Three days later, Jozef sat in the kitchen of his new
dwellings, the circus caravan, papers spread out around him and a cup of coffee
in front of him. The day before, he had taken the bills for the animal feed
from the office caravan to his home, where he kept the fire burning the whole
night. He wanted to do some work on them in his home before going to the cold
office, making a fire, and working there.
A knock sounded on the door. Jozef rose and opened it.
Nina, dressed in a pink dress and a blue handkerchief taming
her dark curls, stood in front of him. Her eyes grew wide. “You! What are you
doing here? Where is Wizlaw?”
When he saw her standing there, so beautiful and so
spirited, Jozef’s heart threatened to jump out of his chest. He tried to hold
back a smile. “Oh, you mean your husband? But come on in and tell me all about
it.”
She glared at him, but entered the warm kitchen.
He closed the door, pulled out a chair for her. “Now tell me
all about your wedding. Was it very nice?”
She stood in front of him, arms crossed. “None of your
business! I don’t understand what’s going on here.” She pushed past him into
the living room. “What happened to Wizlaw and the girls? Where are their things?”
It was all Jozef could do not to envelop her in his arms and
cover her face with kisses. Instead, he gently put his hand on her shoulder. “Please,
Nina. Sit, and I’ll explain. Can you do that?”
She brushed his hand off, turned and slumped into the kitchen
chair. “All right. I’m listening.” Her scowl never left her face.
“I made a deal with your so-called husband. He went to Paszowice
with his family and is now working for Panje
Bukowski, the father of the girl he wants to marry. And I have accepted Panje Francesco’s offer of managing the
circus. And that’s why I’m living here now.”
“I don’t understand. I thought… I thought you had a girl in Paszowice.
What happened to her?”
“Do you mean my friend Maja? She’s engaged to be married to
Wizlaw.” He shrugged. “I’m sorry you had that impression. I never wanted you to
think that I had feelings for her beyond a friendship, because I don’t and
never had.”
Jozef could see Nina blush, even under her dark skin. She
stared at her hands on the table. “And why… why do you want to work in a
circus? That’s very unusual.”
Jozef put his hand on top of hers. “Oh, Nina. Don’t you
understand? I have never loved anyone as much as I love you. And where you are,
that’s where I want to be. Tell me that I have a chance. I’ll be the best
husband I can be. But if you don’t want me, let me know and I’ll leave again,
as soon as I found a new manager for Panje Francesco. “
Nina didn’t look up. A hot tear splashed on the back of
Jozef’s hand. He rose and moved around the table till he stood next to her.
Gently, he put his finger under her chin and made her look up. “Say something.
Please. I didn’t want to make you cry.”
Nina jumped up, threw her arms around him and buried her
moist face in his shoulder. “Yes! Yes! You have a chance. You’re the only one
who ever did.”
“So you’ll marry me?”
“I will. Tomorrow if you want.”
She looked up at him and Jozef sealed their engagement with
a kiss.
***
A month later, Jozef and Nina had a joyful bright wedding in
the circus tent. It lasted for three
days, and Wizlaw, his fiancée Maja, and Konrad were present.
***
Jozef and Nina had seven children.
Jozef did a great job managing the circus. With the years, Panje Francesco became a very good
friend to Jozef and his family. Panje Francesco
had no children, and when he died, he left the circus to Jozef and Nina, who
ran it until their oldest son, my father’s ancestor, was old enough to take
over.
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