Summary

As months since her release pass, Kasia realizes that her life post-camp has improved only slightly. “The war continued for us, just under a new dictator, Stalin” (333). The law enforcement agency of The Red Army executes thousands of Polish political prisoners, leaving Kasia to notice that, “Instead of a fresh start, Poland got new forms of injustice” (334). One day, Kasia goes to the secret stone in the wall by Nadia’s old house and removes Kornel Makuszynski’s novel Satan from the Second Grade, her favorite childhood book, opening the pages to reveal, “all ten of Pietrik’s dance tickets she’d bought for me” (334). More nostalgia soon follows as Kasia, Zuzanna and Papa decide to open the tin cans they buried in the backyard the night the Germans took their city. Paintbrushes, millet, a silver revolver and clothing come out...