“Is there anything you can do to find her an attorney to help with the business? Perhaps it could be sold?”
“In this economy? She'd do best to try to keep it. She said in her letters that Fritz received a contract from the War Department for uniforms.”
Shocked at his misguided brother, “Jacob, she is a woman. The Nazi Party does not encourage women to operate businesses. They will take it from her, and she will have no way to support herself.”
Jacob placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, “No fear. I will look into finding someone to help her. Many of the members of my organization have counterparts in Germany. She will be taken care of.”
Alois continued chopping and occasionally stirred the stew on the stove. “Poor Fritz, he did not deserve that. He was a good man.”
Jacob's eyes widened. “A good man? He was our father's best friend, and when Father died he swooped in on an innocent girl.”
“Why do you say such things? He was very good to Hedwig and Edmund after our parents died. They would have been on the street if it were not for him.”
Jacob tasted the stew with a spoon. “We have a difference of opinion on the man. I called him when our parents passed and told him the two of us would save enough to bring our siblings here. He insisted on taking care of them, which at the time I thought he was being nice.”
“He was being nice, and he cared for them both.”
“You must grow up and face reality. He took advantage of a young girl. And we did nothing to stop it, which makes us guilty too. When we received the telegram stating they got married, I was furious. The man is lucky an ocean lay between us or I would have killed him a year ago.”
“Regardless of your feelings, Hedwig is now in a difficult situation. What is she to do?”
Jacob jested as he popped another carrot in his mouth, “She should find another husband, that is what she should do.”
“You are missing the point. If things are that bad over there...if they are killing good citizens in their own homes...something must be done. We must get both Hedwig and Edmund out of that country.”
Jacob gave his brother a long hard look. “Not all citizens are good, perhaps Fritz deserved to die.”
“My God, Jacob, what is happening to you? You sound just like one of those fanatics in the papers.”
Jacob grabbed two bowls and scooped out some stew from the pot for both of them. He handed Alois one of the bowls filled with broth.
“I am one of them, brother.”
Alois shivered at the thought, and the two sat down to eat.
Chapter 6
The boys filed into the classroom, looking more like soldiers than teens. With heads held high and their chests out, they quickly took their seats.
Johann entered the room with confidence, “Heil Hitler.”
Immediately all the boys stood, raised their arms and shouted, “Heil Hitler.”
“You may sit.” He waited until the noise of the moving chairs dissipated. “Today marks the sixth month of your program. I finalized your evaluations for you to review.” He passed the folders out to the class.
Edmund squirmed in his seat. Apprehensive, he took his folder. He raised his hand, “Permission to speak, sir?”
Johann nodded, “You may speak.”
Edmund jumped to attention and asked, “Sir, the others and I wonder when we will be getting passes to visit our families. Originally, you said it would be six months and the time has come.”
The soldier, always dressed in his black boots and intimidating uniform, approached the boy. Johann gazed into his eyes, “And why you? Why are you the one to ask me this?”
“The others requested that I ask, sir.” Edmund gulped.
The instructor replied, “I placed weekend passes in your evaluation folders. You are required to review those evaluations carefully and learn from them. I expect marked improvements upon your return. Dismissed.”
The boys grabbed their folders and books then scurried out of the room. As Edmund approached the door, he heard, “NOT you.”
Without turning around, he stopped mid stride. His face turned pale as he awaited instructions. “Yes, sir?”
“Sit. I am not finished with you.”
Edmund turned on his heels like a good little soldier, and hurried to a desk. Faced forward, “Yes, sir.”
“Tell me about your family.”
Edmund gasped. His eyes squinted and nose wrinkled, “My family, sir?”
“You do have a family, do you not?”
“Of course, sir. I have two older brothers in America. I also have an older sister who is married,” his thoughts drifted to Fritz for a moment. Was married, he thought. “I received notification her husband recently passed away from illness.”
Johann nodded, “And your parents? What of them?”
Edmund's stare ceased when he lowered his eyes. He cleared his tense throat, “My parents both died in a railroad accident years ago, sir.”
Johann's eyes shimmered with excitement. “You have no need of parents. Germany is your family.”
Almost as if on cue, “And the Fuehrer is my father, sir.”
Admiring his new creation, “I have been watching you closely over the last few months. You stand out from the rest, a natural leader.”
The soldier leaned on his desk, looking at the boy. He pulled a cigarette pack from his pocket. “One day you will lead. The others have already chosen you as their leader, you realize that. Do you not?”
“Sir, they wanted me to ask you a question, nothing more.”
Johann chuckled, “Because they were afraid to do so themselves. But you have no fear, why is that? A fearless leader and the future of Germany.”
“It is my duty to support the Nazi Party and lead this country to victory in every way. It is my duty to ensure the Fatherland continues to gain strength into the next millennium.” Edmund spewed off lines of Nazi rhetoric, trying to meet Johann's expectations. He did not believe any of it. However, after his parents' death, he became a survivor. This was one more situation where he must do what he needed to survive.
Johann interrupted his regurgitation of propaganda. “Yes, yes. I know you are well versed in what I taught you. But is it becoming who you are?”
Edmund struggled to get the words out, “Yes, sir. I know who I am, the son of the Fuehrer and of Germany.”
Proud of himself and of the boy, Johann smiled and puffed on his cigarette. After a moment of silence, he took a long drag and exhaled. “When the unit reunites, you are to instruct the others to report to me. I must be told of all infractions committed by friends, family and even strangers.”
Edmund's eyes widened. He remembered back to the first day of class when one of his classmates informed his father's defiance of the Nazi Party. The boy was dead for sure, but was the family?
With cold eyes Johann replied, “Do not be so shocked boy. The only way to improve the Fatherland is to weed out the dissidents and deviants. Germany must follow one voice, not many. That is the only way to achieve and keep greatness.”
Edmund hesitated, “I understand, sir.”
“Good. Then you will inform me as to which boy keeps things from me and who is honest as required.”
Edmund missed his sister and his friends. He was ready to say anything to get home. “Yes, sir.”
“Perhaps you do not understand. Perhaps I should accompany you home to explain it further.”
Fear shot through Edmund like a lightning bolt. Hedwig would never conform, nor give the expected answers to such questions.
“Sir, that will not be necessary. I understand what is expected of me. For the good of the Fatherland, I will obey.”
A huge smile spread across Johann's lips. Satisfied with his accomplishment, he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. “Hotzie Totzie, my newborn Nazi.”
Edmund wrinkled his brow. “Sir?”
“It is something my father says. It's nothing. You have pleased me, Geiger. Go now to your sist
er and enjoy your weekend.”
Edmund stood, “Thank you, sir.”
Johann extended his hand for a shake, “Welcome to manhood. And welcome to the Nazi Party. You will make a fine officer of the SS one day.”
Bewildered, Edmund tilted his head, but kept his eyes locked on Johann's. They shook hands, but Johann's grasp got tighter and pulled Edmund in closer. “Do not forget. I want all reports, all reports of infractions. It is your duty. Dismissed.”
He let go of the boy's hand, and Edmund walked to the door. His breathing increased as he began to perspire. He thought, This is only the beginning. I thought I could just get through it, but there is no end in sight.
When Edmund approached the front door of the school, a bus full of children awaited, ready to depart for their homes. He ran to it and boarded, appreciating the temporary escape from the camp.
Johann approached the school's doorway, watching the children climb onto the bus. He still puffed his cigarette when he saw his old friend drawing near.
Gustav extended his hand, “Heil Hitler.”
“Heil Hitler. How are you today my friend?” Johann's eyes never drifted toward Gustav, instead they were fixed on the bus of children.
“Were those the last of your students?”
Johann nodded as he took another drag of his cigarette. “Yes. They are off for a weekend pass. There is one who is quite impressive. His intelligence scores are high, as well as his physical endurance. He is fearless, yet cautious. I can see his mind analyzing everything. Everything that comes out of his mouth has been calculated first. Because of that I must mold him with great caution. And soon.”
Gustav grew a little concerned for the boy. “Let's hope you mold him better than the instructor who molded you,” he joked with his friend.
As Johann laughed, smoke billowed out of his mouth and nose. “Are you saying there is something wrong with me?”
“Not physically. You are quite the handsome fellow until you open your mouth,” jested Gustav.
The bus pulled away, and the two old friends walked back into the school. As they strolled along, their boots clicked on the floor.
“Gustav, my friend, where are your students?”
With hands clasped behind his back, “I gave them the entire week off. They return on Monday.”
“Oh good. I am sure they will have much to report. Be sure to notify me before you pay visits to the homes. I always enjoy a good round-up and discipline session.”
Gustav stopped. “Johann, we are not here trying to kill fellow Germans. We are here to make Germans better. To improve the race by instructing the future.”
His friend began a bellowing laugh, “You still do not get it, do you Gustav? What is it that you are teaching your students?” He walked into an open doorway, finding an ashtray on a desk. After crushing his cigarette, “Any true German will align himself with the Nazi Party and the Fuehrer. All others must be destroyed. You know this.”
“I know it is better to gain a person's respect and support than to kill them for defiance.”
Johann's smile transformed into a blank stare. “Perhaps you should come with me when I visit the families of my students. Perhaps you need further instruction on how we handle such things.”
Fear shot through Gustav. “That will not be necessary. I handle my business in one manner, and you handle yours in another. They are two roads leading to the same destination.”
“You would do best to remember that.” A warning loomed behind his eyes, and Gustav understood it well. His pulse raced with fear.
“I must get going. I am accompanying a young lady to a concert tonight,” Gustav hoped to change the topic to something more light-hearted.
“Ah. Stolen your heart has she? That is why you are softening. Don't let her do too much damage to you my friend. I need you to be strong and brave.” Johann's smile returned.
“Perhaps you need to begin courting a young lady as well. Your heart could do with a little softening.” They both laughed.
“If I meet such a woman, please, put a bullet in my head at once,” Johann chuckled.
“Good bye my friend. Heil Hitler.” Gustav turned, taking long strides away from his friend.
Johann made one last comment, “Gustav, if she knows a young lady who is loyal to the party, be sure to introduce us.”
Gustav turned, shaking his head and smiling. The party was always his friend's first concern, even above affairs of the heart.
Chapter 7
Jacob arrived in front of the national headquarters of the Friends of New Germany in New York City. The structure of the building demonstrated the strength of the Fatherland. The striking red, black and white Nazi flag dominated the front entrance. Pride swelled within Jacob as he took a deep breath and entered the building.
Jacob found it hard to imagine that his friends with low paying jobs could be affiliated with such a refined, ornate type of office. What Jacob referred to as “connections” was nothing more than men who discussed politics in a beer hall. One of those men referred him to this organization, but this was no beer hall. Yes, he paid monthly dues, but he expected the money covered the beer they drank and nothing more.
The receptionist greeted him with a smile, “Hello, sir. How may I help you today?”
Jacob rested a hand on the desk, and said, “I scheduled an appointment for this afternoon. My name is Jacob Geiger.”
He walked around the large waiting room, taking in the decor. Paintings hung in memory of uniformed war heroes, and pictures of Adolf Hitler filled the walls.
A few moments later, a man arrived to greet him. “Herr Geiger? I am Leland Strauss. My news will please you, I hope. We found a buyer for your sister's company. Please, come this way.” Jacob followed, then Strauss asked, “Did you enjoy your trip from Philadelphia? Have you ever visited New York?”
Jacob replied, “It took less time than I expected. The new railway system is amazingly fast. This is indeed my first trip to New York, and it saddens me I will not have time to explore your city. Thank you for asking.”
The two men took a short walk down a narrow hallway and turned into an office. “Please, sit. May I get you any refreshments? A cigar perhaps?”
Jacob took a seat. “No, thank you. I am quite relieved you have found a buyer. I appreciate all you have done for my family in this matter. It would have been impossible for me to find a buyer myself.”
“My good man, you are a part of this organization. We help our own.” Leland Strauss reached for a bottle of whiskey which sat on the corner of his desk. “Would you like a glass?” Jacob shook his head and waited while the man poured himself a drink.
“Herr Strauss, please inform me of the details of the sale. Do you think it a fair price? Has the buyer indicated when such a sale could take place?”
Strauss looked deeply into Jacob's eyes and smiled, “Sir, the sale can take place at once. The man offers double what others did. It is a more than fair price. Even better—he is a member of the Nazi Party. This will cause less entanglements.”
“Less entanglements? How so?”
“As a member of the Nazi Party, there will be less forms and audits that need to occur. Permits and processing will be much quicker, and it will all be quite painless.”
Jacob sighed, “I am relieved, thank you. My sister is sure to be grateful as well.”
Strauss sat up straight in his chair and took a sip from his glass. “We need to discuss your sister. To ensure all goes well, it would be best for her to join the party. There will be less complications with the sale if she does. Will that be a problem?”
Jacob shifted in his chair, “On the telephone you informed me that would not be necessary. I must discuss the matter with my sister before I can make any commitment.”
Strauss leaned on the desk, “Herr Geiger. Under the circumstances, I highly suggest your sister join the Nazi Party. Not only would it make things easier for the sale, but for her life in general. I did not wish to inform
you of this, but since her husband's execution for treason your sister has been under investigation.”
Jacob winced, “Herr Strauss, my brother-in-law's circumstances are not an issue. I had my issues with him, yes, but I know him to be loyal to Germany. You and I might be considered more treasonous considering we came to America and acquired United States Citizenship.”
“Ah, I offended you. Please forgive me, Herr Geiger. I did not mean to do so. You and I came to America during a time of great disorganization in Germany. A time of humiliation after the Great War caused many to seek other ways of life. But this is the dawning of a new era, a new Germany.”
“Yes, I hope for the sake of those still in the Fatherland that great things continue to happen. But please understand, my family never has and never will engage in treasonous activities.”
“Herr Geiger, please keep in mind that Herr Schultz's execution took place for a reason. Because of that reason, your sister is under investigation. I strongly recommend for her to pledge an oath to the party which will solidify a better way of life for her. She chose to marry a man who proved to be an enemy of the state. That lack of judgment reflects poorly on her.”
Jacob nodded his head. Hedwig conveyed her version of the incident. The account of a hysterical and grieving woman could easily be skewed from the truth. Jacob doubted she would join the party easily, however.
Strauss leaned over the desk and handed Jacob a folder. “Here is the proposal for the sale of your sister's company. The buyer's name is Hugo Boss. He is a good party member, and has recently finalized a contract to produce the uniforms of the German military. Because of this, he has been acquiring shops like your sister's to assist him in the production.”
Jacob looked over the documents, and indeed, the offer was twice what he had expected. Included in the packet were party declaration forms, already filled out in Hedwig's name. This made him grimace as he twitched in his seat. He then saw something he was not expecting, and pulled it out from the folder. “What is this? A ticket for passage to Germany?”
“Yes, Herr Geiger. It is already paid for. I assumed you would want to assist your sister in person, and help her attend to her affairs properly.”
Newborn Nazi Page 3
