Vera’s Story: Escape to Freedom

Author's Note: I was in Florida in the sunshine, sitting by the pool, with the ocean behind. I got an invitation to wine and cheese in the afternoon at the apartment of a nice elderly couple. Not my favorite thing. I could have been writing, or swimming or even snoozing. But it wouldn’t be neighborly to say no. At the party, I heard the hostess tell her story. “I was prepared to jump off the Train with my daughter in my arms. There were guards along the track, with dogs . . ." I got interested. She told me a few more details. I told her she should write her story. She said, “I’m too old. Will you write it for me?” I returned every day for weeks. It took a long time before she shed the first tear, and then, finally, the true human story came pouring out.