War Torn Love (12 page)

             
“Ok, Hana I’ll get rid of this party crasher, while you’re away.”

             
And he did – while I was washing up. Abram and his friends
dragged him
away. I do not know what they did with him, I never asked, deep down I did not care. I never
saw him again. Abram could certainly handle his own; I guess it was a turn-on.

             
Now where do I begin when describing
Abram,
he had not only shot up in height, but he also filled
out?
It’s no wonder why I can’t stop thinking about him. He is now six feet- two-inches-
tall, t
wo-hundred and thirty pounds. And he’s positively ripping with muscles. His chest and arms are amazing to look at, and even better to touch. All the years of hard work on the farm had done him some good.  And for fun, a couple of years ago he took up boxing. Turns out he is quite good at I -, I love going watch him practice at the gym. He is racked up quite a few bouts thus far. The fellow he hit tonight fell out cold. Funny if he did not like Jewish girls, then why would he have show up to an all-Jewish dance in the first place? Being spit on, or called names isn’t anything new if you just so happen to be Jewish, but that did not mean it did not hurt.  Especially me, because I took it all so personally.

             
Abram was amazing, the way he came to my defense, defending my honor. I am always daydreaming about a life with him a lifetime spent
cozying
up in his arms. Something about seeing him get that guy off of me, I got all hot and bothered. I had never felt like this before.  Once we started to kiss, I have to say it was so hard pulling away, and stopping myself, I wanted to go all the way right then and there. I nearly forgot I was a good girl, but I was determined to save my virginity for my wedding night with him.

             
I felt truly blessed having him in my life, all my prayers have been heard and answered by our dear Lord
over the last couple of years. I felt as if everything was going as I had planned.

             
The magnificent news was Abram and I had officially been dating just two months shy of four happy years. And in all that time we’d never even had so much as a fight. Our love is bottomless - he is now and everlastingly will be much a part of me as my own beating heart. I have never even dreamed of being with another man. The mere thought of that has never even crossed my young mind, well because of my current age – anyway they’re boy’s, not men, as Momma would refer to them.  I remember one time, talking with mother, mentioning how positively wonderful the man I am in love with is, for the
umpteenth
time. I guess Momma was starting to get tired of hearing about it, in view of the fact that it seems that every other word coming out of my mouth, is “Abram this, “Abram that.” I guess I got a bit carried away with whole love affair.

             
Last night while Abram and I were on a date, he had taken me to the picture show he knows how much I love going to the movies.  He’s so good to me, I think he thinks that he needs to spoil me. I keep telling him he doesn’t have to spend his money all on me, that he should save up for our future. I was much better with money than he was. I have been saving nearly all the money I earned from my job - taking in sewing with Momma.

             
While the two of us were walking home hand to hand after the movie, it was such a lovely night out. The moon was out in full splendor, so bright. The stars painted little tiny lights all across the night sky, as if they were just
put there just for the two of us to corrigibly enjoy. A cooling, yet gentle breeze at our backs, to keep us from getting hot.

             
We strolled down the main street of town, which was lined with huge old elm trees, all of which were all over a century old. We held hands. Then Abram - out of the blue - suddenly stopped walking! I could tell something was up. He had been acting a bit strange all evening, completely out of character for even him. Then he got down on one knee, looked up into my un
-
expecting eyes. Gently holding onto my hand, he surprised me by asking that oh so important question,

             
“Hana, I couldn’t imagine a day of my life without you in it. I don’t know how to say this… What I am trying to ask, would do the honor of marrying me? I would like to spend the rest of my life with you. I cannot imagine not having you in my life to share it with. All that I dream has you as a part of it.”

             
After I said, “YES!!!!” It was as if the words automatically rolled out of my mouth
within
seconds - I did not need to think it over. I had rehearsed my answer a thousand different times before, just in case he asked me. I had my answer before he even had asked me the question.

             
Both now overwhelmed, Abram and I sat down at a park bench, and talked it over -we realized we wanted to get married in the worst of way, we both surprisingly discovered that either had been secretly dreaming of this day for years. To have to wait, seemed like a nightmare neither of us wanted to play out. It took me all of three
seconds, to consider my answer, and of course, it was why not? How could it have been anything different? However, don’t you hate when something good happens, then shortly after, of course there has to be a however, out of someone’s mouth. This time out of Abram’s.

             
“Hana dearest, before you get to excited, you know I believe strongly in tradition, and I respect your father, and I want him to respect me. I guess it is time I go have a man to man talk with your father. I intend on convincing him to allow me to marry you Hana. Oh, sweetie do not worry dear, I know he will say yes.  He knows how much we love one another. And you are of age.”

             
The next day as I was around my family, it was harder than ever to hold such a secret in, keeping it from my family - who I normally
share,
everything with. More determined than ever I managed to suck up a small amount of courage to get through it, and he then arranged the meeting between the two of them. We were both quite nervous, going into this, not sure what Poppa’s response was going to be. Holding my tongue more than a week time, was honestly probably the longest I have ever kept such a secret. I was just horrible at keeping any sort of secrets - or lying I was never able to keep a straight face. Hardly sleeping, worrying about the ultimate outcome. I played out hundreds of times, all the pro, and cons why Poppa would, or would not give permission.

             
Things began unfolding quite rapidly, “once the genie was let out of the lamp.” There was no turning back now.  I realized if I wanted to be treated as a woman, and then I should probably start acting like one, or I’d never be
taken seriously. We passionately waited for the very right moment to approach Poppa; I preferred to make sure Poppa was positively in a great mood, before Abram went and talked to him. I knew better then not to talk to him if he had had a bad day. On bad days, he never say’s yes to anything, no exceptions, he can be very stubborn. My mother taught me that. Abram came close on three separate nights, until I gave Abram the green light to go for it - I wanted our odds to be the best they could.

             
And then, finally, I guessed the time was right - Abram called to talk to Poppa, about asking for my hand in married.

             
Trembling as he began to ask, “Sir the reason I wanted to talk to you is I would like the honor to marry Hana.”

I don’t know exactly what happened next – neither would ever tell me.

             
But, of course, Poppa has granted us his permission.

             
He told Abram, “Before this can happen, you two must first graduate from high school.” He felt this very important.

             
Upon hearing this fantastic news, I was so excited upon hearing this from Poppa’s lips, because that is when I knew it was finally real, and that we would become man and wife.

             
Abram and I sat down in the front room to hear Poppa’s verdict. I was biting my nails, as I always did
when nervous. I hadn’t thought it looked so good when Poppa’s had been silent, from the look of it, deep in contemplation. I attentively studied his mannerisms, recognizing this practical look all too well, his whole right eyebrow raised up, and arched high, almost unnaturally. His left hand placed over his mouth, counseling the movement of his lips, revealing nothing, either positive or negative. He was mumbling to himself. Soft enough that no one could hear him, but knew he was in fact saying something. He was aware all eyes in the room were firmly placed on him.

             
Abram and I sat mutually together on the love seat, nervously holding each other’s hands, in expectation, of his decision coming down. This answer could surely change my life. Momma was sitting in her rocking chair, her shoes tapping on the hardwood floors, tap, tap,
and tap
. As her hard soles made contact with the hardwood floor. I could tell she too was on pins and needles as was I, I knew that she was rooting for the two of us. Poppa was sitting stoically beside Momma, holding her hand. They were looking over at us, then back to one another. I think that they were purposely trying to make us squirm in our seats, why we waited for our verdict. I know how much Poppa adored my sweetheart. I started a whole slew of self-talk in my head. I began questioning how he could not possibly say no to us, why would he? Then I thought what if he does not give us permission, what I would do then. My life would simply be over.

             
Then the silence was at lastly broken,

             
“Abram my boy, since you and your family moved in next door to my family, you have been a very good and true friend to my daughter. You have always shown her nothing but kindness, understanding to her, and yes certainly patients. This has gone along ways at earning my admiration, and respect. You are certainly a hard enough worker I admire that quality. I cannot even begin to thank you for all that you have done for the family and me, over the last couple of years - you have been a true
Godsend
. “He paused, eyes sparkling with mischief, before glancing at my mother.”

             
“Now the question that I have been asking myself, ever since you asked for my daughters hand in marriage, is if I were to say yes to you, young man - giving you permission to marry my baby bear, the question for me is, will you be able to provide for her in a proper manner. A manner she so richly deserves. I think will you love her with all your heart, and soul, if my answer was to be yes. You certainly would have to assure me to hopefully one-day grant an old man with many grandbabies I can then one day spoil. It would do us good to have the pitter-patter of small children once again. A man has nothing, if he doesn’t have a family.” Again, he paused, looking towards the door. Thinking perhaps of the joy he’d already granted my sister.

             
“Consequently, I already know the answer to these questions; it was more of a rhetorical question. So as I try reflecting on your character; I can see a strong, kind, respectful young man, with a good head on his shoulder. I certainly observe the way my daughters face completely
lights up whenever you come around her, I see the love in her heart, and her step is a little lighter. I would have to be blind to say otherwise. Now that particular gaze she gets when she happy, having something to do with you. I am very acquainted with such a look - her mother gets the identical look towards me, when we were dating. As a father, how could I possibly break my dear daughter’s heart, by saying no to her, or you? A father should be so blessed to know that their daughter has an opportunity to marry someone so wonderful.  You’ll be able to appreciate how difficult this is, one day when you have your own children, and if you have a daughter, just remember to think of her heart, and be gentle before you give your answer.  You know it seemed like just yesterday she was just a baby, and I would rock her to sleep in my arms. My gosh now on this day I guess I’m coming to the realization that she’s matured into a woman right before my eyes, where have all the years gone? I guess I’ve grown old during this time, look at all the gray hairs. Nothing in my heart, can
surely
say no to such a joyful union… so what more is there to say? Welcome to the family, son!  I would be truly honored if you were to marry my dear Hana! Yes, you have my blessing.