The Enemy Beside Me by Naomi Ragen

Author:Naomi Ragen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

TWENTY

THEY MADE A quick stop to check into the nondescript hotel where they would be spending the night, changing their clothes before setting out again to their first engagement. Twenty minutes later, they could already see the flags in the distance, waving energetically from the decorated high school courtyard, Lithuanian flags mingled with yellow, green, and red banners that gave the area a festive look.

As they neared the school, Milia rolled down her window. The building was a three-story modern complex, white and beige, with a large outdoor gathering place. It looked like high schools everywhere. As they pulled in and parked, she heard the happy chattering and buzz of excitement that came anytime and anywhere teenagers were let out of class for any reason.

Students were already being led to the rows of chairs that had been set up before the raised platform.

She looked at them. Young people, so similar to their counterparts in Tel Aviv, or London, or New York—the young girls lithe and heartbreakingly pretty, with long, straight hair held back by stylish headbands or barrettes; the boys in white shirts, sweaters, or jackets.

Obviously, great effort had been expended to create a respectful anticipation for this occasion, and students had been instructed to dress accordingly. They were young, healthy, happy.

Milia felt butterflies in her stomach. She clutched the bag that held her speech. And this program, this commemoration in honor of the victims of the Holocaust, was a worthy project, done with the best of intentions, she thought, glancing at Darius’s glowing, expectant face. He had worked so hard for so long to bring it all together. The nagging thought she could not escape returned to her now: Why do this to them? To him? Why ruin this perfectly lovely summer day and taint all the efforts that had been invested, sending them away with this terrible, life-changing information instead of the feel-good vibe of reconciliation Darius wanted? After her speech, they would never think of their own town, or their own parents and grandparents, in the same youthful, innocent way. And it would be her doing. Something in her wanted to back away before it was too late.

Darius parked the car, then went around and opened the door for her. For a moment, she couldn’t move.

“Everything all right?” he asked anxiously for the umpteenth time.

“I have some things I’m planning to say … but it isn’t easy for me,” she confessed.

Her honesty surprised and touched him, but also caused some anxiety. If she was having second thoughts, what exactly was in that speech of hers, anyway? he wondered. It must be pretty bad. But how bad? he worried, plowing his hand nervously through his hair. “Just keep in mind our goal. We are trying to help them become better people, more sensitive and educated. Creating a new world, remember? If what you have to say will do that, then it’s all right, Milia. It’s why I invited you.”

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