A Virtuoso in America: Adrian
A Holocaust Story, Book #2
By Fred Raymond Goldman
A Holocaust Story, Book #2
By Fred Raymond Goldman
How do you reconcile a decision you made in the past when the world erupts in war, threatening the life of someone you love and believe you were protecting?
Adrian Mazurek immigrated to the United States from Krakow, Poland, 14 years ago and is now a successful violin soloist and concertmaster of The Eleventh State Symphony Orchestra in New York. But despite his outward success, Adrian is inwardly harboring a shameful secret, one he has not revealed to anyone.
However, that is about to change. Adrian plans to propose marriage to Suzanne, but he knows he must tell her the truth about his past before doing so. Riddled with guilt and shame, Adrian can barely look at himself in the mirror. How can he look Suzanne in the eyes and tell her that he left his infant son, Simon, in the care of his aunt and uncle in Poland 14 years ago? If only confessing the truth to Suzanne was the most difficult part.
Adrian soon learns that Germany has invaded Poland and World War II has begun. Fearing the Germans will learn that his son is of Jewish heritage, Adrian must do something to ensure Simon's safety. But what? And will Suzanne stand by his side or will she turn away because of his deceit?
Excerpt
Suzanne and Adrian accepted the contessa’s invitation to dinner for the first week in January. She said there were people she wanted them to meet. Adrian speculated they were people of influence who might be able to help him locate Simon. He looked forward to the dinner.
Paul met them in the lobby and rode them up to the contessa’s apartment. When they got off the elevator, Paul took their coats and led them into the parlor. A group of six surrounded the contessa. She spotted Adrian and Suzanne and came to greet them.
Adrian had the feeling he’d seen one of the men before, but he couldn’t think from where. He didn’t recognize the other guests.
The contessa introduced the three couples to Adrian and Suzanne without any explanations as to their positions. The one who looked familiar was Philip Carter. His wife was Amy. The other two couples were Samson Reed, his wife, Eloise, and William Johnston and his wife, Beverly. They were pleasant, but Adrian felt uncomfortable. Suzanne looked less so. If they were people who could be helpful in locating my family in Poland, the contessa certainly would have told me beforehand, Adrian thought. He was baffled as to the purpose of this dinner. His mind raced for answers, but he couldn’t think of any.
The dinner conversation was light and congenial but uncomfortable for Adrian. He kept wondering why the contessa had pulled this group together. Despite his discomfort, he used his charm to get through the meal.
During dinner, the wife of Samson Reed brought up Suzanne and Adrian’s wedding at Union Hall. “How did you manage that?” she said.
Suzanne smiled, “My father arranged it. He’s the Director of Development for the orchestra. He and conductor McGowan thought it would be good publicity for the symphony.” Suzanne blushed. “I must admit it was a fairy tale wedding ceremony. I’m very grateful to them.”
“I understand you’re the agent for Nick Wells,” Beverly Johnston said. “He’s deliciously handsome and talented.”
Adrian heard her husband clear his throat and place his hand on his wife’s elbow. His wife looked over to him and bit her lip. The other two gentlemen looked at each other quickly then glanced over at the contessa.
Adrian watched this with curiosity. What is going on here?, he wondered.
It wasn’t until after dinner that Adrian got his answer.
“If you don’t mind, we’d like to meet with you in the contessa’s library,” Philip Carter said to Adrian and Suzanne.
Adrian and Suzanne looked at each other. Here it comes, thought Adrian. The real reason we’re here. He took Suzanne’s hand, and they and the three men followed Paul to the library where a bar was set up. Paul left. A slight chill went through Adrian.
Mr. Carter offered Suzanne and Adrian drinks. At their request, he poured Suzanne a glass of white wine and Adrian a brandy. The others filled their glasses, and they sat in a circle of leather and upholstered chairs.
Mr. Carter unwrapped a fresh cigar. He didn’t light it.
“I like to chew on these,” he said, directing himself to Suzanne. “I hope you don’t mind. My wife says it’s a disgusting habit, and she’s right, but I can’t seem to stop.”
Suzanne nodded her approval.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to get right to the point,” Mr. Carter said. “I know you must be wondering why we’re here tonight and what you have to do with it.” He leaned forward. “The mayor has appointed me to lead a commission to root out Nazi American activities in New York. I must ask that that you keep this meeting confidential.”
Now Adrian knew why he recognized Mr. Carter. His picture had been in the newspapers with the announcement of this new committee by the mayor.
Adrian and Suzanne looked at each other and back at Mr. Carter. They nodded their agreement.
Fred Raymond Goldman
Fred Raymond Goldman graduated from Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD (now McDaniel College) in June 1962 with a B.A. in psychology. In 1964, he earned an M.S.W. degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Most of his career was devoted to the Jewish Communal Service. He served as the administrator of Northwest Drug Alert, a methadone maintenance program at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, where he also became the community’s reference point for steering drug abusers to Jewish resources. The work focused on helping individuals achieve abstinence, receive counseling, and find employment.
Following this role, Fred was hired as Assistant to the Director of Jewish Family Services in Baltimore.
The final position in his professional career was with Har Sinai Congregation, a Jewish Reform synagogue in Baltimore, where he served as Executive Director for 23 years before retiring in October 2005.
In retirement, Fred pursued his interests in hiking with The Maryland Hiking Club, exploring nature, and volunteering at The Irvine Nature Center, where he guided schoolchildren on nature hikes and assisted in the Center’s nature store.
Writing had been an interest since childhood, though Fred did not pursue it seriously until retirement. Beginning with children’s books, he became a member of the Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Association. Among the works he wrote were Vera and the Blue Bear Go to the Zoo, Never Bite an Elephant (And Other Bits of Wisdom), The Day the School Bus Drivers Went on Strike, If You Count, and The Day the School Devices Went on Strike. Although these works were never published, Fred hopes that if the CONCERTO books gain recognition, opportunities for these earlier works may follow.
The journey of writing the CONCERTO companion books began after Fred noticed a note on the local library bulletin board announcing the formation of a writer’s group led voluntarily by a local author. Joining the group with nine others, he learned the essentials of writing—maintaining the protagonist’s point of view, building tension toward a climax, rewriting, and developing complex characters with flaws, peculiarities, and unique personalities.
Over four years, Fred devoted significant time to writing, researching, rewriting, and submitting the manuscript. Originally one book titled The Auschwitz Concerto, the project was later divided into two volumes and self-published.
Encouragement from the teacher and fellow writers in the group played a pivotal role in shaping the novels, as Fred also contributed to the successes of others through critique and support.
In the Author’s Notes, Fred explains the purpose of making the books available to the public. Before embarking on the project, he knew little about the Holocaust beyond its staggering toll of nine million lives and its place as one of history’s darkest chapters. In writing the novels, he not only gained deeper knowledge of history and human suffering but also developed a heightened awareness of current issues that demand attention. As he notes, what affects one group of people has the potential to affect all of us.
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