Twist

A short story that explores themes of memory, trauma, and the lingering effects of historical atrocity. The narrative centers around a Holocaust survivor, Mendel, who works as a janitor in a dance studio in New York City. Though quiet and reserved, Mendel becomes captivated by a young ballet dancer named Eva, whose grace and movement stir something deep within him.

As Mendel observes Eva's dancing, the physical beauty and freedom of her body contrasts starkly with the memories of suffering and violence that haunt him. Through fragmented memories and subtle revelations, it becomes clear that Mendel is grappling with the horrors of his past—including time spent in a concentration camp—and the loss of his family.

The title, Twist, refers not only to the physical motion of dance but also to the emotional and psychological "twist" inside Mendel—a man whose present is forever shaped by a brutal past.