moment is getting closer. Will I do OK? I have a funny feeling in my belly and my knees are knocking.
"Now," says Rivka. The clock shows eight exactly.
"Tshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" All eyes turn to the sky. From the direction of the beach a red firework rocket climbs into the air. That is the work of Joram, the commander. I take the parcel from Rivka, pull off the wrapping paper, and throw the contents in the air. The leaflets fly apart and float to the ground like snow. People rush to grab them, some trying to catch them in the air. I also bend down and pick one up. We walk on, acting as though we are interested in what we read.
My movements were automatic. At the critical moment I did not feel anything. I am filled with unbelievable pride. I am not a coward. I can act no less than the others.
"Hey, you, come over here!" A policeman appears from Shenkin Street. My heart stops. We will have to try a trick. Maybe he saw me throwing the leaflets in the air.
"What do you want?" I smile bravely and throw a meaningful glance over my shoulder. I am surprised at how firm my voice sounds. I am very frightened. The policeman opens his mouth to say something, but changes his mind. We walk past him into Shenkin Street, toward the meeting place.
The leaflet says that the soldiers of the National Military Organization,3 as a reprisal for the attacks of the Arabs, have exploded a bomb at an Arab market and killed so and so many Arabs.
I am bursting with pride, feel like a hero, in the best possible mood. I have taken part in a dangerous operation, I say to myself. I am a man. I slip my arm around Rivka’s waist.
"Stop it!" she says and turns away from me.
"We are being followed," I lie. Our orders are to act like lovers when in danger.
We are supposed to go to a small park behind the health center, on Mazeh Street. It is dark in the corner. We are the first there. We had the shortest distance to go. I lead Rivka to a hidden bench next to some bushes and push her into the place next to me. She moves away. I pull her back toward me.
"Have you gone mad?" she exclaims, but stays in my arms. There is a rustling in the bushes. The second couple has arrived.