Mama caught me in a deliberate lie. I stood before her wondering what my punishment would he. Instead of scolding me, she had me sit next to her on the couch. Putting her arm around me she said, “I will tell you a story of what happened to me when I told a lie”.
I was only 17 when I emigrated from Europe and worked as a second cook in a wealthy Jewish Household. Mr. Braunstein, my Employer, was somewhat of a gourmet cook and enjoyed inviting a small group of special friends occasionally to dinner. He would plan his menus carefully and even go to Market to shop for delicacies he wanted to serve. One day, when he had already planned a dinner party, first cook became ill. He came to me and asked “Justine do you know how to cook asparagus?” Asparagus’ Mama said to me I had never heard of them and did not even know what they looked like’ However I was very proud of my cooking abilities and not wanting to let my employer know my ignorance, replied : "Yes Sir”. “Good,” he said, “And I will show you how to make the sauce.” Then he returned from the market and I saw the asparagus for the first time I thought this should be easy. So I prepared this strange new vegetable by cutting off the tons, threw them away and cooked the stems. Since the kitchen was in the basement the prepared food went to the dining room via a dumbwaiter and in turn the soiled dishes were sent down to the Kitchen.
I had just sat down to rest a moment when I heard the rattling of the dumbwaiter. This shouldn’t be, They could not possibly have finished dinner. Fearfully I opened the door and there was my platter of asparagus untouched. At the same time I heard the clatter of footsteps on the stairs, and in burst Mr. Braunstein, LIVID’“Justine”, he cried “You lied to me I have always been proud of my Dinners and you embarrassed me in front of my friends. They actually laughed when they saw the asparagus.’ I should Fire you.” I stood petrified. Horrified at the thought of wandering around alone in this huge strange city, not understanding or being able to speak its language. I burst into tears and begged him not to fire me. Looking at me, he calmed down, and said “Of course I am not going to fire you but you must promise never to lie again.
As I sat crying, Mama told me a lie always involves other people, she had hurt Mr. Braunstein with her lie and embarrassed him in front of his friends. Suppose he had fired me, and I was left alone in this strange city. I Probably would not have met Papa and we would not have been a family.
At this thought I sobbed more loudly at the possibility of Papa not being my Papa. Gradually I stopped crying. Mama gave me a gentle nudge and said, “Go wash your face and don’t forget to go to Confession on Saturday”. With these last words I stood rooted to the floor. Confession! Horrified, I realized that not only did I lie but in doing so I committed a Sin! Visions of dying and going to Hell swam through my young mind. You do not have to guess as to who was first in line at the confessional on Saturday.
Anne Humbach
April-06
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