Luck of the Polish

“Hello? Hello? I can hear you breathing, please…who are you? What do you want from me?” Met with total silence, she replaced the phone on its cradle, and reached over to pull the cord from the jack. “I can’t believe this! Lord! Why? Why me? I should’ve called the police!” She was hoping that after the last time when she had told the caller that she was going to the police, the calls would stop, obviously, her threat hadn’t scared the prankster away. For the past two months, every couple of days, someone had dialled her phone number and when she answered, the caller wouldn’t talk. Positive that it was just some kids having fun at her expense, she didn’t bother calling the police. Pushing the prankster out of her thoughts, Marisha went back to the bedroom, settled in bed, and picked up her diary. Putting her reading glasses on, she found the page of the diary where she’d left off. Sept. 28th, 1974 Dear Diary, Today, I got a letter from Auntie Martha from Canada. It was addressed to me. You should see the beautiful stamps! I had to wait until the kids went for their naps before I could read it. I have never had a letter before. I was so excited! Auntie Martha asked me if I would like to come and live with her in Canada. Apparently, two years ago, she married this older Polish fellow, Ted, and since they had no children, they would like me to come and live with them. She says that Ted is a very nice man and that he loves children. She also said that I’d have my own room. She wants me to write to her and let her know how I feel about it. She says that my life would be much better in Canada. I showed the letter to Auntie Helen. Auntie Helen thinks that I shouldn’t have to think about it. There is nothing here in Poland for me and I should jump at the chance to get out. Aunt Helen also said that I should thank God that Auntie Martha wants to take me. It’s a big decision for me to make. I’m tired of looking after kids. Tired of living with different people every year, and tired of feeling as if I’m a burden to everyone. But this is the only life I know. What if I don’t like Canada? What if Auntie Martha and her husband are mean to me? Where would I go then? At least here, I have some family. There is always Aunt Sonia. Gosh! I’m scared. Marisha wiped the tears from her eyes. She had been just a child then, so naïve and inexperienced. In the seventies, Poland was so far behind with everything, especially in the small villages. She was fifteen years old and had never seen a TV, never been on a plane or even sat in a car. She had made her own clothes and lived the life of a housewife, without having a house or a husband. “How did I do it? How did I survive?” With tears of self-pity running down her face, she picked up her diary again. October 15th, 1974 Dear Diary, Well, I did it. After thinking about it for a while, I wrote to Auntie Martha, and told her that I’d be happy to go to Canada. I thought, why not? I really have nothing holding me back in Poland and going to Canada would be an adventure. If I don’t like it maybe there will be a way for me to come back. I’ll be eighteen soon and being of legal age, I’ll be able to live my own life. If this Canada is as good as everyone makes it out to be, maybe I’ll find a better life there. If not, I’ll just come back to Poland somehow. I’m not sure about the plane though. I’ve never seen one up close, and I can’t figure out how people can travel in it. It looks so small in the sky. How does it hang there without falling to the ground? I asked Auntie Martha if there is any other way for me to get there, maybe by train or by bus. I think I have to cross the ocean though. I was never good at geography, so I’m not sure. I hope Auntie Martha will write soon. The harvest is almost over. Auntie Helen spends more time at home now, so I don’t have so much work to do. I look after the kids, but my auntie prepares meals and does the laundry. Uncle Lech still goes to the fields, but he comes home early. From the old clothes I found in the attic, I’ve started making myself some outfits. If it really happens and I go to live with Auntie Martha, I will need something to wear. Auntie Helen is helping me. She said that she’s surprised how good I am with a needle. Out of an old dress, I’ve made a skirt for her, and from smaller pieces, I’m making some outfits for the kids.