The Children’s Train

After many days of waiting at the police station for deportation, Anna, Oma Greta, and Eddie were packed into a crowded train and returned with a vengeance to Poland. Greta slumped asleep on Anna’s shoulder.

Eddie tapped Anna’s other shoulder. “But we didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I know. I know,” Anna said. “Eddie, please stop saying that. Just for now, okay?”

Eddie patted his grandma’s head. “Is my Oma okay?”

“She is fine. Just very tired.”

“And old, right?” Eddie said. “Where’s Hans? I wish he was here.”

“I don’t know, Eddie, but he’s a smart boy.”

“Yes, he’s a smart boy,” Eddie said, sadly.

The train that held Anna, Oma Greta, and Eddie, along with a few other Polish Jews who had somehow escaped the initial deportations in October, slowed. Anna could hear the two policemen on board, near the front of the car, discussing the passengers’ fate.

“What are we supposed to do with them?” one said. “Poland doesn’t want them either.”

“We will force them across the border. Then they will be Poland’s problem,” the other policeman said.