What was Joseph's relationship with Anna's mother?

Joseph and Inez, Anna's mother, grew up together in Hungary. They used to ride Inez's bicycle together. When they were 17, Joseph's brother sent him a steamship ticket to the United States. Inez had asked to marry him and take her with him. He had proposed marriage and promised to send for her when he had enough money. However, after he met Esther, he quit writing to Inez.