Johann stood with broad shoulders and back straight. All compassion and worry were now void from his face. “No. You may not. You have a duty to fulfill.”
“Yes, sir.”
Johann looked down on the woman, still quivering and sweaty. “I shall send a doctor for her. Perhaps she may need a nurse to stay for some time. Is she a member of the Nazi Party?”
Edmund stood at attention with his eyes forward. “I was not interested in politics before the youth camp. She and I never discussed such things.”
“I will send a Nazi doctor, the best there is.” Johann again sat on the couch and stroked Hedwig's face lightly. “Don't worry Frau Schultz. All will be well.”
She flinched when he touched her.
“Are you in pain?”
She shook her head.
“Is there someone, a friend perhaps, I can call for her?”
Edmund thought for a moment then said, “Her friend Heidi. I do not remember her telephone number, but perhaps you know her. Heidi and Lieutenant Gottlieb are friends. They met here the other night before going out.”
Johann's head snapped toward Edmund. “Gustav? Gustav is courting your sister's friend?”
“Lieutenant Gottlieb, sir. The instructor who teaches down the hall from our classroom. The two of you came here six months ago to take me to school.”
Johann tried to remember back. So many boys, so many families. They all seemed like a blur. He stood and walked toward the telephone on the table. He uttered some demanding words then slammed the phone down.
“Edmund, go to your bus. I will stay with your sister until the doctor arrives.”
“But sir--”
Johann interrupted, “GO.”
Edmund ran out the door and climbed onto the bus as soon as it arrived.
Johann sat back on the couch, displaying great concern and compassion. “Are you feeling better, dear? I phoned for a doctor, and he should be here any moment. Perhaps you need to eat?”
Hedwig tried to compose herself. She scanned the room, searching for a weapon. She needed to stifle her fear and let her hate take over. Finally, Hedwig's eyes landed on the fireplace poker.
Johann walked toward the kitchen, “I am not much of a cook, but I can boil water. Life as a bachelor soldier forces one to make the best of situations.”
Hedwig heard him banging cabinets and clanking metal. She walked toward the fireplace and her hand wrapped around the poker.
Johann returned with a plate of cheese slices and bread. She walked slowly toward him with her fingers grasped tightly around the wooden handle. He turned to her, observing the poker in her hand.
Johann put the plate on the table next to the couch and went to her. He eased the poker from her hand, “It is fairly warm today, but if you are having chills I will light a fire for you. No need to do that yourself.”
He began rolling the logs in the fireplace, threw in some paper that was close by, and ignited the logs into flames with the strike of a match.
Hedwig eyed the knife on the plate he brought in with him. It was not very big, but it was sharp. Sharp enough to cut the jugular and kill a man. She picked up the knife and cut the cheese into smaller pieces. Hedwig sat down on the couch, pretending to be interested in the food.
Johann sat beside her, “Do you mind if I partake?” He did not wait for an answer and grabbed a piece of bread.
Hedwig's eyes did not blink as she watched his every move. “Are you any better now? This bread is incredible. You are quite the baker.”
Hedwig leaned closer to him, ready to plunge it into his neck. A loud knock caused Johann to jump from his seat and head towards the front door. The knife came plunging down and made a slight tear in the seat he vacated.
Johann returned with another man. “Frau Schultz, this is Doctor Gottlieb. He is a great doctor, and the father of one of my dearest friends. He is also a strong supporter of the Nazi Party and will take good care of you.”
Hedwig's heart raced. The only thing that concerned her was killing Lieutenant Johann Reinhard, the murderer of her husband. She did not care who his friends were or that they had fathers who were doctors. She didn't care who supported the Nazi Party. All that went through her mind was revenge and Edmund's final homecoming.
“Doctor, Frau Schultz lost consciousness. She is also perspiring, suffering from chills and seems to have lost her appetite. I am sure you can help her recover from her ailments.”
Johann sat down beside her again. He lifted her hand and looked into her eyes. With a soft voice he said, “If you need anything, anything at all.... Please call me. The doctor will give you my name and telephone number. I do hope to see you again.”
Chapter 10
The boys assembled in the classroom, chatting about their weekend at home. A buzz filled the air. It was an excitement which had not permeated the room in six months.
Johann entered the room and barked instructions. The boys quieted down and converted back into the dutiful soldiers that disappeared over the weekend.
Toward the end of class, Johann decided the children were once again the Newborn Nazis he created. Johann hurled questions about their weekend activities at them and eagerly awaited the answers. “Part of being a good soldier is knowing how to perform reconnaissance missions. You must observe and record everything at all times. Record it in your minds, if not on paper.”
Johann circled his desk until he leaned on the front of it. He continued, “For example, what sorts of things did you hear and see while you were on leave this weekend?”
One boy raised his hand and stood when Johann granted permission, “I went to the park with my brothers, and we played football. The goalie performed terribly, and I scored three points.” The whole room laughed and clapped.
Johann's raised brow silenced the class.
“But what did you see? What did you hear?”
The boy turned his head and stared into the distance. He searched his mind, “A young couple arguing over money. The woman said they needed it for a baby.”
“Good. What else?”
“When I visited my friend's house, his father listened to the radio while shouting and cheering.”
This got Johann's attention. “What program aired on the radio? Do you remember?”
“It was in a foreign language, but the man on the radio sounded mad.”
Johann handed the boy a pad and pencil. “List the name and address of this neighbor.”
Shocked, the boy said, “Sir, why?”
“Never question me, boy. That is not your place. The name and address, now.”
Johann looked around the room, “What else did you observe? Any of you? Remember, this is an exercise to verify what kind of soldiers you will make. A good soldier will make a mental note of everything.”
The boys did not raise their hands. Johann understood their reluctance, and he tried to ease their minds. “How else am I to evaluate whether your skills are accurate unless I question you? I can now go to the neighbor's house and ask him whether the radio program was indeed in a foreign language. If it is true, the neighbor will validate the observation. If the observation was incorrect, I must instruct the class on how to become better at surveillance and reconnaissance.”
When this sank into the minds of the boys, a bunch of hands shot up. “My father was reading the newspaper at breakfast. He refused to eat the fruit my mother gave us.”
Another boy told of his little sister who stole his shoe. The boys and stories went on and on. Then one boy stood and reported, “My father told my mother he joined the Nazi Party. I overheard them discuss it through the wall.”
This intrigued Johann, “Good. Those are the types of things you need to convey to me. Continue.”
The boy went on, “My mother was not happy. She said the Nazi Party would destroy Germany. My father argued it would help him find work and provide things he could not afford.”
Johann questioned the boy further, “How did your mother respond?”
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The boy reported without hesitation. “Sir, she went on complaining about things I did not understand. But she was not happy. She mentioned me as well. She yelled about my enrollment in the youth group and did not want me to return here.”
Johann displayed a smug look on his face, “Excellent. You receive the reconnaissance award this week. From now on, I will be giving you a pass two weekends a month. To improve your observation skills, I expect a two page written report documenting all of your observations.”
The boys all nodded until Johann shouted, “Class dismissed.”
As the boys rushed out of the room, Gustav dodged his way past the boys to Johann's desk. “How was your weekend, my friend?”
Johann smiled, “Not as good as yours apparently. I can see from your smile that you and Fraulein Heidi had an interesting time on your date.”
Gustav's throat tightened. “How did you know her name? I did not tell you.”
Johann put his shoulders back, and very seriously said, “We in the SS know everything.”
Fear shot through Gustav. He resented the intrusion into his personal life. Matters of state were one thing, but matters of the heart were no one else's business.
Johann laughed and relaxed his composure. “Don't be so serious, my friend. One of my students is a friend of hers.”
“Oh, yes. I met the boy when I picked Heidi up from his house. Nice family it seems. They have suffered some tragedy over the years. The parents died, and the sister lost her husband. My lady friend seems to care for them dearly.”
Johann prodded his friend, “So tell me more of this lady friend, Heidi. How did you meet? What is she like?”
Gustav's face beamed, “We met while I was on patrol. Like an angel, she appeared before me. She is lovely and quite suitable. We will be socializing again soon. I promise you that.”
“Her friend, Frau Schultz, is interesting. I want you to get me a date with her. Perhaps all four of us can go out to the dance hall? She is very attractive.”
“Johann, can't you find women on your own? Why must any woman I date have to find you a date as well?”
Johann pulled out a cigarette, “Because I am not like you. Women warm up to you easily, because I think you are more at ease with them. You can be yourself with women, and I clam up. Because of it, they usually do not want a second date.”
Gustav laughed, “It must be that charm of yours.” He nudged his friend's arm.
“Seriously, do you think you can arrange a date for me or not?”
“I will try. But the woman lost her husband recently. She is probably not interested in making friends yet. I am sure she would be the type to honor a year of mourning for her departed husband.”
“Did you meet her?” Johann asked. “Her beauty shot through my heart the moment I saw her. I must get to know her.”
Gustav paused in disbelief. The man before him seldom spoke of such things. “I only saw Hedwig for a moment, because illness struck her suddenly. She looked familiar, but I could not place her face.”
“I felt the same familiarity. She still suffered from her ailment this morning. In fact she was so ill I requested for your father to attend to her. Perhaps I should call on her to check on her?”
“Johann, perhaps you should forget this woman--at least for now. Her grief may be affecting her physically. You never want to try to compete with a dead husband.”
Johann puffed on his cigarette. “We have known each other the whole of our lives. When have you ever seen me compete with anyone, dead or alive, and lose? I always get what I want. Remember that. I will have that woman.”
Gustav hated when Johann spoke in that tone. Long ago, his friend split into two personalities: the good, caring friend and the cold-hearted military man. There was no in between.
“I need to investigate some families of my students. Do you care to join me? I need to confirm some reports.”
Gustav did not want to go. Those types of checks never ended well. “I am afraid I cannot tag along with you this time. I hoped to accidentally run into my lady friend today. I plan on stalking the bus stop where I met her for a couple hours.”
They both laughed, “And you find this to be more important than helping me? What about promoting the party and securing Germany?”
“No offense, but yes. I would much rather spend time with a beautiful woman than with you. And with any luck, I will soon be adding some good little Nazis to the world.”
“So be it. I shall have my fun my way, and you yours.”
Chapter 11
Jacob stepped off the ship, smelling the air of his homeland. The sites and sounds were familiar and very missed. He now resided in a small section of Philadelphia where German immigrants tried their best to duplicate their home. This was no duplication, this was the real thing.
As he looked around, he noticed the constant presence of military men dressed sharply in their uniforms. His heart swelled with pride as he contemplated his younger brother becoming such a man.
As Jacob slowly made his way to his sister's home, he appreciated the shops along the way. A bottle with a red and white logo caught his eye in a store window. He entered the shop to purchase a Coca-Cola. Jacob asked the store clerk, “You sell Coke, since when?”
“Since the bottling company opened a few years ago. The company has become a major employer in Germany. Our shop's sales increased because of it. We can hardly keep it stocked, because the kids love it.”
Jacob paid for a bottle then used the bottle cap opener that was screwed to the counter. He drank a sip. “Ah. This is one American product I truly love.”
A group of children came bursting through the door, running toward the soda cooler. The store clerk shouted, “You boys stop running.” They pushed past Jacob without listening.
“Kids. At least they are laughing.”
The clerk rang up the boys and asked Jacob, “When did you emigrate to the United States? I can tell from your clothing you have been there.”
“It's been about seven years now, I guess.”
The clerk's eyes widened with excitement, “I would love to meet a movie star. Did you ever come across one?”
Jacob shook his head and smiled. “No, sorry. Stars don't find themselves in my circles.”
As the clerk motioned for Jacob to come closer, he looked around suspiciously. “I worked nights in the movie theater during the showing of The Jazz Singer. What a performer. Al Jolson's the bee's knees. Did you see it?”
Jacob's forehead wrinkled unsure why they were whispering. “No, but it did cause quite a stir in America.”
“It caused a bit of controversy here too--when it was realized he's Jewish. It's a shame because his pictures were banned.”
Jacob scrunched his face, “It won't play again?”
The clerk shook his head slightly as two officers dressed in black uniforms entered the store. They displayed the telling Nazi armbands.
The clerk said to Jacob in a normal tone, “Good day to you, sir. Be sure to visit us again.” He gave a wave as Jacob left the store.
What happened in there? Jacob asked to himself. That man seemed scared. He continued on his way, sipping his cola. Jacob soon stopped at a news stand, and purchased a paper. The headline read: Jews Out of Office.
Jacob read silently:
The Nazi Party has made great strides in eliminating those of Jewish descent from holding political office or civil service positions. All tax consulting licenses held by non-Aryan descendants are revoked. These positions can now be held by true German citizens of Aryan descent.
Jacob shook his head then looked around at the people on the streets. No one seemed to feel his outrage. They all walked along as if nothing had changed.
He continued reading:
All public schools and universities will limit the number of non-Aryans enrolled.
Jacob threw the newspaper into the trash and wondered what happened to his homeland. He hastened his pace and arrived at Hedwig's home.
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Jacob thought to himself, Perhaps this is a result of the Jews declaring war on Germany? The articles in the British papers may have ignited rebellion here. Perhaps the government is trying to defend itself from impending attacks.
Jacob knocked on the door and was struck by Hedwig's beauty. She was a child the last time he had seen her, but now a woman stood before him.
Hedwig shouted, “Jacob. Come in. Come in.”
He laughed, “Well, if only all women would greet me that way, I would be married by now.”
They entered the living room and sat on the sofa. “How was your voyage? Are you well? Can I get you anything?”
“I am good, sister. I need a bit of a rest after such a trip. But I am good. How are you?”
Hedwig got up to make some tea, “Better. I finally got a visit from Edmund last weekend. The boy is growing so quickly that I must alter his clothing this week.”
“He is doing well then? Unharmed?”
Hedwig turned to him, “Jacob, he seems to be in good spirits, but I fear for him. The same man who killed Fritz is Edmund's instructor. The man came here to pick Edmund up recently, and I wanted to kill him.”
Jacob reprimanded her, “You cannot say such things. Mind your tongue.”
Hedwig's brows furrowed, “I beg your pardon brother, but you are in my home. I am no longer a child, and I will not be spoken to in such a way.”
Jacob sighed. “Forgive me, Hedwig. It has been a long journey. I discovered many things before my trip, and I fear that your opinions may lead you to trouble. The Nazi Party intends to do great things for Germany and for Germans everywhere. Please do not judge them all by the actions of one man.”
Hedwig poured the hot water from the tea kettle. “It is not one man by which I judge, but the whole attitude that is forced upon us. It now seems that if you are a member of the Nazi Party, you get everything handed to you and can do no wrong. If you are not a member, you are watched and suspected of crimes. Things have changed since you left, Jacob. Things you cannot possibly imagine.”
“Funny you should mention the perks given to party members. I was told to encourage you to join the party. It will hasten the details and processing of the sale of Fritz's business. My connections found a buyer offering a great price. However, I must ask you a question that will help the sale. Would you object to joining the party?”
Newborn Nazi Page 5