Chapters 1-3
“Well, it looks like summer is still in full swing, and won’t be stopping anytime soon, so—”
The radio announcer piped in, “It’s a lovely 76 degrees today, Monday, September 24th, and on to the news…”
A delicate hand turned the radio dial to the left, leaving the car interior in silence.
The driver impatiently tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, until she finally spoke. “Rosalind, I was listening to that!” The mom crinkled her brow and frowned, looking at the line of cars ahead of her, as well as the lack of music in her new 1984 Volvo wagon.
“Mom, you know how she gets with anything new,” said a male voice from behind. He begrudgingly rolled down his window, and placed his hand into the moving air. “She’s like a live wire.”
“Am not,” said Rosalind, shrugging her shoulders.
“Listen, you two. I want good behavior on the first day of school.”
“Mom, it’s not the first day of school. It’s our first day at school.”
“Point taken, Rosalind. But I don’t need attitude today,” said their mother. She decided staying calm was key to alleviating their anxiety. “I thought we’d get to town for the official start date, but we couldn’t make it. Let’s make the best of the situation.” She quickly turned to smile at them, but wasn’t completely convinced she was successful in her reassurance. Issues always came up between Rosalind and her tease of a brother.
“You mean, make the best of a bad situation,” Rosalind added, under her breath.
“Rosalind!”
“I’m sorry Mom, but this sucks. Just because Dad had to wait for his accolade-laden going away party from Memorial, we must go into a situation behind everyone else. And we’re not even Catholic! Why are we even going here?”
Roz knew she stepped over her boundaries – way over, in fact. But she needed to vent out her frustrations before she walked through the door of her new high school, and begin her 4-year journey of education and teen angst.
Before their mother could begin her usual burst of what Rosalind referred to as “verbal diarrhea,” her brother, Isaac, intervened.
“C’mon, Mom, give her a break. Freshman year is tough already, but now she has to catch up.”
He looked over at the back of Rosalind’s short, dark-haired head. It looked as though she tilted it slightly up in confidence, after his last words of support. He wanted to smooth things over between them before leaving the car.
“And give Mom a break. You know Dad deserved that party. He worked his ass off and finally got the recognition he deserved. It’s not his fault that the event was set up late by the Department Chair, who is a terminally challenged douchebag. But I’m not bitter!”
Rosalind burst out laughing, while their mother stared sternly into the rear-view mirror to see her son.
“Isaac…” Their mom took a momentary breath, trying to contain the frustration and anger she was feeling.
“What? Mom, you know it’s true. I’m just stating the obvious,” grinned Isaac, hoping his charm would do its magic.
“Young man, sometimes it’s not that easy. You have to have something called tact in this world, not only to protect others, but to protect yourself.”
Isaac snorted. “Sounds like a big waste of time to me.”
Their mother smiled grimly. “I apologize, Isaac. I realize in your 15 years of life…you’ve got it all figured out.”
Isaac leaned forward and kissed the back of his mother’s head. “Mom, sarcasm doesn’t work for you.” Rosalind just smiled before turning towards the passenger window.
They pulled into the front of the school via the roundabout driveway. Three floors of 1960s architecture lay before them in a U-shape design. A giant, gold cross lay at the apex of the building with the school’s name listed below: All Saints High School.
The three of them climbed the stairs to the front door and entered. The retro décor continued in the inside with light wood-paneled walls, glass display cases replete with trophies, and tiled floors. They turned left and followed the signs to the main office.
As they pushed the door open, a girl was walking out. She had long, straight, dark blonde hair and was wearing a school uniform that seemed to be swallowing her up within a swath of polyester/cotton blend. She looked at the group in front of her, looked down, and smiled shyly before quickly walking down the hall.
“Well, hello, there,” said Isaac, staring at her while she continued to walk down the hall.
Rosalind swatted him and whispered, “Stop being so obvious. We need to make a good first impression.”
His blue eyes sparkled to match his grin. “You mean you need to make a good first impression. I’m immune to that type of peer pressure.” They followed their mother to the counter where a secretary was waiting for them.
Rosalind gingerly stepped closer to her brother and whispered, “You’re a dork.”
“No, I’m the master of my own destiny,” he added, while moving his sister toward the waiting adults.
Julia had already heard about the strangers she had bumped into at the school office. Terry the janitor, was far better at gaining gossip and information than the average female teenager. He also used to work at the precinct with her grandfather and, unfortunately, was accused of stealing drug money from the Evidence Room. Charges were pressed, despite any hard evidence, and both were promptly booted from the police force. Someone had to take the fall, and who better than two Ukrainian immigrants, who people always thought were Russian communists anyway? She was planning on clearing their names, but needed a way back into the precinct without attracting attention. After all, the same detective instinct that ran in her grandfather’s blood was present in hers as well.
Before she had a chance to ponder over her predicament, she heard a sharp voice behind her.
“Julia, Julia!” bellowed Brother Cabot, until she stopped mid-stride, and turned to face one of her favorite, yet strict, teachers of the school. He finally caught up with her after his usual speed walk.
“I have been calling your name for well over 3 minutes. Where was your head? In the clouds again, I suppose?”
Brother Cabot’s voice was sharp, matching everything else about him: Dark, close-cropped hair, dark eyes with black-rimmed glasses, a slim figure, and perfectly manicured nails, which laid against his black cassock.
“I’m sorry, Brother Cabot. Can I help you?” Julia mumbled, still concentrating on the project that lay ahead of her.
“Can you? Don’t you mean, May I?” replied Brother Cabot tersely. He began to wave his lanky pointer finger close to her chest. “Remember your grammar, Julia. None of us want you leaving these hallowed halls upon graduation with a poor understanding of the English language.” Just as quickly as he began his diatribe on her speaking ability, he switched topics to something even more uncomfortable.
Julia groaned upon hearing the request. She knew that action would have serious repercussions, but she didn’t care. She had enough to worry about without having to plan on being a tour guide, on top of it all.
“Miss Stoltichak, I realize that you might try to skate through these next four years, avoiding social interaction and flying low under the radar, but it won’t happen. I don’t approve of such anti-social behavior.” He leaned closer to Julia’s ear. “And she wouldn’t either.”
The last comment jolted Julia out of her contemplation. She looked over at Brother Cabot quickly, and nodded before the tears started to well up in her eyes, just at the thought of her beloved Babcha Anna. She placed her head down, as Brother Cabot gently guided her back to the main office.
“Atta’ girl. Even when struggling with our own life’s challenges and pain, it is always good to help others in need.”
“And what need would that be?” asked Julia quietly, as if the volume of her voice would give away her emotional vulnerability.
“The need to be accepted by your peers, or at least some of them. The need to find your niche.” He paused. “Do you know the new students’ names are Rosalind and Isaac?”
“Yes.”
“Well, did you also know that their last name is Rabinowitz?”
Julia stopped mid-stride, as Brother Cabot kept walking. He turned around to face her.
“Is there a problem, Julia?”
“They’re Jewish?”
“Yes.”
“In a Catholic school?”
Brother Cabot looked up at the ceiling, sighed, and continued.
“Miss Stoltichak, unbeknownst to many Catholics, including yourself, many Jewish youth attend schools that are not associated with their faith. They’re here for a good education, not for a religious tutorial.” He looked over in her direction. “Judaism is the older sibling to Christianity. Don’t forget that, ever.”
He turned around and continued walking. “Let’s keep going.”
“Thanks for the life lesson, Brother Cabot.”
“You’re very welcome, but don’t think the sarcasm was lost on me.”
They stood in front of the doors to the main office.
“It wasn’t,” he stated curtly. He opened the door. “After you, Julia.”
Julia walked through the doors, ready to play the role that was being foisted upon her.
CHAPTER 2
“Mrs. Rabinowitz?” Brother Cabot asked.
She rose from her seat. “Actually, it’s Dr. Rabinowitz.”
The throat clearing she heard from her son indicated that she was being a bit pretentious.
“You can call me Sally.” She replied, feeling her face flush a bit from the awkward introduction. “Or Mrs. Rabinowitz is just fine. Whatever you choose is fine.”
Brother Cabot chuckled. “I’ll call you by your preferred name – Dr. Rabinowitz. After all, that is a great accomplishment for anyone to admire. Isn’t that right, Julia?”
Julia said nothing but just nodded.
Brother Cabot moved Julia from the side to have her stand right in front of the doctor.
“Dr. Rabinowitz, this is Julia. She will be escorting Rosalind and Isaac to their classes. And since she and Rosalind have the same schedule, it will be easy and no trouble whatsoever. Correct, Julia?”
“Exactly,” Julia agreed, managing a smile.
“Thank you, Julia,” said Dr. Rabinowitz, extending out her hand.
Julia tentatively took the hand and gave it a good shake.
“Strong handshake!” Dr. Rabinowitz chuckled. “I like that. Inspires confidence. Now I feel I can trust you. Especially with two of my most precious treasures.”
Rosalind and Isaac groaned in unison at their mother’s comments, while Julia whole-heartedly smiled.
“I think that’s sweet. My grandmother used to call me something similar. But it was a bit different. And in Ukrainian.”
A pale, tall, thin, and dark-haired boy stepped in front of Dr. Rabinowitz.
“Hello, my name is Isaac. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Julia placed her hand tentatively in his open palm as if to shake his, but he quickly turned it horizontally, stooping down to kiss it. They all watched her expression, while she looked into his deep blue eyes.
“Um…um, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Isaac quickly stood up, as if at attention. “No, the pleasure is all mine.”
Rosalind made a slight gagging sound, as her mother hit her arm lightly.
“Knock it off…both of you. Julia is here to assist you and I want both of you to remember that.”
“Okay…,” said the siblings, in monotone unison.
She replied to them in another language.
“Yiddish?” asked Julia.
Dr. Rabinowitz brightened at her reply. “Why, yes! Do you speak it?”
Isaac pseudo-whispered into her ear, while patting her shoulder. “Mom, she’s a Gentile…it’s pretty obvious.”
Dr. Rabinowitz completely ignored their comments and stated matter-of-factly, “You must excuse my children, Julia. My husband and I taught them manners, but somehow it seems to have eluded them at present time!”
“Mom…” Rosalind whined.
“It’s okay, Roz, let Mother Rabinowitz have her way,” said Isaac, as he walked past his mother, motioning her to make an exit. “For now…”
Dr. Rabinowitz walked out, but not before patting her son on his cheek. “Smart ass.” She turned around to face Brother Cabot.
“My apologies for the salty language, Brother.”
“No apologies needed, Dr. Rabinowitz.”
With a quick smile to Julia and a wave to her children, she walked out the door and down the hall.
“Smooth move, Isaac,” Rosalind muttered under her breath.
“What?”
“Well, young man, I hope you don’t live too far from here. I have the feeling you’ll be without a chauffeur tonight,” added Brother Cabot, as he walked out the open door.
Julia followed with Rosalind coming up behind her.
“Please don’t screw this up for me,” Rosalind whispered to her brother.
“Relax, little sister. What could go wrong?”
Rosalind groaned before leaving the office. Isaac followed suit.
As they were walking down the hallway, Julia tried breaking the ice.
“You really haven’t missed anything of the semester,” she snickered. “Just a bunch of ‘getting to know each other’ time in class, and barely any homework. You’re coming in at the right time. Trust me.”
Rosalind was a bit puzzled. “Why’d you say that? Don’t you like getting to know your classmates?”
Julia started walking a little bit quicker and Rosalind tried to keep up to her pace.
“These are people I go to school with, they’re not my friends. Anyway, I don’t think they’d appreciate my company. I’m different than most.”
“Spoken like a truly anti-social person,” Rosalind replied, lightheartedly.
“I’m not anti-social,” Julia replied defensively. “I just don’t like the same things they do. Like cheerleading, football, homecoming weekend, and the yearbook club. I don’t fit in with the popular crowds.” Julia began to feel uncomfortable for even mentioning this bit of information and began looking down at her feet as they continued to walk.
“Well, what do you like to do?”
Julia began to panic. She did not like answering questions about herself. She decided to try another tact. “Today is not about me. I’m supposed to get you and your brother comfortable with the school.” She paused and turned around quickly. “By the way, where is your brother?”
“Right here,” a voice answered, as he rounded the corner in his casual way.
Julia found him to be very handsome but began to look at the ground to avoid his gaze.
He walked up to the girls and put an arm around each one of their shoulders.
“So, ladies, what are we talking about?”
“Julia was deflecting my question before we were interrupted by your presence.”
“Easy, Squirt. Just trying to catch up,” cracked Isaac, mussing his sister’s pixie hairstyle.
“Hey!” Rosalind shouted. She quickly slapped his hand away from her head, and walked further ahead of the other two.
“Squirt?” Julia asked. She felt uncomfortable with Isaac’s arm around her. But not in a bad way.
“Yeah. When our parents adopted Roz from China, I was only about a year old. They kept trying to have me say her name. All I could say was Squirt. Then as we got older, Mom and Dad told us the story. So, the nickname just stuck. I’ve been saying it ever since.”
“Thanks for that,” chimed Rosalind. She waiting a moment for them to catch up to her.
“You’re welcome, Squirt.”
At that point, Rosalind tried to punch him in the shoulder, but Isaac went behind Julia, holding her around the waist. “Now, Roz, you don’t want to fight in front of the school ambassador.”
Rosalind dropped her fighting stance and shrugged her shoulders. “I guess not, but I’ll get you back when you least expect it.”
“Oh, I’m sure you will.”
They all reassembled in a horizontal line once more.
“So, Julia, why don’t you stop deflecting and tell us what you’re interested in? I realize high school activities can be one big popularity fest, but I’m curious, why don’t you like them?” Isaac asked.
“Because they’re one big popularity fest,” said Julia, flatly.
“Well, I think I may try out for something,” said Rosalind, enthusiastically.
“Good for you, little sister. Welcome to the world of mediocrity.”
“How about you?” asked Julia.
“Me?”
Rosalind laughed. “Isaac tries to corner items on the black market for his own purposes.”
“Black market? Please. I’m an entrepreneur. A businessman.”
“If there are any dubious people to know, Isaac will find them.”
“Roz, you’re such a goody-two shoes.”
“And you’re a delinquent. But I’m no goody-two shoes.”
“Well, I’m not a delinquent!”
At this point they had reached the stairwell and their voices began reverberating loudly. To break up the arguing, Julia decided to interject something to change the subject.
“I’m an amateur detective.”
Isaac and Rosalind stopped bickering and looked over at her.
“Really?” asked Rosalind, who leaned in a little closer to hear the details.
“That’s so cool,” said Isaac. “So, have you solved any cases?”
“Well, none on my own. But my grandfather was a cop. A detective. Here and in Lviv.”
“Ukraine?”
Julia was surprised that Isaac knew that fact. She nodded.
“Our family was from that area as well,” said Isaac.
“So, if you haven’t solved anything on your own…” Rosalind began.
“I studied my grandfather’s cases and offered my opinion on certain aspects. I was usually right.”
“Sounds like a good guy,” Isaac stated.
Julia said nothing but just shrugged. She realized she was now the center of attention. She realized she just blurted out her own personal information to two total strangers, which made her feel incredibly vulnerable. But somehow, they seemed different from the others at the school. She was relieved to hear a voice one floor above clear his throat.
“Julia let’s not show our new students bad habits. Dawdling would be one of those. Let’s get moving, shall we?” Brother Cabot’s staccato voice tore into the trio’s private conversation.
Julia sighed in relief. “Yes, Brother Cabot.”
Julia motioned for the siblings to follow her up the stairs. As soon as they reached the 2nd floor, Julia walked over to her locker, opened it, and was surprised to see two folders and locks hanging in a bag. She assumed the good Brother made a stop at her location to drop off these gifts for the new visitors.
“Here’s your schedules, a map of the school, your locker information and these,” she stated as she clinked the locks together. She dug further into the bag. “Um… also you each get a notebook and pen to take down notes. You know, whatever you need to write down.”
“Thanks,” said the siblings in unison. They were both secretly impressed with Julia’s efficiency.
“Well, Isaac, we’ll walk you to your class. Rosalind and I will meet you afterwards.”
“No need, ladies. I will find my way and be just fine. We’ll meet up later.”
“We have the same lunch,” Julia countered.
“Until then, sweet Julia…” He tipped an imaginary hat in her direction. “Bye, Rosalind,” he stated as he sauntered off in the opposite direction, without a care in the world.
“Your brother seems very interesting,” said Julia, watching him walk away.
“Please don’t get under his spell.”
“So, he’s kind of a ladies’ man?”
“I wouldn’t go that far. But he’s a huge flirt, that’s for sure.”
“Oh, I see.”
“So…what’s our first class?”
“Afro-Asian Studies with Sister Alma.”
“Well, that will be interesting!”
“Are you a history buff?”
“Definitely. My dad goes to Israel every summer for archaeological digs.”
Julia stopped. “Are you kidding?”
Rosalind joined her. “No, why?”
“Because I love archaeology! I used to want to be one when I was younger. I read all the books the library had on the subject. I even read the Iliad and the Odyssey.
“Wow! How old were you?”
“Ten.”
“I read them when I was eleven.”
“The kids picked on me for having books with naked statues in it. I tried to explain it was Ancient Greek art. But they never listened.” Julia began to continue walking.
Rosalind joined her. “Kids usually don’t listen when they’re teasing someone. I had the same thing happen to me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it sucked. But I figured I was learning something important. You know those who ignore history…”
“…are doomed to repeat it,” they both said in unison. Then they burst out laughing.
“Well, we better keep going. Don’t want to upset Sister Alma,” said Julia, as she motioned Rosalind further down the hall.
“Is she mean?”
“No. More of a sourpuss. She always has a look.”
“How so?”
“You know Moe from The Three Stooges?”
“Yeah.”
“Think of Sister Alma as Moe’s little sister.”
“Uh, oh.”
“Yeah. Short of smacking people’s heads together, she seems a pretty unhappy type. Scowl face and all. I think she’ll be on the road to retirement real soon.”
They got to the door and Julia turned the knob to enter the room.
“Thanks, Julia.”
“For what?”
“For being so nice to us.”
Julia smiled. “You’re welcome. Now remember, when entering her classroom, quiet as a mouse. And follow my lead.”
They both entered, as the door closed behind them with the slightest of clicks.
CHAPTER 3
Julia and Rosalind walked to every class together, chatting in the halls as much as they could. Julia finally felt like she found someone who she could consider a friend.
Julia went to the cafeteria first, promising to save a place for Rosalind and her brother. But as she walked in, she saw a group dispersing from someone sitting at one of the tables. And there sat Isaac with a smile on his face.
“Julia, I saved you a seat.”
She sat down and gave him a puzzled look.
Isaac gave her a mischievous smirk. “What?”
“Well, you’ve been here 3 hours and have ensnared a whole group of people. I’ve been here two weeks and am pretty much invisible.”
“I don’t ‘ensnare’ sweet Julia, I entertain. And I thought you didn’t care what your classmates thought of you.”
“I don’t. I’m just in awe of your talent.” Julia couldn’t believe she had just said that.
“Now who’s the flirt?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I heard you asking Roz about me and she made a comment. Or should I say judgment.”
“I was making sure you were all right. There was nothing meant by my question.”
“Uh huh.”
“Seriously. You’re being ridiculous.”
“Why, Miss Julia, I do believe you’re blushing.”
Julia felt her cheeks get flushed, but refused to make any acknowledgments. Right at the same time, Rosalind walked in, surrounded by the cheerleading squad, who was being led by a tall, blue-eyed, blond haired girl. She waved good-bye before joining her group.
“What was all that about? And who’s the tall, good looking blonde?” asked Isaac, turning to Julia. “I hope you don’t get jealous by me asking that question.”
She said nothing but stuck her tongue out at him.
Rosalind ignored their side comments. “That’s Jo.”
“Full name is Johanna von Sutter,” Julia interjected.
“Well, she and I struck up a conversation at my locker, which continued into the bathroom, and finished up here. She’s the lead cheerleader for the JV squad and wants me to audition today. Isn’t that great?”
“Wow.” said Isaac, with a lack of enthusiasm lost to Rosalind.
“Oh, by the way, the school secretary stopped me in the hall. Mom will be late in picking us up. She wants us to call her right after school so we can set up a pickup time. Here’s the number.” She passed the sticky note message across the table to him.
“Why do I have to hold onto it?”
“Because you’re the oldest,” Rosalind smiled at him. “Well, I’m gonna get something to eat. Julia, are you coming?”
Julia smiled, but said nothing as she shook her head.
As Rosalind walked away, Isaac looked over at Julia. “What gives?”
“Nothing.”
“C’mon. I know that’s bullshit. I can tell by your body language.”
“Something you acquired in your business pursuits?”
“I’m serious. I can read people pretty well.”
“Oh, I see.”
“C’mon, Julia, if you know something, give. Rosalind is not street smart at all. She’s all brains and no common sense.”
“Well, I don’t believe that. She’s a pretty sensible person, in my opinion.”
“Julia, she’s my sister.”
“Well, I don’t want to assume anything. All might go well with this tryout. But Jo and I don’t agree on many things, so I’m probably not the best person to ask.”
“She’s a bitch, isn’t she?”
“On wheels.”
“Well, aren’t you going to warn Roz? If you won’t, I will.” Isaac started to get up, but Julia grabbed his arm to stop him.
“Do you think she’ll believe you?”
“Probably not.”
“And you’ll get into a wicked fight?”
Isaac nodded.
“Let it go. For now.”
“I can’t just do nothing.”
“Well, when she’s at practice, we can go to my place and wait for her. It’s just across the street.”
“Seriously? You’d do that for us?”
“Why not? That’s what people do for each other. They help.”
“Thanks, Julia. That’s really cool of you.”
“No problem.”
With every class Julia walked Rosalind to, she was subjected to listening to the praise of Jo and her cheer squads’ virtues. By the end of the last period, Julia had heard enough.
“Just be careful around those girls, Rosalind. Granted, they’re not all like Jo, but you need to be wary.”
“Those girls?” She replied with a smile, but her tone was anything but friendly. “What do you mean by that?”
Julia knew she was sinking fast but continued. “They can be cruel when talking about other people – girls, mostly. I’ve heard them bash people who they deemed inferior.”
“Such as yourself,” said Rosalind, hotly.
“Pardon me?”
“Listen, I really appreciate you helping us today, but I’m not like you. I like being around people.”
“That’s not true. I like people.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. Smart people. Not shallow-minded wannabees like the cheer squad.”
“So, you think they’re all like that?”
“Not all. But most.”
“So which category do I fall in, since I will be on the team as well?”
They began to walk towards their lockers and did not say another word until they had reached their destination.
“Well?” Rosalind demanded.
“You’re not on the team yet, Roz,” replied Julia, softly.
“It’s Rosalind, not Roz. Only my friends call me Roz. And I will be on the team.”
“Well, good luck. And take this.” Julia handed her a piece of paper. “It’s where Isaac and I will be waiting for you.”
With that, Julia closed the locker and walked down the stairwell, leaving Rosalind alone with her roiling emotions.
Even though Indian summer was in full swing, the sun began to ever so slightly hang in the lower sky. A warm wind had sprung up and fallen leaves began to coil around Isaac and Julia’s ankles as they crossed the street. They headed towards Queen’s Residence, the apartment complex that occupied a fair portion of the street and was the place Julia called home.
Due to the wind picking up, they walked in silence. Halfway down the main road of the complex, Julia pointed out one of the 1960s era buildings on the left. The only thing distinguishing that building from the others was a large oak tree that stood in front of the edifice, as if on guard. Its leaves were changing color and starting to die but the tree stubbornly held onto them for dear life.
Julia unlocked the entry door, and beckoned Isaac to follow. Just inside, a row of about eight locked mailboxes faced them. Each box had a small typed piece of paper inserted into the ID tag slot with the names of each tenant. She used a small key to open one of the little doors, removed its contents, and locked it back up.
“We’re on the second floor in the front,” she said, starting up the adjacent staircase.
Isaac followed behind her and as he stared down at the institutional gray carpeting, he noticed how incredibly quiet it was inside. In Manhattan, no area seemed to be without bustle and noise. The building felt like a tomb.
Julia sensed his reticence. “Most people are at work. And the retirees are probably out shopping or at appointments. There’s a shuttle that takes them around town a few times a week.”
Isaac made a small noise in his throat, as if acknowledging her comment. “Do you live here with your parents?”
Julia continued up the stairs without pausing or turning around. “My parents were killed in a car explosion in a village outside of Lviv. I was raised by my maternal grandparents.”
Isaac was completely floored not only by the news, but also in the way Julia expressed this very intense piece of information in a very detached way. “God, Julia, I’m so sorry.”
Julia made it to the 2nd floor, turned left, and went to the last door at the end of the hall before turning around and facing Isaac.
“It’s okay. Honest, I was a baby when it happened. My grandparents decided to move to Western New York after this happened. They had friends and distant relatives here.” She turned around and began to unlock the door to the apartment.
“Well, it’s great that your grandparents are around.”
She turned around, smiled wryly, and then turned back to open the door. As she stepped inside, she waved her hand inward to cue Isaac to do the same.
Isaac couldn’t help but notice the coat rack to the right with a large mirror next to it. It held a wreath made of flowers, wheat stalks, and ribbons.
Julia saw him staring at the decorative object. “It’s called a vinok. My grandmother was into a lot of Ukrainian folk art. She made that.”
Isaac barely touched the piece, afraid to loosen it from the spot that was claimed. “It’s beautiful. Does your grandmother still do folk art?”
A tired and gruff voice with a thick accent responded from around the corner. “She’s dead.”
“What?” asked Isaac, turning to look at Julia.
“She’s dead.” The voice’s owner appeared from the kitchen. He had hair that was similarly shaped to that of Bela Lugosi in Dracula, except that his was snow white. He was slight in stature with sharp features, blue eyes, and a full mouth. He carried himself well and in a manner that commanded respect, as well as a bit of fear.
“She died a month ago,” the man continued. “The doctor said to send her home, even though she was still not feeling well. “Fell into my arms over there,” he said, pointing to a wingback chair in the corner of the living room.
“It was her heart,” Julia added softly. “The doctor was grossly negligent.”
“Doctor was a durak,” protested her grandfather, loudly. He then squinted his eyes over at Isaac. “Who are you?”
Isaac cleared his throat before speaking. “I’m, uh, Isaac Rabinowitz, sir. It’s nice to meet you.” He extended his hand out and the old man took a long look before shaking his hand.
“Rabinowitz, eh? You Jew?”
“Dido!” exclaimed Julia.
Julia’s grandfather raised his hand as if to pacify his granddaughter’s protest. “Are you?”
“Am I what?”
“A Jew.”
Isaac stiffened and his eyes now were boring into the man that stood before him. “Yes, I’m Jewish,” he stated in defiance.
“How do you know my granddaughter?”
“We go to school together.”
“Over there?” He pointed in the direction of the high school.
Isaac said nothing but nodded.
Julia’s grandfather burst out laughing. “A Jew in a Catholic school!” He stopped laughing and sobered up before continuing his questions. “Why did your parents send you there?”
Isaac was getting more annoyed with the old man. “They wanted my sister and me to have a good education.”
The man twisted his mouth downwards and nodded, as if agreeing to this bit of news. “And where is your sister?”
“She’s over at the high school. She’ll be here at any moment.”
“She was adopted from China,” added Julia, trying to break the tension in the room.
That made the old man laugh once more. “A Chinese girl who is a Jew? That I have never seen before.”
“Now, hold on a minute! I don’t appreciate you talking about my heritage as if it were something derogatory or shameful!” Isaac had completely lost his temper and was fuming. “I heard this a lot in my life and I’m not about to take crap from an old man who knows nothing about me or my family!”
“Eh?”
Because Isaac’s rant was spoken very quickly, Julia needed to translate in Ukrainian to her grandfather.
He shook his head and placed his hand over his heart. “I am not being…” He looked into the air above him, trying to find the right words to say.
“Anti-Semitic,” Julia whispered.
“Anti-Semeetic,” the old man stated incorrectly. “The world is different now. Back home, everyone went to school together. We lived in the country. But now everything is different. Jews are here,” he motioned with his hand, “and Catholics here.”
“Okay,” Isaac said slowly, not knowing where this conversation was going.
“It’s nice – Jews and Catholics in the same shkola. I mean school. Too much bad blood.”
“Okay, I guess.”
“What do your parents do for a living?”
“They’re doctors.”
The old man clapped his hands together and pointed to Isaac. “Your parents are smart. Jews make good doctors. Anna would be here if her doctor was a Jew. He was German and…”
“Durak,” Isaac reiterated.
The old man laughed again, grabbing Isaac by the shoulder and pulling him into the living room. “I am Mr. Stoltichak, but you call me Wasyl.” He pushed Isaac onto the couch and sat down next to him.
Julia caught Isaac’s eye and smiled weakly. She felt like crawling under the carpet to avoid her grandfather’s inappropriate comments.
“So, Julia tells me you’re a detective,” said Isaac, happily.
Wasyl’s blue eyes darkened. “What concern is that of yours?”
Isaac shrugged his shoulders. “I think it's very interesting, that's all. And that Julia gives you her opinion on your cases is pretty amazing.”
“Julia? My cases?” Wasyl stood up quickly and started admonishing his granddaughter in Ukrainian. Isaac could not understand a word of it, but knew the conversation was a heated one.
Wasyl turned to Isaac. “Let me tell you about my granddaughter. She is smart. Very, very smart. But she is stupid in the ways of the world. She has not learned to stay out of people's private matters!” With that, he spoke a few more Ukrainian words to Julia before storming out of the room, down the hall, and slamming his bedroom door shut.
Isaac looked over at Julia, but before she could say anything, there was a loud, buzzing sound.
Julia went to the intercom. “Hello?”
“Julia… it’s me…please let me in.”
Julia could tell Rosalind had been crying heavily and was beginning to hyperventilate.
Julia hit the button for Rosalind. She and Isaac went to the door and opened it to see a flustered Rosalind taking the steps two at a time. When she got to the door, her face was beet red, with tears streaking down.
“It was all a joke… A stupid, dirty joke.”
Isaac immediately stepped forward to hug his sister. She began to cry uncontrollably, and all Julia could do was watch, as Isaac tried to calm her down.