Oh, go away you stupid man.
“I think she is trying to tell you how much she appreciates what you are doing for her,” said Sarah from the foot of the bed.
Heidi recognized the voice. So she was here. Heidi tried to rise from the bed but again she found herself unable to move.
What is she doing here? I knew it, here to gloat I expect. Get her out of here.
“See, she is pleased that you are here. Did you hear that?” said Steven to his wife. Still clutching his mother’s hand, Steven smiled kindly into her eyes. “I know, I know, you don’t want us to trouble ourselves but really it isn’t any trouble. We will find good homes for your furniture and your knick knacks, and of course Fuchsl will live with us. Don’t worry about the expense. Of course, we will sell the house to cover the cost of your care in a suitable facility. And you have money. We will find a place for you near us. Just please try not to worry.”
Steven turned towards Sarah and nodded, indicating that he believed that Heidi could understand what he was telling her. Sarah smiled back at her husband before he turned to face his mother again.
“Naturally, I will have to obtain power of attorney over your estate and obviously in your condition, you will not be able to sign anything. Leave all that to me. It’s fortunate that I am a lawyer and know all about these things,” he said, smiling as he spoke.
Heidi could feel the rage inside her rising. She wanted to slap him, to scream at him. He was here for the house, for her money, and he would discover the room. He was planning on putting her into one of those homes, where the old folk just sit around all day, staring into space, being fed like infants, and talked to like children. She would rather die. She gripped her son’s hand tightly, trying as hard as she could to inflict pain on him, trying her best to get him to understand her, to obey her orders, as he had his whole life. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move a muscle and she couldn’t grip anything.
“Its fine, Mother, there’s no need to thank me,” said Steven.
Heidi took a deep breath and released the non-existent grip on her son. Her idiot son. Her son who was weak and pathetic. Her son who had no backbone, no honor, and had no idea that the blood running through his veins came from superior stock. He was clueless of the fact that his heritage came directly from one of the greatest men in history. Oblivious to the fact that he was a living relative of him. And how would he have felt? Knowing that this, this pathetic specimen was all there was left of his dynasty? This pathetic balding and bespectacled man, a man who looked more like a Jew than Aryan.
It’s time you left now, you pathetic little man. Take your ugly wife, your ridiculous brood if you brought them with you, and your ideas of ‘homes’ and ‘care’ and take them back to New York. Leave now. Immediately.
“Yes mother, that’s right, everything is going to be fine. Just fine.”
Idiot.
Once again Steven turned towards his wife. “Can you hear her? She must be so pleased that we care so much. I told you she would be pleased, didn’t I?”
Sarah nodded, but didn’t speak.
What did she say? I didn’t hear that. Just leave, leave now…you, you…moron.
Now what was he doing? She could hear papers rustling. Her eyes still fixed skywards, so she could no longer see her son’s face but could sense he had sat down next to her. Now what? What was he doing? Papers? Oh how she wished he would just go. Could this be any worse?
Steven rose from his chair, placed the briefcase at his feet and smiled lovingly at his mother.
She stared up at him blankly, but if she could have, she would have frowned.
“I do have some good news for you. I took up a hobby. Genealogy. It is basically the studying of family trees and linages. You know, tracing people’s roots and such like.”
Oh, go away you buffoon.
“Well, I have always wanted to know about our ancestry, especially on your side of the family and I have some amazing news. Startling really. I have managed to trace your linage all the way back to Austria. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Heidi once again tried to turn her face into a scowl and tighten the grip on her son’s hand but couldn’t. What had he done? Of course she knew about genealogy. She knew exactly what it was. What on earth had he done? He should never have dabbled in this.
What have you done? What have you done you idiot? Please tell me you haven’t…please don’t say…you know they will find out? They will come after you and hang you and your ugly frumpy wife. They’ll throw those vile looking children of yours into a furnace, when they find out you have been investigating me. These are dangerous people; don’t believe they don’t still have power. They do, and you would be wise to leave now, before they come for you.
“I told you she would be pleased,” said Steven to his wife. Sarah once again nodded that she concurred with her husband, but again, didn’t speak.
What did that bitch say? Get me Betty. Get me Betty now! I want to leave. I want to go home. You need to go. Who the hell called you in the first place? Where is the doctor? Why can’t I move? Why can’t you understand what I am saying?
“She is getting excited, I think she wants you to tell her everything. It will definitely cheer her up. Go on, Steven, tell her,” said Sarah, as a slight smile formed on her face. “I think she really wants to hear all about her family.”
“I think you are right,” replied Steven, “do you want to hear all about it, Mom? About where you came from, your family?”
No. No, I do not. I already know. Go away. Betty. Where is Betty? Get me my Betty.
“Okay, well, here we go then. You know you said you arrived from Austria with your parents just before the war; and that you didn’t have much recollection of anything before that? Well, guess what? I have some news for you.”
Heidi felt a wave of dread engulf her. Finally, her secret was out. After all these years of lies and hiding her true identity, of being unable to proclaim that she was related to the greatest man who had ever lived, here it was. Steven had discovered the truth. He sounded excited. Maybe he wasn’t shocked? Odd, she thought.
Don’t tell me anything. I know. I warned you, you are treading on thin ice, boy.
“You want me to tell you? Of course you do.”
If Heidi could have, she would have slapped him.
“Well, you were born in Vienna. But your parents were not your real parents – no, your family stayed behind in Austria.”
Tell me something I don’t know.
“Ah, you are confused. Of course, I thought you would be. Okay, well the couple who escorted you to America were actually friends of your real family, which, I am guessing you probably knew anyway as you were, according to records around ten years old. Why they pretended to be your parents isn’t clear at all, but I have my suspicions. I was really hoping you could tell me that, but I guess you can’t,” Steven paused “not right now, that is. But maybe, once you get better, you will be able to fill me in on that.”
I really cannot believe that you are my son. You are such an idiotic man.
“So Grandma and Grandpa were not my real grandparents. Which was a bit of a shock, I have to say, though I never met them, so I guess it doesn’t matter. At least they got out in time.”
Got out? Got out of what in time? Stop speaking in riddles and just get on with it.
“So, their names were Franz Muller and Ida Muller. They were a childless couple and friends of your real parents. Well, I say friends, but they were actually employees of your father, your real father. I checked their lineage and it ends with them, so I know they didn’t have kids. I wish you had told me, you secretive old goat.”
Heidi was surprised. He was taking this so well. He didn’t seem to be the least bit phased that she was his niece and that he was Steven’s great uncle.
You are taking this well; now get on with it.
“Yes mother, I know. I know you want you want to hear more.”
Actually I don’t
. I wish you and your silly little wife would just leave. Weren’t you meant to be going to the parade? Hadn’t you better go and buy yourselves some green outfits, or are you going to wear that horrible blue suit?
“Well, it seems that Herr Muller and his wife were in the employ of a Siegfried Launer, a very wealthy and respected jeweler from Austria. He was married to Anne Launer. They had three children: Heinrich, Gretchen…and…wait for it…. Heidi. Now, it seems that your parents were extremely wealthy.”
Parents? Heinrich and Gretchen? Siegfried and Anne Launer? I’ve never heard of them, they are absolutely no relation to me. I am afraid that you have been barking up the wrong family tree. Typical.
“They owned some of the finest jewelry stores not only in Vienna, but also Innsbruck, as well as in Germany. So going back further, Siegfried originally hailed from…”
Heidi wasn’t listening. She had managed to block out the sound of her son’s voice. Of course he was wrong. How this boy had ever become an attorney was a mystery to her. He was an idiot.
Sarah, while listening to husband’s oration of his findings remained seated and stifled a yawn. She checked the time on her watch. She wanted to leave just as much as Heidi wanted them to. While she was enjoying the opportunity to torment her mother-in-law, she was ready to leave the hospital and get into Heidi’s big house and begin her search for rings, necklaces, and other pieces of fine jewelry, which Heidi would no longer have use for.
“…So, your family was very rich, and important. I did some further research and talked to some experts and you will never guess what? There is a pile of money waiting for you to claim. You see, after the war, the United Nations and some other groups, I am not sure who, anyway, they managed to get your family’s property back. Art collections, gold, money, houses…Mother, you are worth millions. Isn’t that fantastic?”
What? What are you saying you fool?
Sarah immediately stopped checking her watch and fidgeting, and began paying attention to what her husband was saying. “Sorry, excuse me dear, you mean that we are worth a lot of money? I mean she, her, Heidi, your mother is?”
So, your true colors are finally showing. All you want is money - my money. Well, there is none. Your husband is an idiot. He has traced the wrong person. Be happy now, by all means, but this is all going to evaporate away. No wonder he didn’t seem shocked. He doesn’t know the truth. Laughable. You with your greed, and him with his stupidity, you ridiculous pair of nincompoops.
“Sarah,” said Steven, “please let me finish, I am sure Mother wants to hear more.”
I really don’t.
Sarah shrugged and jokingly pretended to seal her lips with an invisible key before tossing it to one side. “My lips are sealed,” she said sarcastically.
“I know, I am excited too Mother, but there is a sad bit, I’m afraid. I hope you are ready to hear this, but it’s a part of your history, Mother, Should I carry on, or wait until later, maybe after you have rested? Do you need to potty? Should I call the nurse?”
Stop. Don’t carry on. You are talking like a madman. Potty? I am not a baby; I can control myself thank you.
“Okay, I will carry on then. I know this may hurt, but if you are sure?”
It won’t hurt. And I am sure. Stop talking and go away. You have made a mistake. The only good thing is that nasty little wife of yours is going to end up being very disappointed, doubly so when she finds out about my will.
“So, it seems that just before the war, you were shipped off to America with the Mullers. Which actually saved your life. A year after you left, I am sad to say, the Nazis arrested your whole family. Now, I did a lot of digging around and after going through some old records, and after I contacted a few societies who help with these things…”
Arrested by the Nazis? They were Nazis. This is enough. Steven, stop talking and go home. Take your greedy wife with you and never visit me again.
“Let me get that for you Mom,” Steven leaned over his mother and wiped away more dribble from her mouth, a result of her attempt at speech moments before. “I know it’s exciting and a little upsetting, and I know you have many, many questions…but they can come later when you are better.” Steven knew though that his mother would never be better and there would be no questions. Not now, not ever, and his excitement briefly abated before he continued to speak.
“This is the awful part. Your family…” Steven paused, “Your family were victims of the holocaust. Killed for being Jewish.”
Enough. Enough now. You are going too far. Is this meant to be a joke? If it is, then it isn’t funny.
“That’s right Mom, Jewish. You are Jewish. Jewish. Isn’t that amazing?”
It’s wrong. That’s what it is. It certainly isn’t amazing.
“Yes, fantastic. I know. Well, for whatever reason, your parents sent you to America and of course you survived. According to records your parents and siblings died at Auschwitz. Those bastards took everything.”
Bastards? Heroes, you mean. And stop calling them my parents. They weren’t.
“I know, Mother. It is heartbreaking.”
It isn’t. It is a fairytale. Lies.
“It’s all confirmed. I have documents. Proof. The money is ours, I mean yours, so of course we are going to make sure you are very comfortable. It may take a while, but I have already filed a motion with the United Nations. They agree that you are the only surviving relative of Siegfried and Anne Launer. It’s now just a matter of having the assets transferred back into your name. It could take years. But, isn’t it great? It is going to change our lives. This will pay for the children’s college tuition. I may even retire. It’s under very sad circumstances but a great surprise.”
Proof? What proof? You are as mad as a hatter.
“Are you absolutely sure of all this?” asked Sarah, who while excited, was a little dubious of suddenly hearing that her family was worth millions in looted Nazi treasures. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”
Steven turned to face his wife, “I only found out for sure yesterday, and after Betty called, it was the last thing on my mind. I wanted this to be a surprise for both of you.”
“Are you sure though? Are you one hundred percent positive? I mean certain. This isn’t going to turn out to be false, is it? Do you have absolute proof?”
“Yes, I have proof. I have all the documents, birth certificates, records. Everything. Even photographs.”
No you do not.
“Do you want to see a photograph, Mom? I have a few actually,” Steven lifted his briefcase from the floor and once again delved into it, producing an envelope. He smiled at his mother and stroked her forehead, before wiping her mouth with a tissue.
“See?” he said, holding up a black and white photograph, “That’s you, with your father. Looks like you are outside a synagogue.”
Heidi had no choice but to stare at the image, as Steven placed it in front of her face. She recognized the man in the photograph and she recognized herself as a child.
“And there is this one,” Steven snatched the image away from his mother’s gaze and produced another, “This is you with your brother and sister.”
Again Heidi stared at the photograph placed in front of her face and again she recognized herself. The other children, they did seem vaguely familiar. But it was a mistake. Surely forgeries. Her uncle could have created these things, to protect her true identity. She had his Luger. She had the memories. The 1939 Olympics, no 1936…was it? She had been there? Hadn’t she? What was this?
What is this? What are you doing? I want you to leave now. This is a mean joke. It isn’t funny.
“Okay Mother, if you insist, one more then,” Steven delved into the envelope and produced one final photograph. He held it up so his mother could see.
Heidi stared at the photograph. It was a family portrait. The two children Steven had told her were her siblings and the couple now proclaimed to be her parents.
Think. Think. How could this be? It is
trick? Surely it is a trick.
Steven held the photograph steadily, a smile on his face, “Isn’t this just fantastic news?”
Heidi suddenly felt a wave of memories wash over her. Memories that had been unlocked from the catacombs of her mind. It was if she had been hit with a bolt of lightning, resulting in images and words from the past flashing into her mind, as if she was watching a movie. But these were real. These were real, suppressed memories and not a film. Not a story. A tear formed at the corner of her left eye. She remembered. Now she remembered. She remembered everything…
Chapter 17
75 Years ago, Vienna, Austria
“I’m sorry Herr Launer, but I am afraid the child is very sick, very sick indeed. She is, in my professional and learned opinion, suffering from grandiose delusions or, as it is more commonly known, delusions of grandeur.”
Siegfried Launer placed his head in hands and sighed heavily. He eventually lifted his head and turned to face his wife, her face etched in sorrow. Tears of sadness and frustration rolled down her cheeks. They had suspected for months that there was something mentally wrong with their once bright, vibrant, and intelligent ten-year-old daughter; the psychiatrist had just confirmed it. Siegfried took his wife’s hand and held it tightly, unable to find the words to comfort her. A father in pain and a mother in agony, and both broken-hearted.
“My other children, they are fine? This is not a hereditary illness, is it doctor?”
The psychiatrist shook his head. “No, your son and youngest daughter are fine. It isn’t an illness that is passed through bloodline. It is just one of those things. There is no way you, or even I, could have predicted the affliction that has overcome the child. Heinrich and Gretchen are both perfectly healthy and are of sound mind, and suffer from no such delusions. But, after extensive interviews and meetings with your daughter, I am afraid that my conclusion and diagnosis is unquestionable. I could prescribe medications, maybe even electric shock treatment. However, I am sad to say, the only recommended treatment I can propose is that she be declared insane, and hospitalized immediately at the Sanotarium Ketterbrucke in Innsbruck.
Saint Patrick's Day - The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club Part III: A Dark Comedy Cozy Mystery With A Twist Page 10