Jacob sat back in his chair, “I'm shocked, sir. I have only dreamed to be able to go there for her. She suffers greatly from the loss of her husband.”
“Yes, I am sure. She is too young to be a widow. Perhaps you can find her a suitable husband during your visit with her. A husband who is an upstanding citizen and loyal member of the Nazi Party would benefit her greatly.”
Jacob peered at Strauss. Unable to tell if this was a recommendation or an order he responded, “I thank you for your assistance in this matter. I see that I am to depart this weekend. With all due respect sir, this will be impossible. I must make arrangements with my place of employment before I could embark on such a journey.”
Strauss smiled, “There is no need. The hospital is abreast of the situation, Herr Geiger.”
“You informed my employer of my need to leave the country?” Jacob gasped with surprise.
“Yes, yes. Everything is arranged. We take care of our own, Herr Geiger.”
Both men stood and shook hands, “It was a pleasure meeting you. After so many telephone calls these past months, I feel as though we are old friends. Please, call me if you need any further assistance,” Strauss insisted.
“I appreciate it. Thank you,” replied Jacob.
As the men walked toward the door, Strauss stopped for a moment, “Herr Geiger, would you consider becoming a branch leader? Our organization is looking to expand our membership and build professional offices. We want to create an official American Nazi Party to nominate elected officials for office. If you would be interested in building a branch in the Philadelphia area, I would love your assistance.”
“I am honored by the offer, sir. Perhaps we can discuss this further, once I get things settled at home with my sister.”
Strauss blurted through a smile, “I am very happy to hear it. Have a safe trip and contact me any time.”
Jacob left the building and headed for the train station. During the trip back to Philadelphia, he thought about Hedwig's situation. He also pondered the idea of moving up in the organization as Strauss suggested. The idea intrigued him.
When Jacob arrived home, he found Alois seated at the table eating a sandwich. “So Jacob, how did things transpire? Is there any good news?”
Jacob pulled a chair from under the table and sat. “Things are unfolding nicely.”
“They found a buyer for the business?”
As he built himself a sandwich he replied, “A buyer indeed. A buyer who is offering twice the amount we originally expected. And I received an offer of a nice position within the organization.” Then his face dropped its smile. “But...”
Alois interrupted, “But what? I recognize that look on your face, and it isn't good.”
“They want Hedwig to join the Nazi Party,” he admitted.
Alois spit out his food, “Are you crazy? She will do no such thing, and you know it. They killed her husband and stole our brother from her home. She won't do it.”
Jacob worried Alois spoke the truth, “She needs to do it, because it will make things easier for her. They branded Fritz a traitor. Until she joins the party, her life could be inflicted with problems.”
Alois grunted. “Problems? She is a teenage girl with a dead husband. Soldiers marched into her home to abduct her last remaining family member. The woman already has problems.” Alois shook his head and took another bite of his sandwich. “You want her to join—after they shot her husband in front of her? This is going to be much more difficult a task than you expect.”
Jacob rolled his eyes, “How many times must I tell you and Hedwig? Indoctrination into a great organization that will give Edmund the skills to improve his life is not the same as kidnapping. It will make him a great man, perhaps better than us.”
“Yeah, yeah. Think what you want, brother. I still say she will never do it.”
Lifting his sandwich to his mouth, Jacob informed him, “Well, I will see to it. I leave for Germany in a few days. I hope my presence will make things easier for her.”
“I think you underestimate our sister. She possesses too much of Mother's traits to ever join the party voluntarily.”
Jacob muttered to himself, “She has no choice.”
Chapter 8
The bus stopped in front of Hedwig's home and Edmund bolted from it to the front door. The door flung open, and he yelled to get his sister's attention, “Hedwig. Hedwig. I'm home.”
Hedwig came darting down the stairs, “Oh, dear God. Thank God.” She exclaimed while hugging him.
“You're crushing me. I missed you too, but you’re crushing me.” Edmund shouted as he squirmed away.
She kissed his forehead until she realized he wore a military uniform. She pulled back and examined him, “Are you well? Did they hurt you?” She put her thumb on his chin, moving his head from side to side.
“I'm fine. No, they didn't hurt me.”
She hugged him again, “Thank God.” Hedwig let out a deep breath and asked, “What do you want for dinner tonight? I'll make you something special.”
Edmund said without thinking, “Apple strudel.”
Maternal scorn crossed Hedwig's face when she ordered, “Not for dinner. Now go wash yourself.”
Edmund ran to his room as a knock came from the front door. Hedwig opened it to find her friend. “Hello, Heidi. Come in. Edmund is back.”
“I'm delighted for you.”
They walked toward the living room, resting on the couch. “Your face. You are absolutely glowing. What is this about?”
Heidi could hardly sit still. She squealed, “I met a man. A positively delightful man. He's tall, attractive and well spoken. I'm so excited.”
Hedwig smiled, “Where did you meet this man?”
“While waiting for a bus. He strolled along until the magical moment when our eyes met. We have a date tonight, but I need something special to wear. Can I borrow something? Please?”
The two women climbed the stairs, “Let's go check my closet for something appropriate.”
Heidi noticed the pictures of Fritz on the wall as a wave of guilt flooded over her. “I'm sorry. I was not thinking and only wanted to share my excitement with you.”
Hedwig grabbed her hand, “Stop it. I do miss him dearly, but that has nothing to do with you.” Tears filled Hedwig's eyes as she reminisced about the pictures on the wall.
Heidi reached for her friend, “That was insensitive, I am sorry. I don't normally inquire of you because you seem so strong and I do not want to upset you.”
Hedwig wiped the tears from her eyes, took a deep breath and said, “Enough of this. What color did you want to wear tonight? A lovely peach colored frock would highlight your hair.”
Heidi followed Hedwig to the bedroom, hoping a change of subject would be good. “Is Edmund staying for good or must he return?”
Hedwig's eyes opened wide, “Return? What do you mean?”
“It seems most boys are getting time to spend at home, but they are going back.”
Hedwig ran to Edmund's bedroom and pounded on the door, “Edmund, open the door. Are you to return to wherever you were?”
Opening the door, Edmund answered, “Yes I must return. I am only here for the weekend.” He now donned his civilian clothing and tugged on them. “All my shirts are tight, and my pants are too short now.”
“It is a good thing Fritz was a tailor. I can take some of your clothes to the shop for alterations. But please tell me, how long are you to be away when you go back?”
The boy shrugged, “I don't know. They do not tell us much about things like that.” Edmund noticed Heidi standing there, “Hello, Heidi.” He got a sparkle in his eye when he saw her, as he always did. Her age did not matter to him, and he planned to marry her some day.
Hedwig grabbed Heidi's hand and led her to the bedroom, “Come on, let's find you something to wear.”
They sifted through a few different dresses before Heidi admitted, “I hope you do not mind, but I asked him to meet me here.”
She dropped her eyes and continued, “Your home is much nicer than mine, and I thought it would be more appealing to him. I really like this man and want to make a good impression.”
“I understand, but he will soon learn where you live. Why lie? You need to tell him the truth.”
Heidi chuckled, “I planned to do that once we are married.”
Hedwig laughed and threw a pillow at her friend who sat giggling on the bed. “When is your prince arriving?”
“In about an hour.”
Hedwig's eyes opened widely, “You better hurry in choosing a dress and wrapping your hair in curlers. I will go start dinner for Edmund.” Heidi stood holding the different dresses in front of the mirror.
“Edmund, come talk to me while I prepare dinner,” Hedwig yelled toward his room.
“Be there in a minute.”
She approached the table and assembled some ingredients for dinner. As she was slicing the bread, Edmund entered the room. “What's for dinner?”
“I'm not sure. I did not intend for you to be home, so I planned a salad for dinner.”
Edmund twisted his face, “I hate salad. Feels like eating dirt, and I'm not a rabbit.”
The older sister threw a rag at him playfully, “You seem to have eaten a ton of rabbits. You grew a meter since you left.”
“Lots of meat and potatoes. Plenty of sausages, but their food is not as good as your cooking. Maybe you can get a job there and cook for me so I could feel more at home.”
Hedwig put the knife down and looked intently at her brother, “What is it like there? What are you doing?”
He had no intention of telling her the complete truth. He did not want to worry her, and the tale of shooting a boy as punishment would terrify her. “It is a lot like school. Lots of classes, and we have exercise routines for hours. We do a lot of marching because they want us to do some formations at the Fuehrer’s annual rally.”
“What kinds of things are you learning?”
Edmund shrugged, “You know---things.”
“Have you attended Mass recently?”
Rolling his eyes, Edmund responded, “Hedwig, we have not acted as good Catholics since our parents died. I'm still shocked you insisted I make my Confirmation. When was the last time you attended Mass?”
Hedwig frowned, “Last week. It's true I turned my back on the Church for some time. However, with the way the world is turning, I think it best we both reconsider our faith.”
They chatted until Heidi came down the stairs, “How is this dress?” She twirled around which caused the bottom of the dress to flair out.
Edmund couldn't take his eyes off her.
“Simply stunning,” exclaimed Hedwig.
A loud knock at the door made them all jump.
“That's him. That's him. Do I look okay?” Heidi questioned.
Edmund went to the door, “I'll get it.” I want to see my competition, he thought.
Hedwig poured some lemonade and placed four glasses on a tray.
When Edmund opened the door he viewed the six foot two inches of Gustav. Edmund stiffened, “Heil Hitler. Sir? What are you doing here? Am I to report back so soon?”
Startled, Gustav was unsure how to answer. “Heil Hitler. Perhaps I have the wrong home? I am looking for Fraulein Heidi Hapsburg. Is she here?”
Edmund let out a deep sigh of relief. “She is here. Please come in.” She could have found someone worse, he thought.
Gustav carried with him a bouquet he picked from the park on his way to the house. His eyes lit up when he saw Heidi, “You're mesmerizing.”
“Thank you. Are those flowers for me?”
He stuttered, trying to find his words, “Ye..Yes. They are.”
When Hedwig turned to meet her friend's date, she dropped the tray of lemonade and froze. Heidi picked up the mess, but Hedwig never moved.
“Hedwig, what is wrong with you? Are you all right?” Heidi used rags to soak up the juice and glass from the floor.
Hedwig did not answer. She walked to her bedroom without saying a word.
Heidi looked up at Gustav, “I'm sorry about this. My friend lost her husband and is still grieving.”
Gustav replied, “Ah. Well that is understandable. The loss of a loved one can be very traumatic. Shall we go?”
Edmund rushed to the door and stood at attention. As Gustav and Heidi approached, Edmund opened the door and gave a salute.
“Thank you, Edmund. Have a nice night. Tell Hedwig I will come check on her later.”
Gustav rested a hand on Edmund's shoulder and ordered, “Care for your sister and call a doctor if she needs one.”
Edmund nodded, and the couple left for the evening.
Edmund ran up the stairs to check on Hedwig. “Sister? Are you all right?” He knocked first, then entered her bedroom.
She lay on the bed in tears. “I'm fine, Edmund. Don't worry, I am fine.”
“You do not appear fine. Was that about Fritz?”
“Yes. Don't you remember that man? The one who was just here?”
Puzzled, Edmund replied, “Of course I remember him. He is one of the commanders of my school. So?”
“Don't you remember the day they took you? It was him.”
Edmund thought for a moment as he looked at her, “Yes, he was one of the men who took me. And?”
Hedwig cried harder and reached for her brother. She sobbed on his shoulder, “They killed Fritz that day. They killed him.”
Confused, Edmund asked, “Who killed Fritz that day? What are you talking about? You wrote me telling me he died from sickness.”
She stopped her crying to let his words sink in, “No, I didn't. They would not even tell me where to find you.” She wiped her eyes as she explained, “They killed Fritz the day they took you. That man with Heidi and a shorter, nastier one. They killed him.”
Edmund wrapped his arm around his sister, “That man downstairs did not kill Fritz. I was with him the whole time. From what I can tell he is a good man.” Her words raced through his mind. “What did you mean you could not write me? The letter I received--all of them—were in your penmanship.”
“That is impossible. I wrote no such letters. I don't know where you were, even still.”
The two sat holding each other on the bed. Hedwig sobbed some more, “What is happening to us? To our country? The worst thing that ever happened was Adolf Hitler. He will destroy all of Germany. Each day there is some new law or edict. We all possessed more rights before him, Jews and women alike.”
Edmund's ears perked up, and listened to every word. Johann's words floated through his mind, “Report all infractions.... report all those who question the Third Reich and the Fuehrer. Your only family is the Nazi Party, and your father is the Fuehrer.”
Chapter 9
Hedwig and Edmund spent the weekend together in good spirits. They played games and went to the park. They baked snacks together and tried to laugh as much as possible.
Monday morning came too soon for the siblings who did not want another prolonged separation.
Edmund came trampling down the stairs in his uniform, pressed and ready for duty. A knock at the door caught his attention, “I'll get it.'
Edmund opened the door to find Johann standing there. Edmund's arms and legs snapped to attention, “Heil Hitler.”
“Heil Hitler. I wanted to pay a visit to the home of my best student and meet the sister of whom you spoke so highly.”
Edmund tried to intervene because he did not want Hedwig seeing Johann. After her reaction to Gustav, he feared reprisals if she responded to Johann in the same fashion. “I'm sorry, sir. My sister is not well today. Perhaps another time would be best.”
“I see. Give her my best and inform her I would like to meet with her. Are you prepared to return?”
Hedwig stepped toward the doorway, “Edmund, who is it? Are you going to invite them in?” Her smile disappeared when her eyes met Johann's. She fainted.
Edmund bent down to aid his
sister, “I apologize, sir. I informed you of her illness.”
Johann pushed Edmund out of the way and ordered to the boy, “Get me a wet rag.” He lifted Hedwig from the floor and gently placed her on the couch.
Edmund returned with the rag and a glass of water.
The cold-hearted Nazi who killed Fritz now wiped Hedwig's forehead due to concern for her health.
“What is your sister's given name?”
“Hedwig. Her name is Hedwig, sir.”
In a low soft voice, Johann called to her, slightly shaking her, “Hedwig? Hedwig, can you hear me? Please wake up.”
Her eyes began to flutter, and her head moved from side to side. As her eyes opened, her pulse raced and her face lost all color. A moan of fear and anger exhaled from her lungs.
Gently, Johann pulled her hand to sit her up and handed her the glass of water. “Take small sips. You are not well and lost consciousness.”
Hedwig began to shift in her seat as perspiration built on her brow. She drank the water as instructed, but her eyes darted as if searching for something.
“Are you perhaps expecting? I read about women in this condition who were with child.”
She grabbed the glass tightly with both hands, and said, “No. My husband has passed away so that would be impossible.”
“I remember now. Edmund told me of your loss. My condolences, although they will do little to ease your pain.”
Your death would ease my pain, Hedwig thought.
The young widow's eyes grew wide and fixed on Johann's. With one hand, she reached over and searched the table for anything she could grab. Her hand wrapped around the lamp.
Edmund stood behind Johann who still sat on the couch next to Hedwig. The younger brother saw the rage and fear in his sister's eyes. Edmund shook his head as a warning. He knew this was not a man to challenge.
Instead of bashing the lamp across Johann's face, she switched on the lamp.
Edmund asked, “Sir, with her like this, is it possible I might return to camp later this week? We have no one else to care for her.”
Newborn Nazi Page 4
