“I see.” He examined her methodically with his hands on his hips. “And you brought payment, I assume?”
“I did,” the maid replied bluntly.
“Good, good.” He nodded. “Well, there’s a little shop I visit whenever I’m in Marburg. The wife demands the coffee from here, you see. She says it’s the best in Germany. If I come home without it, they might as well make one of them gallows for me.” He pointed back towards the market, but Lilly found his callousness unacceptable.
“In other words,” he continued when the girls didn’t react in the way he hoped, “I’ll be back in a few minutes, then we’ll be on our way.”
“Sir”—Lilly put a hand up to stop him before whispering— “do you understand the nature of your passenger?”
“I do.” He nodded as he again examined Miss Schultz.
“The less time she spends here, the better,” Edith chimed in. “She needs to leave, now!”
“She gave papers to those guards back there.” He pointed back to the alley as he began walking towards the stairs. “She’ll be fine.”
“I must insist.” Lilly again put a hand up to stop him.
“You don’t get to insist on anything.” The merchant scowled. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Huffing in her frustration at his stubbornness, Lilly didn’t move. Instead, she stood tall in the merchant’s path.
“Listen,” the merchant spoke in a low voice as he removed the pipe from his mouth and the smell of his tobacco stung Lilly’s nostrils, “if you don’t get out of my way, right now, I’ll tell them who she really is. What do you think they’ll do with you when they find out your involvement?”
“C’mon.” Edith grabbed Lilly’s arm and pulled her aside before whispering in her ear, “We need to ask Miss Schultz about the documents, anyways.”
“I can’t do this.” Miss Schultz began to panic as the three stood on the little dock while the merchant left them.
“Hey, listen to me!” Lilly grabbed the maid’s shoulders. “You’re going to be fine. I promise. The merchant will take you to safety.”
“But…” Miss Schultz looked back at Lilly in a manner which made her believe she wasn’t telling them everything.
“But what?” Edith grew suspicious.
“I just miss my family.” Miss Schultz returned to her emotionless demeanor.
“Come, sit.” Lilly grabbed her arm and led her to the stairs where the three sat.
“Where’s your family?” Edith asked as she sat opposite Lilly.
“Truthfully, I don’t know.” Miss Schultz began playing nervously with her hands, and Lilly noticed that her ring finger had a faint white line around it.
“You were married?” Lilly asked.
“No.” Miss Schultz shook her head.
“But you wore a ring on your finger.” Lilly pointed as she also grew suspicious.
“Engaged.” Miss Schultz glanced quickly at Lilly and then away. “Which is why I left the room so quickly yesterday when you made your happy announcement. I felt terrible about not joining in the excitement, but it was striking a little too close to home.”
“I’m sorry.” Lilly reached out and took her hand.
“No, I’m the one who is sorry.” Miss Schultz’s lips began to tremble, and she broke into a sob.
“I shouldn’t have asked.” Lilly rubbed Miss Schultz’s back and glanced at Edith as she felt awful for raising the subject.
“Don’t be silly.” Miss Schultz retrieved her handkerchief and blew heartily.
The three sat silently for a moment, and Lilly listened to the Lahn running by. Staring into the water, Lilly fell into a trance as she then closed her eyes and allowed the calming sound to soothe her troubled spirit.
“May I ask,” Edith began after a moment, “what was in the document you gave to the guard? He seemed surprised.”
But when Miss Schultz didn’t reply, Lilly opened her eyes and looked at the maid who, she thought, wasn’t sure how to answer.
“Miss Schultz?” Edith pressed.
“My fiancé was a storyteller.” Miss Schultz stared at her feet. “He would tell me these fantastic fictions that he created. He once told me this story, as if he was reading from a book, about a man who owned two trees; one was an apple tree while the other was an olive tree.
“The owner planted both trees at the same time. The apple tree grew much faster, producing fruit when it was only five years old, while the olive tree, although maturing, was still quite small.
“The owner loved both of his trees, but the apple tree thought that the owner loved him the best. The owner would pick its fruit, bring his grandchildren to play under its branches, and make all sorts of delicious desserts and recipes with his produce.
“The apple tree boasted to the still small olive tree how the master preferred him. But the olive tree didn’t let this bother him. He knew what he was and what he would become.
“The years continued to pass and, despite the apple tree’s arrogance, the olive tree surpassed him. With rageful envy, the apple tree watched as the olive tree towered above. The owner, while he still picked the apple tree’s fruit, began to favor the olive tree. The owner would sit under the olive tree’s branches to escape the heat of the sun. He carved his name in the olive tree’s bark and built a swing for his grandkids.
“The apple tree grew so angry that he dug his roots down as far as he could go and spread them as far as he was able. He cut off the olive tree’s water supply and, eventually, the olive tree began to wither.
“Still, the olive tree didn’t panic. He knew who he was and what he could endure. The owner, realizing that the apple tree was the problem, decided to cut it down. The olive tree survived and, although it was wounded, could still provide shade for its owner.”
Lilly and Edith sat in confused silence, wondering what on earth had possessed Miss Schultz.
“I’m not following.” Lilly squinted.
“The olive tree represents the Jews.” Miss Schultz looked at Lilly. “We’re going to suffer, severely, because those who are hateful and jealous will try to cut us off. But we know what we are, and we know that we will survive this.”
“That’s rather profound,” Edith thought aloud as she studied Miss Schultz.
“What happened to him? Your fiancé, that is,” Lilly pressed.
“I wish I knew.” Miss Schultz’s lips trembled.
“What was in the document you handed to the guards?” Edith asked again.
“Do you trust me?” Miss Schultz asked, but Lilly noted that she wouldn’t look them in the eyes.
“I want to.” Edith shrugged. “But I don’t know you that well. Honestly, I didn’t really think anything of it until I saw the way they reacted.”
“I had a higher-ranking official sign the documents himself.” Miss Schultz ran her hair behind her ears, which Lilly noticed were bright red.
“Who was it?” Lilly leaned in as she spoke in a hushed tone.
“I’ve behaved in ways that I’m not proud of.” Miss Schultz swallowed.
“What do you mean?” Lilly pressed.
“What would you do to save your father? Or Wilhelm?” Miss Schultz asked Lilly sincerely.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do.” Lilly shrugged.
“What if it meant hurting someone else?” Miss Schultz looked at Lilly with the greatest regret.
“If you hurt the major, or someone in the SS, then that’s entirely forgivable,” Edith scoffed.
“What if it was someone innocent?” Miss Schultz continued to look at Lilly with regret.
“I thought you would’ve run away by now.” The merchant chuckled as he returned with his supplies and the girls stood to make way for him to climb down the stairs.
“That didn’t take long,” Miss Schultz added with disappointment.
“I told you it wouldn’t. There’s no point in delaying any further. Might as well get in.” He pointed to his little boat.
“N
ow?” Miss Schultz glanced around the river. “In broad daylight?”
“I’m a lowly merchant, miss.” He gave a quick chuckle. “No one pays much attention to me. Which, I might add, is to your benefit.”
“I can’t do this!” Miss Schultz spun around and looked at the girls frightfully.
“Be strong and of good courage,” Lilly quoted from the book of Joshua.
“Please don’t misunderstand me.” Miss Schultz paused as she tried to form the words, and Lilly knew there was something pertinent that she was withholding.
“I’m sorry.” Miss Schultz’s lips began to tremble. “I wish I could’ve been stronger.”
“What do you mean?” Lilly grabbed Miss Schultz’s arm, but she wrenched herself free.
“Best of luck.” The merchant nodded to the sisters as he pushed the boat away from the dock while Miss Schultz scooted underneath a pile of crates and entered a hidden door in the deck.
With a heaviness on her shoulders, Lilly reached over and took Edith’s hand in hers as the two stood on the rickety dock watching the boat float away. The hopefulness of the moment of Miss Schultz’s escape had been overshadowed by the maid’s final words. Lilly found it impossible to rid herself of the phrase, I wish I could’ve been stronger. It played on a loop as she watched the boat, and she had the sinking feeling in her spirit that something or someone was working against them.
Chapter Sixteen:
Hunted
“When you go home
Tell them of us, and say
For your tomorrow,
We gave our today.”
Patrick O'Donnell
“Are you sure?” Mr. Sommer leaned over the table in the dining room as he examined his girls.
“We’re positive.” Lilly nodded excitedly. “We took her to the merchant, said the code, and he took her on the boat.”
“And there weren’t any issues?” Mr. Sommer asked, reluctant to be enthusiastic.
“The only thing I found curious was the reaction Miss Schultz received when she gave the guards her papers,” Edith recalled.
“What do you mean? What reaction?” Mr. Sommer frowned.
“They seemed almost frightened,” Edith continued.
“Frightened?” Mr. Sommer tilted his head.
“Miss Schultz explained that a higher-ranking official had personally signed her documents.” Lilly stared at the table as she pondered.
“Oh?!” Mr. Sommer held his conclusion in reserve. “Did she elaborate as to who it was?”
“No, she just mentioned that she wasn’t proud of whatever she had done.” Lilly shook her head.
“Let’s hope she was just being clever then.” Mr. Sommer crossed his arms as he sighed. “But otherwise, there was no trouble?”
“None.” Lilly shook her head.
“Then…” Mr. Sommer paused as he looked somberly between the girls before smiling brightly and adding, “I’m the proudest father in all of Germany.”
“Thanks, Papa.” Lilly returned the gesture.
“Now, how should we get Lilly and her father away?” He sat down and held his face in his hands.
“You should take a moment to be happy with what we’ve accomplished.” Edith looked disappointedly at her father.
Mr. Sommer didn’t respond, and Lilly watched him mouthing his ideas and stratagems while also shaking his head in annoyance when he realized a plan wouldn’t work.
“Papa?” Edith pressed, and he looked up at her, almost as if he had forgotten about her presence altogether.
“Yes, what is it?” he asked as he grew impatient.
“You should take a minute. Spend some time with your daughters.” Edith continued, although Lilly sensed she knew it was a lost cause.
“I’m so close.” Mr. Sommer pinched his fingers together. “It’s as though the idea, the solution, is just hovering above my head. If I can just think for a little bit, I believe that I will find the answer.”
“You’re exhausted.” Edith reached out and took his hand. “You need proper rest so that you can reason clearly. Come, be with your family.”
“What would we even do?” Mr. Sommer shrugged.
“Maybe a good, hearty meal with our soon-to-be new family would benefit everyone?” Lilly looked hopefully at her sister and father.
“I think that’s a great idea!” Mr. Sommer grew surprisingly cheerful.
“You do?” Lilly raised her eyebrows.
“Of course.” Mr. Sommer continued in his cheerfulness. “They can entertain you two while I strategize.”
“I see.” Lilly glanced away as she felt a sting in her heart for her father’s sarcasm.
“Sorry.” Mr. Sommer rubbed his eyes. “That was rude of me. You’re right, I’m exhausted. I…this…it just needs to end.” He let his hands fall on the table in despair. “Maybe I could, actually, use some company.”
“You mean it?” Lilly’s excitement began to swell again.
“I do.” He nodded. “And maybe we can discuss some wedding plans.”
“Oh, that would be fantastic!” Lilly clapped and looked over at Edith, who seemed equally as thrilled.
“The only problem is who is going to cook?” Mr. Sommer looked at the table in thought.
“Actually, we’re supposed to be learning a dish tonight at the Society.” Edith glanced at Lilly. “We could potentially learn what to cook and prepare it for tomorrow evening?”
“You believe you can learn an entire dish in one night?” Mr. Sommer frowned.
“How hard can it be?” Edith shrugged.
A knock came to the door.
“Just one moment of peace, please!” Mr. Sommer slammed his palm on the table.
“It’s alright.” Edith patted his arm to calm him down. “Why don’t you sit in the armchair for a moment and read?”
Peeking through the curtain, Lilly spotted a group of about six Hitler Youth awaiting outside their door. She would’ve found this troubling if it weren’t for their leader, Wilhelm, at the head of the company.
“It’s Wilhelm!” Lilly grew excited as she ran to the door, wishing she could tell him everything that happened with Miss Schultz.
With a deep breath, Lilly held onto the door handle as she tried to calm her spirit. She needed to pretend that there was nothing at all out of the ordinary.
“Gentlemen,” Lilly spoke calmly as she opened the door and noticed that Guenther was also in their midst and looking less than pleased.
“Good evening, miss,” one of the younger boys, about twelve years old, spoke. “We’re on the hunt for Communists. Are any hiding out in your house?”
“Absolutely not.” Lilly frowned and threw her hands onto her hips as she exaggerated. “This is a Communist-free zone.”
“It’s not something you should mock. This is serious,” Guenther spoke condescendingly, and Wilhelm rolled his eyes.
“What about Jews?” another boy asked, but the casualness of his tone unnerved Lilly. She couldn’t believe that such a young boy would be hunting for other people.
“Well, of course not.” Lilly chuckled.
“Let’s keep moving.” Wilhelm began to herd the boys away.
“Oh, actually, can I talk to you?” Lilly tugged on Wilhelm’s uniform.
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I just need to take them home in a little bit, then we can head to your Society meeting.”
“Great, come inside.” Lilly waved.
“Stay away from Mrs. Baumann’s house!” he shouted after the boys. “You’ll be talking to her until you’re my age. Guenther, would you mind watching them?”
With a grumpy huff, Guenther relented and watched over the Hitler Youth at great, personal cost.
“Smart to keep them away from your grandma’s house.” Lilly tilted her head as she walked inside.
“It’s also true, which is handy.” Wilhelm chuckled.
“Come, we need to talk.” Lilly grabbed his hand and led him into the dining room.
“What’s
going on?” Wilhelm asked curiously, worried that maybe something unfortunate had happened at the market.
“We thought it might be a good time to have the family together for a celebratory dinner.” Lilly threw her hands behind her back as she swayed happily.
“Oh, really?” Wilhelm shuffled his jaw playfully. “And what are we celebrating?”
“Officially, we are celebrating our happy union.”
“And unofficially?” Wilhelm glanced between her and Edith.
“Our success with Miss Schultz.” Lilly grinned from ear to ear.
“I’m happy to hear it.” Wilhelm gave a gentle nod. “And who is cooking this grand feast?”
“We are.” Edith pointed to both her and Lilly.
“You two?” Wilhelm also pointed at them, wondering if he had misheard.
“The Society meeting this evening will be instructing us on cooking.” Edith nodded adamantly.
“You’re going to cook for everyone?” Wilhelm threw an eyebrow up. “After one lesson?”
“That’s what I said.” Mr. Sommer spoke with his hand half covering his mouth as he relaxed in the armchair.
“I’m a fast learner!” Edith grew defensive.
“Alright, I meant no offense.” Wilhelm raised his hands. “I’m just a little concerned that you’ll be doing the Nazis a favor by killing all of us at once.”
“I’ll volunteer to be the taste tester.” Lilly held up a finger.
“I trust your judgment, then.” Wilhelm grinned. “I’ll take the boys home, and then I’ll be back to collect you two.”
◆◆◆
“What is the purpose of home economics?” Mrs. Muller began as she stood at the front of the room, which was tucked away inside the Society facility.
The room was equipped with ten cooktop gas stoves that were spread out with two girls assigned to each stove. Beside each stove was a prepping station with knives and a cutting board.
Lilly and Edith had been assigned to one station, while the stove beside theirs was assigned to Ursula and another girl that Lilly didn’t know.
“To create a balance for the body, mind, and spirit,” Ursula answered quickly, and Lilly wondered if their relationship would ever repair.
“Correct, but there is another purpose as well.” Mrs. Muller threw her hands behind her back as she paced at the front of the room.
The Daughters of Marburg Page 27