Newborn Nazi

by Rhoda D'Ettore

  Hedwig flung the letter opener onto the floor and released her grip from Jacob's hair.

  “Better. Thanks. I feel better now.” Jacob slowed his breathing from the adrenaline rush. “How has Edmund been? He seemed like a normal teenager when we spoke.”

  “Jacob, there is nothing normal about our lives. Neither he nor the rest of us will ever be normal again.”

  Over the next week, Gustav, Hedwig and Jacob spent hours pouring over files and pictures. Gustav insisted Jacob know every detail by memory in case some of the documents were lost, stolen or otherwise destroyed.

  Excitement grew between them as the day of Jacob's departure arrived. Hedwig asked, “Why can't I go with the two of you to see Jacob off?”

  Gustav answered, “Because we must report to the Frankfurt office first for several meetings. Then Jacob will be taking a zeppelin to New Jersey. Taking the flight instead of the ship will shorten his trip.”

  “I always wanted to fly in a zeppelin. Maybe one day I will,” Edmund exclaimed. “I can't believe you have to go so soon. You are going to miss my graduation. The next time you see me, I will be an SS officer.”

  God I hope not. Jacob thought.

  Hedwig and Edmund said their good-byes to the duo. Parting was always difficult since they never had any idea how long it would be before they saw each other again.

  Gustav and Jacob piled into Gustav's car and headed for the train station. Gustav smiled as they drove away.

  Jacob thought, Is he smiling because he is going to get a promotion by having me executed, or because he is in love with my sister. I can't tell.

  Chapter 55

  Hedwig was scrubbing the kitchen floor when a special news update broadcast over the radio:

  This report is coming to you live from Lakehurst, New Jersey, USA. The Hindenburg zeppelin has caught fire and crashed. There are unconfirmed reports that most of the passengers and crew have perished in the flames. The zeppelin left out of Frankfurt, Germany three days ago....

  As Hedwig took in the news, her hands slowed the scrubbing to a stop. Her eyes lifted to the radio as they filled with tears. She threw the scrubbing brush at the radio and screamed in pain, “WHY? Oh God, dear God. Why?”

  Curling up in a ball was all she could do. “You took my parents. You gave my little brother to a bunch of killers. You took my real father. Now you had to take Jacob? Why?” She screamed in the air to God as if expecting an answer.

  Sobbing and rolling in the soapy puddle on the floor, Hedwig lost all control. She threw anything within her reach. Then the door flung open.

  “Hedwig, I'm so sorry.” Gustav picked her up and carried her upstairs to her bed. Hedwig clutched him tightly. He placed her gently on the bed, and her labored breathing obscured her words. “I can't understand you. Take a deep breath,” Gustav begged.

  “Why did this happen? Was this the Nazis? Did they kill him?”

  Gustav hadn't thought of that, but quickly removed it from his mind. “No, Darling. This was a terrible accident. No one could have prevented it.”

  “You arranged his trip. He normally went by ship. Did you kill my brother?” Hedwig beat her fists onto his chest.

  Gustav grabbed her wrists, “Calm down. I wouldn't do that to you. I love you, you know that. I could never cause you this much pain. Never.”

  She searched his eyes. They were warm and caring. He didn't do this, she thought. She threw her arms around him and cried.

  After a moment she pulled back, “Oh, God. Edmund. He can't find out this way. Edmund....”

  Gustav insisted, “Let me go downstairs to make a call, I will be right back.”

  “NO. Don't leave me.”

  “Hedwig, I need to call the school to have Edmund brought home. Let me do it and I will come right back. Okay? Take some deep breaths.”

  “Okay. Okay. Make call... Come right ba... Okay.”

  After placing the call, Gustav returned to her bedroom with a glass of water and a wet rag. “Drink slowly. You need to calm yourself for Edmund's sake.” He used the rag on her forehead and around her neck.

  She leaned in and kissed him quickly, “I love you, too.”

  He wiped both of their mouths, “Great. Next time can you tell me without the nasal mucous running down your face?”

  Hedwig hit him with a pillow. “You can't make me laugh now. My brother just died.”

  “Yes, and your younger brother is going to need you to be the strong woman we both know you are.”

  “Alois. What about Alois. Should we call?”

  Gustav pitied her. “He lives there, if we received the news, they did as well. He is probably postponing his call to let the news sink in. The operator switchboards are probably busy with people trying to call friends and relatives.”

  Hedwig took a few deep breaths, then clutched Gustav again. “Thank you for coming to me.”

  “It comes with the job.”

  Hedwig pulled back, “Do you mean your job with Nazi Intelligence?”

  “No, my job of caring for you.”

  Edmund flung the front door opened and started yelling. “Hello? Where are you?”

  “Edmund, I'm up here. Come to my room.”

  He stomped up the stairs and froze when he saw Gustav leaning over a crying Hedwig. “What did you do to her?” Edmund screamed and tackled Gustav. “Get off my sister.”

  Gustav and Hedwig restrained the boy, “Edmund, it wasn't him. Something horrible happened, but it was not his fault. He helped me. Calm down.”

  Confused, Edmund explained, “I received orders to return home, they even drove me in a car. That never happens. They refused to tell me what kind of emergency occurred.” His chest heaved with excitement and fear.

  “Sit down. There has been an accident. I need you to calm down, or you will upset me,” Hedwig explained.

  “Okay. What kind of accident?”

  Hedwig took a deep breath to gain her strength, then said flatly, “Jacob's flight to America crashed earlier today. The radio said most of the passengers died.”

  Edmund stared into the distance. He sat silent, almost catatonic. Gustav tried to comfort them, “The reports are unconfirmed. It is possible he is alive—that they are all alive. We just have to wait and see.” Edmund rose from the bed without a word and crept to his room.

  “What do I do? What about a funeral? Should we bury him here or there?” Hedwig shook her head, “I can't handle another funeral. I have gone to too many over the last five years. I can't do it. I can't.”

  Gustav held her, rocking Hedwig back and forth. “Quiet down my darling. Don't think of such things now. It is possible he is alive.”

  “Gustav, he is dead. My brother is dead. My parents are dead. My other father is dead.”

  “But you darling are alive. Maybe we should use this opportunity to venture to America. All three of us can go visit Alois. I have yet to meet him.”

  “You may be right. It might be good for Edmund and I to see a different way of life.”

  “I'll make the arrangements tomorrow.”

  Hedwig looked at him intently, “No you won't. I will do it. Look what happened the last time you made arrangements?”

  He was uncertain whether she was joking or not.

  Chapter 56

  Gustav expedited passports for Edmund and Hedwig through Nazi Intelligence. They left for Philadelphia as quickly as possible.

  When they arrived, Alois greeted them at the dock. Alois pushed through the crowd searching every face for a resemblance to his memories. Finally Hedwig shouted, “Alois. Brother.”

  Alois twisted his body in search of her voice. “Schatzi. You have blossomed.” He swept his sister off the ground. His eyes scanned, looking for Edmund. “No. It can't be. You are taller than I am.” Alois extended his hand for a shake.

  Edmund said nothing, but accepted the gesture.

  Gustav put out his hand, “My condolences on your loss. He was a good friend to me.”

  “Thank you, Gus
tav. I appreciate your support for my siblings at this time,” Alois responded. “I reserved rooms for you at an excellent hotel. Tomorrow we will meet with a funeral director regarding the burial. I hoped you would not have any objections to laying him to rest here.”

  Hedwig broke out into tears, burying her face in Gustav's chest. Gustav responded, “I apologize, it might be best for us to reach the hotel and discuss things tomorrow.” Gustav's eyes drifted from Alois to Hedwig, “If you want, Alois and I could make all the arrangements together?”

  “No. It is my place to bury him. I threatened to kill him on more than one occasion, so I should be the one to bury him.”

  Alois winced, “You what?”

  Hedwig shrugged, “Nothing. Private joke between Jacob and me.” She wiped the tears from her eyes, smoothed out her dress, then stood up straight. “Enough crying. We came here for a reason, let's get to work.”

  Edmund soaked in his surroundings. No guards. No parades. No salutes. People bustled in the streets and yelled loudly. Children ran and hit balls with sticks. Music blasted from inside buildings. Horns honked. Edmund muttered, “This is madness. It's disorganized and chaotic.”

  The family climbed into a cab, silent the entire ride to the hotel. Hedwig's thoughts never drifted from Jacob. She concentrated on things they needed to do and decisions that had to be made.

  Gustav and Edmund made use of their surveillance training. The energy and excitement of the people on the streets seem to come alive. People yelled and laughed, vendors sold items on the streets and children smiled. Gustav leaned into Hedwig, “So this is what freedom is like?”

  Once at the hotel, they disembarked from the taxi cab, unloading their baggage. As Edmund reached for the handle of a bag, a drunken street person knocked into him then threw a piece of trash onto the ground. Edmund jumped back, waiting for the police to intervene. No one came.

  Edmund shouted, “Did you see that? A drunken deviant assaulted a good citizen, then littered the ground with his filth. Where are the authorities? That man should be dealt with.”

  Alois rested a hand on Edmund's shoulder, “It's all right, son. It was an accident that he bumped into you. He meant no harm.”

  “You condone this kind of behavior? America is supposed to be a wonderful place. Instead, I am visiting a zoo. Furthermore, I am not your son.” Edmund's eyes grew wide with rage and hate.

  Hedwig turned to her brother, “Edmund, please calm down. It has been a perilous journey, and we should all rest. Apologize to Alois, now.”

  Edmund scoffed. “I'll wait in the lobby until you retrieve my room key.” The boy who would soon be a man took long strides toward the hotel.

  Gustav commanded, “Geiger. About face.” Edmund stopped. Instinctively he stood at attention and spun on his heels. Gustav marched forward. “Apologize to your brother and sister at once.”

  A forced, “Sorry,” came from Edmund's lips.

  “I overlooked the past week's transgressions and disrespect because of the circumstances. However, you need to learn to control yourself and respect the mothers of Germany.”

  Through gritted teeth, Edmund stated, “She is not a mother of Germany. She is no one's mother.”

  Gustav met Edmund's eyes and for a moment, he reminded Hedwig of Johann. “Must I remind you of your graduation next month? Perhaps you would like to wait another year before entering the SS? It is obvious your recent instructors failed in their duties. Do you need more training?” Edmund was tall at seventeen, almost reaching Gustav's height.

  Hedwig pleaded with Gustav, “No. Please. He did not mean anything. Can we go in and rest? Please?”

  “Schatzi, would you and Alois please register us with the hotel while Geiger and I have a chat. Please?”

  Alois looked to Hedwig for a response. She nodded and the two siblings entered the hotel, leaving Edmund and Gustav on the street.

  “Geiger, what is the cause of your negative attitude?”

  “We are here surrounded by weakness. I feel like a traitor to the Fatherland by being here.”

  “No. Nice try. Your insolent behavior started before arrival in America. Disrespect and rebellion does not become you.”

  Edmund stared into the distance, “Everyone I care about dies, sir. It is just a matter of time before you and Hedwig are gone, too.”

  “Ah. So you decided behaving like a disobedient and disrespectful deviant would keep us alive?”

  Edmund shrugged. “I do not like it here, sir. Everything about this place seems wrong. Look around. You must see it, don't you?”

  Gustav noticed children playing and people laughing. He thought to himself, I see people who live without fear.

  Turning back to the boy, “Geiger, we will be back in the Fatherland soon. Until then, I expect you to behave properly and respectfully. Anymore outbursts and I will deal with you accordingly.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The two entered the hotel and regrouped with Hedwig and Alois. They retired for the night. Each lay deep in thought in their respective beds.

  Gustav dreamed of a life with Hedwig in America. A life of freedom and without fear. Edmund imagined himself as a good SS officer commanding companies of men. Hedwig submerged herself in childhood memories. All of it seemed so far away.

  The family buried Jacob in a German-American cemetery along the outskirts of Philadelphia. Edmund remained cold and distant throughout the service. A few friends from work and the beer halls attended.

  Edmund recalled the funeral of Lieutenant Johann Reinhard and asked Gustav, “Where are the flags and horns? Where is the rifle salute?”

  Gustav replied, “Those are saved for the funerals of military personnel, not civilians.”

  Horrified, Edmund responded, “But he worked with you, did he not? Certainly his death demanded some respect. This is pathetic.”

  “Geiger, hold your tongue. This is what Jacob wanted. He wanted to be buried here and without ceremony. We are not to argue with his wishes.”

  Hedwig sat, holding Alois' hand. She stared off to the distance.

  After the service, Gustav asked her, “How are you?”

  Weakly she said, “I have no more tears. After years of crying and mourning, my eyes have dried up.”

  Chapter 57

  A month later, Hedwig and Gustav once again sat in a ceremony. This time they attended Edmund's graduation from the Hitler Youth Specialty Division. Instead of diplomas, the graduates received their orders to report for induction into the SS.

  At the end of the ceremony, Edmund approached them. “Finally. I have accomplished my goals.”

  Gustav placed a hand on Edmund's shoulder, “Have you decided for what occupation you would apply? I always expected you to become a communication officer or radio operator.”

  Edmund smiled, “Infantry.”

  Hedwig's eyes bulged. “Isn't that who does all the fighting?” She moved toward Edmund, and Gustav reached for her arm in comfort.

  With a huge smile, Edmund stated, “Yes, ma'am. I will be on the front line defending our great nation from evil doers everywhere.”

  Hedwig pointed her finger in Edmund's face, “You will not be going to any such place.” She then turned to Gustav, “And you? How could you let this happen? I trusted you to look after him.”

  Gustav pulled her close and whispered, “Schatzi, please remember where we are. Please, lower your voice. We can discuss this at home.” Hedwig's memory flashed back to Johann's reprimand of her in public. She looked at Gustav's face realizing the two men were completely different, yet very similar.

  “I am going to my home. I do not know where you are going.” Hedwig turned to Edmund, “You are coming with me. You are not an officer yet and will do as I say.”

  Edmund knew better than to argue in public and sat silent the whole way home. Upon entering the house, Hedwig blasted, “What on this Earth made you think it was a good idea to join the Infantry Unit?”

  Edmund just lowered his head.


  “Answer me.”

  When their eyes met, Edmund said, “Infantry will allow me to climb the ranks faster. Besides, I will get to travel.”

  “Get to travel? No. You will get shot.”

  A smug expression crossed his face, “We both know that could even happen here in this house. At the hands of my own fiancee.”

  Hedwig's hand flew across his cheek. Never before had she struck him.

  With a half smile, he responded, “The truth hurts, doesn't it?”

  Again, her hand struck him.

  Edmund crept toward her and within inches of her face stated, “Sister, I love you dearly. You have been my mother these last seven years. But never strike me again. I would rather go to the front, because at least there I know for sure who the enemy is.”

  Fear shot through Hedwig as her throat tightened. She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity. “I will not be intimidated in my own house. You will not speak to me in that manner.”

  “I was not disrespectful, simply stating a fact. For years I have struggled my way through confusion. My loyalty for the family and my loyalty for the Fatherland were usually in conflict with one another. However, I decided during our trip to Philadelphia which was more important. I thank you for that.”

  Perplexed, Hedwig asked, “What do you mean? What are you talking about?”

  “I mean... I will be fighting to protect our country from becoming the anarchy we visited. I would rather die fighting for a country of law and order than visit a weak minded country filled with lazy, undisciplined people.”

  Hedwig shook her head, “You ca--No. No. This isn't happening. This is not happening.”

  “We have a week before I am to report for duty. Let's not fight the entire time. Please?” Edmund's demeanor changed. He now seemed softer than a moment ago. Hedwig observed this type of transformation from SS officer to sincere man before. Her worst fear had come true. Edmund became Lieutenant Johann Reinhard's desired creation.