Page 21 of Spread Your Wings
“Come in,” Sammy said as the thick man barreled past him. Vasily was built like a pit bull.
“What would you say if I asked you to make an investment in your future?”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m offering you something.” Vasily sighed. “My boy likes you. He likes you a lot. He has hopes and dreams outside of this war. If he stays, he’s going to die here. You can take him to America, give him the life he deserves.”
“Okay,” Sammy said, ignoring the spreading warmth in his gut. If he and Mustafa had a chance outside of the war, that would be a miracle. It also sounded too good to be true. “What do you need from me?”
“How much money do you have?”
Sammy balked. He’d been saving his bi-weekly paychecks, sure, but he needed some of that money for London. “Fifteen hundred?”
“That’s all? You’ve been here two months.”
“I was broke.”
“I need at least two thousand Marks,” Vasily said.
“Two thousand Marks,” Sammy said, exhaling. “If you exchange my dollars for Marks, you’ll have it.”
“Wait,” Vasily said. “You’re going to give me fifteen hundred American dollars?”
Sammy nodded. “Whatever I can.”
Vasily smirked. “You like him.”
For an answer, Sammy grabbed his wallet from his backpack and handed over the cash. While it made more sense to put the money in his checking account, it was easier to exchange small bills at the local bank.
Vasily counted the bills, grinned like a madman, and then he was gone.
After the door shut and Vasily’s boots echoed in the hall, Sammy wondered what his investment had purchased. He had a moment of panic before he ran out of his room and down the hall, chasing Vasily. “Hey, wait a minute. What’s the plan?”
“You’ll see on Sunday.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Trust me, American. You’ll see return on your investment.”
“I think I need an answer now, or I’ll call the front desk and report a robbery.”
Vasily rolled his eyes. “Americans. Fine.” He trudged back to Sammy’s room and shut the door behind them. “Give me your plane ticket now, so I know I have enough money.”
“Not until you tell me what the hell is going on.”
“I will exchange your ticket, no cost to you. You’re riding on Air Vasily, for free. Then, I will arrange a school visa for Mumu through my contacts at the UN.”
“Wait. Are you bribing UN officials?”
“How else can I get Mumu to the United States?”
“Go on,” Sammy said, not believing a word. The entire plan seemed surreal, and yet, he wanted to believe, for Mustafa’s sake.
“You two will be part of a Jewish evacuation flight. One rabbi has already paid for the rest of the passengers, so your flights will be cheap. Then, you land in London and go your separate ways, if you want. Mumu can stay with a friend of mine until Tuesday, since Monday is a holiday. Christians and their holidays.” Another eye roll from Vasily. “All the paperwork should be approved by Tuesday morning. You will be on the same flight to Atlanta, and Mumu can start his new life.”
He held out his hand, and Sammy reluctantly handed over his plane tickets to Vienna and London.
Sammy shook his head as Vasily tucked them into his inner coat pocket and left the room again. Sammy had a feeling he’d get to the airport on Sunday and still have no clue what Vasily had done with his money. Worse, he might find himself screwed out of a flight to London.
