Dasvidaniya

Chapter 5

Chapter 5The summer ended and the moment I dreaded, occurred. After two months, Frederick Valens returned. He set down his valise and placed his large hands on his slim hips, puffing out his chest. I stood on the verandah saying nothing as he examined me with a critical look.

“You have grown, Mordecai and put on weight too. You look fit and still angry. Why am I not surprised? Have you been practicing what I taught you?”

“Every day,” I replied, jaw clenched.

“Good, good. You know, Mordecai, anger alone won't do you much good on its own. In a fight, a match, a cooler head is a better way to go.”

I bristled but smiled grimly. “I'll try to remember.”

Frederick went round greeting everyone. Katya threw her arms around his neck and Frederick lifted her off the floor and swung her around while she squealed in delight. I watched through the screen door, my blood seething. Frederick set Katya down then shook Simmy's hand so vigorously, his body twitched and his glasses slid down his face. Frederick said hello to my father.

“Chaim, I hope you are well?”

“We'll talk after lunch,” Papa replied. I smiled as Frederick bowed deferentially. He'd been stung by my father's brusqueness. Katya disappeared into the kitchen to help Mama with lunch but gave Frederick one last, lingering look. I pushed through the screen door and let it bang behind me. Frederick smiled grimly.

“We'll go for a run after lunch, see how you're progressing.”

I didn't want to make a scene in front of my father.

“Sure. I'll look forward to it.” Papa nodded, and I was pleased that my father thought we might be getting along a little better.

We ran side-by-side. Frederick's easy lope had tightened, his gait stiff. I breathed deeply, staying relaxed, keeping my limbs loose.

Now, we'll see, I thought and pushed the pace a little more. I heard Frederick's breath echo shallowly in his chest but I kept my eyes straight ahead, focusing on the road. We ran past Solnicki's farm, following the banks of the river leading us to the mill. Frederick lengthened his stride but his breathing came out labored. I smiled to myself and ran even faster. I saw the mill in the distance and went for it, pushing all else out of my mind.

I felt a sublime pleasure even as my arms and legs strained and my body heated up from within. I could hear Frederick falter, listened to the missteps as he tried pushing himself through the stiffness and pain. I surged ahead as Frederick lost ground.

I vaulted forward and as I moved ahead something hooked my right ankle. I fell, going down in a heap of arms and legs, skinning the palms of my hands and kneecaps on the broken road. Frederick loped past and as I went down I saw the bottom of his shoes churning up dust. My chin smacked hard and I felt a wetness fill my mouth. I'd bitten my tongue. The pain nauseated me and my sight went dark for a moment but I pushed myself to my feet, spat blood down my shirtfront and staggered on, chasing the lean figure disappearing ahead of me.

Frederick waited for me in the foreyard of the mill bouncing on his toes, that glib smile twisting his lips. My dirt-stained face hardened into a mask of hatred.

“You dirty bastard,” I cried. “You dirty thieving prick.”

“You can tell your father if you like,” Frederick said quietly.

I shook my head, then spat more blood. “I fight my own battles.”

“I thought you might,” Frederick replied quietly. “If you believe that your opponents always fight clean, then think again and be prepared. It's a dirty world, my young friend.”

“I'm not your friend,” I cried. “I will never be your friend.” In my fury, I picked up a clod of earth and threw it at him. It thunked off his chest leaving a dirty smear on his clean, white shirt.

Frederick merely shrugged.

“He got to you, huh?” Beulah smirked weakly. “You let him get under your skin…”

“I was only a boy and reacted impulsively. I was filled with anger and outrage. I didn't think he'd do such a thing. It never occurred to me that he'd act that way.”

“Surprised you, didn't he? Maybe that was a good thing, taught you a lesson, toughened you up. I've seen things…” She wiped at her lips and I fed her some water. She appeared weak, more than sickly, sweating through her clothes, shivering uncontrollably even though I'd wrapped her in a warm comforter. I got up to get her a cloth for her forehead. She grabbed my wrist, showing surprising strength. “Don't go, keep talking. Tell me more of the story. Please.”

I nodded and sat down again, leaning in closer.

“I made it my business to keep track of Frederick. I didn't trust him and my sister was infatuated with him. Just a young girl and he was a full-grown man.”

“Knight in shining armor,” Beulah said bitterly. “Where was my hero? Never had one and never will.”

I didn't have an answer for her.