Rachel's Hope by Shelly Sanders Page B

Rachel’s face and hands.
    She’d done as Anna had suggested, sending word with Nucia that she was too sore to work today. With the flat to herself that morning, she’d read the newspaper and worked on an essay for her English course. For the first time in a long time, Rachel felt relaxed, not racing to get everything done. Her back even felt less painful.
    â€œWhy don’t you come inside and have a look,” suggested Mr. Koblik, a lean man in a freshly pressed suit and tie. “You’ll get drenched if you stay out here much longer.”
    The rain had increased, so Rachel walked into the shop behind Mr. Koblik and headed directly to the magazine racks. She opened the latest edition of California Women’s Magazine and scanned the contents, looking for Anna’s most recent article. There it was, “National Council of Jewish Women Votes No for Suffrage” by Anna Strunsky. Rachel ran her index finger over Anna’s name, and read the article, paying particular attention to how Anna had structured the piece. She noted how the first sentence, which Anna had explained was the most important, captured the discord of the meeting. In fact, from the powerful quotes Anna used, it was clear that the women’s inability to agree on what needed to be done had led to the unsuccessful vote. Reading this, Rachel felt as if she were back at the Emanu-El meeting. Anna had not only given a vivid description of the women, but of the synagogue as well.
    â€œYou’re early!” Anna squeezed Rachel tightly, scrunching the magazine.
    â€œOh, no!” cried Rachel. “I don’t have enough money to buy it and it’s all wrinkled.”
    Anna snatched it from Rachel’s hands. “I’ll get it for you.”
    â€œNo, Anna!” Rachel tried to grab the magazine but Anna held it over her head.
    â€œYou need to study magazine pieces, especially mine, to learn how to write,” said Anna.
    â€œEspecially yours?” laughed Rachel. “Nobody could ever accuse you of being modest.”
    â€œModesty will get you nowhere.” Anna dropped the magazine on the counter. “Now, you listen to me, Rachel Paskar. I am going to buy this magazine for you today, and I am going to buy a book for you, too.”
    Rachel opened her mouth to object.
    â€œDon’t say a word,” ordered Anna. “Just listen. I want to buy a book for you, any one you want, to thank you for helping me with my Russian. This is not charity. It is a gift; the kind that people give one another to say thanks.”
    â€œReally?” said Rachel “Any book I want?”
    â€œWell,” Anna put her hands on her slim hips. “That was easier than I thought.”
    â€œNobody has given me a book since my father…” Rachel paused. “He bought me Anna Karenina, my favorite book. It was destroyed in the massacre.”
    Anna touched Rachel’s shoulders gently. “I would be honored if you’d let me buy Anna Karenina for you.”
    â€œI don’t know what to say,” said Rachel.
    â€œDon’t say anything,” said Anna. “Just accept the book. Your father would want you to have it.”
    Mr. Koblik moved out from behind the counter and went straight to a shelf in the middle of his shop. He peered at the spines and pulled out a blue-gray book with gold lettering. “ Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy,” he said.
    â€œI’ll take it and the magazine,” said Anna.
    Rachel’s hands shook when Anna handed the book to her. She lifted the cover delicately, as if it were fragile, and caressed the title page. The one her father had given her had been written in Russian. This English edition would be a challenge, reading it in her new language, but she could hardly wait to start.
    â€œThis is the best gift you could give me,” said Rachel, once they were out of the bookstore. “I can’t think of a better surprise.”