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The Power of Testimony

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SAVING MY ASSASSIN<br />

we’d pressed earlier. “Do you want the Securitate to put you<br />

in the hospital again?”<br />

“At least there I will be free to speak my mind.”<br />

Uncle Antony knelt at his father’s feet and grasped his<br />

hands. “What about me? I don’t want to be confined in the<br />

psychiatric hospital. You know they will take me this time if<br />

you don’t stop talking.”<br />

Uncle Carol held his son’s gaze then lowered his head.<br />

“I will be quiet for you, but I will not be free.” I saw many<br />

emotions pass between them—cooperation and resistance<br />

mixed with love and hate. Why?<br />

Uncle Antony returned to the family room. I knelt beside<br />

Uncle Carol. “Do you want a drink <strong>of</strong> water?” He nodded,<br />

then another scream from next door reached our ears. He<br />

pressed his hand against his chest.<br />

I ran to the kitchen and poured a glass <strong>of</strong> water. Passing<br />

the family room, I stopped in the doorway at the mention <strong>of</strong><br />

Anna’s name. Today was her birthday, my mother was saying.<br />

“She had her own wing in the family mansion across town<br />

long before her birth.” I had passed that home—a massive<br />

white stone mansion overlooking the lake—many times in<br />

my travels across Techirghiol. Although it was now a kind <strong>of</strong><br />

hotel, I could not bring my clients <strong>of</strong> ordinary people from<br />

Dragalina Square to its doors. It was reserved for Communist<br />

Party leaders on vacation.<br />

From the conversation, I heard about Anna growing up<br />

with nannies, servants, a personal tutor, and a driver. I heard<br />

about her travels with her parents all over the world, until her<br />

26

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