The Daughters of Marburg

by Terrance Williamson

  “I’m sorry, I don’t believe I caught your name.” Wilhelm leaned in slightly. He was a rather polite young man, and although Lilly was excited at his interest in her, she understood that he was merely being courteous.

  “Lil—“ Her name stuck in her throat. Suddenly and aggressively, yet involuntarily, she coughed in his face while almost dropping the pie on his feet.

  “Are you alright?” Wilhelm grew concerned as he stood back to shield himself from any further outbursts. “Do you need some water?”

  “I’m fine, thank you,” Lilly spoke with a hoarse voice. “I’m Lilly.”

  “Lilly?” Wilhelm turned his head sharply as if the name carried some significance to him.

  “That’s right.” Lilly swallowed to banish the saliva stuck in her mouth.

  “Hmm.” He frowned, and Lilly remembered that the Jewish girl in the diary with the same name was his neighbor and wondered if he had known her. Then, and only for the briefest of moments, she caught a slight frown as he looked at her red jacket, and she was certain that he had known the previous owner.

  “It was my mother’s middle name,” Lilly continued, although she didn’t know why she had broached the subject. She knew it would only lead to further questioning, but she didn’t believe that she could discuss the details without bursting into sobs.

  “It’s very pretty,” he replied, but Lilly thought that maybe his mind was dwelling on more pressing thoughts. “Anyways, is your sister available?”

  “My sister?” Lilly’s heart sank into her stomach.

  “Yes, Edith,” Wilhelm replied, further twisting the knife as he recalled Edith’s name but not hers.

  “I’ll check. Just one moment.” Lilly walked back towards the kitchen with the pie in her hands as her heart grew heavy, and she felt that at any moment she would burst into tears. She loathed that, in comparison to her sister, she was hardly noticed and inconsequential.

  Approaching the kitchen, Lilly heard some laughter coming from inside. Pushing the swinging door open, Lilly saw Edith and their father standing around the kitchen island and chattering cheerfully. Lilly couldn’t recall the last time her father had behaved in a like manner with her, and her jealousy of Edith only increased.

  “Lilly?” Edith asked with concern as she caught the miserable expression on her face but then noticed the pie in her hand. “Did you get stuck talking to Mrs. Baumann?”

  “Was that who was at the door?” Mr. Sommer asked.

  “It was Wilhelm.” Lilly placed the pie on the island.

  “Mrs. Baumann’s grandson?” Mr. Sommer stood up straight.

  “What did he want?” Edith asked. “Other than the pie, that is.”

  “What do you think he wanted?” Lilly glared at Edith.

  “I don’t understand.” Edith shook her head.

  “He would like to speak with you.” Lilly crossed her arms.

  “Tell him he can come back later.” Edith waved.

  “I’m not your messenger!” Lilly barked.

  “Girls, girls.” Mr. Sommer raised a hand to caution them. “I will go speak with him. Stay here. I’ll relay any message of grave importance,” he added with slight sarcasm.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Edith glared at Lilly.

  “I’m not you!” Lilly leaned on the island.

  “What do you mean?” Edith shot her head back.

  “I’m nothing but a passing thought!” Lilly felt the tears rising. “If you’re around, then men only pay attention to you.”

  “You like Wilhelm?” Edith squinted in disbelief.

  “So? What if I do?” Lilly glanced away in shame.

  “Well, for one, you just met him.” Edith shrugged. “Secondly, he’s so…boyish and pretty.”

  “He is not!” Lilly defended sharply.

  “Settle down.” Edith rolled her eyes. “He’s not your husband yet.”

  “Ladies!” Mr. Sommer returned with a large grin which Lilly found suspicious.

  “Are you also fond of him?” Edith asked her father cheekily as she bit her lip, and Lilly looked at her in horror.

  “I beg your pardon?” Mr. Sommer frowned.

  “Nothing,” Edith giggled, “I’m just teasing Lilly.”

  “Ah, I see.” Mr. Sommer regained his previous cheer. “Get dressed. Young Mr. Baumann would like to take you on a tour of the city.”

  “Great,” Lilly replied sarcastically. “Have fun on your date, Edith.”

  “Oh, no, you’ve mistaken me.” Mr. Sommer shook his head. “He specifically asked for both of you.”

  “He did?” Lilly perked up as hope rekindled.

  “Yes, yes.” Mr. Sommer waved for them to get going.

  “Tell me exactly what he said!” Lilly watched her father intently.

  “He asked if Edith and Lilly would be available for a tour of Marburg.” Mr. Sommer’s cheer faded as he grew annoyed. “Now, come on, get dressed. He’ll be back in ten minutes.”

  “He asked for me by name?” Lilly nearly squealed.

  “Alright”—Mr. Sommer shook his head as he began to leave the kitchen—“your fate is in your own hands. If you’re not ready by the time that he returns, don’t hold me accountable.”

  “Let’s go! Quickly!” Lilly grabbed Edith’s hand as the animosity between them suddenly dissipated at the chance of romantic adventure.

  “Hold on!” Edith griped. “I’m not as quick as you are.”

  “Fine, I’ll meet you at the room!” Lilly bounded up the stairs and burst into the room with rejuvenated spirits.

  He asked for me by name! Lilly squealed inwardly as she dug through her suitcase, searching for a particular dress. But as she searched, she had unfortunately forgotten about the diary hidden underneath the other books and quickly set the contents of the suitcase flying about, scattering them throughout the room.

  “What a mess!” Edith huffed as she finally arrived.

  “Ha! There it is!” Lilly stood and held the desired dress against her body.

  “Really? That one?” Edith groaned.

  “This is the one!” Lilly took a deep breath.

  Inspecting it closely to make sure it was free of blemishes, Lilly held the yellow dress in front of her with a bright smile. It wasn’t the most expensive dress, nor was it all that extravagant, but it was, without a doubt, the dress that looked the best on her. Even with Edith by her side, this dress was guaranteed to turn an eye or two, and she was adamant about making a considerable impression on Wilhelm.

  “Are you going to wear it or stare at it?” Edith asked as she found a dark green dress of her own that she was rather proud of.

  “What are you doing?” Lilly glared at her sister.

  “I’m getting ready.” Edith shrugged, wondering what was so confusing.

  “You can’t wear that one!” Lilly walked over to Edith and tried to grab it out of her hands, but Edith jerked it away from her.

  “I can wear whatever I like!” Edith gave Lilly a little nudge.

  “You look too good in that one.” Lilly threw her hands onto her hips. “I need to stand out. You don’t even care about Wilhelm.”

  “I told you those romance novels are filling your head with nonsense.” Edith tossed the dress aside onto the bed. “So, is there another dress that is suitable?”

  “You can wear the burgundy one.” Lilly pointed.

  “I wore it yesterday.” Edith shook her head. “He can’t see me in the same dress twice.”

  “Why? Do you like him?” Lilly tilted her head, feeling threatened again.

  “Well, no, I just don’t want to appear common,” Edith defended.

  “Fine, then you can wear the gray dress.” Lilly pointed to another one in the suitcase.

  “I was afraid you were going to say that.” Edith grudgingly relented as she snagged the approved dress out of the suitcase as though it were infected.

  “Hurry along now,” Lilly commanded as she quickly dressed herself.

  “You
are something else, my dear sister.” Edith offered a disapproving glance. “You’re fortunate that I love you.”

  “Did I pack the hat, or did I leave it with the movers?” Lilly tapped her chin in thought.

  “Do you really need it?” Edith asked innocently.

  “Pardon me?” Lilly’s eyes bulged. “Do I really need it?”

  “Sorry I asked,” Edith grunted as she finished putting her dress on. “I’ll meet you downstairs then.”

  “No, wait, you can’t go without me!” Lilly grew afraid.

  “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll just meet him at the door so that he knows we’ve accepted his invitation.”

  “Oh, wait, here it is!” Lilly grabbed her little yellow brimmed hat, which had a black feather tucked into the side.

  But, as she lifted the hat off of the floor, she spotted the books that were scattered beneath it, and, shockingly, the diary was clearly visible.

  “Are you coming or not?” Edith grew impatient as she stood by the door.

  “Coming!” Lilly replied as she quickly grabbed some clothes and tossed them over the books to temporarily hide them.

  Hustling down the stairs, Lilly left Edith far behind as she wanted to be the first one to greet Wilhelm. With a deep breath in and out, Lilly composed herself to appear as calm and as dignified as possible. Then, opening the door with a distinguished smile, Lilly’s joy evaporated when Wilhelm was nowhere to be seen.

  “What’s the matter?” Edith asked as she arrived in the foyer.

  “He’s not here!” Lilly whispered harshly in her dismay before glancing both ways into the street with unhappy results.

  “Wherever could he be?” Edith wondered aloud.

  “You took too long, that’s why!” Lilly poked Edith’s shoulder. “You ruined my one chance at love!”

  A knock rattled against the doorpost of the dining room, and both girls were equally startled to find Wilhelm standing behind them.

  “I said ten minutes!” Mr. Sommer shouted from further inside the dining room. “You took fifteen. If I had not been so kind as to entertain Mr. Baumann, he would’ve believed the two of you to be entirely rude to have made him wait.”

  “It was very generous of you to allow me inside, Mr. Sommer, but I’m well accustomed to young women taking much longer than myself to get ready. The fault is all mine, I assure you, for providing such an unrealistic time frame.” Wilhelm held a hand to his chest, and Lilly felt as though she might swoon.

  He’s handsome, articulate, of good character, and yet he has just a pinch of rebelliousness, Lilly thought as her breathing labored. I’ve got to win him over! I hope he didn’t hear me speaking about love?! He’d think I’m rather insane!

  “Shall we be off, then?” Edith asked, not at all as captivated as Lilly was.

  “After you.” Wilhelm held his hand out for the girls to proceed.

  Stepping out into the street, Lilly waited for their escort when she noticed that Mrs. Baumann was standing outside again with her hands on her hips and staring off in the opposite direction.

  “This way, quickly,” Wilhelm whispered and grabbed their hands when he, too, noticed his grandmother outside.

  Giggling to herself as she ran along and excited to be holding Wilhelm’s hand, Lilly looked over her shoulder as she happily noted that Mrs. Baumann was still ignorant as to their presence.

  “Take a right up here.” Wilhelm let go of their hands as he slowed his pace once they turned the corner.

  “That was close.” Edith chuckled.

  “She almost spotted us!” Wilhelm huffed. “I love my grandma, I do, but God fashioned her without an off-switch.”

  Lilly laughed and put a gentle hand to Wilhelm’s arm, which seemed to not phase him in the slightest as his gaze lingered on Edith. Still, Lilly was determined to gain his attention.

  “Oh my goodness!” Lilly grew excited as she looked down the street.

  “What?” Wilhelm asked as he tried to spot what she was staring at.

  “I had no idea we were this close to the castle!” Lilly looked in wonder at the imposing stone structure that was resting securely on the hill in the middle of the town.

  “Beautiful, is it not?” Wilhelm stood beside her, and Lilly felt that he was maybe remembering what it was like to behold this castle for the first time.

  “What’s its name?” Edith asked.

  “Landgrafen Palace,” Wilhelm replied proudly as he retrieved a cigarette, yet Lilly noticed that he didn’t offer one to either sister.

  “Can we go there?!” Lilly asked as she tugged excitedly on his arm.

  “Too many SS.” Wilhelm puffed his smoke. “If you even think about getting close, they believe you’re spying on them. It’s not worth the headache.”

  “What a shame.” Lilly shook her head in disappointment.

  “Don’t worry”—Wilhelm raised a hand to calm her—“there are still plenty of exciting things to see in Marburg.”

  “It’s nice to have such an educated guide.” Lilly again placed a hand to Wilhelm’s arm, and Edith rolled her eyes at her blatant yet pathetic attempt at enticement.

  “Where can we go, then?” Edith asked.

  “There are some gardens we can walk through. We host some gorgeous churches, if you enjoy exploring that sort of thing. There is a marketplace—”

  “Marketplace!” the girls interrupted in unison.

  “That’s easy enough!” Wilhelm clapped in his excitement. “It’s back the way we came, but I’ll take us on a slight detour to avoid the dreaded Mrs. Baumann.”

  “I do feel bad for her, though,” Edith spoke as she grew pity for the woman. “She is very sweet.”

  “She’s the sweetest woman alive,” Wilhelm replied matter-of-factly. “I would do anything for her, but right now, we have somewhere to be. If you’d like to get to the market before midnight, then we will have to avoid her.”

  “Understood.” Edith nodded, and the company began their trek through the city.

  “Mr. Baumann, can I ask you something?” Lilly began politely as they walked.

  “Mr. Baumann?” Wilhelm scoffed. “You make me sound like I’m in one of those awful Jane Austen novels.”

  Edith burst into a laugh, and Lilly’s face beamed red at the embarrassment.

  “I apologize.” Wilhelm turned towards her contritely. “That was unkind of me. What were you going to ask?”

  “It’s of no consequence.” Lilly shook her head as she stared at the pavement in front of her.

  “Oh no.” Wilhelm stopped in his tracks and gently patted Lilly’s arm. “I have offended you. I’m sorry, I truly am. Now, please, speak your mind.”

  “It’s not proper,” Lilly continued in her stubbornness. “I fear I may upset you.”

  “I’m not as respectable as you believe me to be,” Wilhelm whispered as he leaned forward. “There is little which would offend me.”

  “Alright then, what are your parents doing in Africa?” Lilly asked as she studied his reaction. “Why did they leave you alone with your grandparents?”

  “Ah, yes,” Wilhelm replied, but then turned and began to walk again as he held his hands behind his back, and the girls followed closely.

  “Now you’ve done it,” Edith muttered to Lilly.

  “I have upset you!” Lilly sped up and walked beside him.

  “Not in the slightest.” Wilhelm shook his head. “Only the details of my parents are, well, scandalous. The less you know, the better. For your sake, it is suitable that you know next to nothing. Do you understand?”

  “Not entirely, but I’ll respect your wishes to not elaborate.” Lilly nodded.

  “Thank you, Miss Sommer.” Wilhelm smiled at her.

  “How much further to the market?” Edith asked, trying to shift the conversation to a lighter subject.

  “We’re actually in it now,” Wilhelm replied, “although the main attraction is just a block or two ahead.”

  “Really? We’re that close?�
� Lilly grew excited at the prospect of living but a stone’s throw from the market.

  “Poor Papa’s wallet,” Edith spoke faintly as she smiled at Lilly.

  The company continued in quiet anticipation until they came to a square with a fountain in the center, which was surrounded by the most unique buildings Lilly had ever seen. No property was more unusual, however, than the one at the opposite end of the market. Built in a triangle shape at its base, the building had two long sides, while the third side that faced the market was rather narrow. Painted orange, the house also had crisscrossing timber along the walls, much like at their own new residence and, indeed, throughout the city.

  “I love this place!” Lilly squeezed her hands together.

  “You should see it in the spring.” Wilhelm smiled at her. “It’s bustling with flowers and wonderful fragrances and, usually, there’s some sort of entertainment.”

  “Where should we shop first?” Edith asked as they continued towards the fountain.

  Yet, when they arrived at the fountain, Lilly noticed that one of the stores, a shoe shop, had its windows smashed in, and black swastikas were painted across the shop’s name. She didn’t need anyone to elaborate as to the reasoning, and a sorrow set in Lilly’s heart for the owner. She didn’t understand how some people could be so intolerably cruel.

  “Well, is there anything you wanted to look for in particular?” Wilhelm shrugged.

  “I’m desperate for something sweet to eat.” Lilly grinned as she recalled the markets in Berlin where she would usually sample a chocolate or two. “I could also use a new dress to replace this old thing. Unless you believe it’s suitable, then I’ll keep it.”

  But Wilhelm didn’t reply as he was distracted by something in the distance. Annoyed, Lilly tried, again, to grab his attention.

  “Do you like my dress?” Lilly asked. “It’s my favorite color.”

  “What color is it?” Wilhelm studied her dress.

  “What do you mean?” Lilly shot him a peculiar glance, wondering how he was unaware. “It’s clearly yellow.”