I raised myself onto my elbows but said nothing. I really wanted not to like this girl, but was failing miserably.
“You think you’re sly,” she said, shaking her head. “I know you took something from my suitcase. I want it back, by tomorrow.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe you’d better check your suitcase again.”
“Oh, you’re good, but you’re not that good,” she said. “And trust me, you’re not the only one with secrets. Good night, Prussian.” She closed the door.
I lay back down on the cold tile floor. I reached into my pocket and pulled out her note about the sewing kit. What sort of girl leaves a promissory note in the midst of a bloodbath?
An honest one.
I stared at her pretty handwriting, memorizing it and tracing over her signature with my finger. I had slipped the drawing back into her suitcase. Yes, I was that good.
Good night, Joana.
alfred
Good morning, Hannelore!
Today shall be a busy day. In a few hours we will begin registration for all of these fine ladies of the lake, the ships that will save thousands. There is quite an armada assembled here at the naval base. But my boat, the Willi G, as we navy men call her, is a real mackerel amidst the minnows.
A letter arrived from Mutter. She informed me that nosy Frau Henkel has been gossiping untruths on our doorstep. Indeed, I saw the old swollen Frau peeking from beneath her curtains when those Hitler Youth irritants arrived at my door and insisted on coming inside. They were so arrogant and aggressive. I am thankful that Mutter was on an errand to the baker during their visit. Of course I didn’t mention the episode to her. The war had already disrupted her nerves to the point of exhaustion. But apparently old sow Henkel has brought it up, so I now feel compelled to make comment.
After the pests left our home I happened to be in our bathroom. I noticed that you promptly left your kitchen and walked toward the foyer when the boys of Hitler Youth came knocking. I still wonder why you moved so quickly to the door.
We cannot be too cautious, Hannelore. Just because someone knocks on the door doesn’t mean you have to open it. Sometimes, sweet girl, there are wolves at the door. If we are not careful, they might eat us.
joana
We left the movie house at dawn and walked to the port. The energy in the harbor had escalated to a frenzy.
Refugees hauled possessions however they could. Eva dodged a man on a bicycle and pointed across the road. “Is that a dining table?” A tired horse dragged an inverted table loaded and strapped with belongings. “Talk about a last supper. Sorry,” said Eva.
A few hundred yards away sat Oxh?ft station. Eva threaded through the crowd, collecting information.
“They say wounded soldiers will be brought via train if the railways are still operating. Several claim the Russians have already bombed the entire track.”
Rumors spread like infection. Some said Berlin didn’t care about the Germans in East Prussia. Others said boys as young as twelve were being conscripted, carrying guns taller than they were.
“Why are you so nervous?” said Eva. “You know you’re getting on a boat. You told me you’ve got a letter.”
“Shh.” I looked behind me to see if anyone was near. “I don’t want the others to know.”
“Why the secrecy?” whispered Eva.
“I don’t want them to think I’ll have preferential treatment or opportunity.”
“It’s a letter from the doctor in Insterburg saying you’re good at dealing with blood and guts, Joana. I’m sorry, but I don’t call that an opportunity,” she said.
“The whole thing’s unfair, Eva. You know that. Hitler allowed me into Germany. He thinks some Baltic people are ‘Germanizable.’ But for every person like me that Hitler brought in, he pushed some poor soul, like Emilia, out.”
Eva shrugged. “Life’s not fair. You’re lucky.”
I didn’t feel lucky. I felt guilty.
“Do you think you have time to be moral?” snapped Eva. “The Russians are right around the corner. If you wait, they’ll be under your skirt and you’ll be dead. Sorry, but don’t waste your time with some goodwill gesture for a lost Polish kid. Get in line and get on a boat. It’s been nice to trek with everyone, but now we’re here. I don’t need a group. I need my belongings and I need a ship.”
I saw a young sailor digging through a pile of luggage.
“Excuse me,” I said.
The sailor stood upright quickly, trying to conceal a crystal butterfly behind his back.
“Good morning, ladies. Alfred Frick, at your service.”
florian
I stood behind the shoe poet and the Polish girl, straining to hear the exchange between Joana and the sailor. The Polish girl did her best to conceal me.
The sailor rambled. “I was sent to meet a train that’s due in. I thought I would make use of the valuable time and perhaps reunite some precious items with their owners.”