The Things We Cannot Say

The ride in the back of the produce truck is harrowing for both Alina and Saul. They travel in total silence in the darkness and suffocating closeness with only Alina’s small cache of food and water. When they arrive at the Don River, they climb out of the crate and board a boat, more a raft, to cross into Soviet territory, free of the Nazis. There is no drama to the crossing. From there the two walk to the train station, chaotic with Polish refugees. The two-week train ride to Buzuluk is difficult. The two are crowded into a cattle car with little sunlight or ventilation. The refugees must take turns sitting. When they arrive at the camp in Buzuluk, they are initially turned away as the camp is over-crowded. Alina negotiates. Her companion, she says pointing to the wan Saul, is a doctor and can be useful. Only when she gives them her mother’s ring, however, do they gain entrance.

Over the next months, Saul emerges as an inspirational force, ministering to dozens of refugees and their children. Alina, because of her supposed injury and her cast, is given charge of teaching the camp’s orphans. Alina never stops waiting for Tomasz to arrive.