Ezra sat down in the bucket with his father's help, his eyes holding the confusion he was trying to hide. He felt like his ears were off today, or maybe he was still reeling from the concussion side effects. Nothing was making sense and the pain he felt from all the movement moments ago was finally settling into his body. He thought about his fathers words a moment while the man poured water down his back and then began to bathe him. He opened his mouth to speak a couple times, but his father had hushed him. Clearly he knew that Ezra still hadn't figured out a way to answer.

"Father, I already told Atalia today that I could not marry her. We had a parting kiss and it was agreed we would continue to be friends," Ezra said a little sheepishly.

His father nodded, "How does Marta feel about you and your ex fiancee being friends?"

Ezra attempted a small shrug before he answered, "She says she's fine with it. That it's something that doesn't bother her. She knows how close Atalia and I are. For the longest time Ata was my only friend. We did everything together. If you had asked me last month about her I'd have sworn up and down that she'd be my first kiss, my first love...my first everything. I had never looked at another girl, pa. Until Marta showed up and I don't know what happened, but it was like they describe it in books. Love at first sight, although I'm sure she hated me and I her when we first met. I thought she would harm me and she thought I was a jerk."

Abe nodded along and dumped another bucket of water on his son. "While we don't agree with what you two are doing, life these days is too short, and you are too reckless. You would probably marry her now if you were old enough. We will allow you two to be a couple, but it must stop there Ezra. Hitler is gaining power, and there is more talk of banishing our people from their homes. She will be unable to go since she is not Jewish," he said quietly, "You may spend nights alone with her and do the things of man and wife if you wish to. Just do not speak of it to anybody. Your mother and I will be leaving on a trip. The bakery will be closed the time we are gone. Your mother seems to be getting ill and we need to see a specialist. We have saved enough money to feed you both while we are away. You may use the items in the bakery, but the money is there if you would like a special treat. 

Ezra nodded, but said nothing more as his father helped him out of the bucket and into dry clothes. The two of them walked slowly out to the girls and Abe set Ezra down at the kitchen table. He nodded at Marta giving her a smile, "You can make sure he doesn't fall out of the chair and then I'll let you take him back to bed. Edith and I will be leaving after supper for a bit," he said gesturing towards the beaten up luggage by the door.