Exodus - Leon Uris [283]
Those left behind stood at the gates of Gan Dafna in silence. There was nothing to do now but wait until morning. They began drifting back toward their bunkers, where they would spend the sleepless night in silence, trembling with fear for the children and for the fate of this strange convoy.
Kitty Fremont stood alone by the main gate for more than an hour after they had gone. She stared vacantly into the darkness.
“It is going to be a very long night,” a voice said behind her. “You might as well get in out of the cold.”
Kitty turned. Jordana stood next to her. For the first time since they had met, Kitty was actually glad to see the redheaded sabra. She had been developing a growing admiration for Jordana since her decision to stay. Jordana was perhaps the one person most responsible for keeping Gan Dafna calm. The girl had instilled the young Gadna troops with an infectious confidence; they behaved like spirited battle veterans. During all the ordeals since the closing of the road, Jordana had remained contained and efficient. It was quite a load for a young woman not yet twenty, but Jordana had that quality of leadership that made those around her feel secure.
“Yes, it’s going to be a very long night,” Kitty said.
“Then we can keep each other company,” Jordana said. “I will tell you a secret. I have a half bottle of brandy hidden in the command-post bunker. I think that tonight would be a perfect time to finish it. Why don’t you wait for me at my bunker? I have to bring in the guards. I’ll be back in a half hour.”
Kitty didn’t move. Jordana took her arm. “Come on,” she said gently, “there is nothing we can do now.”
Kitty had been sitting nervously and smoking cigarette after cigarette until Jordana finally got back to the command post. Jordana took the brown Haganah stocking cap from her head, and her long scarlet tresses fell to her shoulders. She alternately held her cheeks and rubbed her hands together to drive out the cold. The brandy was hidden in a loosely filled place in the dirt wall. She took it out and wiped off the bottle and poured Kitty and herself a stiff drink.
“Le chaim,” Jordana said, taking a sip. “That is good.”
“How long will it be before they pass near Abu Yesha?”
“That won’t be until after midnight,” Jordana answered.
“I have been telling myself over and over that they are going to come through all right. Then I begin thinking of the thousands of things that can go wrong.”
“It is impossible not to think about it,” Jordana said, “but it is in the hands of God now.”
“God? Yes, He does special things here,” Kitty said.
“If you don’t get religion in Palestine, I doubt that you’ll get it anywhere,” Jordana said. “I cannot remember the time that we have not lived on faith. We actually have little else to sustain us.”
Coming from Jordana Ben Canaan, the words sounded strange, yet—not strange at all. On the surface Jordana did not appear to harbor a deep faith ... but what else could give her the power to exist under this constant tension if it were not faith?
“Kitty,” Jordana said suddenly, “I have a confession to make to you. I have wanted very much for us to become friends.”
“Why is that, Jordana?”
“Because I have learned something from you ... something I have been very wrong about. I have watched you work here with the children and I know what you did for Ari. When you decided to stay I realized something ... I realized that a woman like you can have just as much courage as ... our kind of people. I used to believe that to be feminine was a sign of weakness.”
“Thank you, Jordana,” Kitty smiled weakly, “but I’m afraid I could use a little of your brand of faith or courage or whatever it is right now. I feel as though I’m ready to fall apart.”
Kitty lit a cigarette and Jordana poured her another brandy.
“I have been thinking ...” Jordana said. “You would be good for Ari.”
Kitty shook her head. “We are, as the saying goes, two nice people not made for each other.”
“That is unfortunate, Kitty.”
Kitty looked at her watch. She knew from the discussions that the long column of men