Adam and Thomas

Chapter 8

“What are you thinking about, Thomas?” Adam asked cautiously.

“About my mom.”

“Did she speak to you?”

“Yes, but it’s complicated. It’s hard to talk about now. I’ll tell you some other time.”

“There’s time,” said Adam calmly.

“Will we stay here for many days?” Thomas was afraid.

“I don’t know. My grandpa says, ‘It’s in the hands of heaven.’”

“I never heard that expression. My dad says: ‘Everything is in man’s hands,’” said Thomas.

“Every house has its own expressions,” said Adam. “Hasn’t the time come to trade sandwiches? I’ll give you mine, and you can give me yours.” Thomas spoke in a lively way.

“Good idea,” said Adam.

“The school year is nearly over. It’s two o’clock, and everybody is going home. Just we two are out in nature. Do you understand what’s happening to us?” Thomas spoke with concern.

“It’s very simple. We’re in hiding.”

“You call the place where we are ‘hiding’?” asked Thomas, emphasizing every word.

“I can’t think of a better name. Our hiding place is big. You can walk around in it, climb trees, and drink water from the stream, but it’s still a hiding place.”

“I have the feeling that since the ghetto, nothing makes sense. They send away the old people. Why are they sending away the old people? Why are they sending away children? What harm did the children do? What harm did the old people do?” Thomas spoke emotionally.

“They’re Jews,” Adam answered quietly.

“Because they’re Jews, they have to be sent away?” “You know, Thomas. People don’t like Jews.”

“I can’t figure that out. Apparently I have to experience and learn more,” said Thomas, and then he stopped talking. He took a bite of Adam’s sandwich and said, “Your sandwich is very tasty. It has black olives.”

Then they climbed down and drank from the stream, picked berries, and remembered the tall, white dog that had run quickly through the forest and disappeared.

“Will it come back?” Thomas wondered.

“I assume so.” Adam used an expression that Thomas used often.

Then, without advance notice, Thomas closed his eyes, curled up, and fell asleep.

Adam watched him in his sleep and was surprised by the speed with which Thomas had passed from the world of wakefulness to the world of slumber. Adam wasn’t idle. He went out to see what else grew in the forest. He didn’t have to go far. Right next to them a cherry tree grew, and it was full of dark fruit. At first he wanted to wake up Thomas and show him the tree, but when he went back and saw how deep his sleep was, he let him be. He went back to the cherry tree, picked a handful, and returned to Thomas, amazed how well he was sleeping.