Spirit Eyes Read Free Page B

care of ourselves that we aren’t able to die.” She started to laugh. “Or, perhaps, heaven is not ready for us.”
    Smiling at the elderly woman’s cute joke, Ruth continued her questions. “Mrs. Schuster, are you Jewish?”
    “Yes. Here, have more bread.” She pushed a plate toward Ruth.
    “And you survived the horror.”
    A sorrowful look overtook Mrs. Schuster’s face, as if she was watching a movie projected just over Ruth’s head. “It is wonderful we survived the unspeakable crimes we witnessed. Some had to survive to tell about it. No one can comprehend the terror of the camps unless they were there. No one can grasp the feeling of neighbors turning their backs on you when just the day before they would invite you over for a lovely chat over coffee and cake.”
    Mrs. Schuster spoke with strong conviction. Ruth was amazed at her fortitude and her bravery.
    “Our entire village, once home to hundreds of Jewish families for centuries, was wiped out in a matter of weeks. Gone. They were all killed.”
    “I don’t even feel worthy to be sitting here with you,” Ruth said truthfully. “I don’t know how anyone could carry on as you and your husband have done after the disgusting events in your life.”
    “My kochanie , that means sweetie in Polish,” she said smiling, “you are so kind with your words. But with God, anything is possible. There is still good to be found. If we let evil quiet us and turn us bitter, then it has won.” She poured Ruth some milk out of an earthenware jug. “Mr. Schuster still cannot talk of it. And this I understand. But he is not bitter. He won’t allow himself to be.”
    Ruth, mesmerized by this powerful force in front of her could barely breathe. A living testament to one of the most horrific moments in history sat before her and trusted her enough to open up.
    “One day our little ones were amusing themselves on the playground with all the other children, laughing and being silly and the next they are told to stay off the swings and to not sit on the benches. All the Jewish children were told to stay home from the schools.” A melancholy washed over her confused expression. Her wrinkled hand wrapped tightly around a cloth napkin, the only indication of the immense trauma she was remembering.
    She shook her head. “Ahh, I cannot go there right now. I’m sorry.”
    “No, please don’t apologize. I understand.”
    “I missed out on having a mother,” Ruth said sadly. “You remind me of what I’ve missed. But, if she were alive, I’d tell her something about my youngest daughter. If I tell you, please promise not to think me insane.”
    “I’ll try.” Mrs. Schuster smiled, the crows-feet in a face that had not only seen its share of rain, but also sun, making her appear even more beautiful.
    “My youngest daughter, Pearl, she sees a man in our driveway, but no one else can see him.”
    Mrs. Schuster leaned back and crossed her arms.
    “Hmm? How long has this been going on?”
    “A while now. But she only told me about it this morning.”
    “And she is frightened of him?”
    “Yes—I mean, I don’t really know.”
    “It is not unheard of. I’ve known gypsies in the old country who swore they could talk to the dead. I’m not a firm believer, but that is not to say that I don’t think it possible.” She sat straight, reached and took Ruth’s hands in her own care worn ones. “You must believe your daughter. She wouldn’t lie about something like that. Listen to her, but be warned. Evil energy takes many forms. When evil of the flesh dies, the evil energy takes on a new appearance. Be careful, but be brave. Loving energy takes many shapes and that, too, surrounds us.”
    At that, Ruth bid goodbye to a woman she had fallen in love with. A woman anyone would be proud to call mother.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    The minute she got home, she walked into their wide foyer and sat on the bottom step of the staircase. Excruciatingly aware something