Free Caraliza by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick Page B

bread, and a cup of cool milk to drink. He also brought lunch, much the same for her again, but some meat and cheese for Yousep; it looked too meager to the young man and his eyes showed it.
    “ We must feed only her body, not her hunger. I have seen such starvation, and much more of it, she would have consumed herself and withered. We could do her great harm with too much food, too great for her to use. We will see that she has some small things at hand, but will never let her gorge. By doing this she will regain her strength very quickly. It surely will be more than she has known for so long a time, to be able to eat a little twice a day. Yousep, she will be fine!” he urged the young man to understand. “And as a gift, a dress from your mother. The smallest she owned and with a little belt. I refuse to know what you have seen, but I will not see her naked in my presence. I am much too old for the blessing of it.”
    Yousep laughed, and it cooled his anger. He looked sadly to his Caraliza on the divan and prayed she would strengthen quickly. They would be neither safe, nor happy, until she could be removed from the shop. Her tormentor was only paces away.
     
    The brute would sit on the stoop, vacated by the street urchins a month before, after the loss of their lad. The police were still suspicious and were on the street, seemingly every hour. For a monster who may have killed once, and nearly did kill Caraliza, Yousep thought the man possessed some sort of demon spirit, to sit so calmly, as though he were enjoying the pleasant air. She was made to understand; she could be seen if she ever approached the door, or the shop window. She must also not tarry in front of the new studio windows in the afternoon. They were too brightly lit, the room too easily seen from the garden.
    She did understand his caution, and was the next day timidly walking and smiling about with his arm; she would not be parted from him, taking the care they desired. She surprised Yousep that she could make a single boiled egg last to her lips as long as a large meal.
    “ Ik hou van eieren!” I love eggs ! She would smile. The two eggs would barely be consumed before lunchtime arrived.
     
    Papa could not tempt her to talk; she seemed shy of him, the only form of self-awareness or modesty she could show. She dearly loved the dress Yousep gave to her.
    “ Dank je, Dank je!”
    It made her weep to put it on the first time, but she would cause it to fall to the floor with her giggles, seemingly at his slightest touch, when they were alone. She would follow him into every corner of the shop, save the ones in the front. He found her troublesome the most when he was at need of the toilet closet, and the very few times she needed it, she loved to pull him inside and kiss his hands while she wet the basin.
    “ Mag ik je kussen?” May I kiss you? She would whisper. He tried in vain to get her to understand, he should not be so near at that time, and when it must have finally driven him to some shame Papa took his shoulder, and spoke gently in his ear.
    “ She has all modesty beaten from her. To survive, she has become a child. Her life was simple, obey or be beaten. She is not at fault, be gentle with her and remain a gentleman. Modesty will return in its time.”
    Yousep smiled a weary smile. He no longer was certain when he was doing the wrong things, for just reasons, and it confused him, and made him shy to admit it to Mr. Reisman.
    “ Have you seen the chain she wears?” Yousep whispered.
    “ I have seen it. Is it precious to her?
    “ It is but my name on a tin pendant. I would that I could have one with her name, but cannot go get it now.”
    “ Would you like me to get one for you, Yousep?” the old man smiled at him and put his arm around Yousep’s shoulders.
    “ Yes, she would be so pleased. It is a promise between us, made solid to hold. Here is her name written. I found it, in the shop two doors from the grocer who ordered the perfect