PART III - Part 01

PART III

1. Peno Popgonev walked firmly on the cobblestones until he reached the main road. There he encountered a large group of people with banners that read:

“DOWN WITH TYRANNY”, “FREEDOM TO POLITICAL PRISONERS” and “WE WANT DEMOCRACY”.

The people walking between the large buildings were making a lot of noise. The crowd drew Peno Popgonev down to the city centre. He often looked at people’s faces and wondered what they wanted. He stepped up his pace but was unable to follow them.

“These people have completely different needs than me. Their needs are of no interest to me…” Peno thought to himself. He stood beside a large iron gate and waited for the crowd to pass by before heading towards the seafront.

“I have to find this boarding house called ‘Macedonia’ which Kolio Bochkarov spoke about. Stavre Nakovski’s friends will help me. They will find work for me…” Peno thought to himself and started walking again. He passed several narrow streets and then came upon another main road.

“For heaven’s sake, am I walking in circles?” he wondered and began to perspire. He then crossed the road and went near a bearded man. He tugged on the man’s sleeve. The man pulled his arm away and said:

“What do you want, young man, is this some sort of joke?”

“I am looking for the boarding house ‘Macedonia’. I don’t know the city and I don’t know where to go. Can you help me?” asked Peno politely.

“Yes, I can. You see that street over there,” said the man and pointed with his finger. “After that street go to the first intersection, then turn left and walk along it to the seaside. When you get there

ask someone. Everyone knows the boarding house ‘Macedonia’. Now go!” he said and slowly walked away down the street in the opposite direction.

Peno Popgonev did not thank him. He quickly ran along the main street. When he reached the last street he found himself at the seaside. There were a number of buildings touching one another and on the front of one of those buildings was a large sheet metal sign with the inscription:

“BOARDING HOUSE MACEDONIA”.

He entered the boarding house via the café, walked up to the counter, looked at Stoios Panagopoulos’s face and said:

“I am looking for Pondilaki. Stavre Nakovski sent me.” Peno was very nervous and could barely stand on his feet.

“You said Stavre Nakovski sent you!? Which village are you from?” asked Stoios Panagopoulos suspiciously.

“I am from Kostaneria. Will you help me? I know that everyone in this boarding house is friends with Stavre Nakovski,” replied Peno.

Stoios Panagopoulos laughed out loud. Peno did not know what to make of it.

“Sit down at that table and tell that man that I sent you. I will bring you something to eat,” said Stoios cheerfully and tapped Peno gently on the head.

“What about Pondilaki?” asked Peno in a somewhat demanding tone of voice.

“Sit over there and wait! Listen to what Stoios is telling you and be smart!” replied Stoios.

“So, you are the Cretan who fought in our mountains?” asked Peno enthusiastically.

“Sit there! We will talk later!” ordered Stoios with a firm voice.

2. Peno Popgonev sat at the table with Tushi Gonev. Tushi was a thirty year-old man with big eyes, broad shoulders and straggly hair parted on the left side of his head. Tushi was leaning against the wall and looked exhausted. He had hardened blisters on both hands. His hands looked like weapons which, in different times, would have killed a bear with a single blow. Tushi was a fast talker and was sometimes difficult to follow. Peno was nervous. Both men were silent for a long time. Tushi lifted his head up and looked at Peno’s brown eyes dancing nervously.

“Judging by the clothes you are wearing you are not from Solun? Where are you from young man?” he asked.

“I am from Kostaneria and I am looking for Pondilaki. Do you know him?” replied Peno. His eyes were gleaming with curiosity.

“You said you are from Kostaneria?! asked Tushi and gave Peno a curious look.

“Yes! I am from Kostaneria!” replied Peno proudly. “I am from the mountains…” he added.

Tushi Gonev closed his left eye.

“You are lying to me, young man!” he accused Peno.

“No, I am not, I swear to you Sir!” blushed Peno.

“To get to Solun you must go through the village Tanovtsi, right?” asked Tushi. He wanted to hear more about Tanovtsi, his native village.

“The village Tanovtsi!?” replied Peno.

“Are you going to tell me or not?” asked Tushi with a frown.

Peno did not know what to tell him. He was very nervous. He thought for a moment and began to feel dizzy. The entire world felt like it was spinning.

“Sir, the village Tanovtsi has been razed to the ground. When I went through it there was nothing. I just saw one goat tied to a fence that was not engulfed by the fire. I untied the goat and let it get lost in the mountains even though it did not want to move away from me. It was afraid of loneliness. That is what I saw in the village Tanovtsi, Sir,” replied Peno.

Tushi Gonev went completely quiet. He had no desire to ask any more questions. Peno’s words were echoing in his head and making his hair stand up. The man went completely mute. Then, without looking at Peno, Tushi jumped onto his feet seeming like he had just witnessed his own death in his transparent eyes. He sat down again and put his head on the table. He was silent. Stoios Panagopoulos came over to their table. Peno did not speak Greek well and Stoios Panagopoulos did not speak any other language outside of Greek. Tushi Gonev was quiet. Stoios lifted Tushi’s head slightly and said:

“I want to talk to the boy.”

“So, talk to him!” replied Tushi and dropped his head back on the table again.

“The boy does not understand Greek well and I don’t know any Macedonian. I need you to translate for me,” said Stoios.

Tushi Gonev nodded.

“Thank you. Stavre left me with a good impression. Did you know that he was here during the war and gave us a beautiful performance? It was most remarkable. The only... Wait, boy, I will bring you some food. I have been rushing so much I forgot about your food…” said Stoios and asked Tushi to translate all this for Peno while he ran back to the kitchen to fetch the food.

Tushi Gonev translated for him. Peno Popgonev began to smile with satisfaction.

“Finally luck is beginning to smile at me…” Peno muttered to himself.

Stoios Panagopoulos came back from the kitchen and brought a plateful of rice with a larger piece of meat in the centre.

“Bon appetite!” he said cheerfully and asked Peno to tell him about Stavre.

Peno Popgonev looked at the food and said nothing.

“Tell him about Stavre,” Tushi translated.

“Oh, about Stavre? Oh, certainly,” replied Peno and laughed nervously. “He is okay. He sends his greeting to all of you. He is now living in his father’s house which he repaired. He has twins. He lives modestly and the whole village respects him...”

Tushi Gonev translated. Stoios Panagopoulos made a motion with his hand telling Peno to start eating.

“Surely you are hungry?” Stoios said.

Peno did not answer. Tushi Gonev did not translate so Stoios poked him gently and Tushi jumped.

“Translate!” yelled Stoios with a commanding voice.

“Eat!” translated loudly Tushi.

“Thank you!” replied Peno.

Stoios Panagopoulos laughed out loud, pointed at the food and left the table. He then poked Sofia with his finger as he passed by her at the end of the counter, telling her to cover up her chest that was being stared at by the customers in the bar. Sofia made a distorted face at him and took her time in covering up. Stoios raised his eyebrows and disappeared into the kitchen. Peno Popgonev ate his food hungrily. Tushi Gonev thought Peno was going to choke on the

large morsels. He raised his head and saw Pondilaki. He waved his hand. Pondilaki was not alone. He was with Iana Chakalarova and Stoian Dzhavalekov. They sat down near Tushi and all three were looking at Peno.

Peno ate calmly.

Sitting at the end of the bar, Sophia smiled flirtatiously. She grabbed one of the bottles from the rack behind her and three shot glasses. She took them to the table where Pondilaki was sitting and put them in front of him. She went back but kept looking at Iana Chakalarova for a long time. She marveled at her beauty. She felt like a germinating sprout full of envy and put some blush on her face.

“A man like him ought to have a beauty like her beside him,” thought Sofia to herself. Iana Chakalarova was upsetting Sofia, who squirmed on the barstool trying to find a comfortable position to sit.

“The girl acted rudely…” Iana pointed out.

“I am used to Sofia being like that,” replied Pondilaki, filled the glasses with rakia and offered them to Iana and Stoian. They took them and drank the rakia. Pondilaki smiled. He was looking at Peno stuffing his mouth with large morsels.

“Is he a relative of yours?!” Pondilaki asked Tushi.

“No. But he says he is from Kostaneria. He brought me terrible news that made my head spin. It made me dizzy. I can’t seem to keep my eyes open. My dear God, these are terrible times we are living in?” replied Tushi Gonev.

Pondilaki smiled, looked at Iana Chakalarova and clinked his glass with hers.

“Cheers!” said Iana.

Peno continued to spoon the rice, filling his stomach. When he was done he went to the kitchen looking for Stoios. Almost immediately

the two came out of the kitchen. Stoios took Peno to Pondilaki and said:

“This young man has been looking for you.”

“I have to get back to the kitchen,” Stoios apologized, introduced Peno to Pondilaki and returned to the kitchen.

“Please sit down!” said Pondilaki to Peno.

“Thank you, Sir! I am very tired. My feet can hardly support me,” replied Peno and sat down.

“How is Stavre?” asked Iana.

“He is okay. At this moment he is in Kostaneria,” replied Peno and then quickly turned to Pondilaki and said: “I have to find a job. Will you help me? I have heard many good things about you.”

“Sure, young man. Any friend of Stavro Nakovski is a friend of mine. Don’t worry!” said Pondilaki.

“I can work. I will do anything. I would be delighted with any kind of work. I will not disappoint you, I promise you,” said Peno with desperation in his voice.

“I will find a job. Do not worry... Have a drink of rakia with us?” replied Pondilaki casually.

“No, no thank you. I don’t drink rakia. But if you insist I am ready to drink… even poison,” said Peno.

“No problem then… For now you don’t have to drink… You will do that later…” said Pondilaki and laughed out loud.

3. About two hours later Pondilaki took Peno to an apartment in Egnatia. There he met Hristo Sotirovski and his daughter Paraskeva. The two looked at Peno oddly. Pondilaki laughed.

“This is Peno Popgonev from Kostaneria. He is a friend of Stavro Nakovski. Please take him to stay with you for now while I find an apartment for him,” he said.

Hristo Sotirovski extended his hand towards Peno and said:

“Welcome, young man! We will be happy to have you here with us.”

Peno Popgonev looked confused for a moment. He then extended his hand and shook hands with Hristo.

“I am Paraskeva,” said Hristo’s daughter.

“Please sit down!” said Hristo and offered Peno a chair at the table. “It has been a long time since you have stopped off for a cup of coffee at our home,” said Hristo to Pondilaki.

“Another time perhaps, Hristo. I must go now,” Pondilaki replied politely.

“Why so soon?” asked Hristo.

“Goodbye, I must go. Look after Peno for me!” said Pondilaki and disappeared through the door.

Peno Popgonev stood in the middle of the room silent. He was very uncomfortable.

“I am setting up dinner. Please sit down! Surely you must be hungry?” offered Paraskeva.

Peno sat down at the table and they had dinner. Paraskeva then set him up in a separate room. He went to bed with a smile on his face.

II

1. Pondilaki was sitting alone at the usual table in café “Macedonia” drinking his rakia. From time to time he glanced at several

customers sipping their fish soup. Once in a while he looked at Sofia and smiled. He did not see Kolio Bochkarov enter the café.

“Hello, Pondilaki,” said Kolio and sat down. He then waved his hand at Sofia. She smiled back with a sycophant smile.

“Rakia?” she asked.

“Rakia, doll, rakia,” replied Kolio.

Pondilaki raised his head.

“What’s new in the mountains Kolio? It seems like you are in the city more often nowadays,” said Pondilaki.

“We have no food in the village. The Asia Minor colonist is fleecing us alive. Things are ten times more expensive in his shop than they are in Solun. Why should we spend that much money? It’s only our sandals that we wear out. Our legs are becoming accustomed to the long walks,” replied Kolio.

“You say he is fleecing you? That bastard is taking advantage of people’s misfortunes... How is Stavre Nakovski, by the way?” asked Pondilaki.

“Not good. Evangelia is struggling to do everything on her own as well as look after the children. The government did a number on him. It poked a great big hole in his soul. He is gone now!” replied Kolio.

“What do you mean he is gone?! Didn’t you tell me he built a house and moved into it not too long ago? Did we not drink together to celebrate the birth of his twins? How is he gone!?” asked Pondilaki angrily.

“He has been gone from Kostaneria for three months. We don’t know where he is or if he comes to see Evengelia. She won’t tell us. We don’t know what happened to him after he left,” replied Kolio.

“Why did he leave? Did he do something? Did something happen to him?” asked Pondilaki in a serious tone of voice.

Kolio Bochkarov scratched his ear, took the glass of rakia that Sofia served him and drank it down in one gulp. He them moistened his lips with his tongue and said:

“Sofia, bring me another rakia!” He then stared at her behind as she swung it from side to side.

“I asked you what happened to Stavre?” said Pondilaki and hit the table with his fist.

Tushi Gonev arrived in the café and sat with Kolio and Pondilaki. He looked over at Sofia and ordered rakia. She brought it to him at the table and went back to the counter.

“Will you tell me what happened to Stavre?” yelled Pondilaki angrily.

Kolio Bochvarov looked upset. He looked into Pondilaki’s eyes and said:

“Take it easy. I will tell you everything. You in the city see these things every day. We in the village have nothing to look at. That is not right...”

“I am not asking you about Sofia’s butt, I am asking you about Stavre Nakovski,” said Pondilaki nervously.

“A boy from Kostaneria disappeared a while ago. Perhaps he came here?” asked Kolio, ignoring Pondilaki’s burning question.

“The boy is in Solun. He is working and has a mistress. Soon he will be a father. If God wants to give him children,” replied Pondilaki.

“You asked me about Stavre but I have nothing more to tell you than what I have already told you. That is all I not know,” said Kolio.

“How did all this happen, Kolio? Tell me!” asked Pondilaki.

“Well there is this priest in the village, his name is Zinda Niarhos. He is an awful character. He did not like Stavre because he stood up to him. One day the evil priest decided to take revenge on him. He went to his house and took Evangelia and the children by force. He told them he was taking the children to church to baptize them. But instead of baptizing the children he raped Evangelia… inside the church. Stavre was not home at the time. The entire village rose up against him but the priest and the governor, who was with him at the church, fled the village and returned late in the evening with the gendarmes. They went to Stavre’s house and Stavre came out at them with an ax. The gendarme commander shot Stavre in the leg and wounded him. The gendarmes tied him to the thick trunk of the chestnut tree in his garden. They then took Evangelia and the children to the church and baptized the children. Stavre was left behind tied up in the yard. When they returned he was gone. Since then he has not been seen or heard from. We don’t know if he is still alive or eaten by the dogs. I do not know what more I can tell you,” replied Kolio.

“So the war has begun…” said Pondilaki and sighed.

“What do you mean by that?” asked Kolio.

“Peno from your village is safe. Tell his family not to worry about him,” said Pondilaki.

“I will tell them,” said Kolio and drank the rest of his rakia. He then said goodbye to Pondilaki and Tushi and left the café. He walked the city streets at a rapid pace and soon was in the woods. He arrived at the village in the evening and discretely went to see Donka Popgoneva at her house.

“Your son is safe in Solun,” he said. “And soon you will be a grandmother,” he added cheerfully.

There was a loud knock at the front door. Donka Popgoneva jumped out of her chair. Kosta ran down the stairs from the upper floor and opened the door. Behind it stood Gone and Hrisanta Slivarov with their daughter Agapi. They all sat around the dinner table.

“Congratulations, Donka! You will have a grandson,” Kolio said again, this time more cheerfully.

Young Kosta Popgonev looked surprised.

“Who is giving my mother a grandson, Uncle Kolio?” he asked.

“What do you mean who? Your brother Peno, of course. Go, get the rakia out and let’s celebrate. Don’t stand there, get moving. Take out the rakia!” Kolio demanded.

Agapi Slivarova froze and turned pale. Kosta looked at her for a moment but they did not look into each other’s eyes. Hrisanta Slivarova covered her face with her thin fingers. Kosta became upset. Donka sat down on the bed.

“Why do you think a grandson!? Don’t joke with me Kolio, I am an old woman,” said Donka somewhat disturbed.

“What is wrong with everyone?! Peno is married to a woman in Solun. He has a wife and this woman is pregnant with his child. I think it will be a boy but then it could be a girl! But that does not change anything. You still will be a grandmother!” he said loudly.

“I will kill him!” yelled Kosta and ran up the stairs to his room.

Kolio Bochkarov looked at everyone, one by one starting with Donka. He thought for a moment. He did not like their silence. His gaze stopped at Agapi Slivarova. He noticed her swollen belly.

“Lord God, what have I done?” he thought to himself and bit his upper lip. Then, deep in thought, he pulled away towards the door. “Please, excuse me, I have to go…” he said and walked out of the door.

III

Peno Popgonev left the docks. He arrived home very tired. He did not eat. He lay down to rest. He got up around sunset and made himself some coffee.

“Will you drink a cup, father?” he asked.

“Sure. It’s a pleasure to have a coffee with my son-in-law. You are the most handsome newlyweds. That’s what Irakalo the priest said to me. No married couple is better looking than you two. Make me one, I will have a coffee with you…” replied Hristo Sotirovski and sat down at the table.

Peno filled Hristo’s coffee cup first and then poured some for himself. He sat at the table opposite Hristo and picked his coffee cup up with his thick fingers. He took a sip.

“Drink up, father! The coffee is good while it’s hot,” said Peno.

Hristo Sotirovski took a sip and coughed a rough cough.

“A dry cough is bad. You should watch your health!” said Peno.

Hristo Sotirovski wiped his mouth with his handkerchief and said:

“Don’t worry about me. Pay more attention to your politics. We are not hungry and we are happy. Why get involved in politics? I don’t need to mention this to Paraskeva but it’s different with you. You are understanding and smart. I want my grandchild to be safe. For me the days are very long and I can barely pass them. Life consists of beauty that is far away from politics. Many have lost their heads in my time because of politics. Now...” Hristo took another sip of coffee and went silent.

“Don’t worry! Different times have different symbols…” replied Peno.

“If you stop going to these meetings Paraskeva too will stop and stay home. Then you two can have a child. I want a grandchild. I want my grandchild to piss on my pants, you understand. I want to be with someone until I die. Loneliness will kill me prematurely. I

sit here like an owl until late at night waiting for you two to get home,” he said.

“Paraskeva does not want us to have children, father,” replied Peno and bowed his head in shame. At that very moment the door flung open. Peno lifted his eyes and saw Paraskeva standing on the threshold. She closed the door behind her, went towards Peno and kissed him on his cheek. She then kissed her father.

“Are you two having a good time?” she asked politely and smiled. She then went to her bedroom and took off her coat. “Why weren’t you at the meeting?” she asked Peno with a raised voice and came back to the room where they were sitting. She sat at the table.

“You must be as hungry as a dog?” said Hristo.

“Very hungry, father,” she replied, grabbed some bread from the wooden box and poured herself some stew from the pot into a bowl. “Ah, we are having beans? she said and smiled.

“I want you to give me a child!” said Peno out of the blue.

Paraskeva’s eyes opened widely. She dropped the bread on the table and stared at Peno.

“No, not that! Having a child will throw me out of the struggle. I want to be useful to my people. Why are you both so blind and cannot see what is happening here? The new government is refusing to recognize the victims of the war who sacrificed themselves to free this country. It is stripping them of their rights which their earned with their blood. It is taking back their promised gift. Instead of freedom the government is offering us slavery. It torments us everywhere. It kills us for no reason. This makes me very angry and drives me to madness. Tonight I told everyone to go to hell. What government!? They are all a bunch of clowns. They brought England here to protect their interests, to protect England’s interests. I believe in the victory of democracy but, in that victory, we need to struggle together, across the entire country. We need to be organized and united, not like we are now all together in one basket. After that

we will see what happens. We Macedonians must fight for our freedom,” she said.

“Did the meeting end?” asked Peno while clapping loudly.

“First we need to get our rights to life before we have children. The world does not need more slaves… And please, don’t upset me anymore!” she said.

“Do you think I am crazy for wanting children or just stupid? Don’t you think I can tell from where the sun rises?” replied Peno.

“So you think you are versed in many things, eh?” she replied and began to spoon the beans into her mouth.

“Life is really hard but we have survived. Not everyone who has children is a fool! Wars have never stopped the world from multiplying. Even Stavre Nakovski has children!” he said.

Paraskeva began to grind her teeth.

“We two want a child. You say this is not the right time. We are two against one. By a show of hands we outvoted you. So what do you think of that…?” added Peno looking at Hristo.

While Hristo Sotirovski looked happy, Paraskeva looked enraged.

“This is not some democratic decision where the three of us can vote to satisfy a democratic principle. Clearly you are placing me in a position of disadvantage which is prone to factionalism which, once settled, will leave me no choice but to abandon you, even though I love you two very much. So please give me some credit!” replied Paraskeva looking angry, and continued to eat.

Hristo Sotirovski was simmering with anxiety which made him dizzy. Peno wanted to make light of Paraskeva’s last reply, just to make Hristo feel better but decided against it.

“Maybe she will change her mind. Each day is a different day...” said Peno to Hristo.

Paraskeva shook her head, smiled slightly and said:

“I know you very well. You will give your life for me but not for democracy.”

IV

1. “I will be out a little later than usual tonight,” said Peno.

“Okay son, just be careful!” replied Hristo.

“Don’t worry father, I am an adult…” said Peno.

Hristo Sotirovski followed Peno Popgonev to about one hundred metres away from where he was working unloading a ship, tapped him on the shoulder and let him go to work.

“Goodbye father!” said Peno.

“Be careful son!” replied Hristo and turned away.

Hristo Sotirovski walked very slowly along the dock. Peno returned with his first bag. He picked up the bag inside the ship and placed it in the shed. He continued to do this for a long time until the ship was unloaded. The ship was finally unloaded late in the evening. Peno did not change his work clothes when he left. He was headed for home but changed his mind when he reached Ignatia Street and decided to go to café “Macedonia”. He sat down with the dock workers who were already there.

“We, the workers, are the children of this country and the entire world. We try and earn our bread with our sweat and our bosses just take it from us. We should be doing something about it. We should lead a class struggle. There are people who believe that there are other values in life that we need to pursue, besides being class slaves. We were not given this life so that we could donate it to someone to make a soft cushion out of it and sit his ass on it. We have already fought once for our country. We demonstrated our

patriotism! But for whom did we fight? For the king and his entourage?! We are the workers and we should be running the government, not to destroy others but to live a better life and not fear the future. We should fight for our own class. When we have money no one can push us around. With money you can do whatever you want. You can even be a deputy in the government,” said Pondilaki, took a sip of rakia, lowered his glass and looked at Peno.

“We have to fight to dismantle the chains of slavery that have been put on us,” said Tushi Gonev.

Peno sat there thinking. He did not want to drink. He often looked at the bottles of booze lined up on the counter.

“Paraskeva is poisoned by the politics in the Macedonian organization. Here they beat me down with the class struggle. Hristo wants a grandson. But all I want to do is live. I am young and capable of working and I want to work. I want to live well, even if it is in a foreign country... I think I will go to America. Life is better there. I am tired of the politics here…” Peno thought to himself. “You can talk until your heads fall off! It will all be in vain. There will always be owners and slaves. This is how this world is. It’s human nature. Maybe I am wrong, but one thing I do know: I want to live free of the thought of how I will do tomorrow: with politics and hunger; with a bloody body full of wounds and hungry… I never want to think of hunger or pain; I want to be full and mellow; truly like… America,” he thought, sighed and, to the surprise of dock workers, left without saying goodbye. The streets were deserted. He walked slowly. He went to the docks and started looking at the ships.

“I am going to America. The misery here will kill me…” he thought and slowly left the docks. He got home late. He did not eat. He was anxious. He went to bed. He felt Paraskeva staring at him. He turned his back on her to avoid her gaze. He could not sleep. He tossed and turned in bed all night. And every time he fell asleep he quickly woke up. He talked incomprehensibly in his sleep.

“You have not been sleeping well for a month now, my dear. What is happening to you?” asked Paraskeva anxiously.

Peno shook his hand.

“Sleep, the night is good for dreaming!” she advised.

Paraskeva hugged him gently and ran her fingers through his hair.

“You must be tired too?” he replied and turned his back on her.

“I will leave with the first ship that sails for America…” Peno thought to himself but could not asleep. He struggled to fall asleep but he couldn’t. He got up the next morning and, without telling anyone he was leaving, left home. Paraskeva was surprised. Hristo secretly knew that something strange was happening to his son-in-law. He loved him very much and was worried about him.

2. Peno roamed the docks for two days. He did not return to his apartment and he did not visit the boarding house “Macedonia”. On the third day he stopped hesitating and decided to climb aboard the ocean liner “Philadelphia”, sailing for America. The ship left the harbour, under the curious stares of the many dock workers who had loaded it with furs from the Kostur workshops, and disappeared into the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Peno Popgonev disappeared with it.

3. Paraskeva waited every night awake. She was losing weight. She could not eat. She cried all the time. She finally thought of the worst.

“Surely the police must have grabbed him and dragged him to an island in the archipelago…” she thought.

Hristo Sotirovski too was very concerned about Peno’s disappearance and was quickly losing hope. He feared that he may never see him again. He even cried for him. These were the first

tears that Paraskeva had seen him shed. Peno reminded him of something he had long forgotten.

“It’s my daughter’s fault. She is blinded by politics. She forgot about her husband... my dear darling daughter…” he often thought.

They always sat at the table together. Paraskeva even stopped attending the Macedonian organization meetings. She stopped talking about politics. One time she started crying. Hristo put his arm around her to comfort her. He did not know why she was crying.

“I am with child… I am pregnant!” she yelled and ran to the other room.

“Thank you God! You have not forgotten me… I will have my grandson… Thank you Peno, my son…” he thought to himself.

V

1. Kosta Popgonev got out of bed and quickly got dressed. He came down the stairs, tiptoed his way past his mother’s room, went outside quietly, took to the street and left the village. He was very anxious and breathed rapidly. He walked through the woods and eventually left the village road and began to walk through the dense woods, being mindful not to trip over the rough terrain. About six hours later he came down the great mountain slope and arrived in Solun. His first priority was to visit Foti Steriov’s boarding house. He went from street to street in the city walking quickly on the cobblestone roads like he knew where he was going and soon walked into the café part of the boarding house. He went over to the bar and stood at the counter. His eyes danced with excitement.

“Rakia!” he said to Stoios.

“Immediately, my boy,” replied Stoios cheerfully and handed him a glass of rakia.

Kosta Popgonev grabbed the glass and took a few sips. He looked around nervously, carefully examining the room. He then looked at Stoios and said:

“Does my brother Peno come to this bar?” and took another sip of rakia.

Stoios Panagopoulos looked at him curiously, smiled and said kindly:

“Many people by that name come to this bar…”

Kosta looked at him sternly and said: “There is only one Peno in all of Kostaneria and he hangs around Pondilaki and some of the dock workers!”

“Calm down, young man! I just work here…” replied Stoios and went to a table to top up someone’s rakia glass and then went into the kitchen. He looked puzzled. After that he came back out smiling.

“You must be Stoios Panagopoulos?” said Kosta, as if he had known him from a long time ago.

“Take it easy, boy. This is a café. Calm down!” replied Stoios with a steady voice trying not to tremble with excitement.

“My name is Kosta Popgonev. Peno is my brother,” he said calmly and quietly. “I just arrived here from Kostaneria.”

“You seem to be very anxious…” replied Stoios and turned his back on Kosta.

Pondilaki and several dock workers entered the café and sat at the table where they always sit.

“Bring us rakia, Stoios!” yelled Pondilaki.

“Immediately, Pondilaki!” he replied and flinched.

Kosta Popgonev left his glass on the counter and went towards Pondilaki’s table.

“Are you Pondilaki?” he asked anxiously.

Pondilaki waited a few moments and then said:

“Sit down; I can see that you are very anxious.”

“I am looking for my brother Peno Popgonev from Kostaneria. Do you know where he is?” asked Kosta grinding his teeth.

Pondilaki smiled and said:

“Sit down! We are also looking for him. I honestly hope that you can find him.”

Kosta lowered his eyebrows, clouding over his eyes and defiantly said:

“Are you going to tell me where to find him or not?”

Pondilaki did not reply. He took the rakia that Stoios had brought him and took a sip. He then put his glass gently on the table.

“In other words, you are hiding him from me…” concluded Kosta.

Tushi Gonev jumped out of his chair, grabbed Kosta by the collar and forcibly made him sit on the chair in front of him. He then sat down next to him, looked into the eyes menacingly and said:

“We have been looking for your brother for a month. I don’t know exactly what you are thinking in that boyish mind of yours. Besides, who here can confirm that Peno is your brother?!”

“He himself can confirm it. Take me to him and he will confirm it!” rebelled Kosta.

“Then go and find him! Bring him here to the café! We will wait here. He can then confirm that you are brothers. Then I will believe you!” said Tushi and took a sip of rakia.

“Where do I find him? If I knew where he was I would not be asking you!” rebelled Kosta.

“Peno is gone. He has disappeared. We are all looking for him,” said Tushi.

“Did he do something wrong?” asked Kosta naively.

Pondilaki laughed and angrily said:

“Peno was our friend. Now if you are satisfied with our explanation then sit with us, otherwise be on your way and go back to where you came from. No one is obliged to listen to you preaching!”

Kosta Popgonev was enraged. His eyes were blushed with anger. He got up and said:

“We will meet again. I will find him even if I have to crawl into a snake pit. Tell him that he will not escape my hand!” and left the café.

Stoios Panagopoulos sighed.

“That boy was ready to kill!” yelled Pondilaki.

“It appears the entire country is headed in that direction. No wonder all the people are simmering. Everything is possible…” said Tushi Gonev and took another sip of rakia.

“There was an article in the newspaper ‘Eleftheria’ that talks about the terror perpetrated by the government army in Kukush Region. It said that about one thousand people fled to Yugoslavia. More were roaming the mountains to avoid arrest,” said Tushi.

“People are dying and here we are talking and talking. Last week we screamed and yelled but it was like the time we screamed and yelled

at ‘Irakleos’ stadium. We screamed and yelled at the government to stop terrorizing the Macedonian people and to start respecting democratic principles and what did we accomplish by that? Nothing! The right wingers from ‘Ethnikis Enosis’ had an evening rally with only a few people gathered and demanded the destruction of the Communists. They even accused the neighbouring states of interfering in our affairs and called on the government in Athens to attack and free the lands north of Macedonia to the source of the great river and to the east of Thrace. All we do is fire empty words. Just words. In the meantime the right wingers want to destroy us and we want a union with them?” said Pondilaki.

“Again the workers are frequently on strike,” said Tushi.

“What do they want this time?” asked Pondilaki.

“Improved working conditions, higher wages... They also demanded that the government repeal the law on forced mobilization and stop the political terror. I don’t know how that went,” replied Tushi.

“It’s hot. The summer heat is unbearable, the whole country is boiling. I don’t know if it’s hotter in the political pot or under the solar corona. Sometimes I think we should gather together, go down and level this shameful city administration to the ground,” said Pondilaki.

“The Greek military is forcing the Macedonians in the villages to declare themselves Greek. Those who refuse to sign are killed. That is why there are so many people fleeing to the mountains nowadays,” said Tushi.

“The government is one thing, the Greek people are another. You, yourself know that the government is not going to implement the people’s wishes…” said Pondilaki and took another sip of rakia. The alcohol he drank felt bitter and he pushed the glass away.

Tushi Gonev had no desire to talk anymore. He put his hands over his head and went off into a daydream. Everyone at the table was silent. Kosta Popgonev entered the café and went towards their table. Stoios Panagopoulos’s mouth gaped open in surprise.

“I will see you one day. Then I will celebrate…” he said angrily and left the café.

Stoios Panagopoulos closed his eyes, pleased that there was no brawl in the café. Pondilaki smiled at him. Tushi Gonev got up and began to pace back and forth. He was all excited. Again there was silence. Stoios left for the kitchen. Sofia leaned her chest on the counter and put her head on top of the cash box. She closed her eyes and looked like she was falling asleep. Pondilaki looked at her, smiled, got up and said:

“Let’s go! We will come back tonight.” The dock workers followed and they all left the café.

VI

1. Kosta Popgonev returned to Kostaneria. He heard the villagers murmuring. They were not happy with how Ioannidis Karahopoulos, the new teacher, was behaving. When the children went to school Karahopoulos had a smirk of satisfaction on his face. But that was not the problem. The problem was that there was no understanding between him and the children. Outside of Milkiadis’s children no one spoke Greek and because of that he severely punished the Macedonian children. He made them kneel for hours on top of corn kernels. This was not only painful for the children but damaging to their knees. The children were coming home crying, complaining of the torment and ruthlessness. Only Milkiadis’s children seemed to be doing okay. The girls were cheerful, but watching their teacher punish their friends for not speaking a language they did not know made them want to speak it less and less. Watching their friends being punished also caused the girls to become ill with tummy aches and to regularly skip class. Milkiadis did not know that.

“Your children are not coming to school,” said Ioannidis.

Milkiadis did not respond. He went home and beat up Evridika. She cried for two hours.

From that day forward, Milkiadis’s children went to school regularly. Ioannidis Karahopoulos rejoiced and every day invented more and new severe punishments to torment the children. More and more children spilled their blood on the boards of the classroom, leaving many dark red stains for the school bell ringer to clean… stains that could not be erased.

3. The villagers stayed inside their houses. They only went out to work in their fields.

4. Vasil Digalovski waddled his fat belly down the muddy street. Every evening he gambled with Milkiadis and Zinda Niarhos. The gendarmerie was in the village. He thought that he was untouchable. The villagers moved away and let him pass when he walked by them on the road. That pleased him very much. He also began to yell at his own mother, who had given him birth. Hatred grew between them, sweeping away her motherly feelings for him. But that did not seem to concern him. He just erased her from his list of relatives. He began to live his life in the company of the priest, the teacher, Milkiadis and the gendarmes. What they said was most important to him.

5. The village was sinking in fear. Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska kept sinking deeper into misery. Every night she expected Stavre to appear and bring her a hint of happiness. She never left the house at all. She used up her last sack of flour to make mush. She needed to do something more to feed herself and her children, but what? The last two days they ate boiled potatoes. They were starving. She finally got enough courage to go out. She wrapped her head with a black head kerchief and headed for the Asia Minor colonist’s store. She bought some groceries and headed home. Inside her house she found Gone Slivarov sitting at her table, watching the children cheerfully playing on the bed.

“What brings you here, Gone?” she asked.

“We are leaving, going over the border, several families are leaving. You need to tell us by tomorrow if you are coming on not,” said Gone quietly and left. He then went to see the Popgonev’s. He found Kosta sitting at the table eating his dinner. Donka was sitting on the bed.

“Good evening, Uncle Gone,” said Kosta. “Please, join me for dinner!”

“We are moving across the border, Donka. Think about it! We already talked about this earlier. Tell me what you are going to do?” said Gone quietly.

“What border? What are you saying, Uncle Gone? You are telling us to leave our country? Our native land?” asked Kosta stunned, almost not believing what he was hearing.

“We must go or they will kill us all like dogs. When the situation calms down in this country we will come back. This is our land, son, and no one can become its owner but us. Now I must go. It’s getting late. And you can do as you like. At midnight the day after tomorrow I will be waiting at the great rock. Be there before midnight. We leave at 12:30. If you are not there then we will know that you are staying in Kostaneria. Goodbye!” he said and left. He went home. He could not sleep all night. He spent the next day preparing. Sometime in the late evening he took his wife and children and secretly left the house. They walked through the gardens and then through the dense groves and about an hour later they arrived at the great rock. The place was well hidden. They hid in a hole at the foot of the great rock and waited.

“God help those who remain behind. They will all face Zinda Niarhos’s knife…” Gone thought to himself and coughed. He then heard a noise. They all ducked down and hid. Gone looked up and strained his eyes in the dark. It was Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska with her two children. One she was carrying on her back and the other was walking in front of her. She looked tired and did not see the Slivarov’s hiding in the hole. Gone came out from the darkness and startled her. She jumped but made no sound.

“It’s us…” said Gone quietly.

“When are we leaving? I am afraid for my children. They are the only reason I am going across the border,” said Evangelia and began to cry.

Gone tapped her on her head and said:

“No need to cry. We will wait a few minutes and then go…”

Evangelia stopped crying.

6. “Let’s get moving, people!” said Gone and motioned to Evangelia to go first.

“The Popgonev’s are coming…” Evangelia announced and pointed in their direction.

The Popgonev’s joined the group. Everyone was silent as they made their way through the woods towards the border. Their feet were sore. They had traveled a long way.