Chapter One: Andante Grazioso
He decided to have a dinner party in his villa. For whatever reason, I would never know. The only thing that I knew was that he was the commandant, and by his authority, he could have as many parties as he wanted. Of course, before he had decided to invite his fellow officers, he asked me to play songs that I knew, over and over again, as if I had forgotten them. When he found my playing suitable, he decided it was a good time to invite the officers.
He ordered me to help Helen and that he'd be down as the officers arrived.
To be honest, I wasn't even sure of what to make, or even help Helen with. She was going about the kitchen like a mad woman, throwing things together in the hopes that Commandant Amon and everyone else would enjoy it. I found that whatever she wasn't doing, I would do. I set the table, checked everything else that sizzled in a pan or was put in an oven.
I was quiet between the two of us, as we worked we shared no words together. Helen couldn't even spare me a glance as she was focused on cooking in time for the officers. My outfit matched hers… a dress with an apron, along with knee socks and flats. To be honest, it did feel somewhat nice to be inside here, than be out there where it was cold and anyone could kill you if they wanted to.
That's when I heard the doors knock, along with the fast pace of feet running down the stairs.
I guess there really couldn't be a difference.
I heard the loud greeting of officers, everyone filing in and laughter. I looked over at Helen, who finally did get to look at me. She smiled only a little before her eyes happened to look over to where the officers were moving into the kitchen with empty plates. Her eyes widened a bit, and gestured me to the stove to start putting the food in dishes for the officers to serve themselves.
While putting food in dishes, I couldn't help but overhear the conversations…
"So, I heard you got another Jew working in this villa, Amon?"
"Ja, and what of it? You're going to turn me in?" He laughed as everyone else followed along with him. I glanced over at Helen who looked over at me, and with an unsure look she said nothing but get the first dish out and I quickly followed.
"Ah, there she is!"
I stopped behind Helen while I looked in the room of grown men, wearing their uniforms, all tight against their bodies as they smiled at me. I had a weird feeling in my stomach. I didn't like them looking at me, especially when they smiled. I took another look around the room, and I noticed that one of the men wasn't wearing a military uniform, but a simple looking suit. His hair slicked back, his eyes somewhat old, but there was an obvious difference about him.
"Come, come." I looked over at Commandant Amon who gestured me to his side. Slowly I moved to where he sat, making sure to keep my distance.
"No, no, come closer. Come, stand by me."
I looked at Helen quickly, who again said nothing but head back into the kitchen and continue to bring out food. I looked back at the Commandant's face, his teeth following the curve of his smile, and his arms opened wide.
I moved a little bit closer, as he kept gesturing me until he felt comfortable enough.
"I don't believe you told me your name," He started again, looking up at me from his seat as I bored my eyes into the table. I could feel everyone else looking at me and I didn't dare decide to look up.
"Eila Siskin." I said simply.
"Ah, Eila, yes of course." He chuckled as I could continue to feel his eyes looking into mine.
"You do remember that you will be playing the piano for my guests now won't you?" He asked with a gentle tone. I happened to slowly look up and see that Helen was staring at me, holding another plate of food in her hand. My eyes quickly left hers and I looked around the table again, seeing all these blue eyes stare at me and then I looked over at Commandant Amon. He had the same eyes as well.
I nodded softly and looked back at the table.
"Good! Now go help Helen in the kitchen."
He waved his hand at me and I made my way around the kitchen table and went to check on the bread.
During the time as the officers ate and drank and talked, Helen and I were in charge of taking their plates and refilling their glasses.
There were usually long pauses between all of this, and during that time, both Helen and I tried to make conversation.
From the distance, we would watch as they laughed and drank, and I quirked a brow.
"Did they all really come just to see me play?"
I whispered to her and silently she nodded her head. I looked back at the small crowd of officers, and I noticed that Commandant Amon was the one laughing the most. He must've been laughing so hard that he had taken off his officer uniform and only bore the white shirt with loose suspenders.
"I know we're all in fear of the Nazis but… is he really someone to fear?" I whispered again, and Helen followed my gaze. She stared at him for a long moment before we both shared a glance with each other.
"He is to be feared… there are no set of rules with him that you can follow… he… he does everything his way, and we must do things his way or… things can go wrong. I'm always afraid that he will one day shoot me, right here in this house. I never say anything to him, I never look at him too much either. Just do everything he says, and maybe we'll both be safe."
I took in a deep breath at that and looked back over towards the group of men at the dinner table. In some odd kind of way, I was able to forget where I was. I felt like I was a kid again, hiding around the corner in the living room where I listened to my uncles and father laugh like they did, and though I didn't completely understand what they laughed about, I knew that they were having a good time.
"EILA!"
I perked up at the sound of my name; I felt Helen's hand press against my back, pushing me forward. I only had a second to look back at her but she gestured for me to enter the dining room.
The officers were gesturing me to the piano that continued to collect dust with each waking day. They chanted for me to play, and while I kept my head low, I walked to the piano and took a seat. I stared at the keys, wondering what to play, thought it was hard when you had drunken men all around you and you smelled the heavy liquor on their breath.
I looked up to find the one man I saw earlier today. He stared back at me, with his old eyes. He even cracked a small smile to me, and I returned it automatically for some odd reason. Though it went unnoticed by many, I jumped in surprise when one of the officers grabbed my arm.
"She probably can't even play! You probably lied to us, Amon!"
They laughed and my eyed widened. I looked over at Commandant Amon who glared back at them but then at me.
"Play, you stupid Jewish girl!"
I took in a deep breath and laid my fingers lightly against the keys again. I closed my eyes and in just a few seconds, my fingers started to press down. I heard the music flow into my ears as I continued, as I remembered the tune of the song. It had six different versions, and I'm sure none of them would remember by the time I was done.
Though one thing was for sure, they had all calmed and were actually listening as I continued. Picking up the song and then going back to a pace. I felt their eyes boring into me again, only this time with drunken wonder.
"You see? You see how she plays with no sheet music? Look at her!" Amon cheered in excitement, (perhaps a bit too much) and drank from his cup and gestured to the man with the old, kind eyes for more wine. I looked up at that moment, only to watch the man's face change and he turned his back.
"You learned this all by yourself?" One of the officers leaned in close, and I swallowed hard when I smelled his breath. I gave a quick nod, continuing to look down and playing. I wasn't even sure how long I should play… should I continue after this song was over?
"What is this?" Another asked.
With a deep breath, I answered back. "It's Mozart… piano sonata number 11 in A major.."
They all ooed at my response. They even made the comments that they were surprised that a Jew would know any works of Mozart. I continued without saying much. From my peripheral vision, I could see some of them actually swaying, in some kind of giddy manner. It seemed like a long time before I looked up, and at that moment, the older man put his hand up and slowly I stopped playing.
Everyone looked over at him, giving him a look.
"I think it's time we've moved on, ja? It's getting late you know."
The men sighed, but yet they got up and went to the table again. I remained at the piano and slowly looked over at Commandant Amon who was staring at me dead in the eyes. He sighed himself, and waved his hand at me.
"Go, I will call for you later."
I bit my lip and pushed the piano seat back. I looked up to see the man who had stopped the playing smile at me and said thank you. I gave a small bow and as I was to leave, Commandant Amon gave a mumbled 'thank you.'
I found Helen in the kitchen who leads me down into the cellar. Even though it was cramped, it was where we'd be able to get away from everything. When we had gotten down there, it came to my surprise that someone was already here.
"This is Letzhak," Helen softly introduced me to him.
We looked at each other, and though he had fear wrapping him in his bones, he did manage a smile. I returned it and watched as he found his place in the cellar. I looked back at Helen who gestured me to what seemed like an old cot. I said nothing but attempt to make myself comfortable.
"S-so… you're the one who plays the music up there?"
In the darkness that came by momentarily from the spot lights that rotated in the night and glowed through the cellar window. I managed to find his curious face. I nodded while lying down on the cot and as the light started to move away, he lay down as well but never took his eyes off of mine.
"I am… maybe one day; I'll be able to play some music for you."
We both smiled at each other as it became dark, and in that moment, Helen softly hushed us to go to sleep.
Thank you everyone who has viewed this story, it really means a lot! Especially with receiving one review for this story as well! It's been a while since I've written anything, and it really means a lot that people have given this story a chance! :) I really hope to get the ball rolling on this, as well as having Mr. Schindler make more of an appearance!
Once again, thank you everyone!
-WritersBlock1/writinishmehlife13
