A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True

This summary section includes Chapter 26: “All Souls,” Chapter 27: “The Soviets Will Keep You Warm,” and Chapter 28: “And the Puppy Too.”

Beata is puzzled by Tadeusz’s desire to avoid her. She finally gets him to agree to meet her, and he explains his absence by telling Beata that his family’s pawnshop isn’t doing well. With so many other mouths to feed, Tadeusz thinks he can help by enlisting in the army. This will bring some extra money to his parents. Beata is upset that he won’t even go for the audition at the cabaret although Irena is willing to arrange it for him. Tadeusz withdraws not only from his musical ambitions but also from his relationship with Beata.

The next morning, Irena wakes her niece early. It is All Souls Day, and Irena wants to visit her ex-husband’s grave. Beata is shocked that Irena asked her rather than Magda to go along. During the bus ride to the cemetery, Irena talks about her days as a crazy young painter. She fell in love with a charming man who developed an alcohol addiction. She toughed out the marriage for a decade for Magda’s sake but finally requested a divorce.