Atalia nodded, "I see. I heard he was delivering today because the bakery picked up a little, but I thought he'd care enough to give you notice," she said with a little sigh as she gave Marta a look of sympathy, "Did he tell you about the dinner he attended at my house the other night? I surprised him with his favorite dishes. We ended up making the dessert together though. Nobody makes pastries as good as him. Although he denies it and says Abe is the mast baker of their family."

After a moment of silence and tension between the girls Atalia let out a breath. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked between the floor and Marta. "He's probably too nice to tell you this, but since you've come around...his life has become rather difficult. He's been ignoring the teachings and his friends...well they're all too scared to even talk to him. It seems whenever you come around whispers come out into the streets. We all know you'll be the death of him, Marta. His parents constantly call mine to discuss, and assure them the arrangement set up back when him and I were children is still solid. They say he's just being a little rebellious, but at a time like this do you really think that's such a good idea? We've lost multiple members of our community in this last week due to Hitler, do you really want Ezra to be another causality?" She shook her head a little and turned on her heals to walk away, but then stopped. "He was promised to me, Marta. It would be in your best interest to let him live out the rest of his teenager years without any more conflict. You weren't there when his blood was spilling on the pavement by the hand of your friends brother. I was there staining the brand new dress he'd just bought me." Without another word or staying to hear Marta's response, Atalia crossed the street and headed back into her neighborhood.


Ezra was nearing the bench when he passed by Atalia. He waved at her and she flashed him a charming smile. The two of them stop quickly to speak, Ezra's hand reaching for hers as she appeared to cry a little. His face fell as she told him the news of her father's passing. He'd been taken three days ago by some of Hitler's men, and they assured her family he'd be home again, but the only thing they got back was the bloody Star of David. Atalia clung onto Ezra as he rubbed her back whispering words softly in her ear. His heart began to ache for Atalia. He gave her a small kiss on the top of her head and she gave him one on the cheek in return. He offered to walk her back home, but she declined and he looked up to where she was pointing to see Marta. He gave her another hug, tighter than before and then let her go on her way. He watched her leave as his thoughts began to swarm with rage and sadness. He was 7th one this week from their neighborhood to have lost his life.