Emile left Marcoles on a stolen bike. 400 miles, six flat tires, hundreds of mosquito bites and one sunburn later he stood on Rue Molière hoping Yvette still occupied the small room on the second floor. He had such news! Their parents, yes, both of them, were alive – freed from Auschwitz in January. Emile could hardly believe it.
“Yvette!” he cried. “Yvette!”
The window opened. A face appeared. “Silence, idiot! Yvette is gone.”
“Gone? Gone where?” Emile shouted.
“The SS shot her along with the other Jew rats taking up space in this building.”
Emile’s heart sank. “When?”
“January.”
The window slammed shut.
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How tragic. A very impactful story, and an important topic. Prejudice and intolerance of different religions still haunt us today.
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Thanks, Jan, I started thinking about a story at 6:00 am and didn’t come up with anything until 3:00 pm. By that time I was reading about the history of the Nazi concentration camps. Mmm….
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Excellent story but so tragic! Very powerful.
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Thank you! So many sad stories from that time.
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Yes, that is very true!
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Oh my….
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Too much sadness from that era – and it hasn’t ended. Thanks for reading.
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Such a very sad story.
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Thanks for a great picture, Sandra. Many thoughts ran through my mind when I saw it. By endo of day this was the winner.
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Anti semitism didn’t start or end with the Nazis.
Good piece.
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No, it didn’t. Jews don’t seem to stand a chance. Thanks for reading.
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Gosh. So poignant. The way you’ve condensed everything into 100 or so words makes it even more powerful.
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Thanks! I’m glad you think it worked.
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That packs a punch – really well done.
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Thank you for the very kind words. Alicia
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Dear Alicia,
My heart plummeted with the slam of the window. We chose the same era this week. Very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I’m reading a book on the history of Nazi concentration camps. Not very uplifting but …
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cocktail of news, good marred by the bad – nice one Alicia !
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Thank you, Horus. I tried to go light – you can see what happened. Cheers.
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A sad story well told.
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Thanks so much, Alicia
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How horrible, the timing of her death just made it worse. Powerful tale, Alicia.
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Thanks, Russel, appreciate you leaving the running of the chickens to read my story. Cheers.
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Ouch. Hideous stuff and yet almost certainly true for some families at that time. You captured the change of mood beautifully
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Thanks, Elmo! How’s the new addition to your family? I appreciate your reading News.
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Hi! New addition is a delight… and lots of work, but sort of gives me reading time. As long as I don’t mind it being during the night feed!!!
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When my friend had her baby twenty-five (yikes!) years ago her husband got up and read to her while she nursed the baby. Talk about devotion. Glad all is well.
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What a heartbreaking well-written story. My heart sank at the end.
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I’m glad ~ well, you know what I mean. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
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Yes, I know what you mean
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Sadly realistic and heartbreaking in its details. Very good story.
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Thank you so very much. Alicia
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Well written and so sad. A terrible end to his journey
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I can’t imagine how many journeys have ended this way. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Did you hear the thud? My heart fell. So, so very well done…
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Wow! Thanks, Dale.
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What devastating news, Alicia. That must have shattered him. At least he has his good news about his parents. Such a sad tale and very well done. War is horrible.
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Thanks, Amy. Hope all is well with you.
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Devastating news after such hardship.
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Oh, yes, indeed.
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Such joy shattered in an instant.
I just finished reading “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. It’s a different perspective on WWII than I’ve encountered before. It’s very good. Very very good.
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I read that! It was VERY good. Thanks for stopping by and reading. Any book suggestions are always welcome. Alicia
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Isn’t it fantastic! So different. I devour books. I can’t get enough. Another one I read recently that I loved was “The Secret of Magic” by Deborah Johnson set in 1946 Mississippi. I’m reading Claire Fuller’s book now.
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The abrupt ending really makes an impact. Very well done.
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Thank you, Honie, I’m glad it worked.
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Tough realistic story, very well rendered. Thanks, Alicia!
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Thanks, Perry!
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Powerful. Great transition from his joyful arrival to the slamming of the window and the ugliness of the woman’s words. Well told.
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Thank you! I’m glad you stopped by, read and commented. Always appreciate your thoughts.
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A sad occurrence repeated too many times, well written.
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Thank you. Sad that such events still occur. Glad you stopped by.
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A very powerful story and such a sad ending. well done
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Thanks! I appreciate your reading “News”. Alicia
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How terrible! Victory here is indeed bittersweet. Well told.
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Thanks, Miss Tiffany ~ I’m glad you stopped by. Alicia
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What a sad, sad story. So much hatred and evil and we learned so little, what a truly tragic species we are. Excellent writing.
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No, we haven’t learned a darn thing. Thank you for such a kind comment. Alicia
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Good and powerful, but sad story, Alicia. I can imagine such things happened time and time again. Well done. ——- Suzanne
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Thank you. I’m glad you stopped by to read!
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