s typical Army bullshit, it happens all the time, laughed Frank.

The room got deathly quiet at the mention of bullshit. Pa looked at Ma and the others all turned to her as well.

Oh my God, I’m sorry, gushed Frank, his face turning a bright red. In the Army, we cuss about everything. I gotta’ watch myself. I’m really sorry. Luckily I didn’t say anything worse.

Everyone laughed, including Ma.

Frankie, you must be hungry after such a long trip, Ma said with a smile. I’ll make you a plate.

Let me do it, Sally volunteered. You worked hard enough cooking today and I want to get used to serving my husband.

Untangling herself from Frank, she went to the kitchen and returned smiling with a plate filled with roast chicken, peas and mashed potatoes. Sally had been Frank’s girlfriend since his second year at Von Steuben High School. They had married just before he shipped out for overseas. A popular, vivacious strawberry blonde, with brown eyes, a zaftig figure, well distributed over her five-foot three-inch frame and a clear throaty voice, she had sung with a three-piece group at a few small clubs in the City. The band broke up when two of the boys were drafted.

Lifting a drumstick for his second bite, Frank smiled. Boy is this good. You can’t possibly know how many times I’ve dreamed about this day.

Sally brought more platters as Ma and Flo began filling plates and passing them down the table.

Vic and his sisters could not take their eyes off Frank. To Vic, he seemed so mature, and he noticed how Ma and Pa treated him like he was more their age.

Hey Vic, Frank said, I can’t get over you. You’re as tall as me and I see you’re shaving, too.

A red flush lit up Vic’s face as everyone turned to look at him.

Look at him blush, Sally grinned. Untangling herself from Frank, she tried to pinch Vic’s cheek.

Ah come on, Vic stammered, leave me alone.

You better keep your eye on him, Frank, teased Flo. I’ve seen him try on some of the clothes that you left in the closet when you got drafted. Another year or so and they’ll fit him.

Coming from the kitchen, where she had deposited an empty platter, Ma walked behind Vic and put her hand on his shoulder, pulling him close. Leave him alone, he’s a good boy. And he doesn’t need any of Frank’s clothes. He’s gets nice things at the clothing store where he works.

Thanks Ma, Vic laughed, I know they just like to tease me ‘cause they’re jealous.

Kissing the top of his head, Ma moved to Pa’s side, beaming as she looked at the whole family, together for the first time in almost two years.

What about you, Flo? From the letters I got from Pa, it sounds like you’ve dated half the guys in the Army and Navy since I left.

Flo chuckled. If you listen to Pa, he can make you crazy. Every time a guy would come here to pick me up for a date, he would ask a million questions.

Sally jumped in, smiling broadly. Tell him about the names and stories Pa would make up about them.

Tell him about the giant, said Faith, covering her mouth to hold back a giggle.

Oh, Frank, you wouldn’t believe this guy, Flo laughed, holding her hand up as high as she could. He had to be about six-foot-six and as wide as a doorway. He was an Ensign in the Navy and when he walked in here with that long black overcoat and big white hat, I was afraid to let him sit on the couch. I never saw anybody that big. And Pa, who was about half his size, started to ask him where he was from and what he did in civilian life and a bunch of other questions. I thought I would die.

He looked like a human dry dock, piped Pa. About the size of an aircraft carrier.

Actually, Flo smiled slowly, he was a very nice guy, who used to date a girl I work with, before she got married. After the war, he’s going back to college to become an engineer.

Lilly sat quietly and when Frank asked, she introduced him to her rag doll Lucy. She wanted to know if he remembered her.

Sure do, but what happened to her eye, he asked, noticing the blank spot where the doll’s eye had been.

It fell off when I bit it one day, she answered quietly.

What happened when you got to England? Pa wanted to know. And when did you get into the actual war? I heard that the Battle of the Bulge almost turned the war around and our troops were pushed to surrender. Weren’t you there? What happened?

Frank pursed his lips and pulled Sally a little closer as Pa peppered him. Looking down, he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head without answering.

What about the Jews, Pa asked quietly, did you see the camps?"

Please Pa, not now, he answered softly.

Slowing down, Pa asked. Where were you in France and Germany?

Frank sighed. All I remember is that we were moving constantly. Then we would stop abruptly and have to dig in and maybe stay in one place for a few days. His voice trailed off and he looked down.

He looked up and continued.

When we got to Aachen, early one morning, we hadn’t seen any German troops for two days. he said with a grin. Our platoon took over a big hotel and raided the wine cellar. By the time we had to move out, we were all drunk. Then we went downtown and began taking over the office buildings. Some of the guys started tossing typewriters out the windows and then we threw chairs and even desks from the top floors. Everyone was laughing and it was like a big party. Finally, a few guys passed out and we just stayed there all night.

Pa looked up and started again. I heard from Sid Klein, who lives down the street, and lost a leg in the war, that the Nazis were bayoneting Americans in the Battle of the Bulge.

Frank looked away and didn’t answer. A smile broke out though, when he mentioned some of the places he had been; like the famous bridge in Remagen that the Germans did not destroy when they retreated. It saved a lot of lives and shortened the war because we got so many troops and tanks across it before it finally collapsed.

What about the synagogues and the Jews in Germany? Are there any left? Ma asked in a soft voice.

Ma, I can’t talk about it now, but it was worse than anyone can imagine. All I can say, he started and then stopped. Looking down, he shook his head, twitching a shoulder. Frank the older brother and boy just two years before, was now a man. His lean face with those very blue eyes, which suddenly narrowed as his brow creased said in a somber voice, After the war, we had to help set up the displaced people’s camps where they brought survivors from the concentration camps. The people were more dead than alive. I saw young men and women from cities all over Europe who weighed less than eighty pounds. They were filthy, and sick; and many of them couldn’t walk, they were so malnourished. They smelled and a lot of us got sick from the odor. Some died before we could save them. Please, I can’t talk about it. He stopped abruptly, making another twitch of his shoulder, which they all noticed.

Looking from Frank to the rest of them as they sat silently, Pa spoke up. C’mon, son, let’s have drink.

Pa poured some bourbon over ice for Frank and made himself a highball, proposing a toast, as he raised his glass. "Our family, may we always be together and celebrate only happy occasions, L’Chaim."

What are all the ribbons and medals for? Vic wanted to know.

Frank smiled, and shrugged. One is a Bronze Star, which all the original guys in our company were awarded, plus a Victory Ribbon. Three others are for major battles we were in and the blue one with the wreath is the Combat Infantry Man’s Badge. It’s the same as the one I wear on my wrist, he said holding up his right arm.

A few everybody got, like a Marksman Medal and the Good Conduct one. The whole Division also got one from the French Government.

They sat around the table for two hours, talking without eating much; Sally still holding onto Frank. Ma and the girls cleared the table and served tea. Pa continued with questions about the war, but Frank seemed to be getting tired of them as his answers got shorter and the shoulder twitch, accompanied by a soft cough, got more pronounced.

When the talk turned to the Pacific, Frank said, I’m not sure. All I know is that I have to report to Fort Sheridan on August seventeenth. From there, I probably will be sent for more training in the states or possibly in Australia.

His comment was greeted with silence.

It’s late, said Pa finally. How about I take you and Sally down to the Palmer House and rent you the honeymoon suite? We can catch up with the two of you tomorrow. You’ll be home for a month.

Pa pulled Ma by the arm. C’mon Ma, come with me, while the girls clean up.

Sure Ma, Flo smiled, we can handle it; keep Pa company.

Let me just call my parents, said Sally.

Lilly and Faith started to clear the table. Flo, who had put on a skirt and blouse, had taken out the curlers and brushed her hair, was already at the kitchen sink giving orders to Vic to help the girls. Glancing over his shoulder, Vic smiled, thinking how much she resembled Ma with her quick smile and black hair, thinking how Ma must have looked like as a teenager.

Amidst the sound of dishes being cleared, scraped and washed plus chairs being moved, Frank got up and went to the phone to say a few words to Sally’s folks. Finishing the call the happy couple said their goodbyes. Once outside, they climbed in the backseat of the old Dodge. Ma and Pa took their places in front. The four kids were at the window watching as they pulled away.

Vic and the girls were still up when the folks returned an hour and a half later.

Gathered in the living room, they talked and talked about Frank and how exciting it was to have him home. Faith fell asleep on the floor next to Flo and Lilly nodded off on the couch with her head in Ma’s lap.

Eventually, the conversation stopped. Flo, looking up from her seat on the floor next to the couch, said to no one in particular, I can’t believe how grown up he is and he’s more handsome than ever. I hope he’s through with war and doesn’t have to ship out again.

Ma agreed and said, C’mon, it’s one thirty in the morning, let’s go to sleep. We’ll see him tomorrow. He’ll be home for four weeks.

The phone rang about three a.m. Ma, in her nightgown and barefoot, shuffled to the telephone cabinet in the small entry hall. She answered on the fifth ring.

Hello, she whispered, hoping not to disturb Pa and the kids.

The loud ring in the middle of night had in fact awakened all of them. Vic was standing in the hallway leading from the dining room, wondering who could be calling in the middle of the night. He listened carefully as Ma held the phone.

Oh my God, she gasped. Are you sure he’s okay?

By now Pa was at her side. Vic and Flo crowded behind them.

"What happened?’’

Ma, held her hand up, signaling them to be quiet, paused,. Oy, I don’t believe it. Do you know where he is? she said, nodding as she listened.

What’s going on? Pa said in a low voice. Ma waved him off. Wait, I want to tell Pa.

By now Faith and Lilly, in their nightgowns, were standing there too.

With her hand on the mouthpiece, she turned to Pa. Frank is gone; he just disappeared about an hour after they went to bed.

What do you mean, he’s gone?

She said he got up and got dressed, telling her he had to get out and would be back in a little while.

And? Pa wanted to know.

After about an hour, she got dressed and went to look for him. No one in the hotel could help her. They told her to go back to the room and they would call her when they found him. That was over an hour ago.

Pa took the phone. Sally, it’s Pa, don’t worry, I’m coming right down. I’m sure he’s alright, just maybe a little scared after being gone for such a long time. Please, Sally, just try to stop crying and stay where you are. I’m coming and if you hear anything, call Ma right away. I’m on my way. Here, talk to Ma, he said, handing over the phone.

Looking at Vic, he said, C’mon with me to find your brother.

Five minutes later, he returned fully dressed and whispered to Ma, Keep her on the phone. Motioning to Vic, he started out the door. ‘We’re on our way. I’ll call when I get there," he whispered.

They stopped at the front desk of the elegant, high-ceiling lobby and asked to see the security people. They were told that they had found Frank in a bar just off the lower level corridor on the Wabash side, and he’d told them he was okay, but just wanted to be alone. He also had asked them not to say anything to his wife and that he would go upstairs after he had a few drinks.

The small, dark bar was almost empty when Pa and Vic found him. Music was playing softly and the stale smell of cigarettes was in the air. Only one other stool was occupied with a man in a suit who looked like he had been there for several hours. The bartender was washing glasses and glanced up as he heard Pa and Vic walk in. Frank, in his uniform, was sitting quietly with a drink in front of him and did not notice them.

Walking up to him, Pa held his hand up to the bartender to let them alone.

Are you alright, Frank? Pa said in a soft voice.

Frank looked up without saying anything. He turned back, focusing on the drink that he cradled in his hands on the bar.

Vic stood behind Pa remaining quiet as he took in the intense scene that was unfolding in front of him in the dark bar. Just hours before they all were celebrating and now his family was being torn apart by a sudden crisis between Sally and Frank.

Yeah, Frank said finally, his shoulders drooping.

Pa moved closer and put his hand on the bar so that he was almost facing Frank, So, what’s up? Sally’s upstairs crying her eyes out.

How did you find me?

She called about a half-hour ago and I rushed down here.

Pa, he said stifling a sob. I can’t do this. I don’t want to be married. I’m not ready. I’ve seen too much and I gotta’ be by myself for awhile.

Except for the soft music and the clinking of glasses as the bartender dried and stacked them, the bar was quiet.

Frank, Sally loves you. She’s been waiting; don’t you think you should try?

You don’t understand Pa. Nobody does. I can’t do this. It’s not like before. Please don’t make me do this. I don’t want it.

Frank, are you sure?

Yeah, Pa, I’m sure.

Okay, stay here and try to lay off the booze. I’m going to go upstairs and talk to Sally. I’ll call her parents and try to get them to take her home. We’ll straighten this out later today. I’ll be back soon.

Turning to Vic he said, Stay here with Frank, and don’t leave.

Tilting his head toward Frank, he said to the bartender. Take it easy on him. I’ll be back in a little while.

Vic shook his head when the bartender approached as he sat next to Frank.

Anything I can do? he asked softly putting his hand on Frank’s shoulder.

I hardly recognized you, Frank said eyeing Vic. You were a little kid when I left. Now you’re almost as tall as me. What year are you in at Von?

I’m starting my sophomore year.

I bet you think your brother is crazy, pulling a stunt like this my first night home.

Hey, I don’t know anything and I don’t think anything.

I learned a lot in the Army Vic. Not only about the war, but how people live and act; it wasn’t pretty. I gotta figure out what I want to do with my life before I settle down. I can’t be married; I’m not ready for that.

Vic listened, nodding and shaking his head, but not saying a word. He wasn’t sure he understood what his brother was saying.

Sally’s beautiful and probably will be a great wife, but I’m not the same guy I was when I left. We were eighteen years old when we got married. I don’t even know what I want to do when this war is over. All I want to do right now is enjoy myself and forget about being a soldier.

When the war was over in Germany, we all went wild. Every day we drank and had all the women we could handle. We were rich and the people there had nothing. We lived like kings. Sure, we all wanted to come home, but after what we had been through, we wanted more out of life.

Yeah, but what about Sally and what about all the other married guys you were with?

Lifting his drink, Frank took a small sip. Every last one of them was the same way. We had a few older guys maybe, that had kids and had jobs waiting, but most of them were shackin’ up and drunk every day, too. All the younger married guys, though, wanted out.

From the Jukebox, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes played softly..

He sat silent for awhile, while Vic watched him out of the corner of his eye.

Now we gotta worry about the fuckin’ Japs, Frank murmured; his voice faltering, as he held back a sob.

The other thing is what those bastards did to the Jews. They herded women and children and old men into slave camps; terrifying them with bayonets and vicious dogs. In the camps, they worked them hard and starved them and when they were sick or worn out, they sent them to the gas chambers. Then they cremated the bodies in massive ovens. I even saw how they would show off how sick they were by making lamp shades out of human skin, where you could still see the concentration camp numbers tattooed on the arms. I hated those fuckin’ animals.

Looking down, Frank’s shoulder twitched and he coughed nervously.

Didn’t anyone say anything? a frightened Vic asked.

Turning so Vic could see him, he shook his head from side to side slowly and sighed. Oh yeah, when you ask ‘em, even the soldiers we captured or the people in the towns near the camps, they act like they didn’t know what was going on. They all just blame Hitler.

Frank stared down and fiddled with the glass in front of him. The bartender glanced in their direction as he overheard Frank, but kept wiping the bar where the customer in the suit had been sitting.

Vic turned to watch Frank and shrugged, not knowing how to respond to what he had just heard. There had been rumors of atrocities and he had read some accounts in the newspaper of the Nazis treatment of Jews and other prisoners, but hearing his own brother talk about what he saw was different and frightening.

Putting his hand on Frank’s shoulder and clearing his throat, he quietly said, Hey Frank, I’m not old enough to understand all that you’re talkin’ about, but after what you been through, I think you gotta do what you think is right. Don’t let anybody force you to be married.

That was almost a month ago. Frank stayed at home for several days and was mostly quiet, responding when spoken to and little else. When Sally came by, he refused to see or talk to her. When he did go out, he would walk around the neighborhood in his uniform, sometimes with Flo or Vic or even Faith and Lilly and talk with people and try to connect with any of his friends who were around. There weren’t too many, except for one or two who had been wounded and discharged and a couple who had been rejected for service. Frank