My post for this week’s WeWriWa comes a little bit after last week’s. It’s April 1952, and 19-year-old Amalia (Malchen) von Hinderburg and her 21-year-old boyfriend Pali Weiss were having a nice date at Pali’s new rented house until things began heating up on the davenport. Malchen realized he might feel the old surgical scar on her stomach and abdomen, from when she was given a hysterectomy and had at least one Fallopian tube to her knowledge removed at the camp Janowska. This is a secret almost no one knows, not even her brother Lazarus and sister-in-law Katherine (Sparky), whom she lives with.
After Malchen has reassured him that she doesn’t want to stop because of her period, not being impressed with his skills, or being afraid of getting in trouble before marriage like her sister-in-law, she very reluctantly starts to tell him half the truth, provided he not tell anyone.
The scar looks very much like an old-fashioned, very long C-section scar, as in those days, a Caesarean was performed with a vertical and not horizontal incision.
***
After Pali turned on the nearby lamp, she hesitantly pointed out the scar running the length of her abdomen and onto her stomach, looking away so she wouldn’t see the look on his face.
“That’s just a line.” He gently caressed it. “It’s not so bad. But where did it come from?”
“I had surgery when I was younger, when I was still in Europe,” she said vaguely.
“What kind of surgery? And wouldn’t Lazarus know about it if it was in Europe when you were a child?”
I’m glad she’s talking to him about it but she might as well go all in, since he’s asking questions. This is a VERY engrossing story, I care about the heroine so much. Terrific snippet.
Intriguing story; a hysterectomy and so young! She would feel better if she confided in her boyfriend, yes? “Malchen” ist süß. (sweet name)
Titillating snippet.
I hope she tells him the rest. Maybe it would help her to unburden herself; Secrets can take a terrific emotional toll on those who have them.
Oooohhhh sounds good to me! Tell him, tell him!!! Out with the secret!
Question is, does he want her, or does he want children.
Oh . . . I wonder if he’ll think she’s had a child already?
this opens a word of questions. does he want children? why did she have the operation? has she already had a child.
This is a great little moment of revealing character: her bravery for sharing, and his gentle response and curiosity. Great 8!
Hmm… when and why did she have a hysterectomy? And how does her family not even know about it? I’m certainly intrigued, here.
Pali sounds like an understanding guy. I think he’ll tease it out of her and still accept her. I’m really liking this story!
Awesome snippet. What a tough subject to talk about. You’re handling it very realistically.
The moment of truth. I’m so glad she’s talking to him about the scar. Intriguing six. I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
I’m so glad she’s opening up to him!