Paul F. McCann

VILLA LATINO

The morning sunlight escaped through vacant lots in a cloudy sky-scape. Sunbeams fell to the ground and splattered a splash of bright light across the vineyard where a young girl was working.

She stood alone among the grapevines thinking about the war being fought in nearby countries. The silence was shattered by the sound of a train rolling along the tracks that ran adjacent to where she stood.

When the train came into view she noticed swastikas were painted on every carriage. She tried to hide from the eyes of German guards who were perched on lookout around the train.

She watched in surprise as a young man jumped from one of the carriages on the train. He rolled away into the bushes and avoided being seen by anyone except the young girl who made her way over to the place where he had landed.

The man stood up and smiled. “Hello,” he said softly.

“Hello,” the reply came.

“Are you going to turn me in to the Germans then?” He said.

The young girl replied, “Why would I want to do that. After all aren’t we on the same side?”

The young man said, “I hope so. I don’t know who to trust anymore; I was separated from my
parents and I don’t know if I’ll ever see them again.” He looked into her eyes with an innocence that captured her heart. Tears rolled down his face and she soon could see he presented no threat to her.

“Hello, my name is Angie. This is my parent’s property you’re on.” she said.

He replied. “It must be at least twenty five acres.”

“What is your name?” She asked.

“My name is Hyman and I’m a Jew. The train I jumped from was escorting many prisoners to a German concentration camp. Lucky for me I saw a chance and jumped from the train that was heading for Germany.”

“You look as if you could use a feed.”

“I haven’t eaten for over a week. Tell me could I speak with your parents, Angie?”

She thought for a moment and then motioned with her finger for him to follow her.

She took Hyman through the vineyard to the driveway of a large villa that was cradled by a formal garden decorated with statues on pathways and lined with hedges and shrubs all shaped in triangular symmetry to a water fountain near the front door.

Angie went inside and told her parents that a man at the door wanted to speak to them. Angie followed her parents where she listened to the conversation between them. Each time Hyman spoke, Angie’s face lit up. Her parents recognised that their daughter was fond of the visitor.

Hyman explained the fortunate circumstance that had brought him to their door. He seemed to have this magnetic attraction on them. Mr and Mrs Latino invited him in for dinner.

After dinner Hyman offered his services for free around the property. It was his lucky day all right as the Latinos needed a man around the place and so the offer was accepted.

He was given a bed to sleep in and before the day was discarded by the night, Hyman fell to the floor and prayed hard in thankfulness for his rescue.

Dawn seemed arrive very quickly and Hyman was soon out working around the property. Fences were in need of repair and some of the farming equipment around the place needed some attention made his way to complete the jobs at hand. In a short time Hyman’s strength and skills were being appreciated. Angie brought food and some drink to Hyman each day. Hyman worked hard until dusk and there were huge changes on the property.

One day out of the blue a group of German soldiers arrived and took occupancy of the Villa.

Angie informed Hyman to pretend to be one of the Latino family. He was urged not to show any fear of the Germans. The Germans suspected nothing and accepted Hyman as one of the Latinos. The Germans were happy and the Latinos fed them well. At times the German soldiers shot people and buried them in shallow grave around on the property. There were many who were put to the test and punished for not following orders… accused traitors were brought to the Latinos and shot without question. The executions served as a reminder of the war
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There was no room for complacency and no time to explain why punishment beatings took pace of the property.

Hyman was protected by the Latino family and worked away on the property until the war was over. During this time Angie and Hyman had fallen in love. Their relationship had to be kept under wraps but when the Germans left, the Latinos property the truth was told.

After a brief engagement a wedding day was planned. The Latino family were proud of Hyman and welcomed him into the family.

The End

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