April 1939. Warsaw, Poland. To the casual observer, the houses on Podwale Street look very much alike. Yet at 16 Podwale, nothing is as it seems. Within, the walls hold many secrets that could destroy the lives of its inhabitants as they witness the city’s ever-mounting tide of Nazism. Wealthy recluse Elwira Malinowska is more an observer than participant in life. In her seclusion at 16 Podwale, she watches the world pass her by. Then Raz Zielinsky comes to work as a housemaid for her father, and Elwira’s life is suddenly divisible by two -- the time before Raz and the time after. Years pass, and the women become lovers. They depend on each other. Elwira is Raz’s protector, and Raz is Elwira’s conduit to the outside world, where people speak of nothing but the continual threat of war with Germany. Elwira, a steadfast Catholic, believes Pope Pius XII will intervene to save Poland from the rumblings of a maniac and an imminent invasion. But when the Pope fails to mediate peace and the political situation worsens, Elwira and Raz plan their escape to freedom.

The View from 16 Podwale Street

“Yes,” he said, perhaps reading her thoughts, “but at what cost? The latest reports say Poland is next. The Germans will barricade the roads at the borders. It will happen, as you said, very fast, as it did with our neighbors. I am sure of it.” 


She put up her hand as if to interrupt, but he went on. 


“Some say it is already in motion, that it is becoming difficult if not impossible to leave the country by legitimate means.”


She gave him a quizzical look. “Is there any other way to leave Poland?”


“Then you must leave while you can,” she said. “Take Rachel and your family. You are the ones in danger if what you say is true.” He didn’t act surprised. Was it Raz who told her Rachel’s parents were Jews? 


“Yes, we will leave. We have already arranged it,” he said.


“Here, it is only Raz and I. We will manage.”


Chapter 5