Part 29 (2/2)

Enya sits down at the edge of her chair and looks at us like she's a prisoner at the dock, waiting to hear the verdict.

I say, ”Enya, we believe you. But we have a very big problem. Without knowing his real name, our hands are tied. We have to have proof.”

Enya shakes her head. ”If only I could remember. There were so many of them. We never knew their names. But this one, Der Bosewicht Der Bosewicht-we gave him that nickname because he frightened us more than any of the others-he was truly evil.”

Evvie adds, ”We aren't giving up. We'll find a way to prove you're right.”

Enya's tears start to flow. The tension this woman has to be under must be unbearable. She comes over to us and grabs one of my hands and one of Evvie's. ”Thank you. Thank you.”

Still clutching our hands, Enya is lost in her troubled thoughts for a few moments. ”The things they did, he did. I cannot bear to speak of them. I will not put you through having to listen to these abominations.” She pauses, wipes the tears from her eyes. ”That he has lived freely among us for nearly fifty years horrifies me. That he lived as a Jewish man is unbearable.”

She stares into s.p.a.ce. How she survived what she went through is almost unimaginable to me. I say, ”I know you're exhausted. Try to rest. We'll keep bringing food to you. Stay put. Do not go out, and be very careful before you answer the door.”

”I am so frightened. Does he know I recognized him?”

She walks with us to the door. ”Bless you for caring.”

We hug and kiss her and tiptoe out.

42.

Party, Party, Party

Good news travels faster than the speed of light. At least that's the way it seems in Lanai Gardens, Phase Two. This beautiful morning at the pool is the perfect place to hand out invitations to the Gladdy-Jack engagement party, which we had made up a few days ago. Bella and Sophie are a.s.signed one end of the pool to dole them out, as far from Abe as possible. Evvie and Ida take the section that includes Abe, seated as usual behind the little black metal gate in the shade. Watching us, I now realize, always watching us.

My job is to wander about, showing off my ring, wearing a silly grin.

Sophie and Bella have on large, floppy sun hats, and huge wraparound very dark sungla.s.ses, terrified of letting their faces show their fear. Any more mistakes in what they do or say could be danger ous. They're in trouble, as it is, for spilling the beans to Abe. They especially won't look in our alleged n.a.z.i's direction, afraid he can read them like a book.

From what I can see of his eyes, behind the thick gla.s.ses, they seem hooded. You don't fool me, Oberfuhrer. Oberfuhrer. I know you're watching us like a hawk. But you've met your match in Evvie Markowitz, who is heading over right now to hand you your invitation. I leisurely stroll by to catch the action. I know you're watching us like a hawk. But you've met your match in Evvie Markowitz, who is heading over right now to hand you your invitation. I leisurely stroll by to catch the action.

He will try to stare Evvie down, but she, who believes she might have been an Oscar-winning actress had life not tossed her into marrying Joe, won't blink. ”This is for you, Abe,” says Evvie, playing an older Little Miss Suns.h.i.+ne. ”And don't you try to wiggle out of coming.” That's said with a waggling hand demonstrating the wiggle. ”Stanley and Esther already RSVP'd because they know we're doing it right. Steinberg's kosher restaurant is catering.”

Stanley was happy about my news and told me how he and Abe sometimes after temple go out for lunch at Steinberg's, their favorite eating place. Perfect.

Abe manages what I read as a slick smile. ”I wouldn't think of missing it.”

Tessie arrives at the gate, carrying a now empty soup tureen. I knew she would be pa.s.sing by, since it was I who planted this idea in her head, to bring the poor ”flu” victim some chicken soup.

”How's Enya doing?” I say, not looking at Abe.

I have to keep calling him Abe and thinking of him as Abe or I'll lose my cool.

”A little better,” Tessie reports. ”Poor thing. I can't believe how high her fever went the other night. Lucky she didn't die.”

Well done, Tessie. I couldn't have scripted it better myself. But, of course, we've been spreading that ”dangerous case of flu” story with ”Enya becoming delirious” for days. Since Tessie knows nothing, she reveals nothing.

Hy, after immediately responding yes to the party, announces, ”For this great occasion, a toast.” He lifts his Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray tonic bottle and points toward Jack and me, the engaged couple. Jack, from where he lounges, reading a Michael Connolly detective novel, nods. I perform a silly curtsy.

I look around to see the response. Mary and Irving smile happily. Barbi and Casey grin slyly. Tessie sits down next to her hubby and shouts, ”Hooray!” Sol shakes his head sadly. I guess marriage isn't agreeing with him. Aha, Louise is sitting there with her mouth wide open in shock. Close your mouth, lady. As my mom used to say, You don't want to let the flies in. Tiny Dora is jumping up and down. I can't believe it, is that a TV clicker in her hand?

Directly across the way, in Denny's garden, he and Yolie stop their planting and pay attention to what's going on. They are thrilled at what they hear.

Tessie takes another look at her invitation. ”Wait a minute. This Friday. So fast?”

Hy, annoyed at being interrupted, says, ”At our age, who makes long-term plans?”

Tessie, suitably chastened, shuts up.

Hy instructs, ”Those who have bottles to raise, get 'em up.” Water bottles and juices wave on high. Those without beverages just wave.

”To the engaged couple . . .” He indicates we should come to him. In order to make this plan of ours look like all is back to normal, we agreed earlier to put up with whatever nonsense comes up. Naturally, it would be Hy who finds a way to torment us. Jack rises from his chaise, and he and I walk over to where Hy is now standing. Jack kisses me and whispers, ”Any excuse, babe.”

Hy hands Lola his drink and puts one arm across my shoulders and one across Jack's. I grit my teeth.

Hy stares into my eyes and speaks loud enough for all to hear-and believe me, everyone is zoomed onto us and listening. ”Here's to the love that lies in a woman's eyes-and lies and lies and lies.”

I try to pull away, but he doesn't let me. Everybody laughs. He leers at Jack, whose turn it is. Watch out, Hy, Jack's no pushover.

Hy's eyes practically twinkle. Lola stands behind him, ready to save him from Jack if necessary. He says, ”Here's to the happiest days of your life, spent in the arms of another man's wife!”

Hy pulls his hands away, fast. Jack shakes his fist mildly in a pretense of anger.

Hy pulls Lola in front of him for protection. Jack wouldn't hit a woman, would he? ”It's your mother. mother. In your In your mother's mother's arms,” Hy croaks. Then weakly, ”She's another man's wife, right?” arms,” Hy croaks. Then weakly, ”She's another man's wife, right?”

Jack, who towers above little Hy, reaches past Lola and runs his hands playfully over Hy's balding head. ”Good one,” Jack says, laughing.

I'm glad that's finished.

On our way back from the pool, Evvie, as instructed, knocks on Enya's door. Enya peers through the peephole, then barely opens it.

”Are you all right?” Evvie asks.

Enya nods. ”Yes.”

”Need anything?” I ask.

”No, I'm fine. Tessie's soup will hold me.”

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