Blue Flag 2020

KAITLYN POHLY From Ashkelon

“Tamar! Tamar! Wake up!” Raphy jolts me awake, throwing a dress in my direction. I rub my eyes, still hazy with a dream; I remembered a girl- I think she was me, I’m not so sure. It seems to seep further and further away, back between my ears, the longer I am awake. “We will miss the train if you don’t dress sooner!” I speed up; it’s the first day of Summer, and we are heading South to Bubbe’s house to spend it with her.

Mom and Dad are going away for work, and this is the longest I will ever be away from home. As I dress, my feet begin to dance with excitement; Raphy barges through the door again: “Breakfast is ready in the kitchen when you are,” he taunts.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” I grab my rucksack from the wooden table beside my bed, look back at my bedroom, and whisk out the door.

“Goodbye, Samantha,” I shout over my shoulder, the doll on my dresser waving goodbye. Now, my stomach is rumbling.

“Well good morning, Tamar,” Mama says, putting a plate of shakshuka down on the table, “A bit of a sleepy start?”

“Sorry- I don’t think my alarm went off,” I choke out, scarfing eggs into my mouth. They’re hot. I burn my tongue, ow.

“Raphael, I expect you will take good care of your sister, Bubbe is getting old and cannot be troubled with being entirely responsible for both-”

“Yes, Mama,” he cut her off, taking the envelope of shekels from her hand, now beginning to etch with funny lines.

“I will drive you both to the train station. Tamar, come on, we need to go.” I shove some more food in my mouth before putting my place in the sink. I’m still chewing as I run out 160