No One

The boys seemed to be kicking a large Bible.  I wanted to join them and play, but momma squeezed my hand and said I couldn’t – she was probably right.  After we started wearing the star of David, people didn’t seem to like us very much.  My friends didn’t want to play with me any more, they called me a rat.  I don’t know why because I look nothing like a rat!  I kind of have a big nose, but dad always tells me boys with bigger noses are the more manly ones.  I must be really manly.

I tripped over a book and momma snapped at me, “Be careful!”.

“Sorry momma!”

She has been so angry lately, I think she doesn’t like our new jobs.  Some men with really nice uniforms asked us to move into a small place that we share with two other families, and now momma and I go to work together everyday in new uniforms.  Work is so hard, and the bosses are always screaming at us.  Sometimes I cry from all the yelling, it makes me feel scared.  I keep working with my head down so momma never sees.

Every day, we walk through town together to get to work. There have been so many books on the streets lately!  I asked momma if I could keep one but apparently those books are no good and that’s why they are being thrown out.  It makes me glad I don’t own any books.

I saw a man holding a rock, he was snarling like a dog!  And he was running towards us!

“Jüdischer Abschaum!”

Momma fell to the ground.

“Momma!”

I bent over to help her up, I tried to lift her body and be strong, but I couldn’t.  She stayed on the ground holding her head, she was lying on her side like my baby sister does.

I looked for the man that threw a rock at her while yelling “Jewish Scum” – why would he do that?  And where did he go?

Momma’s head was bleeding badly.  She touched her head, looked at her fingers covered in blood and then her eyes rolled to the back of her head.  I got scared, she wasn’t moving!

My eyes filled with tears.  I could not cry when momma needed me most!

“Help!  Someone please help!  My momma is hurt!  Her head – it’s, it’s bleeding!”

No one came…