“What?” She paled, but before she could ask anything about that, Tommy set his foot down and grimaced. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re limping! Let’s get you comfortable and then you can explain.”
Still leaning on Rudi, Tommy hopped past his mother on one foot. She stepped out of the way, and Rudi was well aware he was being inspected the entire time. Was it his accent, or was it her fear of strangers he’d been warned about? Either way, he decided not to speak again unless he really had to.
In the living room, he watched them talk. Tommy spoke far too quickly for Rudi to understand everything that was being said, but he could tell from the horror on the woman’s face that he was describing how he’d tried to get out of the ice.
Moments later she blinked at Rudi. “You saved my boy,” she said gratefully.
“There’s more to the story, Mom. After the storm, Rudi and I were stuck in the camp, and I think I broke a rib or two, but my toes, they—”
“Let me see. What’s the trouble?”
She knelt by her son’s feet, slipped off Tommy’s boots, then rolled down his socks. His toes were much darker than before, and a couple of the blisters were actually bleeding. Both feet were a waxy kind of yellow.
“Oh, Tommy!” she gasped, her hands flying to her cheeks. “Frostbite! I’m going to call the doctor right now.” She jumped to her feet and ran out the door without another word.
“My uncle has a telephone. We don’t,” Tommy explained.
Moments later she bustled back into the room. “The doctor’s on his way.” Her gaze went to Tommy’s foot, and she clenched her hands. “Oh my. That looks terrible. I sure hope he can do something.”
“Yeah. Me too.” Then Tommy took a deep breath and blurted out, “Rudi doesn’t have anywhere to stay. He was at the camp, but it’s too far for him to head back now, so I said he could stay here a spell. Maybe help out while I get better.”
Her mouth opened, but she seemed at a loss.
“I know he’s a stranger to you, but he’s not to me,” Tommy said, filling the silence. “I wouldn’t be here without him. I think we owe him a bed for a night.”
She gave Rudi a tight smile. “Oh, I think we can do that, at least for tonight,” she said. “He can bunk with you.”
“Thanks, Mom. And don’t worry. It’ll be fine. Really.”
Timidly, she asked, “So Rudi, where’s home for you?”
Rudi had hoped this question could have waited. “I—”
“Mom, Rudi’s German.”
She hesitated just long enough for him to sense her shock. “So you . . . you don’t live here in Nova Scotia?”
“No,” he said. “I am living before in Germany, but I want living in Canada.” He heard his mistake, rushed to fix it. “Sorry. I want to live in Canada.”
“Rudi was with the German Navy,” Tommy jumped in to explain. “But he doesn’t want to fight anymore, so he was kind of hiding out at the camp.”
Rudi winced. Somehow hearing the truth said out loud was worse than just thinking it.
“A deserter?” She covered her mouth as soon as she spoke the foul word. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean . . . that’s a good thing, right? To want to desert from the German Navy, I mean.”
Rudi found it easier to lie this time. “Yes. Is good thing.”
She was considering his words when someone knocked on the door. “That must be the doctor.” She gave Rudi an apologetic shrug. “Would you . . . I’m sorry to ask, Rudi, but I think it might be better if the doctor didn’t know there was a stranger in the house. Fewer questions, you see. Maybe you could go to the shed for a little while? I will come and get you after.”
Tommy agreed, though he sounded reluctant. “It’s easier that way.”
The shed was dark and musty, and the sweat from Rudi’s long trek dried into a sticky, cold layer over his skin. He squatted in the corner, hugging himself and wishing none of this had happened. He should have let the boy drown. He should have walked away, let the rest of the ice crack and pull him under just as it had with Rudi’s crewmates. Men died all the time. If Tommy had died, Rudi would still be living comfortably in the quiet camp.
Then he imagined Tommy dead, and he was ashamed. When had he become the kind of man who could think that way?
His instinct was to run, except a big part of him was tired of hiding. He was here now, and he had to believe this was for the best. As content as he had been at the camp, the uncertainty of his future had hung over his head like a rock. Here in the real world he still had no idea what might be in store for him, but at least he was no longer alone.
SEVENTEEN
“My mother wants you to meet Uncle Danny,” Tommy said when Rudi came back inside. They’d just wolfed down some sandwiches, and Rudi was starting to feel more human. “He’s kind of in charge around here.”
“Now?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
It was dark, but the house where they were headed was alight with electricity. Tommy had said his foot was already feeling better after the doctor cleaned it and wrapped it up, but he wasn’t able to put any weight on it yet, so Rudi served as his crutch as they headed up the path.
“Uncle Danny’s a good man, but he can be”—Tommy clenched his fist in illustration—“tough.”
Tough. That was fine. Rudi knew tough.
The man who answered the door was tall, and Rudi estimated he was in his early forties. He was also wearing a wooden leg. Rudi stood tall but kept his face open, deferential, as he would while standing in front of his captain. He understood this kind of man, and he suspected strongly that what he said and did in this house would play a big part in determining his immediate future.
“Tommy!” Mr. Baker said. “I’ve been expecting you ever since your mother said you were back.” He eyed Tommy’s bandaged foot. “You doing okay?”
“Yes, sir. I’m okay now.” He gestured towards Rudi. “Uncle Danny, I want you to meet a friend of mine. He’s kind of a stranger to these parts. His name’s Rudi Weiss.”
“Rudi Weiss.” He held out a hand, and Rudi took it. Danny held on longer than Rudi expected, and his grip was tight. “So I’m to thank a Nazi for rescuing my nephew, am I?”
It felt a little like a slap. Rudi opened his mouth to respond, but Tommy spoke first.
“Rudi’s not a Nazi anymore, sir.”
“Oh really? Not anymore?” Danny slid his scrutiny to his nephew. “That sounds like an interesting story. Why don’t you come in, and Rudi can explain how you two happened to meet.”
Tommy gave Rudi one last warning. Ready? he mouthed.
Rudi smiled.
He entered the spacious living room, noticing the upscale but modest furniture. Paintings hung frame to frame on all four walls, some landscapes, but mostly portraits. He wanted to pause by each one, admire and appreciate the skill of the artist. He hoped he would get the opportunity.
“Audrey,” Mr. Baker called down the hall, gesturing for the two men to sit on the couch.
“Yes?”
“Tommy and his friend are here. Would you bring us some tea, please?” He sank into an armchair, regarded Rudi coolly. “Too bad you’ve missed most of the family. My sons’ wives have all turned in for the night. They work most of the day and have small children, so you understand they need to get their rest.”
The only words Rudi caught were family, children, and understand, but he watched the man intently, wanting to comprehend everything. Mr. Baker was a soldier, he could tell, probably from the first war. His guarded countenance reminded Rudi of his own father; this man had a family to protect.
Tommy cleared his throat. “Rudi’s working on his English, sir, but it’s not very good yet.”
“You been teaching him, have you?”
“Yes, sir. We were together a few days in the woods with nothing to do but play cards and talk, so we both learned some stuff.”
“How interesting.”
“You wanna hear how he saved my life?”
“I do love a
good story.”
Tommy relayed the story again, and Rudi had the distinct impression that Tommy was making him look better than he really was. Trying to get his uncle to think well of him, which Rudi appreciated.
“Well, that’s quite an adventure.”
Danny leaned back, his fingers steepled in front of his mouth. His gratitude seemed genuine, but Rudi knew it wasn’t going to be that easy. It couldn’t be.
“Thank you,” Danny said, “for rescuing my nephew and bringing him back in one piece.” He turned to Tommy. “How are your feet?”
“Just a couple of toes, sir. Doctor says he doesn’t think I’ll lose them. And I guess I broke a rib, which hurts like the dickens when I sneeze. I gather I’m pretty lucky—touch wood.”
A flash of colour caught Rudi’s attention, and he barely managed to contain his surprise. Standing in the doorway, gawking at him, was Grace.
“Grace, can you help your mother with the tea, please?”
“Uh . . . sure, Dad,” she said, but as she turned away she shot Rudi a confused look.
Dad?! Rudi’s palms were slick, his mouth dry. He did all he could to look neutral, as if he hadn’t recognized his host’s daughter.
“And now Herr Weiss is living at your house?” Mr. Baker asked.
“Yes, sir. And he can help out since I can’t do much.”
“I’m sure.” Mr. Baker studied Rudi thoughtfully. “He sure looks strong enough. Tell me, Tommy, did you find out what he was doing at our camp? A young, healthy German man all alone in the woods?”
“Of course. That was one of the first things I asked him.”
“Because I must say, I never expected to have a Nazi in my living room.” He squinted at Rudi. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“He was at the dance,” Tommy said.
“With his friends. That’s right. And where are they now?”
“He doesn’t know. He’s been living on his own for weeks. His ship went down east of here and he says he was the only survivor, so like I said, he’s been living on his own ever since. He was lucky to find the camp. And now he’s decided he’s staying here, not going back to Germany.”
“I see,” Danny said, tapping his fingers. “He deserted.”
“Yes, well, I don’t think he’s proud of that part, but he says he doesn’t want to fight anymore.”
“Some might say that makes him a coward. Rudi, do you know that word?”
“No, sir. I don’t think he knows it.”
“I asked him, Tommy. Please let your friend speak.”
“I understand, sir,” Rudi replied.
“Good. So you understand that deserters are cowards.”
“Yes, sir. Deserter is bad. But please understand. Nazi is more bad.”
“Why do you want to stay here?”
“Is good, Canada. And people not killing.”
“Sure we are. My boys are out there killing your boys right now.”
Rudi stopped short, afraid he might accidentally say something he’d regret. He had to be smart, consider what this man was all about. What he’d done, what he’d lost.
“Yes, sir,” he said. “Germany is starting war. I understand Canada must fight.”
“He doesn’t—”
“Tommy, don’t you think your friend deserves a chance to speak for himself?”
Tommy slumped. “Yes, sir.”
Grace and a woman Rudi presumed was her mother slid into the living room. He met Grace’s eyes again when she stood between her father and him, offering tea from a tray, but he couldn’t read her.
“So if you don’t want to be a Nazi anymore, what’s your plan?” Mr. Baker asked.
Grace almost spilled the tea in Rudi’s lap. Wide-eyed, she turned towards her father, and Rudi wished he could disappear.
“Nazi?” her mother exclaimed. “What are you talking about, Danny?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Danny said, reassuring his wife. “We’ll talk about this later. Thank you for the tea. Would you and Grace mind leaving us for a bit?”
Rudi saw Grace’s reluctance in the way she stared at him, and once she and her mother left, he felt absolutely useless. She must have a million questions running through her mind. If only he could follow her out, try to explain. But Mr. Baker was waiting for an answer. All Rudi could do was try to convince this man to give him a chance. Maybe then he’d get the opportunity to speak with Grace again, to do what he could to ease the hurt from her eyes.
Grace
EIGHTEEN
Grace burst into her room and threw herself onto her bed, holding in a scream of frustration. A Nazi? Really? He couldn’t just have been a shy trapper from somewhere “east of here”? But of course he was a Nazi! A damn murdering German most likely bent on killing them all. And he was a liar. He’d acted so quiet and sweet at the store, made her feel so special—how stupid she’d been! How utterly naive!
Then again, she should have expected something like this, she reminded herself. She should have known she couldn’t get that lucky. After all this time, what right did she have to fall for a normal, attractive, interesting man? She squeezed the pillow, trying not to cry and failing miserably.
Her father knocked on her door. “Grace?”
She sat up, wiped her eyes. “Yes?”
“Can I come in?”
She didn’t look too bad in the mirror. Maybe he wouldn’t suspect the tears. “Sure, Dad.”
He peered around the door. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Just . . . oh, you know. Thinking about Norman.”
“Well, I don’t mean to intrude, but I wanted to tell you the same thing I just told everyone else. About the man downstairs. Rudi’s his name.”
“Oh?” Even hearing her father say his name made her feel like sobbing again. “What was that you said about him being a Nazi?”
He stuck his thumbs through the base of his suspenders, leaned against her door frame. “We’re in a bit of a spot right now. From what we’ve heard, he’s a German deserter. But he did save Tommy’s life, so—”
“What?!”
“Tommy fell through the ice. Rudi pulled him out and brought him home.”
This was the strangest conversation she’d had with her father in a very long time. Maybe ever. How could he stand there, calmly calling Rudi a Nazi, then telling her Tommy almost died?
“Anyway,” he was saying, “I’ve decided to let him stay with us for a while, since he doesn’t have a place to live. He’s been out at Abbecombec, at the camp.” One eyebrow lifted. “But, Grace, I don’t want any fuss about this. We’re not going to mention to anyone that he’s here until we get to know him better. If anyone sees him and asks who he is, we’ll say he’s a friend of a friend, freshly returned from war, and he’s not in any condition to hold conversations. I want everyone to stay away from him, including you.”
“Fine.” She couldn’t think of anyone she’d rather not see. “What’s he gonna do out here? Work at the plant?”
“Tommy suggested that, but no. Whether he’s deserting or not, he admits he was a Nazi. Not too many people around here would appreciate knowing we have one of them living here. I said he could stay and do some jobs around here until we figure out something else. That way he’ll be out of sight.”
She didn’t know how to answer. So many emotions swirled through her, blocked her words. Rudi’s a Nazi. Rudi is a liar. Rudi’s going to live right here!
“All right then. You sure you’re okay?”
“I will be.” He started to close the door behind him, and she dared herself to say what she was thinking. “You’re being awfully generous, hiding a Nazi here.”
His mouth twisted to one side. “Well, we’re not hiding a typical Nazi, I hope.”
“Sounds like you are.”
He sighed and drummed his fingers against the door frame. “We have to give him the benefit of the doubt. He saved Tommy’s life. And he says he doesn’t want to be a Nazi, which is something we should encourage, d
on’t you think?”
“Yes, if you think he’s telling the truth. I just don’t know if he is.”
“Of course. I’m unsure too, and I hope I made the right call. It’s just that when I think about the predicament he’s in, I can’t help but think about your brothers. I’m doing what I hope someone would do for one of them, if it ever came to that.” He shrugged. “We’ll find out soon enough, I imagine.”
She switched on the bedside lamp after he’d gone, sat back on the bed, and reached for The Body in the Library, thinking maybe Miss Marple could distract her. But the little wooden ladybug stared woefully down at her from its perch on top of her stack of books.
“You didn’t tell me about him,” she muttered, smoothing her finger over its back, “and I did ask.”
For two days she followed orders and stayed away from Tommy’s house, but she was aware of Rudi’s presence every minute. She heard him hammering, occasionally saw him striding towards the shed, carrying supplies. When he paused midstep and glanced up at the house one afternoon, she actually ducked behind her window.
And that’s when she decided it was getting ridiculous. He might be the enemy, but he wasn’t going to force her to hide in her own house. She had to face this problem head-on. On Sunday morning, as her family prepared for church, she excused herself, saying she felt unwell. Her mother came to check on her, but she waved her off.
“I’m not a child, Maman. And I’m not deathly ill. Thank you, but I’ll be all right. I just need a little rest.”
Then the bells on the wagon jingled, her family’s voices faded, and Grace got to work.
Rudi
NINETEEN
The shed needed more than a new roof. The walls were rotting, as were some of the shelves—one had even collapsed, and everything was in disarray as a result. Once they had done an inspection, Mr. Baker arranged for a delivery of lumber so Rudi could fix the whole building. When he wasn’t working on the construction, Rudi took care of Tommy’s jobs, since his damaged foot made him just about useless around the house.
Tommy was contrite about Rudi’s assignment in the barn, but Rudi waved him off. “Is good here, Tommy.”
Come from Away Page 11
