A Wall of Light - Edeet Ravel [32]
Today is Trumpeldor Day. There was a dramatization in the Dining Hall and then we marched to the top of Al-Tawil, the hill that lies to the west and from which one can see the lights both of Safed and Haifa. Full moon with a crisp wind a-blowing, so we could hardly wait to light our bonfire at the prescribed time, when fires were to blaze up in all the settlements of the countryside. Then a few selections from our pocket-sized choir, valiantly rendered, and a few words on the significance of the occasion by Martin.
When we got home we discovered that our tender—which is the name for any small pick-up truck in this country—had arrived from Galron, where it had been in repair for two months. Painted a brilliant green, and hunched up on its hind wheels and ready to roll. So our motor fleet has been doubled.
Dori
I’m on my way to Lulu’s birthday party. Suddenly a boy from an older Group comes over and asks me if I want to see a shelter.
I say yes. I’m always interested in seeing new things. He goes down a metal ladder. I go down after him but
I stay on the ladder because I don’t like it down here.
He says do you want to do sex?
I’m free but I don’t like this boy. I run up the ladder
and all the way to the Room. Now I’m crying. Daddy asks what is it? but I don’t know why I’m crying.
Daddy says I have a new book for you doda. He shows me the book. It’s called Alice in Wonderland and it’s big and white like Pinnochio. I love the picture on the cover—a blonde girl in a red dress sitting in a field of flowers and looking at a rabbit. The rabbit is holding a clock and running.
I sit on Daddy’s lap and he reads to me. This is the best book I’ve ever read in my entire life.
Thy Neck with Chains of Gold
MARINA
My poor feet … Thank God I’m not working tomorrow.
MICHAEL
Thank Eli, our lord and saviour.
ELI
(smiling) If you don’t watch out, I’ll put you in the
kitchen for a year.
MARINA
Don’t pay attention to him—he’s mad because he can’t
drive his truck tomorrow. You know what? I don’t care.
Let him drive. Let him go back to his truck, his fun in
the city, his Arab friends, his soldiers and girlfriends, I
don’t want him any more. I’m looking for a new hus-
band. Put it on the agenda for this week’s meeting: to
be discussed, a replacement spouse for Marina.
RITA
You can have me, darling Marina. Any time. (Raises
volume of radio.) May I have this dance? (RITA and
MARINA dance)
MICHAEL
If you need me, I’ll be praying. (Exits)
Dori
I really really don’t want to go back tonight. I lie down on the sofa and pretend I’m asleep. That way Daddy will have to carry me. He lifts me on his back and I lean my head on his shoulder.
We walk to the Children’s House. I keep my eyes closed and my arms around Daddy’s neck.
I pretend to wake up when he says we’re here, doda. I slide down from his back and he kisses me goodbye for now.
Lulu says you didn’t come to my birthday party—I’m five now.
I completely forgot! I begin to cry. Lulu pats me on the back and says never mind sweetie. She says there’s cake left over and you’ll come tomorrow and have a piece—hush now.
Shoshana says hurry up hurry hurry hurry. Go to hell Shoshana. Go to hell and stay there.
I made a promise to myself in Canada about forgetting things. Mummy bought me a beautiful white sweater in a department store. It was so beautiful! With little pearls on the collar and shiny buttons. Mummy wasn’t going to buy it because it cost a lot but when she saw how much I loved it she bought it. Then on the bus home we sat on a side seat and I put the sweater next to me and I told myself don’t forget the sweater!
But then Mummy almost missed our stop and she was in a big rush and I forgot the sweater. She noticed as soon as we were