It didn't take long to reach the campgrounds. From outside the gate the grounds were rather large with various tents and trailers littering the grass. The massive red and white stripped tent at the center of the grounds was a fixture I was compelled to stop and stare at.
"Never seen one before?" Jimmy joked.
Shaking my head, "No I had never been to any kind of circus or attraction show as a child. This is my first time." I told them, "There just wasn't time." Lamenting wishing I had more time to be an innocent child with no worries.
"Come on honey, let's take you to Elsa." Eva said in a sympathetic voice. We moved forward and against my reason the tremendous over-hanging iron gate made my heart speed up. I moved slowly behind the others hoping they would think I was just taking in the camp, when in reality I was just trying to keep my breathing even. Gathering up all the courage I could I clutched my belongings to me and willed myself to pass over the threshold as calmly as I could.
Except when I painstakingly made my way through the gate my breathing hitched and I let go of my suitcase dropping it to the ground as a memory overtook me.
Papa was holding me up to the window so that I would not be suffocated in the car. How could anybody pack this many people into one train car? It was reckless and thoughtless as some of the travelers had already died.
As I eagerly took in as much air as possible I gasped, "Papa, papa I see something!" I cried.
"What is it Madalina? What do you see?" He asked gripping me tighter. "Buildings, lots of buildings it looks like a sort of mini town." I told him, "I think this is the end of the tracks, and there's a gate, a big gate with writing on it." Turning back to look at him noticing I had the whole cars attention.
"I think this is the end of the line." Telling them as the car neared closer to the mini town. Papa let me down and I clung to him and Mama, the whole car was anxious now to see what waited us.
The the train car slowly stopped. The car and its passenger's silent for the few brief moments we had before the doors slid open.
I gripped one of the iron bars to steady myself while I blinked my way back to reality.
'It's gone you're here not there.' I told myself.
"Madalina are you alright?" Paul questioned, his voice thick with worry as Eve bent down to expect me.
"I'm fine, no need to fuss." Putting a lying smile on my face to convince them, "Just all the traveling seems to be catching up with me, I will be fine really I just need to rest." The smile still plastered on my face as all three of them continued to look me over.
Letting go of the bar my hand tremored slightly and I prayed none of them would notice as I bent down to pick up my suitcase.
"Let's go see Fräulein Elsa and see if I have a job." Fixing my dress and hair hoping to look presentable. They all hesitated for a moment but continued on to show me the way. As we walked I barely caught glimpses of the other performers before being ushered into a large tent.
The tent was opulent and not what I expected. It was covered in light-colored drapes and filled with elegant antiques.
Jimmy stopped us, "Wait here while I fill in Elsa." And he disappeared behind a curtain.
I bit my lip and straightened my dress again.
"Don't be nervous love." Paul whispered, "Elsa's not as bad as she seems."
Before I could even shoot him a nervous smile Jimmy was beckoning for me to come through the curtain. Taking a deep breath I straightened myself and stepped through for what would await me.
The curtain floated back behind me when I stepped into what was a dressing room/ lounge room. Jimmy was standing next to a woman who was sitting on a large velvet couch, she looking very intimidating.
Walking forward to her I extended my hand, "Hello I am Madalina Lekeman." The woman paused for a moment as I swallowed a lump forming in my throat before she returned my handshake.
"Hello my dear, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Elsa Mars, the owner and proprietor of this show. Please have a seat." Ms. Elsa motioned for me to sit on the opposing velvet couch.
Her accent was still heavy. She was defiantly German alright.
"Your accent dear, where do you come from?" She inquired.
"Lithuanian Miss Elsa, I was born in the southern town of Alytus and lived there with my family. I learned English two years ago but my accent makes it difficult for people to understand me."
Miss Elsa grinned at me, "I know what you mean my dear." Causing me to smile, "Jimmy tells me you are looking for a job."
"Yes I am but I regret there is nothing extraordinary about me. I am not anything wonderful like Eve, Paul or Jimmy." Truthfully telling her, "But I am a hard worker. I can cook almost anything and I clean well. I sew most of my own clothes and I don't even need patterns so I could fix, hem and make clothes and costumes for the performers."
Desperately I rambled knowing I looked pathetic but I didn't have anywhere else to go, "I could also help create business by going into town and creating interest in the show and help run errands for you or the performers. All I ask for is a monthly pay of thirteen dollars a month." Closing my mouth shut and gulping down another lump in my throat.
Miss Elsa didn't say anything for a few seconds but it felt like minutes.
"Jimmy could you wait outside for a minute." She told him but kept her stare on me. I watched him nod to her, glance at me then disappear behind the curtain. I could feel myself break out into a sweat and I had to fight the urge to tug down at my dress sleeves.
"Where is your family?" She inquired of me and the question took me a bit by surprise.
"The War took them." Softly replying to her as I stared at the floor.
"So you were there, right in the middle of the worst I am gathering." She told rather than asked me.
Nodding I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my emotions in check, "Were you?" Quietly asking her.
"No, no I was able to get out before it got bad...but not without repercussions." Miss Elsa sadly sighed as she let her own memories pass before her eyes, "And you have no feelings of hatred or resentment, a Jew working for a German?" She asked.
My open gaped open slightly, "How did-?" I started but she cut me off.
"It wasn't hard to figure it out...also Jimmy mentioned it."
Patiently she waited for my answer, "Every Nazi was part of the German party but not all German's are Nazi's." I told her.
A small smile crept onto her lips.
"Jimmy." Miss Elsa called out and a moment later he appeared, "Please show Ms. Lekeman to the spare trailer and help her get settled. She will need her strength for work tomorrow." Coyly smiling at me.
I beamed, "Oh thank you Miss Elsa! I will not let you or any of the performers down I promise!" Jumping up I was about to give her a hug but stopped myself and settled on another handshake.
Jimmy led me out of her tent and I did a little happy dance while he laughed at me, "Come on kid I'll show you to your new home." He grinned.
Jimmy led me to a small trailer nearing the outskirts of the camp. I wasn't completely away from everyone but the distant was there. Opening the door and climbing the steps inside I crossed over into my new home.
It was small and quaint. I didn't need or want for much. Just a good bed to sleep on at night. The trailer contained one twin bed, a night stand with a matching wardrobe, a small vanity table with a mirror and washing basin. A small table surrounded by mismatched chairs was set by one of the windows.
A tiny bathroom containing a shower I would have to clean, and toilet and a sink with a mirror was also in the trailer much to my surprise but it added to my happiness.
It would need some cleaning and personal touches but it was perfect for me.
"Glamorous isn't it." Jimmy joked. Sending him a small smile I walked over to the bed and set my suitcase upon it. Opening the clasps and lifting the lid what I was looking for was directly on top of my other possessions as I knew it would be.
Picking up the picture frame I smoothed my fingers over my parents smiling faces before setting it on the nightstand next to my bed.
"Now it is." Grinning at him.
He walked over, curious no doubt to see the prized picture I had just set down, "You can pick it up I don't mind. Just please be careful with it." Gently stressing as I watched him pick up the frame and study its contents.
"Your parents?" He asked but he must have known the answer.
"Yes, that was on their wedding day." Giving a happy sigh as I stared at the picture. Better times before the worst.
"If you don't mind me asking, you came to Jupiter alone so..." Jimmy trailed off unsure how to finish but knowing I would understand his point.
"They both died during the War, I am an only child and the rest of my family died in the War as well." Telling him quietly.
He gently set the picture back down on the nightstand, "I'm sorry."
The air hung heavy in silence. I didn't know what to say or how to continue.
"I'll leave you to rest and get settled." He told me before walking to the door and shutting it behind him.
Not wanting to let my mind dwell on the past I went to work on unpacking the rest of my things.
A short while later there was a knock at my door.
"Come in." I said as I hung the last of my clothes in the wardrobe. The door opened and Paul appeared.
"Hey just wanted to see how you were getting along?" He politely asked me.
"I'm doing well thank you Paul." Thanking him for his hospitality. I watched him as he moved around the trailer, inspecting what I had made my own, stopping when he came upon the three pictures on my vanity table.
"Whose this chap?" He questioned looking at one of the frames, walking over I picked up the one he was talking about.
"This is my friend Eliezer and myself when I stayed with him in France. After the war ended I moved around a lot not sure where to go or settle down, and he is a dear friend who gave me a place to go." Explaining to him, "I miss him so much but we write to each other often, he is talking about maybe moving to America himself in a few years. Right now work keeps him busy." Setting down the frame in its spot.
Paul inspected the other two photos. One of my parents and myself when I was seven. The other a picture of my whole extended family.
"That's your whole family?" Inquiring to me.
"Yes, that was taken right before the invasion of Poland in 1939. There is me, my parents, my mothers parents, my fathers parents." Pointing out each person to him, "My mother's two sisters and their children, and finally my father's brother and his son." Murmuring remembering the lost lives.
"Did they...I mean did the.." Paul stumbled with his words trying to phrase a difficult question.
"They all died in the War except for my uncles son, Petras. He made it out, now he is married with a beautiful baby girl." I paused and swallowed the tears threatening to form in my throat, "They are the only family I have left." I turned away from Paul and pretended to busy myself with something in my wardrobe but really I didn't want him to see the few stray tears escape from my eyes as I quickly wiped them away.
"If you give us a chance we could be a family to you Madalina." Paul softly said to me and my heart ached at his sweetness.
"Thank you Paul." Replying with a timid smile.
"Speaking of which, that is why I've come here. Would you care to take a tour and meet the other members of the troupe?" He asked me in smile trying to lighten my mood.
"I would be delighted to go on a tour." I beamed at Paul and his smile became brighter, and for a moment my heart felt funny but I didn't know why?