As we make our way across the vibrant gallery that is now fully lit to enhance each piece of Nora’s art, I spot my miniature troublemaker, crossing her fingers behind her back as she appears to be charming an older gentleman. She points to one painting and bats her eyelashes at him. “Oh dear,” Dale says. “Danica, darling, come over here and let the nice man enjoy his time here.”
Danica races over to us both, wrapping her arms around Dale, waiting for him to lift her into his arms. At five, she has him completely wrapped around her finger, and I don’t think he has a clue what’s hit him. I’m sure Papa eventually figured out how easily he gave in to Nora and me with just a flash of a smile, but he never learned how to tell us no. “Mommy, you sounded beautiful. I want to sing with you next time,” Danica says.
“Mommy would love that, darling,” Dale responds for me.
“I would,” I tell her, pressing the tip of my finger to her little button nose.
“What time is your first patient due in tomorrow morning?” Dale asks. “I’m sure we’ll all be tired tomorrow after a night like this.”
“Not until ten, but my receptionist will have the practice open on time, so we’ll be okay if I’m running a bit late,” I assure him. With a quick change in subject, I refocus on Danica, who hates listening to me talk about patients and my practice. “Danica, Bubbee and Grandpy can’t wait to spend the day with you tomorrow.”
“They told me,” Danica says as if it’s old news. “They’re taking me shopping and said I can buy whatever I want.”
I snicker and glance over at Helena and Mitchell, who give me a quick wave while they continue chatting with others.
“My dad is going to buy an entire shop for our girl one of these days,” Dale says.
“Helena isn’t much better.” When it comes to spoiling Danica, there is no room for negotiation.
“I’m going to go see how everything is going with Nora,” I tell Dale, kissing him on the cheek and then Danica’s too. “In case I haven’t said so lately, thank you for turning my world right-side up.”
“You tell me every day, Arina, but like I always say…I’m the one who owes you the thank you. I’m the lucky one who found you.”
EPILOGUE – NORA
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, JUNE 1958
“Th-th-thank you so much, sir,” I say, holding my hands under my chin, watching the older gentleman marvel at the painting he just purchased. “I hope you en-enjoy. It’s one of mm-my favorites.”
“Say, before I go, do you mind if I ask…what inspired you to paint such an exquisite maze of standing dominoes in a circle of fallen ones?” he asks.
I smile, recalling the days I painted this piece, shortly after my surgery with Dr. Gorman. “Some were s-s-still standing in the end, sir.”
“Wonderful, young lady. Simply marvelous. Bravo. I’ve picked the right piece. I’m sure of it now.”
“Th-thank you for y-y-your kindness, sir. Y-y-your words mean a lot to m-m-me.”
Elek clears his throat as he hears my words, losing their strength against my emotions. “Would you like help with that piece out to your car, sir?” Elek asks the gracious gentleman.
“No, no, I’ll be just fine. You have your hands full as it is, young man,” the gentleman says with laughter.
“Wow, sweetheart, you’ve made it to the big time, haven’t you?” Elek says, placing his hand around my waist.
“I don’t kn-know. Is this the b-b-big time? I feel like I’m d-d-dreaming, if that’s what you’re ask-asking.”
“We’re in a room surrounded by the inner workings of your mind. I couldn’t think of a better place I’d ever want to be.”
I can’t help the warm smile blooming across my cheeks, trying to tell myself I’m awake and this is real. My very own gallery and there are people here buying my artwork. I never thought I’d see the day.
“Mommy!”
“Momm!”
“Boys, lower your voices,” Elek tells Henrik and Simon, holding his finger up to his lips. “I told you, you needed to be on your best behavior tonight or Bubbee and Grandpy will have to take you home early.”
“I don’t want to go!” Henrik shouts louder than he shouted Mommy.
“I don’t either!” Simon follows.
Helena steps away from the conversation she was having with an older woman and takes two little hands within hers. “Boys, come over here with Bubbee. Let’s have a little snack.”
“I have a set of twin girls,” a middle-aged balding man says as he approaches. “Before them, I had hair on my head. God bless you two. Good luck.”
Elek and I share a look, already knowing we’re both about to laugh. We hear the same comments whenever we’re out in public with the boys. We keep thinking they’ll quiet down as they get older, but they’re almost six and they’ve only gotten louder. I suppose it makes up for how quiet I’ve always been.
“You look like you need another glass of wine,” Elek says, taking my hand as he so frequently does whenever we walk around in public. The strength in his one arm masks the bit of support I sometimes need, and he tells me no one would notice his missing arm with me holding on to the other. “You look gorgeous, in case I haven’t already told you. And I’m so, so proud of you.”
“I-I-I wouldn’t be here without you.”
He sweeps his thumb over my old, worn, threaded bracelet. “I wouldn’t be here without you, and I love watching our dreams come true together,” he whispers.
“Who w-w-would have thought our dream would have started on Monet’s br-br-bridge beneath all the beauty c-c-captured within his canvases?”
“Who would have thought we’d someday be beneath all the beauty captured within your canvases?”
“I l-love you,” I mutter against his ear.
“Mon chérie, you couldn’t possibly love me as much as I love you.”
* * *
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THE DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER
TOTALLY HEARTBREAKING AND COMPLETELY UNFORGETTABLE WORLD WAR TWO HISTORICAL FICTION
Auschwitz, 1941: It was her father’s job to save the lives of the SS. But she chose to risk everything and save the lives of prisoners.
PROLOGUE
MAY 1945
With one last step up to ground level, a wave of emotions ripple through me as I silently recite the words spoken through the dusty speakers of the radio: “The war in Europe is over! The Nazis surrender unconditionally.” I reach for the door and my hands feel detached from my body as my fingers tremble against the cold rusty latch. The war has been ongoing for more than a third of my life, and I can’t remember being free. I can’t recall if I was old enough to understand the perception of peace before it went away.