thought with dismay of Mr Aaron. Does he have family in Germany?
He reached out, took The Star from Job and read on.
Another man called out loudly, “Why should we worry about the Jews?”
“Because one day it might be you!” a usually quiet man said firmly.
“It could be you. Hitler doesn’t like black people either,” Job spoke out. “I read that there are not many black people left in Germany. Some have escaped and many have been killed. A few black actors have been allowed to stay for Nazi propaganda films, to act as buffoons, and they have been sterilised so they can’t have children.”
There was a horrified silence.
“So what will he do if he wins this war and comes here?” Job asked. “The Italian army is helping the Germans. They’re in East Africa. I think I will go and fight this war.”
Sipho was silent as he read the article. He thought about his father, and how worried he had been after a discussion with Mr Aaron about Hitler. Then he nodded decisively. “My father hated fighting. He said, ‘War is terrible but Hitler is not a man you can talk to. You can’t discuss things with such a man.’ I know many men won’t come back from this war, but we must fight Hitler.”
*
When the army recruiting officers arrived, Job signed up immediately.
“Perhaps you should wait a bit, Sipho, until you’re older …” he suggested again.
But Sipho was already signing his name beneath Job’s, wondering where it would take them. Wondering what they would see.
Wondering if they would return.
*
And only later that night did Sipho remember Job’s excited voice saying he had two bits of news.
“So, Job? What’s the other news you had for me?”
“Good news: Zanele said yes!”
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