London fascinated Droozy, with its many gas filled balloons hovering under the sky, as if to protect it from harm. England looked even more grey than had been described under the wartime danger. People were rushing back and forth, speaking in half whispers, and gas masks hung from the necks of most of the population. Although Droozy, her sister, mother, and little brother were only passing through, they too were fitted with these masks to protect them from “deadly poison” which might be emanated by the enemy. After a few days in the big city, the four Abners left for Southampton to board a ship for America. America, the faraway land which would bring them to their father and husband, whom they had not seen for eighteen months. It was all so very exciting, especially for ten-year-old Droozy. There was a very gracious lady who agreed to vacate her apartment and permit the “foreign family” to move in until a boat would be available to transport them to their new land. The lady, Miss Johnson, was an angel, and Droozy immediately loved her. She took Fanny and Droozy to a clothing store and told the girls to choose any dress at all. Droozy chose a pretty cotton print with small flowers on it. This was a relief after wearing the same velvet garb for many weeks without having even one change. It was a pleasure to walk over the soft white cuddly bear rug which was gracing the floor of Miss Johnson’s bedroom.

On the day that the Steamship Washington was to sail for America, Mr. Cartwright, a social worker, accompanied Droozy’s family to the harbor. It was crowded with waiting travelers, who all seemed to be waiting to get on the huge ship. An announcement was made that due to the war and the torpedoes this would be the last passenger ship out of the Southampton harbor for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, only a limited number of passengers could be included in this trip since the boat had no space for all the people that wanted to leave immediately to get out of the war zone. The Abners had purchased passage on another ocean liner but that was no longer available since the army had taken it over. Droozy saw her mother weep and lament. She appeared to be stricken with grief. This meant that the family would be returned to Nazi Germany and would never see the new land or Albert Abner again. Mama knew if they were left behind, she and and her children would be thrown into the gas ovens.

Everyone appeared to be pleading with the ship’s captain for admission to the boat. American citizens were given first preference, next came those who had tickets for the S. S. Washington; then came people whose relatives were gravely ill in the United States. After that an announcement was made that the the boat’s capacity had been reached, in fact it was dangerously overfilled. Mr. Cartwright pleaded with the Captain for hours. At four o’clock in the afternoon the ship’s captain agreed to allow Droozy and her family on board ship, if they were willing to sleep on the floor of the ship’s post office. A deliriously happy shout came from Droozy’s lips when she heard the wonderful news! Droozy and her family were the last passengers to board that messenger of freedom, the S.S. Washington!

Up
Introduction
Pork Dumplings
Please Don't Eat the Goldfish
Pretty Shoes
Blueberry Cake
Sukkot
The Garden
Maxel
The Red Rabbit
Passover
The Lost Bathing Tickets
What Shall I Do?  The Double Message
Pieces of Gold
Aromas of the Sabbath
The Birth of a Brother
Green Apples
Herr Kübler
The Broken Leg
Boarding School
The American Calendar
Suse Puppe
Shirley Temple Eyes
Kristallnacht Nov. 9, 10, 11
Aunt (Tante) Mathilde
Ice Skates
The Cologne Cathedral
The Escape
A Belgian Holiday
Gas Balloons and the S. S. Washington
Papa
The Statue
A Bad Dream
A Pencil Thief
The West Virginia Hills
Thanksgiving
Ice Cream, Grieben and Baked Spaghetti
The Gypsy’s Song
Venetian Blinds
The Deaf One
Dimmed Lights
Marryyayo
Friendship
Norma Mae
The Spelling Bee
Run, Thief, Run!
Chances
The Candy Store
The Birthday Party
Deep, Shallow Waters
Red Riding Hood
Small Mama
Droozy In Love
Eskimo Pies
Apple Picking Time
Working Days
Easter Baskets
Valedictorian
Farewell
Blind Joe
Lessons Learned From Parents
About the Author