Without a Country by Kulin Ayse

Author:Kulin, Ayse
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503900974
Publisher: Amazon Crossing
Published: 2018-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

September Storm

In those days, Suzi wasn’t the only person trying to chart a new course.

The people of Turkey were losing faith in the Democrat Party. The widespread exuberance that had greeted the new government was slowly giving way to unease and frustration. That process was accelerated when, in July of 1954, the government passed a law permitting the summary dismissal and forced early retirement of civil servants. The electorate had voted for democracy, not one-party rule and cronyism.

On September 6, 1955, uncontrolled rioting would leave an indelible stain on both Turkey and its government. And, in a quirk of fate, the terrible events of that day would steer Suzi toward the life she had yearned for.

On that sunny September day, Suzi had been out in the garden hanging up a hammock when she heard the phone ringing through an open window. She ignored it. But a minute later, it rang again. Suzi entered the building through the back door and started climbing the stairs. By the time she stepped into the apartment, the phone had gone silent. She was going back down the stairs when it started up again. This time, she answered on the third ring, a little out of breath.

“Hello? Hello?”

“Why didn’t you answer the phone?” Demir sounded cross.

“I was in the garden. What’s wrong?”

“We took Madame to the hospital. I thought you should know.”

“Wait. Don’t hang up, Demir. What happened? Is she okay?”

“She fell and hurt herself. They’re going to operate. The doctor said—there’s no guarantee of success. You should come. She asked for you.”

“Which hospital?”

“Balıklı.”

“Is that the one in Taksim?”

“No, Yedikule.”

“I’m leaving right now. Where are you?”

“Let’s meet in Taksim.”

“Okay. Wait for me by the monument.”

Suzi changed out of her shorts and into a skirt. After grabbing a knapsack, she was out the door in no time. She ran to the spot reserved for shared taxis and jumped into the last available seat, realizing only then that she was still wearing garden clogs. Whatever, she thought. All that mattered was getting to the hospital as fast as possible. She regretted having neglected Madame for the past few months. The smell of vanilla and cinnamon buns, the dark church, the endless gifts and comforting hugs . . . Madame was her childhood, her home away from home, her refuge.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she sat in the backseat of the taxi. She’d been so happy back then. None of the other riders asked why she was crying. Or if they did, she didn’t hear them. Suzi had closed her eyes and retreated into her memories. Her lips were moving as she prayed to get to the hospital in time. She became aware of heat, a terrible stuffiness. Why didn’t someone open a window?

She realized she didn’t even know Madame’s first name. Was it Takuhi? Why had they always called her Madame, as though she didn’t have a name of her own?

“Don’t be scared,” a voice said. “The doors are locked. And for goodness’ sake, stop crying!”

Suzi opened her eyes and looked out the window.

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