Mother and Me by Julian Padowicz

Author:Julian Padowicz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Published: 2008-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

A few days later, Mrs. Rokief came to our door looking for Mother. Everyone was out except Fredek, me, and Sonya. I was the only one Mrs. Rokief knew or who had any idea who she was. Remembering the kind way in which she had treated me, I introduced her to my friends. I had been schooled in this amenity by Kiki.

Mrs. Rokief asked if she could wait for Mother, and Sonya, equally schooled in amenities, offered to make her tea. Mrs. Rokief accepted.

She sat leaning forward in her chair, her knees and feet tight together, her hands clasped in her lap. To me she looked worried. She wore a black overcoat that was too big for her, a kerchief on her head, and her soft gray eyes were squinted into a frown.

I knew that it was up to me to entertain my mother’s visitor. I pulled up a chair facing her and asked how she was feeling. Mrs. Rokief gave me a quick little smile and said she was fine. I next asked about Mr. Rokief and her daughters, and they were fine too. I wondered why she was upset, but had the presence of mind not to do it aloud.

Sonya brought a cup of tea, and I apologized for having no milk to offer, as Mrs. Rokief had done on our visit there. Mrs. Rokief said that that was all right.

I told her what a nice time I had had with Zosia and Renia the other day. Mrs. Rokief said that they had enjoyed my company as well. She picked up her teacup but her hand trembled and she had to steady it with her other one.

I asked if she thought it was going to snow. Mrs. Rokief answered that she hadn’t noticed. I asked if her tea was all right, and she said it was fine, and then I racked my brain for another topic to discuss.

I saw Fredek whispering something to Sonya over by the stove. I guessed it was about Mr. Rokief’s being a spy and found some pleasure in the way my fabrication had grown. Then, on an inspiration, I asked Mrs. Rokief if she wanted to see a magic trick. She smiled and said, yes, and I proceeded to make my washer appear out of her right ear, then her left, and finally disappear into thin air. I thought it was the best I had ever done it, and Mrs. Rokief smiled and said that was nice. Then she asked when I thought my mother would be back. I said I didn’t know, but secretly hoped it would be very soon.

“Would Missus like to hear some poetry?” I asked.

“No thank you, dear,” she said and then changed her mind. “Yes, I would love to hear you recite.”

I must have filled the next half-hour reciting every poem I knew. I was just considering singing the national anthem when Mother and Miss Bronia finally came in the door. From the shape of their shopping bags, I guessed they had found vegetables.

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