Mercer Street (American Journey Book 2)

by John A. Heldt

  Susan silently praised her mother for asking a loaded question that was surely on the minds of at least three people. She knew she hadn't the guts to ask it herself.

  "That's a difficult question to answer," Kurt said. "It's hard to miss something you can barely remember. I was six when I came to this country. I have lived in the United States continuously since 1922 and have never been back to my native land."

  "Surely you have some memories of Germany," Elizabeth said.

  "I do. I have a pleasant one, in fact."

  Elizabeth smiled like she had stumbled onto something big.

  "Please tell us."

  "All right. It's not much, but it's important to me," Kurt said. "When I was five, I stuttered. I stuttered so badly that my parents feared I would have difficulty making friends and succeeding in school. They took me to several doctors and specialists but were unable to help me until they ran into a retired speech teacher in Berlin."

  "I see," Elizabeth said.

  "The teacher took me under his wing, if you will, and worked with me every day for nine months – our last nine months in Germany. By the time I came to America, I was able not only to speak without stuttering but also to speak fluent English. The teacher did more than fix an embarrassing problem. He prepared me for life in this country."

  "That's a beautiful story," Susan said. "It's hard to believe you ever had a speech impediment or even an accent. You speak more eloquently than most native-born Americans."

  "Thank you."

  Susan glanced again at Amanda and saw an I-told-you-so glint in her eyes. She couldn't blame her daughter for feeling smug. Amanda had delivered what she had promised to deliver: a charming, intelligent, articulate man who identified far more with the United States and the American way than with anything he had been born into.

  Susan wanted to end the probing and move onto other topics but decided to ask a few more questions before the food arrived. She conceded that what really bothered her about Kurt Schmidt was not his background or his views but rather his family connections. She proceeded slowly into dangerous waters.

  "Tell us about your father," Susan said. "I met him after his lecture in January, but I didn't have the chance to talk to him long. What's he like?"

  Kurt sipped some water and fixed his gaze on Susan. He appeared relaxed, composed, and fully prepared to discuss a diplomat who represented the Third Reich.

  "He's like a lot of good men," Kurt said. "He's smart, considerate, principled, and generous to a fault. He can be harsh at times, particularly to subordinates, but he can also be very kind. I found him to be a loving father and an excellent mentor."

  Susan forced a smile. She thought Kurt's answer sounded genuine but rehearsed. She turned to her left, saw Elizabeth's disbelieving stare, and guessed that she, too, was having trouble with "considerate," "generous," and "loving." There was nothing considerate, generous, or loving with what Germans were doing around the globe.

  "How about your mother?" Susan asked. "What's she like?"

  "She's a lot like my father. She's intelligent, generous, caring, and attentive. She's also very religious. My mother is a devout Roman Catholic who is active in the church and in many charitable organizations in D.C."

  Susan saw Elizabeth sit up. She wondered how much Mrs. Schmidt had in common with a certain Mrs. Wagner.

  "She sounds like a lovely woman," Susan said.

  "She is," Kurt said.

  Susan noticed that Kurt's easy smile had returned. She had no doubt that he believed everything he had said about his mother.

  "I understand you also have a sibling."

  Kurt appeared tense.

  "I do. I have a twin brother named Karl."

  "I see," Susan said. "Does he live in Washington with your parents?"

  Kurt shook his head.

  "No. He lives in Berlin. He chose to attend college in Germany."

  Susan sensed that she had brought up a sore subject. She proceeded cautiously.

  "Do you see him often?" Susan asked.

  Kurt sighed.

  "No. I have not seen him in more than two years."

  Susan scanned the faces at the table and saw that the subject of Karl Schmidt had gained the keen interest of three individuals. Elizabeth, Jack, and Amanda looked at Kurt with eyes that reflected vindication, skepticism, and concern, respectively.

  "What do your parents think about having a son in Germany right now?"

  Susan expected Kurt to respond defensively to a loaded question. She did not expect him to get misty and look away. She had hit the target.

  "They don't like it," Kurt said a moment later. "They wish Karl had remained in the United States, like me, and pursued a career in this country. They miss him."

  Susan smiled warmly at the man on the hot seat. She now looked at him less like a threat and more like a person trying to cope with family problems at a difficult age. She decided to cease the questioning and offer words of encouragement.

  "I'm sure they do miss him," Susan said. "It's hard to watch a child leave the nest. I know I felt that way when Amanda went to college. I almost barred her from leaving."

  "She told me as much," Kurt said.

  Everyone at the table laughed. The tension dissipated.

  "I'm not surprised. She likes sharing family horror stories," Susan said. She looked at Kurt. "Your family sounds nice. I would love to meet them and get to know them."

  "Perhaps you can," Kurt said.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean perhaps you can see them later this month. I'm planning to go home in about three weeks. I would love to bring you along."

  "You want us to go to Washington?" Susan asked.

  "I would," Kurt said.

  "Won't your parents mind?"

  "They won't mind. They want to meet Amanda. They want to meet all of you."

  "You know this for a fact?"

  "I do," Kurt said. "They wrote as much in a letter this week. They are as curious about you as you are about them."

  "I see," Susan said.

  "I think you would enjoy the visit. The cherry trees along the Tidal Basin will be in full bloom. It's quite a sight if you've never seen it."

  "Let's go, Mom," Amanda said. "You've said you wanted to visit D.C. You've said so on many occasions. Now's our chance."

  "I don't know, honey," Susan said. "I don't want to impose on Kurt's family."

  "You wouldn't be imposing at all," Kurt said. "My parents live in a five-bedroom house. They would welcome the company. They would welcome all of you."

  Susan laughed to herself. She couldn't believe how quickly the conversation had shifted into a dicey direction. She reminded herself to be more selective with her words the next time she uttered a pleasantry.

  "Are you sure it wouldn't be a problem?" Susan asked.

  "I'm positive," Kurt said.

  Susan glanced at her mother and her daughter and saw two predictably different reactions to Kurt's invitation. She saw Elizabeth grimace like she had swallowed a horse and Amanda beam like she had just won the lottery.

  "Let us think about it, Kurt," Susan said. "In the meantime, please run the idea past your parents. Find out if they are as open to a visit as you think they are. Will you do that?"

  "I will," Kurt said. "It would be my pleasure."

  CHAPTER 44: SUSAN

  Friday, March 17, 1939

  "Amanda recommended this place?" Jack asked.

  Susan laughed.

  "She did. She said we needed to reconnect with our youth."

  "I imagine that won't be difficult in here."

  Susan couldn't disagree. No matter where she looked in the taproom of the Colonial Inn, she saw youth. She saw students from Princeton and other colleges run around the room with pewter mugs of lager and noisily celebrate the patron saint of Ireland.

  "I like this bar. It's festive and cheery," Susan said. "I need something cheery after the month I've had."

  "How are things at home?" Jack asked
.

  "They are much better. Mom and Amanda still don't see eye to eye on Kurt Schmidt, but they respect each other's viewpoints. They are talking and laughing like they used to."

  Jack took a sip of beer.

  "What's your opinion of Mr. Schmidt?"

  "I like him," Susan said. "I'm not sure he's told us everything we need to know about his family, but I guess that doesn't matter now. We will see for ourselves what kind of stock he comes from when we go to Washington in a couple of weeks."

  "So you're definitely planning to go?"

  Susan nodded.

  "I admit I was hesitant about the whole thing until I received a phone call from Johanna Schmidt last night. We spoke for about ten minutes."

  "Did she alleviate your concerns?" Jack asked.

  "She did. She extended a warm welcome to my entire family and said that she would do everything in her power to make our stay a pleasant one."

  "She sounds like a nice woman."

  "She sounds like a mother," Susan said with a laugh. "I think she wants to make sure her baby hasn't fallen in with the wrong crowd."

  Jack chuckled.

  "How long do you plan to be gone?"

  "We plan to drive to D.C. on March 30 and return on April 5," Susan said. "So we'll be gone a full week. Why do you ask? Will you miss me?"

  "I'll miss you," Jack said.

  "You mean you'll miss your editorial assistant."

  Jack reached across the small table and took Susan's hands.

  "No. I mean I'll miss you."

  Susan gazed at him with serious eyes.

  "I like hearing that. I like it a lot," Susan said. "It's been a long time since a man said he would miss me."

  Jack took a breath.

  "I mean it. I know I haven't suggested as much these past few weeks, but I do see you as more than just a colleague. I see you as a friend – and I'd like to see you as more."

  Susan frowned. She knew this moment would come sooner or later and secretly hoped it would come later. She liked Jack and wanted to see him socially as well as professionally, but she didn't want to head down a road that could only lead to heartbreak.

  "I see," Susan said.

  "Did I say something wrong?" Jack asked.

  "No."

  "You just don't feel the same way. Is that it?"

  "No," Susan said. "That's not it at all. I feel exactly the same way."

  "Then why the glum face?"

  Susan sighed.

  "I guess I don't see the point in starting something I can't finish. I plan to leave Princeton by September. I don't think it would be fair to either one of us to get involved right now."

  Jack withdrew his hands and brought them together under his chin.

  "I see I've misread your interest in this community."

  "I like living here," Susan said. "We all do. We just can't stay."

  "In other words, Chicago is home."

  Susan forced a smile.

  "Chicago is home."

  "For what it's worth, I'm no more attached to Princeton than you are," Jack said.

  Susan winced. She didn't know how to respond. She had clearly underestimated Jack's interest in her and found herself with yet another time-travel-related problem.

  "Give me your hands," Susan said.

  Jack laughed.

  "Do you promise to give them back?"

  Susan smiled.

  "I do."

  "All right then," Jack said.

  He pushed his hands forward.

  Susan took the hands and held them as she assembled a message in her head. She knew she would get only one chance to say this right and didn't want to blow it.

  "Let me first say that I like you. I like you and respect you as much as any man I have ever known, which is why I'm finding this difficult," Susan said. "I want to continue seeing you. I want to strengthen what I think is a very special friendship."

  "I sense a caveat coming up," Jack said.

  Susan laughed.

  "It's more like a statement of understanding."

  "I'm not sure I follow," Jack said.

  "I want to approach each day like it's our last. If it is, it is. If it's not, it's not. As long as you understand that I can't promise you a thing, we can move forward."

  "Moving forward is still moving."

  "It is," Susan said. She smiled warmly as she squeezed his hands. "Let's move, Jack Hicks. Let's move forward, but let's do it slowly."

  CHAPTER 45: AMANDA

  Saturday, March 25, 1939

  Amanda looked at the grinning baby and the dirty diaper and shook her head. She didn't care how much Lizzie smiled. No smile could put a bloom on this rose.

  "What's wrong?" Kurt asked.

  Amanda sighed.

  "I'm just trying to figure out how a baby this cute could produce a toxic waste site after only one feeding. This child is the Incredible Pooping Machine."

  Kurt laughed.

  "Are you new at this?"

  Amanda shook her head.

  "No. I watched a lot of babies when I was in high school, including twin boys, but none that crapped like this one. She's a modern marvel."

  Lizzie squealed.

  "Yes, I'm talking about you," Amanda said. She smiled and rubbed noses with her favorite infant grandmother. "I swear you'll be the death of me."

  Amanda wiped Lizzie's bottom, set the dirty diaper to the side, and grabbed a fresh one from a stack. She pinned it into place, picked up the baby, and walked across her neighbors' living room to their sofa. She handed Lizzie to Kurt.

  "Hold her. Sing to her. Teach her German. I don't care," Amanda said. "Just don't let her crawl into the kitchen. That place is as baby-proof as a minefield."

  Amanda returned to the scene of the crime, grabbed the dirty diaper with her fingertips, and headed into the bathroom. She shook the diaper over the toilet, placed it in a hamper, and washed her hands twice before returning to the living room.

  Where are Pampers when you need them?

  "I see you survived," Kurt said with a smile.

  "I'm walking, yes, but my olfactory nerve has been compromised," Amanda replied.

  Kurt laughed.

  "Something tells me you're going to be a great mother."

  "You're an optimist, Mr. Schmidt."

  Kurt looked at her more seriously.

  "Don't you want to be a mother?"

  Amanda sighed. She had never given the matter much thought. She had always assumed she would build a career first and worry about raising little people later.

  "I suppose I do," Amanda said. She took Lizzie from Kurt and returned to a padded rocking chair. "It just seems like a lot of work."

  "Where are Lizzie's parents?"

  "Ella is shopping. She'll be back in an hour. Erich is at a retreat for math professors. He'll be back on Monday."

  "I see," Kurt said. "They are fortunate to have neighbors willing to change dirty diapers on a moment's notice."

  Amanda gave him a death stare.

  "Did you come here to mock me?"

  "No. I came here to update you on the trip. I spoke to my mother this morning."

  "What did she say?" Amanda asked.

  Kurt smiled warmly.

  "She said she's looking forward to meeting you. She's looking forward to meeting the Chicago girl who has bewitched her son."

  Amanda laughed.

  "Did she really say that?"

  Kurt chuckled.

  "She did. My mother is direct. It is one of her most appealing qualities."

  Amanda gazed at the man on the couch.

  "So is it true?"

  "Is what true?" Kurt asked.

  Amanda raised a brow.

  "Is it true that a Chicago girl has bewitched your mother's son?"

  Kurt blushed.

  Amanda warmed at the sight of Kurt's red face. She couldn't recall the last time she had made a boy blush, though she was fairly certain it was July 4, 2006. That's when she had kissed fellow eleven-year-ol
d Evan Iverson behind a dunk tank at an Independence Day picnic.

  "I see I've found your soft spot," Amanda said.

  "I guess you have," Kurt replied.

  "So is it true? Have I bewitched you?"

  Kurt sighed and nodded sheepishly.

  "You have. I find it hard to get through a day without thinking about you."

  Amanda beamed.

  "It sounds to me like the universe is in proper alignment."

  Kurt chuckled.

  "I suppose it is."

  Amanda held up Lizzie and studied her smiling face. She could not believe the child never fussed. When it came to bewitching females in Princeton, New Jersey, no woman held a candle to this little fart. She kissed Lizzie on the head, put her back on her lap, and looked again at the German boy who was still getting his emotions under control.

  "So what do your parents have planned for us?" Amanda asked.

  "They want to do the usual things," Kurt said. "They want to visit the memorials, the capitol, and the blossom festival, of course. We really couldn't be going at a better time. The city will be ablaze in color."

  "I've never been to Washington in the spring. I'm looking forward to seeing the trees."

  "I've seen them every year since 1922 and still never tire of them."

  "What about the accommodations?" Amanda asked. "Are you sure you don't want us to stay in a hotel? You know what Ben Franklin said about fish and visitors."

  Kurt tilted his head.

  "No. I don't."

  "He said they both start to smell after three days."

  Kurt laughed.

  "I'll take my chances."

  Amanda smiled.

  "Are you sure though? Are you sure we won't be imposing?"

  "I'm positive," Kurt said. "There will be plenty of room for the eight of us."

  "Eight?"

  "Eight."

  "I'm not a math major, Kurt, but even I can count," Amanda said. "You, your parents, and my family add up to six people."

  Kurt took a breath.

  "Things have changed since I spoke to you last."

  "Changed? How?"

  "My brother is back in the States," Kurt said. "He's in New York."

  "New York?"

  Kurt nodded.

  "He left Germany in February but didn't tell a soul. I guess he's been looking for work and found a job with the German American Friendship Federation. He called my parents yesterday to tell them the news. He wanted to surprise them."