by Kris Tualla
He nodded. “At first, yes. I assumed that’d be how things went.”
“And then?” she prompted.
“As time went on, and my situation looked more and more hopeless, I got angry—and really bitter, to be honest.” He looked down at her. “My livelihood and my life had been stolen from me. Do you understand?”
“I do.”
“All we could focus on was making it through the day. Then through half the day. Then just taking one more step…”
Selby’s throat thickened and she couldn’t talk.
“I met Falko and he asked me if I was angry enough to join the resistance.” Teigen huffed and his breath steamed in the cold winter air. “I told him in no uncertain terms that I was more than ready.”
Selby swallowed the lump in her throat. “And that was when your future plans changed.”
“Actually, that was when I started making future plans, not just letting my future plan itself.”
That was an interesting way to put it. “And then you followed Falko to Trondheim and Bergen.”
Teigen held her arm as they climbed the icy steps and then opened the hotel door. They passed through the little alcove to the second door and entered the cozy lobby.
As they approached the stairs, Selby stopped. She didn’t offer Teigen his coat, because she wasn’t quite finished with the conversation. “What were your thoughts when you met us all?”
Teigen looked a little embarrassed. “I knew that you and Dahl went to SOE training in England, and I was afraid you would make me to go, too.”
Selby found that amusing. “Why would that be bad?”
“To be honest,” he began. “I had already wasted two years of the occupation pretending it would just go away. And after spending the majority of this year as a prisoner, I didn’t want to waste any more time.”
She frowned. “Do you think we wasted our time?”
“No. On the contrary, I think you were efficient.”
“Efficient?”
“Absolutely!” Teigen’s eyes twinkled. “You teach us what you learned and we can get right to it.”
Selby laughed. “Because that’s—”
“—what teachers do every day. Exactly!”
Selby nodded, still smiling, and took Teigen’s coat off. “This has been an unexpectedly enlightening evening in so many ways.”
Teigen accepted the coat and folded it over one arm. “Shall I see you up?”
“No. But thank you. We don’t want tongues to start wagging over nothing.” Especially since Dahl was probably lying in wait for her to ask why she stormed out of dinner.
Teigen dipped his chin. “Thank you for sharing my fårikål.”
“Thank you for sharing your secret.”
He winked. “I have more. Just let me know when you feel like another adventure.”
“I will.” Selby realized with a shock that she meant it. “Good night.”
As she climbed the stairs, Teigen’s simple answer rang in her ears.
When she does, I suppose.
Selby shook her head and finished the climb to the second floor refusing to give it any more thought.
*****
Bennett was in the room when Teigen reached it. “Where’ve you been? I’ve got news!”
Teigen hung his coat on the wrought-iron coat tree. “I went to a tavern I know for the world’s best fårikål.”
Bennett’s eyes rounded. “Really? Is it far?”
“Nope. Two blocks.” Teigen dropped in a chair to take his boots off. “You want me to show you tomorrow?”
“Sure! We can celebrate.” Bennett looked like cat with a canary in its mouth.
Though he figured he already knew, Teigen asked, “Celebrate what?”
“I’m being promoted to lieutenant!”
“That’s great news, Bennett! Congratulations.” Teigen was sincerely happy for the man. “You’re up there with Selby and Gunter, now.”
“Guess what else?”
Teigen intentionally looked curious. “What?”
Bennett lowered his voice. “Look surprised when they tell you, okay? But you’re being promoted to sergeant!”
“Am I?” Teigen grinned and tipped his head. “That means more money, right?”
“Only twenty kroner a week.” Bennett shrugged. “But it’s something, right? Eighty more a month!”
Teigen’s evening with Selby had already put him in a good mood, and Bennett’s excitement topped it off. “Let’s go down and have a drink,” he suggested. “First shot of aquavit’s on me.”
Chapter
Twenty
February 18, 1943
Oslo, Norway
Teigen chose to eat breakfast alone as he re-read the three letters he received yesterday. The one from Falko was upbeat and excited, describing where he was living without naming the city, and describing his coworkers—calling each one by a silly nickname in case his letter was intercepted.
Teigen decided he would write back after he talked to Elsa, figuring that then he would have something interesting to say.
He savored his mother’s letter and read each paragraph twice, visions of his boyhood home vivid in his mind when he read her welcome words.
Because the troupe was a professional and public group, he was able to send his mother their itinerary without raising any Nazi suspicions. And though he invited his parents to attend the plays, he knew they probably wouldn’t travel to see him. At least he could look forward to her letters when he reached the next hotel on their itinerary.
I’ll write her after I talk to Elsa as well.
That was going to be a difficult letter to write, but he wanted his mother to know his continued heartbreak. Even at his age, he still longed for her maternal comfort and care.
However, he hadn’t told her how hard it was for him in prison or the labor camp, and he never would. That sort of news would be too difficult for a mother to bear.
The oddest of the three letters was the one Tor sent to their parents. His mother forwarded the letter after it suffered many unfoldings, re-reading, and refoldings judging by its ragged condition. Unfortunately his brother, who was active duty in the Norwegian Army, wasn’t able to include any details as to where he was and what he was doing. All he could say was that he received a promotion, and he was healthy.
That does mean the most to our parents.
Teigen wondered for the first time if he and Tor would cross paths now that he was a Milorg sergeant.
“That would be an interesting conversation,” he muttered to himself as he tucked the letters into his back pocket.
“Are you ready, Hansen?” Dahl clapped him on the shoulder. “We don’t want to keep Colonel Berntsen waiting.”
“Yep.” Teigen stood and gulped the last of his coffee. He collected the coat and scarf he brought down to breakfast. “Let’s go.”
There were only five of them in the group that headed through the snowy streets to the meeting: Dahl, Selby, Gunter, Bennett, and himself. He had been told that he needed to talk to the Colonel about Elsa, but he figured this was also the meeting where he would officially receive his promotion.
Especially since Bennett kept elbowing him and grinning.
Once the group assembled in the dressing room they waited in silence for the Colonel. When he arrived at five minutes after ten, he wasn’t alone.
“I wanted you all to meet a very important gentleman—and I wanted him to meet you.” Berntsen said once he and his guest had removed their coats. “This is Jens Christian Hauge, the national leader of Milorg.”
While he had certainly heard of the Oslo lawyer, Teigen was surprised at his youth. The man couldn’t be any older than his own twenty-eight years. Tall with short, dark hair and brown eyes, he was unremarkable to look at.
The minute he spoke, however, it was clear why a nation of resisters followed his lead.
“I’m glad to finally meet you all,” he said in a clear, strong baritone. “I’ve heard good things a
bout what the Royal Shakespearean Acting Troupe has been able to accomplish, and I congratulate you on the work you’re doing.”
“Thank you, sir.” Dahl was actually blushing. “We’re honored to serve.”
“I understand you have a fairly new member,” Hauge continued. “A teacher who was imprisoned at Grini and Kirkenes?”
If he thought Dahl’s cheeks were flushing, Teigen believed his own were now on fire. His gaze shot to Dahl, wondering if he should speak, or wait to be pointed out.
What’s the protocol?
“Yes, sir.” Dahl turned a strained smile on Teigen. “This is Teigen Hansen.”
Teigen stood and bent over to offer his hand to the seated leader. “It’s a pleasure, sir.”
Hauge stood as well. He pumped Teigen’s hand and smiled into his eyes. “When did you return?”
“November,” Teigen said. “At the very end.”
Hauge let go of his hand. “Go on, sit.” Both men reclaimed their seats and Hauge asked, “And when did you join Milorg?”
Teigen allowed a half-grin. “In November.”
The lawyer laughed. “Well done. What’s your rank?”
Teigen looked at Dahl, unsure what to say.
“Actually, sir.” Dahl cleared his throat. “Hansen doesn’t know this, but he’s being promoted to sergeant today.”
“It’s well deserved, sir,” Selby interjected. “As his commanding officer I can attest to his capabilities.”
Teigen watched Selby as she offered the completely unexpected compliment. She didn’t look at him, but she had a slight smile on her face.
“Thank you, Lieutenant Hovland,” he said as sincerely as he could. He wanted her to know he meant it.
She did glance at him then, but said nothing more.
“And Sergeant Wilhelmsen,” Dahl indicated a beaming Bennett, “is being promoted to Lieutenant.”
“Hearty congratulations to both of you. And keep up the excellent work.” Hauge stood again, reminding Teigen of the children’s toy that popped out of a box when the crank was turned. “I’m afraid I do have to go, but I wanted to grab this opportunity while I could.”
He faced Colonel Berntsen and shook his hand. “Carry on.”
Hauge exited the dressing room, donning his swirling coat as he did.
For a moment, the remaining group just stared at each other, expressions of awe now making their appearances.
“Wow. That was him.” Gunter’s words seem to express a commonly shared reaction.
“And he’s too busy to visit just anyone,” Berntsen stated. “He really is impressed with what you’ve all done.”
“And our famous teacher,” Bennett teased.
“Shut up,” Teigen warned.
For the next several minutes, Dahl and Berntsen discussed a laundry list of logistical details, finances, and confirmed the promotions. Teigen watched Selby, who still wouldn’t look at him. Even so, she appeared calm.
At least she’s not upset with me at the moment.
Teigen would take what he could get from her, and if ‘not upset’ was the best she gave for now, then he was satisfied.
“And now to the matter of Elsa Borg,” Berntsen said, jerking Teigen’s attention from Selby.
“Yes, sir?”
“I understand that you and Miss Borg were engaged?”
Teigen nodded. “For three years. We were supposed to get married in early May of 1940.”
“Ah, yes.” Berntsen understood the significance of the date. “Are you still engaged?”
“No. She broke off our engagement the day I signed and mailed my refusal to join Quisling’s Norwegian Teachers Union. February tenth of last year.” His pulse surged as her parting words—go to hell—resounded in his memory.
“When were you arrested?”
“On March twenty-fourth. I was sent to Grini.” A date he’d never forget.
“Did you have any contact with Elsa Borg between February tenth and March twenty-fourth?” Now Berntsen sounded like the lawyer.
“No, sir.” Teigen hesitated only a moment before asking, “Did she really have a baby?”
Berntsen nodded. “She did. On December twenty-seventh.”
Teigen spread his hands, painfully ignoring the jagged knife those words drove through his heart. “Then it couldn’t be mine. Obviously.”
“Actually…”
Teigen turned and stared at Selby. “What?”
“The baby was born exactly nine months after your arrest,” she said. “It’s your word against hers.”
“But I’m telling the truth!” Teigen blurted. “Besides the fact that we hadn’t been, uh…” His cheeks were on fire again. “…together like that since she moved in with her parents the year before.”
“Well, we can’t prosecute her without proof,” Berntsen said.
Teigen glared at the colonel, his eyes narrowing. “Then I’ll get your proof.”
“How?” Selby asked.
Teigen’s seething regard moved to hers. “From her own mouth.”
*****
Selby was frightened by the sudden fury in Teigen’s expression and the anger in his quiet voice. She wrapped her arms across her chest as if to protect herself from his wrath and pressed her spine against her chair.
“You’ll need witnesses,” Dahl warned him. “Someone needs to hear her admit that she lied.”
“So I’ll meet her in a public place.’
“Will she agree to meet you?” Bennett asked.
Some of the rage seemed to seep from Teigen’s frame. “I don’t know.”
“Maybe if she thinks she’s meeting someone else,” Bennett suggested.
Teigen nodded. “Yes. It’ll have to be that.”
“Do you know anyone?” Selby asked.
Teigen looked at her again. His gaze was already clearer, calmer. The storm seemed to be passing as quickly as it hit.
Was that possible?
He shook his head slowly. “She didn’t have many friends back then. I don’t think I could name one.”
Berntsen leaned forward. “Does she like the theater?”
Gunter grinned. “We’ll give her free tickets!”
“And ambush her in her seat?” Teigen made a face. “That won’t work.”
“No… but what if we offered her a backstage tour as part of the prize?” Selby sat forward again. “She won’t see you until she’s backstage.”
“And we’ll all hide out of sight,” Bennett said. “But we’ll hear everything.”
Teigen looked around the area as if judging the viability of that plan. “That might work.”
“You can meet her in my changing room so it’s private,” Selby offered. “She won’t realize we’re all listening.”
Teigen tipped his head sideways. “She won’t come alone…”
“Then give her two tickets.” Berntsen shrugged. “She can bring anyone she wants to. That doesn’t matter.”
Teigen rubbed his chin, his expression skeptical. “One last detail—how did she win this prize if she never entered a contest?”
Selby hated to keep pressing his sore spot, but the only possibility that was believable was, “From the hospital.”
Teigen frowned at her. “What?”
“We’ll tell her that there was a drawing. For all the women who gave birth there in the month of December.” Selby gave Teigen a tender look and said softly, “She won…”
No one spoke, but all eyes were on Teigen, waiting.
His features were drawn and somber as he stared at the floor, elbows on his knees and his hands clasped loosely in front of them.
“How soon can we do this?”
Dahl answered him quietly, “We can deliver the tickets today.”
Teigen sniffed. Selby swore she saw a drop of moisture hit the floor. He drew a deep breath, straightened, and didn’t bother to wipe his wet eyes.
Selby’s heart constricted with unexpected compassion. She recognized the man’s gentle and caring core
which he strove so hard to protect.
“Good,” he grunted. “Let’s get it done.”
*****
Teigen walked quickly through the icy streets straight to Oslo Secondary School. He asked Dahl to give him an hour to himself and the actor surprised him by offering three.
“I know you’ve taken more hits than any of us,” Dahl said with definite respect in his voice. “Take the time you need. No problem.”
As Teigen pulled open the school’s heavy steel front doors, the familiar aromas of chalk, floor wax, steam heat, and wet wool hit him like a solid wall. Memories flooded him and threatened to drown him.
So much had happened to him in the last year that he felt like he was returning to another lifetime.
It was another lifetime.
Teigen walked into the office, stopping to see who was still there that he knew before the arrests.
“Teigen Hansen!” Oskar Jung, his erstwhile Overlærer bolted out of his office. “Good God, man! What happened to you?”
“Mister Hansen?” Sophie, Oskar’s secretary scurried around a corner and stopped dead when she saw him. Then she burst into tears. “Oh, Mister Hansen—we were so worried about you!”
“I’m serious, Teigen.” Oskar’s brow was so low it nearly obscured his concerned gaze. “Have you been in Grini all this time?”
Teigen blinked. Did they not know?
And who would have told them?
Certainly not the Nazis who snuck him and four hundred and ninety-nine other teachers out of Oslo in middle of the night.
“No, Oskar.” Teigen paused. “I was in Kirkenes.”
Sophie let out a wail that rivaled a siren.
Oskar paled. “Can you stay a while? Do you have time to talk?”
Teigen nodded. “Yes.”
“All right, go wait in my office.” Oskar turned to the hysterical secretary. “Please call Jorgen Lasse and Dierks Halle to my office right away. Have someone cover their classes if you need to, but get them in here. Now.”
Teigen followed Oskar into his glass-walled office and sat next to a pile of sturdy boxes. He looked questioningly at his former principal. “Are these new books?”
“Yes, they just came.” Oskar walked around his desk and sat, looking at Teigen like he had returned from the dead.
