His father’s taped Christmas message promised a bright future without the specter of Communism and a return to their homeland as a return to Canaan. But it would not be without cost. It would take war. “Yes, war!” his father warned menacingly on the tape. He was making dangerous predictions for the New Year and for the coming years. A cough interrupted the narrative before the voice continued: “Nasser is on his way up. Watch his star!”
While the tape was running, Endre Szabó whispered that he had to leave for an hour or so, but he’d be back.
His father enjoyed listening to himself, especially after a glass of wine or three. There was a reckless cynicism in his voice. “Keep an eye on good old Nasser. He’s a little Hitler, you know. That’s right!” It might sound like blasphemy to some ears
