Persky could play a vital role in Rosa’s life. Let’s say he has the POTENTIAL to play a vital role, if Rosa allows it. So far, he hasn’t had much success. Persky is actually the perfect companion for Rosa. How coincidental that “two people from Warsaw meet in Miami, Florida.” Almost destined to meet. How fascinating and serendipitous!!!! Unfortunately, Rosa doesn’t see it that way. It shouldn’t take Persky, a seemingly observant fellow, very long to realize that something is up with Rosa, whose immediate response isn’t one filled with awe or joy or amazement but an indignant: “My Warsaw isn’t your Warsaw.” Not only are they both from Poland and relocated to Miami, but they are also close in age. Probably 999 out of 1,000 men would have beaten feet and gotten out of there as fast as possible. Persky is quite persistent, and on a regular basis throughout the course of the novel.

As the reader and a reader who reads with optimism I feel like Persky is the man for the job; the one who is finally able to pacify the demons. He is warm, good-humored, patient, and understanding. Sensing Rosa’s condition, he is completely honest with her about his past, and tries to relate as much as possible. “My son is over thirty, I still support him.” “If there’s one thing I know to understand, it’s mental conditions. I got it my whole life with my wife.” The empathy doesn’t have the desired effect as Persky had probably wished, but it’s as considerate as can be. She flees the scene, but he makes enough of an impression to warrant a second visit.

           

The second visit, Rosa finds Persky waiting in her hotel lobby, she reluctantly brings him up for tea. My optimism as a reader tingles when she actually agrees to bring Persky into her room. Will this lead to a transformation?!?! He starts off strong, trying to tell Rosa that it is a CHOICE, both for him and for her and for everybody. “I work from a different theory. For everything there’s a bad way of describing, also a good way. You pick the good way, you get along better.” Kind of like a favorite saying of mine: Optimists are right. Pessimists are also right. It’s up to you to choose which one you will be. Finding more Tree stuff in the box triggers a bad episode. What I hoped would be a time and place where these two made some kind of profound connection, instead she turns on him. “I’m not your button, Persky!…You took my laundry….you thief Persky!” Despite the extent to which Persky goes, his efforts have been fruitless. The book ends with probably the most senile act by Rosa the reader has seen yet. She really believes that she can see Magda. Not a good sign for this optimistic reader. It had potential too. Persistent ol’ Persky comes back the next day too, and Rosa calls him up, but I don’t believe he ever makes any progress in helping her; she seems too far-gone. Persky is quite persistent though, and perhaps, if he can convince Rosa to see Dr. Tree, maybe she can find a way to recognize that “all this” is a disease.