Newborn Nazi

by Rhoda D'Ettore

  With one last twirl, Gustav admitted, “I know about your secret room as well.”

  Is there anything my little brother hasn't told you?

  The song on the radio ended, and Hedwig pulled away. Gustav pleaded, “Please. I am so tired of reports and secrets. I'm tired of wondering who my true friends are. I want us to be friends and trust each other without hesitation. That is why I mentioned it.”

  Hedwig laughed. “I think this is your way of trying to get me to cook dinner for you.”

  “Did it work?”

  “I'll cook if you clean up afterward.”

  Gustav's eyes fluttered in shock. “Clean? You want me to clean? But I'm a man and an SS officer. I don't know how to clean anything but my weapon.”

  Hedwig giggled and patted his shoulder, “I assume since you are an instructor, you have the ability to learn what you teach. So, learn how to clean.” Oh my God, I'm flirting like Heidi. Hedwig thought.

  “Maybe I should buy us dinner and let someone else clean up after.”

  A serious look marched across Hedwig's face. “Can I ask you something personal?”

  “Considering I know everything about you, I would say a personal question would be fair.”

  Hedwig dropped the question, “Do you ever talk to Heidi anymore? You never mention her.”

  Gustav turned his back to her. “That was a bad time in my life. I lost two loves during the same period. My best friend and my girlfriend.”

  “Do you ever think about her?”

  Gustav pretended to look out the window. “I do think of her on occasion. It would be impossible not to. We spent a lot of time together.”

  Hedwig thought about the times she and Heidi had together. “She was my best friend, and yet we rarely speak anymore. Perhaps if I see her at the market. But never more than that.”

  “As much as I cared for her, my feelings could not rival what Johann felt for you. Some day I hope you realize that. He was cold and cruel, but somehow you melted his heart.”

  Hedwig placed a hand on Gustav's back. “I am sorry for your friend. I never meant to hurt you.”

  A tear ran down Gustav's cheek, as Hedwig tried to face him. He twisted his body to keep her at a distance. Hedwig stretched her finger to his face and caught his tear. “A good man, indeed,” she whispered. She then straightened out her shoulders and composed herself. “Edmund always told me you were a good man.”

  “Your younger brother mentioned that as well. I suppose I should thank you for deciding not to kill me.” They both laughed.

  She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the kitchen, “Let's make dinner. And stop that crying before they brand you a homosexual and pin a pink triangle to your chest.”

  “That is not funny.”

  “No, it isn't. But they are your rules, not mine.”

  Gustav looked at the floor out of shame. “The rules have changed over the years. They are not the same as when I entered the game.”

  “What if you could change the rules?”

  “How?” he asked as he tilted his head with interest.

  “What if I told you the Nazis are building camps-- death camps. Would you believe me?”

  Gustav's face went blank and his voice became soft, “I would tell you the stories of the camps are lies created by our enemies.”

  “So you know about them?” Hedwig inquired.

  Gustav shrugged, “Gossip. People talk about them, yet I have never met an officer who worked in a camp. They are either vicious rumors created by our enemies to make us look bad, or a fear tactic created by The Third Reich to gain control. Either way, they do not exist.”

  “What if I told you they do exist?”

  Gustav was intrigued. “And you know this how?”

  “It doesn't matter. How would you react to the knowledge death camps exist?”

  Gustav gazed into her eyes deeply. He circled her. “Is this a test? Did Captain Weinhoffer order you to ask such things?”

  “Yes, he did. Because he and I are such good friends.” Hedwig rolled her eyes.

  “What are you saying?”

  “I have a few confessions of my own. Can I trust you?”

  “With your life.”

  I hope so, she thought.

  Once they descended the basement and inside the secret room, she admitted, “I need your help. My husband was a German Intelligence operative who stumbled onto plans regarding the death camps. He tried to stop Colonel Reinhard in any way he could. That is why my husband was killed. There is a lot more to the story, but most is unimportant. What is crucial is that we find and destroy the camps. I need your help to analyze everything in this room. Most of it I do not understand.”

  Gustav looked at Hedwig in awe. “You truly believe what you are saying?”

  She nodded.

  “And you are willing to rebel against Nazi Germany and the Fuehrer for what you believe is right?”

  Her eyes bulged, “Wouldn't you?”

  He could no longer resist. He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. At first she tried to pull away and let out a muffled, “What are you doing?” But soon she found herself returning his embrace.

  After a moment, he jumped back. His eyes drifted around the room, “Forgive me. That was terribly rude and inexcusable.”

  Gustav headed for the stairs as Hedwig chased him, “No. Wait. I wanted you to do it.” Then she stopped when she realized what she said.

  Although half way up the stairs, Gustav leaped to the dirt floor of the basement. He landed within inches of her and smiled, “You wanted to kiss me?”

  She nodded and giggled. “I think so.”

  “Do you think you might want to kiss me again some time?”

  She brought her lips within an inch of his. “Maybe. If you help me to clean up after dinner then discuss stopping some evil people from doing evil things.”

  He softly responded, “I can do that.”

  She kissed him soft and gentle. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her in the air twirling her around with their lips still locked.

  “Ouch.” she gasped. “You banged my head on the rafter. You are too tall to do that in this basement.” They both laughed as he put her down on the ground.

  “Sorry about your head,” he whispered.

  “Are you ready for dinner now? We have to get started or we won't be eating until midnight.”

  He kissed her cheek, “That is fine.”

  “What?”

  “I don't care if I never eat again, as long as you and I remain friends.”

  “Friends?” she muttered.

  “Oh? Did you expect something more?” he laughed.

  “Oh, of course not. The word 'friend' made me think of someone who is long gone,” she giggled.

  He swooped her up and carried her up the stairs, “That is it. I am subjecting you to tickle torture. I will show you how the SS deals with such defiance.” He threw her on the sofa and began tickling her until she became breathless.

  “Stop it. Stop. I can't breathe.” She swatted him on the back with her hands.

  “Do you confess?”

  “Never.”

  He tickled her some more until their eyes met. Both of their chests heaved from laughter. For a moment they were both silent.

  “I should go,” he said.

  Hedwig was flustered. She thought they were enjoying each other. “Wait, what about dinner?”

  “Perhaps another time. I fear we crossed a line which disrespected the memory of your husband in his home. My being here alone with you is inappropriate behavior which won't happen again. My deepest apologies.”

  Hedwig raced to the door to block his exit. “Please. Don't go. There is more I should explain.”

  “I fear there is nothing you could say that would make me feel otherwise. Perhaps we can dine together when Edmund returns.”

  “What if I told you Fritz was not really my husband? That you are not disrespecting the memory of anyone?”

  Gustav l
eaned into her, pressing her against the door. “That, my dear, might make me feel otherwise. Please explain.”

  Hedwig then told him everything. He stood in disbelief for quite some time. “Is there anything else you wish to tell me?”

  Hedwig looked around the room, anywhere but in his eyes. “I have never had a true relationship with a man. I am not sure I know how. My marriage was fake, and my relationship with your friend was fake.”

  Gustav inched close and whispered in her ear, “What about downstairs? Was our kiss fake?” He pulled back to look into her eyes.

  She giggled, “Oh no. That was definitely real.”

  “Good,” he said softly as he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the kitchen. “You make dinner, and I'll clean up after.”

  Hedwig began chopping vegetables and mixing ingredients when Gustav asked her, “Would you ever consider marrying for real?”

  Chapter 53

  April, 1937

  Jacob arrived in Germany, once again noticing the changes that occurred from his last trip of almost a year ago.

  People appeared to have jobs, but none seemed happy. The increasing military presence on the streets struck fear into people, rather than confidence and pride. Leaflets of Nazi propaganda littered the streets and political speakers stood on every corner shouting the rhetoric Hitler selected. Jacob longed for America before he even reached Hedwig's home.

  Jacob knocked on the door. Edmund answered, having grown about six inches since last they saw each other. “Edmund? Is that you? You have grown so tall.”

  Edmund backed into the house allowing Jacob room to enter. “That is what happens when you are a teenager. You grow.”

  “I see you have your sister's humor. Where is she?” Jacob retorted.

  “Funny, she blames you for my humor.”

  Hedwig was setting the table when she called out, “Edmund, who's at the door?”

  Jacob replied, “It's me, little sister.”

  Hedwig raced to him and embraced him. “Why did you not write that you were coming?”

  “I wanted to surprise you,” explained Jacob.

  Coming down the stairs was Gustav, “And surprised us you have.”

  Jacob leaned in to Edmund, “He appears rather comfortable here, does he not?”

  Gustav stretched out his hand, “Jacob, good to see you my friend.” The two men shook hands.

  Jacob questioned Gustav, “What are you doing here?”

  Gustav explained, “Oh, I took a little nap before dinner.”

  Jacob's face went blank. “No, I mean what are you doing in the house? What prompted this visit?”

  Hedwig scolded him, “Jacob, he is our friend. He is welcomed in this house at any time.”

  “Forgive me. I had a long exhaustive journey. Perhaps I should retire for a bit as well.”

  Hedwig replied, “Yes, do so. And when you wake, return with a better attitude.”

  Jacob climbed the stairs and heard Gustav ask, “Should I go? You need to spend time with him.”

  An hour later, Jacob descended the stairs. He was shocked to see Gustav still there. “Pardon me for my behavior earlier. I needed some rest.”

  “No apologies necessary,” Gustav insisted. “Hedwig kept dinner warm for you.”

  “Edmund, how would you like to go fishing this weekend?”

  Edmund looked at Gustav then back at Jacob, “Gustav and I planned on going to a concert.”

  “You call him Gustav now?” shocked, Jacob asked, “What happened to Lieutenant Gottlieb?”

  Gustav interrupted, “Edmund, we can go to the concert another time. Your brother is rarely here, so please enjoy your time with him.” Gustav turned to Jacob, “I gave him permission to use my given name while we are home. Outside, he must address me formally.”

  “Home? Whose home? This is my sister's home.”

  Hedwig wrapped her arm around Gustav's waist, “Brother dear, he is home. We married three months ago and wanted to tell you in person.” A huge smile danced across her face.

  “What? Oh, god, I need to sit down.” Jacob looked around the room for a moment, “Married? Why didn't you tell me?”

  “Don't take it so hard, Jacob. We are naming the baby after you.”

  Jacob's eyes landed on Edmund. “Are you okay with this? Is this acceptable to you?”

  “It's better than how things ended with her and that last guy,” Edmund replied and shrugged.

  Jacob looked at Gustav, “You are my partner and you never told me? Somebody get me a drink.”

  Gustav, Hedwig, and Edmund all looked at each other and laughed. Hedwig blurted out, “We're kidding. A little welcome home prank.”

  “You aren't married?”

  Hedwig scoffed, “To him? Never.” She walked into the other room.

  Gustav followed her and asked, “Never? What's wrong with me?”

  “Wait. How did you know I was coming?” Jacob shouted.

  Edmund responded, “Captain Weinhoffer informed Lieutenant Gottlieb. It was my idea to play a joke on you. It worked obviously.”

  “Yes, obviously.”

  “If you aren't too mad, I would enjoy the fishing.”

  “Yes of course, Edmund. We can go into town and buy supplies tomorrow.”

  Hedwig set the plates on the table as she and Gustav spoke softly. Well, he is a nice guy with a good paying job. She could do much worse, Jacob thought. She has done much worse.

  Edmund demanded more of Jacob's attention. “Do you think we can go to Friender's Market? Heidi got a job there, and I would like to see her.”

  “Doesn't she visit anymore?”

  The younger brother replied, “Hedwig and Heidi don't talk anymore. So I never get to see her. I'm finally old enough to date my sister's best friend, and now they are no longer friends. Life is cruel.”

  “Wait, my brother. It gets much worse,” Jacob assured him.

  Chapter 54

  After Edmund left for school, Jacob descended into the basement to analyze Fritz's records. When he opened the door to the secret room, he found Hedwig and Gustav diligently working the files.

  Shocked, Jacob pulled the door shut and shouted, “What is he doing here? What makes you think you can trust him?”

  Hedwig smiled and said, “He is your partner. He is good to me, and I trust him.”

  “Gustav, don't trust her. You might not wake up in the morning,” Jacob huffed.

  Hedwig rolled her eyes, “That was not necessary. Gustav and I have been going through these papers for months. He helped me organize them and we found out where Hitler is getting all the money he is bringing into the country.”

  Jacob was silent.

  Hedwig stomped her foot, “Jacob. Why do you think you were ordered here by Weinhoffer? Gustav requested you return so we could work on this together.”

  Gustav turned to him, “It's true. I didn't trust normal communication methods. But I did find out about those lists I was told to send you. The American companies are paying Hitler in order to build factories in Germany.”

  “So?” Jacob shrugged.

  Gustav continued, “The companies are not planning on hiring from the workforce. They are paying Germany to allow them to use slave labor from the camps.”

  “Can we prove they exist?” Jacob asked.

  Hedwig pulled out pictures, “Oh they exist all right. Fritz had pictures, we just needed to find them.”

  Gustav added, “I am devising a list of companies along with the contracts which clearly state for a specific amount of money paid to Germany, the company is entitled to a certain number of workers from the camps. No wages are to be paid.”

  Jacob thought for a moment, “That sounds bad, but could they claim it is just a prison camp?”

  “They could, but one of the companies is Siemens. They are contracted to build gas chambers. The parent company of Bayer Aspirin is contracted to make the gas itself. Even Kodak and Coca Cola have contracts with The Third Reich. It seems there are many Ame
rican companies willing to get their hands dirty for the right price.”

  Hedwig looked at Gustav and Jacob, “So now what do we do with the information?”

  “I take it to the Americans, that is what,” Jacob replied.

  Gustav questioned, “Do you have any contacts that can help?”

  Jacob eyed Gustav, “Sir, my sister may fully trust you, however I do not.”

  Hedwig shouted, “Jacob. Be nice. He has helped me quite a bit and put himself in jeopardy to do so.”

  “I think I better leave,” Gustav said to Hedwig. The siblings said their farewells to Gustav, then returned to their conversation.

  Hedwig asked Jacob, “What is wrong with you? What has made you so vicious?”

  “Gee, I don't know. Maybe it is everything that has happened in the past two years?”

  “You owe him an apology. Not only did he arrange for you to visit us, but he got the files about the camps and the American companies for you to take back to the United States. He also secured your travel itinerary for next week.”

  “A year ago you told me you didn't truly trust him, and now you show him the secret room and tell him everything? Are you having a relationship with this guy?”

  “Stop your accusations.”

  “Hedwig, tell me. Are you involved with him romantically?”

  “Jacob, you wouldn't understand. You left me here with Edmund who watches and listens to me constantly. Heidi and I don't talk anymore. Gustav has become my closest friend. I'm lonely.”

  Jacob threw up his hands in disgust. “You're lonely? So you get involved romantically with a guy who could execute us all. And if that isn't bad enough, you tell him every secret we have?”

  Hedwig looked down at the ground.

  “See? You are changing already. The Hedwig I know would have slapped my face and told me she would kill him if he tried anything. You are going to get us all killed acting this way.”

  Hedwig pulled a letter opener from the desk and pressed it against Jacob's throat as she grabbed his hair. “Is this the Hedwig you expected? How do you like this response?”

  With bulging eyes, Jacob responded, “Yes. That is the Hedwig I know and love.”

  “Then let me explain a few things to you while I have your attention. You are going to take those documents to America and have them published in the newspapers. Let the world see the atrocities that are planned here. There is even one camp called Berga that is planned to be used for American soldiers. Put that in your newspapers.”