I Must Betray You

Bunu and Cristian await the fall of communism in Yugoslavia. Cristian writes in his notebook and wonders about the future of Romania. A few days later, he learns from Starfish that the well-known Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci is fleeing to the United States. Cristian wonders if Mr. Van Dorn may have helped her. He considers whether this means that the United States knows the truth about conditions in Romania.

Cristian continues to write in his notebook, detailing the truth about life in Romania and begging for help. He decides he must risk getting the notebook to Mr. Van Dorn and labels its author as “Anonymous.” He worries about the likely repercussions but is committed to taking action.

Cristian returns to the Van Dorn apartment, and then he and Dan head to the American Library. As they walk, Dan tells him that a new US ambassador is scheduled to arrive whom Mr. Van Dorn must train. At the library, Cristian reads the latest Time magazine and wonders why communism is ending everywhere except Romania. Before leaving, he returns the Springsteen article to Dan, telling him that possession of it could get Cristian into trouble the same way that the American dollar did. Dan is confused, insisting he never left a dollar in the stamp album for Cristian. Cristian is left speculating who is responsible and how the Securitate learned of it.

Cristian arrives at his apartment building to find it adorned with lit candles and a wooden cross. He presumes the mother of the woman from Boston has passed away, but he is confused when someone offers him condolences. Cristian rushes inside to find his mother smoking and knows something is wrong. He finds Bunu dead, but not of cancer—he has been viciously attacked. Cristian is shocked and enraged that someone could beat an elderly man to death. His mother angrily tells Cristian that Bunu’s fate is “what happens to philosophers” (154).

The family carries out mourning rituals for Bunu. Cristian is devasted and worried that his actions may have played a role in the attack. He imagines what he would say were he able to speak to Bunu, dreaming up jokes he might share with him. Neighbors and friends visit to offer condolences, and Cristian speaks with Bunu’s chess partner—the man who gave him the message about the coffee. He explains that Bunu was regarded as a dissident and was summoned by the Securitate many times. The man slowly reveals to Cristian that he suspects Bunu was poisoned during these meetings through the coffee he drank. Cristian finally understands that Bunu did not suffer from cancer and that his dissident stance was what angered Cristian’s mother. Cristian resolves to spur rebellion in Romania.

Liliana, Alex, and their parents come to the apartment to mourn Bunu. Cristian is surprised and confused that Liliana joined them. The two don’t have many opportunities to speak, but Liliana does tell Cristian that she is sorry—whether for the death of Bunu or the circumstances between the two of them, Cristian does not know. The family leaves, and Luca approaches Cristian to confide that he had been attempting to get closer to Liliana. Cristian is angry and accuses Luca of informing on Liliana’s father. Luca leaves enraged and Cristian breaks down as the woman from Boston tries to comfort him.

Cici is upset by what has been done to Bunu, certain that his anti-government actions will cause repercussions for the family. She notes that their mother is becoming more and more withdrawn. Cristian agrees, still trying to reconcile his compliance with the Securitate with the attack on Bunu. He recalls news of a woman who had successfully smuggled a message out of Romania regarding the deplorable state of the country—the statement was broadcast on Radio Free Europe, which horrified Cristian’s mother while bolstering Bunu.

Alone in his closet bedroom, Cristian begins to write in his notebook but notices a scrap of paper in the door frame. It is a note from Bunu, urging Cristian to remain true to his beliefs. The note bolsters Cristian, assuring him that Bunu understood the position Cristian is in and was aware that his life was in danger.

The atmosphere in the household continues to be tense as the family members worry that they may be targets for the regime. One evening, his father joins Cristian on the balcony and tells a joke—the kind about the government that Bunu was known for telling.

Cristian continues his plan to leave his notebook for Mr. Van Dorn to find. He has decided he will wrap it as if it is a gift so that Mr. Van Dorn will be sure not to discard it. Cristian wraps the notebook, then heads to school. He is both excited and nervous as the notebook has never been taken from the confines of his closet bedroom. He knows it could prove dangerous if it is found.

Throughout the school day, Cristian is anxious. He sees both Liliana and Luca but does not speak to them. He imagines that the notebook is like a bomb set to explode. The Securitate agent does not summon him that day and Cristian wonders if he is done with him. After school, he heads to Dan’s apartment, rehearsing his plan for leaving the notebook.

Mrs. Van Dorn lets Cristian into their apartment and offers condolences for Bunu. She tells Cristian that Dan and Mr. Van Dorn are out but will return soon. This wait allows Cristian to slide the wrapped notebook onto Mr. Van Dorn’s desk between some papers.

Dan and his father return home from the US embassy store with food, and Dan slips Cristian some Twinkies.

As they walk to the American Library, Dan tells Cristian he won’t be returning to Romania after the holiday as his parents have agreed to let him live temporarily with his godparents in Dallas. He gives Cristian some collectible postage stamps as a holiday gift. Cristian is nervous about accepting the gift—anything received from a foreigner must be reported—but delighted by it. Dan wants Cristian to read the essay he wrote for admission to Princeton. Cristian is torn and feels ill. The information Dan wants to share with him is exactly what the Securitate is eager to obtain: an American’s view of Romania. But Cristian feels loyalty toward Dan, who considers Cristian a friend. He avoids reading the essay by telling Dan he feels sick and should go. Before he leaves, Dan asks Cristian for his mailing address, wanting to remain in touch. Cristian knows such correspondence is illegal but complies.

Time passes and Cristian wonders if Mr. Van Dorn found his notebook. One day while he is on the balcony, Cici joins him, giving him a warm shirt she made for him to sleep in. She tells him that Bunu’s chess partner has been placed under house arrest. Their conversation continues, but something catches Cristian’s attention in the street below: it is Liliana and Luca talking together. Cici tells Cristian not to concern himself with them and reminds him that they must be careful. Cristian thinks of how he wishes he could confess his informer role to her, but instead merely thanks her for the garment and heads to bed.