The Tattooist of Auschwitz(23)

‘America.’

‘How did you end up here?’

‘I was visiting my family in Poland and got trapped here – I couldn’t leave – and then we got rounded up, and here I am. I don’t know where my family are. We got separated.’

‘But you live in America?’

‘Yes.’

‘Shit, that’s tough.’

‘What’s your name?’ Jakub asks.

‘I’m Lale. They call me the T?towierer and, like me, you will do well here.’

‘I don’t understand. What do you mean?’

‘Your size. The Germans are the cruellest bastards ever to live, but they are not entirely stupid. They have a knack for finding the right person for the right job and I’m sure they will find work for you.’

‘What kind of work?’

‘I don’t know. You’ll have to wait and see. Do you know what block you are assigned to?’

‘Block 7.’

‘Ah, I know it well. Come on, let’s sneak you in. You’d better be there to answer when your number is called out in a couple of hours.’

?

Two days later it is Sunday. Having worked the past five Sundays, Lale has missed Gita terribly. Today the sun is shining down on him as he walks the compound, looking for her. As he rounds the corner of one block, he is startled by cheering and applause. Such noises are unheard of in the camp. Lale pushes his way through a crowd to reach its focus. There, centre stage, surrounded by both prisoners and SS, Jakub is performing.

Three men carry a large piece of timber to him. He takes it and tosses it away. Prisoners have to scramble to get out of the way. Another prisoner produces a large metal rod, which Jakub sets about bending in half. The show goes on for some time as heavier and heavier items are brought to Jakub for him to display his strength.

A hush falls over the crowd. Houstek is approaching, guarded by SS. Jakub continues his performance, unaware of his new audience. Houstek watches him raise a piece of steel above his head and twist it. He’s seen enough. He gives a nod to the nearby SS, who advance on Jakub. They make no attempt to touch him but point their rifles in the direction they expect him to go.

As the crowd thins, Lale sees Gita. He rushes towards her and her friends. One or two giggle when they see him. The sound is so out of place in this camp of death, and Lale delights in it. Gita beams. Taking her by the arm, he steers her to their spot behind the administration building. The ground is still too cold to sit on so Gita leans against the building, tilts her face to the sun.

‘Close your eyes,’ Lale says.

‘Why?’

‘Just do as you’re told. Trust me.’

Gita closes her eyes.

‘Open your mouth.’

She opens her eyes.

‘Close your eyes and open your mouth.’

Gita does so. From his bag Lale produces a small piece of chocolate. He places in on her lips, letting her feel the texture of it, before slowly pushing it a little further into her mouth. She presses her tongue against it. Lale pulls it back to her lips. Now moistened, he rubs the chocolate gently across her lips, and she licks it off with delight. When he pushes it into her mouth she bites down, taking a chunk off, opening her eyes wide. Savouring the taste, she says, ‘Why does chocolate taste so much better when it’s fed to you?’

‘I don’t know. No one has ever fed it to me.’

Gita takes the small amount of chocolate Lale still holds in his hand.

‘Close your eyes and open your mouth.’

The same teasing takes place. After Gita has smeared the last bit of chocolate on Lale’s lips, she gently kisses him, licking the chocolate away. He opens his eyes to find hers shut. He pulls her into his arms and they kiss passionately. When Gita finally opens her eyes, she wipes the tears that run down Lale’s face.

‘What else have you got in that bag of yours?’ she asks playfully.

Lale sniffs, and laughs. ‘A diamond ring. Or would you prefer an emerald?’

‘Oh, I’ll have the diamond, thank you,’ she says, playing along.

Lale rummages around in his bag and produces an exquisite silver ring with a single diamond set in it. Handing it to her, he says, ‘It’s yours.’

Gita can’t take her eyes off the ring, the sun bouncing off the stone. ‘Where did you get this?’

‘Girls working in one of the Canada buildings find jewels and money for me. That’s what I use to buy the food and medicine I’ve been giving you and the others. Here, take it.’

Gita puts her hand out as though to try on the ring, but then pulls back. ‘No, you keep it. Put it to good use.’

‘OK.’ Lale goes to put it back in his bag.

‘Stop. Let me look at it one more time.’

He holds it between two fingers, turning it this way and that.

‘It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Now put it away.’

‘It’s the second most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,’ says Lale, looking at Gita. She blushes and turns her face away.

‘I’ll have some more of that chocolate, if you have any left.’

Lale hands her a small block. She snaps off a piece and places it in her mouth, closing her eyes for a moment. She wraps the rest within her sleeve and tucks it up.