The Tattooist of Auschwitz (The Tattooist of Auschwitz #1) - Heather Morris Page 0,56
hell, the same country – as her.’
Lale considers saying something more, but decides to let it drop. Baretski leads him out of his block and into the compound, where a truckload of men has arrived and a selection is taking place. He smiles inwardly at the sight of Leon working, dropping the tattoo stick, spilling ink. Baretski wanders off and Lale approaches Leon from behind.
‘Need a hand?’
Leon turns around, knocking a bottle of ink over as he grasps Lale by the hand, shaking it vigorously, overjoyed.
‘It’s so good to see you!’ he cries.
‘Believe me, it’s good to be back. How are you?’
‘Still pissing sitting down. Otherwise I’m OK. So much better now that you’re here.’
‘Let’s get on with it then. Looks like they’re sending quite a few our way.’
‘Does Gita know you’re back?’ Leon asks.
‘I think so. It was her friend Cilka who got me out.’
‘The one who … ?’
‘Yes. I’ll try to see them tomorrow. Give me one of those sticks. I’d better not give them any excuse to throw me back where I was.’
Leon holds out his tattoo stick as he rummages around in Lale’s bag for another one. Together they begin work, tattooing the newest residents of Birkenau.
•
The next afternoon, Lale waits outside the administration building as the girls leave work. Dana and Gita don’t see him until he stands right in front of them, blocking their path. A moment passes before they react. Then both girls throw their arms around him and hug him tightly. Dana cries. No tears come from Gita. Lale releases them and takes each by the hand.
‘Both still beautiful,’ he tells them.
Gita smacks him on the arm with her free hand.
‘I thought you were dead. Again. I thought I’d never see you again.’
‘Me too,’ says Dana.
‘But I’m not. Thanks to you, and to Cilka, I’m not. I’m here with the two of you, where I should be.’
‘But …’ cries Gita.
Lale pulls her towards him and holds her securely.
Dana kisses him on the cheek. ‘I’ll leave you two. It’s so good to see you, Lale. I thought Gita would die of a broken heart if you didn’t come back soon.’
‘Thank you, Dana,’ says Lale. ‘You’re a good friend, to both of us.’
She walks off, the smile not leaving her face.
Hundreds of prisoners mill around the compound, as Lale and Gita stand there, not knowing what to do next.
‘Close your eyes,’ Lale says.
‘What?’
‘Close them and count to ten.’
‘But –’
‘Just do it.’
One eye at a time, Gita does as she is told. She counts to ten, then opens them. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘I’m still here. I’ll never leave you again.’
‘Come on, we have to keep moving,’ she tells him.
They walk towards the women’s camp. With no bribe for the kapo, Lale can’t risk Gita being late back. They lean gently in towards each other.
‘I don’t know how much longer I can stand this.’
‘It can’t last forever, my darling. Just hang in there, please hang in there. We’ll have the rest of our lives together.’
‘But –’
‘No buts. I promised you we’d leave this place and make a life together.’
‘How can we? We can’t know what tomorrow will bring. Look at what just happened to you.’
‘I’m here with you now, aren’t I?’
‘Lale –’
‘Leave it, Gita.’
‘Will you tell me what happened to you? Where you’ve been?’
Lale shakes his head. ‘No. I’m back here with you now. What matters is what I’ve told you many times, that we will leave this place and have a free life together. Trust me, Gita.’
‘I do.’
Lale likes the sound of that.
‘One day you will say those two little words to me under different circumstances. In front of a rabbi, surrounded by our family and friends.’
Gita giggles and lays her head briefly on his shoulder as they reach the entrance to the women’s camp.
•
As Lale walks back to his block, two youths approach and walk alongside him.
‘You’re the Tätowierer?’
‘Who’s asking?’ says Lale.
‘We hear you might be able to get us some extra food.’
‘Whoever told you that was mistaken.’
‘We can pay,’ one of them says, opening his clenched fist to reveal a small but perfect diamond.
Lale grits his teeth.
‘Go on, take it. If you can get us anything we would really appreciate it, mister.’
‘What block are you in?’
‘Nine.’
How many lives does a cat have?
•
The next morning, Lale hangs around the main gates, bag in hand. Twice SS approach him.
‘Politische Abteilung,’ he says on both occasions, and is left alone. But he is more apprehensive than he used to be. Victor and Yuri break from the line