We Were the Lucky Ones

Genek and Herta awaken to a knock on the door in the middle of the night. A voice yells to them in Russian, announcing the secret police. Genek goes to answer the door, telling himself that he has done nothing and has nothing to fear. The soldiers barge in and begin to search the apartment. When Genek demands to know what right they have to intrude, an officer retorts that they have a warrant. Genek hears the soldiers ransacking the other rooms.

The officer tells Genek that he is wanted for interrogation, and Herta insists on coming with him. Genek and Herta have three minutes to dress. Herta begins to pack a suitcase since they have no idea when they will return. Genek packs one as well, and they decide to bring their winter clothes and some food. Herta notices that her pocketbook, with most of their money, is missing from the bedroom, stolen by one of the soldiers.

Genek and Herta are taken to a room to be questioned by an officer, who holds a questionnaire form that Genek filled out when he signed the lease on their apartment in Lvov. The officer asks why they have not returned to Radom, and although Genek answers that he found a job in Lvov, this is not the whole truth: “In all honesty, he is reluctant to return home.