After Fiddler Part 6
Golde was overjoyed that Tzeitel and Motel were there but it only made her miss Chava even more. The next day Golde tried to write a letter to Chava. Now she really wished she learned to read and write. She had Tzeitel help her. It still wasn't well written, so she asked Tevye to write for her, since he went to school.
Dear Chava,
We have finally gotten to America. Yente is also with us. Tzeitel and Motel got to Uncle Abrum's home before us. She is with child. We are all well and we miss you very much. Please join us soon.
Your Mama,
Golde
That night they celebrated Sabbath. It seemed to quiet, which was strange, because Yente was with them. After the Sabbath Golde went up to her, and Tevye's, room. She opened the drawer that she had put Chava's book in. The title read Treasure Island though she didn't realize it. She tried to pronounce it. She sat on the bed for almost an hour, trying to read just the title.
Tevye walked into the bedroom. Golde quickly tried to hide the book behind her back, but Tevye had already seen it. He sat down next to her on the bed and took the book out of her hand.
"You are reading?" he asked her suspiciously.
"Yes…"
"Treasure Island?"
"What?" she asked confused
"That's the title." he said smiling.
Golde felt like an idiot. She could have figured that out. She started to cry.
Tevye tried to comfort her a bit.
"Would you like me to read you some of it?" he asked her.
She looked up surprised. She hadn't expected he would offer to read it to her. Her curiosity to over and she nodded, yes.
"Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey and the rest of these gentlemen," he started "have asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island…"
After a while they both fell asleep. Golde leaning against Tevye. Tevye, the book in his hand.
Tevye had been looking for work everywhere. After about a month Tevye found work at a small farm.
Tevye tried to read Golde a few pages of Treasure Island a night. He knew she liked it very much. Sometimes she would manage to read a sentence or two ahead of him, and he knew that when he said she had read it correctly she was overjoyed with herself.
Golde sat next to Tevye on their bed. They were both slumped against the pillows.
"The captain had been struck dead by thundering apoplexy." Tevye read.
"Tevye what is apoplexy?" Golde asked him
"I have no idea." he said smiling at her.
She laughed. He hadn't heard her laugh in so long. It felt good to heard her laugh again.
"Continuing… It is a curious thing to understand, for I had certainly never liked the man, though of late I had began to pity him, but as soon as I saw he was dead, I burst into a flood of tears. It was the second death I had know, and the sorrow of the first was still fresh in my heart." said Tevye concluding the chapter. "I think that's enough for tonight." he said starting to close the book.
"Tevye, please start chapter four." Golde pleaded holding the book open.
"Why don't you read to me?" he asked smirking
"Let me see the book." she challenged. He handed it to her. She looked at the book, squinted at the page for a moment and read slowly and cautiously "I lost no time, off-no of course, in telling my mother all that I knew… is that right?"
"That's very good!" said Tevye pleasantly surprised.
Over the next week of so Golde's reading improved even more. One morning Bielke went out to get the mail and found a letter from Chava. She quickly gave it to her mother. Golde opened it frantically.
"What does it say Mama?" asked Shprintze Golde began to read, as well as she could.
Dear Mama,
It's so good to hear from you. I am glad you are in America. Fyedka and I will be joining you there soon. We will be getting our tickets next week. I can't believe Tzeitel is having another baby so soon! Speaking of the subject, I have some news for you and Papa, we are also expecting a baby! I cannot wait to see you all. Give my best wishes to everyone.
Love,
Chava