The telephone rang breaking her thoughts.
She answered to hear a familiar voice. “Hedwig, it's been a long time.”
Tears filled her eyes, “Oh, Gustav, you are always in my thoughts.”
“How are you my darling?”
“Darling?” she asked.
Gustav chuckled, “You will always be my darling.”
Hedwig was speechless.
“Can we meet? I would really like to see you,” Gustav inquired.
With glee she burst out, “When and where?”
“Meet me in the park with the lake where Edmund liked to go fishing. Twenty minutes.”
Shocked, Hedwig replied, “Here? You aren't in Berlin?”
Before she could say another word, the phone went dead.
Feeling like a schoolgirl, Hedwig rushed up the stairs, fixed her hair and changed her dress. She darted out the door to wait for her love at the park.
Hedwig sat on the bench, impatiently twitching and shifting her weight from side to side. When she saw him her heart stopped. She had forgotten how attractive he was, especially when the sunlight shimmered across his hair.
Hedwig jumped from the bench and embraced him. When she tried to kiss his lips, he twisted and kissed her cheek instead. She wrinkled her brow in confusion.
Grabbing his hands, Hedwig soon felt a piece of metal. All excitement left her body. “Married? You got married?”
Gustav was almost ashamed to admit it, “I did. But only because the first woman I asked broke my heart.” He tried to feign a smile but it did not last.
“So what was the 'darling' stuff all about?” Hedwig nudged him. “Who did you marry? Do I know her?”
He looked at her adoringly, “I doubt you know her. She is an upstanding member of the Nazi Party and a good Aryan who wants to produce a dozen kids for the Fuehrer.”
Hedwig laughed, “So you married a version of Heidi.” She shook her head, but could not be mad at him. She made a mistake in letting him go.
“I wanted to speak with you before I transfer. I need to warn you.”
“Warn me? Of what?”
“Father Becker trusts someone he shouldn't. The man is reporting the addresses of homes that are hiding Jews and other enemies of the state. It is not safe for you.”
“Gustav, I don't know--”
He interrupted her, “Hedwig, please stop being so stubborn. I work under Colonel Weinhoffer at the Department of Civilian Affairs, remember? The reports come directly to me. I have known what you have been doing all along. Since I first received the reports, I have been able to destroy them or change them in some way. But I can no longer do so. I am being sent to Berlin, permanently.”
“Will you be safe? You aren't going close to the battles?”
“I will be safe. Your brother, however, is a member of the Infantry Unit. He has been on special assignment here, but he will be going to fight at the front.”
Hedwig's eyes got wide, “Edmund? You know of Edmund? I have seen him only once since you left.”
Gustav twisted his face, “I didn't leave you, you threw me out and told me not to come back after I pronounced my undying love for you. That is how I remember it, anyway.”
“Yeah, but it didn't take you long to replace me, did it? Forget your heartache and tell me about my brother.”
Gustav's eyes drank in her beauty, “I have missed your spunk...and your stubbornness.” He let out a sigh, “Edmund is well. He receive a minor promotion because of his intelligence. He knows how to play the game well.”
“Do you speak with him often?”
Gustav smiled, “About once a month. He told me you looked good, and that he is proud of you. He gave me a letter to give you.” He pulled the envelope from his pocket and pressed it into her hand.
She sniffed it to see if she could smell him on the paper and smiled. “He saved me the last time I saw him. He saved my life, and the lives of others.”
Wanting some appreciation, Gustav informed her, “How do you think he knew to arrive there? I received information a little too late, and the guards were already dispatched. So I called Edmund to handle the situation.”
“Thank you.” Hedwig clasped her fingers with his. “You know why I sent you away don't you?” she asked.
He nodded, “Yes. You didn't trust me. That really hurt. After all we had been through, you know I would have supported you. You didn't trust me.”
Hedwig scoffed, “No, I trusted you to risk yourself for me. I did not want that responsibility.” Being with Gustav felt good and natural, but she feared she would never see him again. “Do you think you can get a message through to Edmund for me, please?”
“Of course.”
“Tell him if he comes home before he heads to the front, he can have apple strudel for dinner.”
Their eyes locked for a moment, then they kissed. A long passionate kiss. Their last kiss.
Chapter 68
Hedwig's phone rang and she answered. This time it was Edmund.
“Hello. I am so happy to hear from you,” Hedwig exclaimed.
Edmund's voice grew deep and commanding, “I thought I would take you to a nice restaurant tonight for dinner. I leave for Warsaw in two days and wanted to say good-bye.”
Oh, God, this is really happening. He could be killed. Hedwig thought.
“Hedwig, did you hear me? Would you like to go to dinner tonight?”
Shaking her thoughts from her mind, she replied, “Yes, of course, Edmund.”
“I will send a car for you at five o'clock. That will give us plenty of time to talk. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Hedwig said, then placed the receiver down.
As promised, a car arrived to escort Hedwig to a beautiful restaurant. As she looked around, she remembered it was the same place she dined with Johann. The same place where Gustav had taken Heidi. It all seemed so long ago.
Edmund was seated at the table and stood to greet her. He was very handsome in his black uniform. On his feet were the same tall, black leather boots he once admired so. As Hedwig analyzed his face, she saw the features of their mother. It was not until this moment that Hedwig felt so completely alone. She broke down crying.
Reaching his hand onto his sister's back, he asked, “What is wrong? What happened to my fearless sister who once held a knife to my throat?”
Hedwig chuckled, “Well, you weren't the first one I did that to.”
Edmund rolled his eyes, “And I thought I was special.”
The waiter brought them some drinks and took their orders, as Edmund said to his sister, “Give Father Becker my condolences on the loss of his friend.”
“Pardon? What friend?”
“Perhaps he is your friend as well. Erik Koehler. Remember, the one who was transporting my future wife?”
Future wife? He means Heidi. Erik.... Yes the one in the van, Hedwig thought. “Her chauffeur is dead? I had not heard.”
Edmund took a sip of his drink. “Yes, his van took a nasty spill into the river down near Stuttgart Street. Too much of that communal wine I think.”
Hedwig squinted her eyes at him, unsure what he was trying to convey. “Father Becker will be upset to hear the news. He was a good parishioner.”
“He also supported the Nazi agenda to his utmost abilities.”
Erik Koehler reported me to Office of Civilian Affairs, that is what he is saying. And now the man is dead, Hedwig thought.
She responded, “That is a difficult and winding road near the river. One needs to be careful,” Hedwig searched Edmund's eyes.
Edmund kept eye contact with his sister. “Yes, the accident caused quite an obstacle for some time, but the road has been cleared. Now you, or anyone, may continue to use that road without difficulties.”
Hedwig's mind raced.
Edmund killed him. My brother killed him for me, and is saying that Father Becker and I can continue to assist refugees.
Hedwig exclaimed, “Thank God. And thank the rescue crew w
ho made the road clear again.” She gave her brother a wink.
The meals were delivered to their table, and the siblings chatted as if they were having a normal conversation. Hedwig inquired, “So you are going to Poland? How long will you be there?”
“I do not know. But I had hoped you would let me write to you,” Edmund admitted.
“Of course. Of course. I only ever wanted to protect you.”
Edmund leaned in to his sister, “And I, you.” He kissed her cheek.
“So what of women? Do you have a Fraulein out there waiting for you?” Hedwig prodded.
A smile brightened his face, “I am interested in a woman, but she does not yet know. It made no sense for me to befriend her, knowing I would be leaving. When I return, I will speak with her. Or find another. Who knows?”
Hedwig's eyes cast down at her plate as she thought about the past. Edmund responded, “I miss them too. I miss them all. Jacob, our parents, Fritz. Even Gustav I miss. We still speak, but we do not see each other as much as we used to.”
Hedwig nodded.
“He still loves you. And so do I,” Edmund admitted.
This could be the last time I ever see him. How do I say goodbye? Hedwig thought.
Edmund decided to change the subject, “Do you hear from Alois? How is he? I did write him a couple times, but my address has changed over the past couple of years, so I don't know if he wrote back.”
“Alois is doing well. He married a woman named Marie. They have a baby named after you,” Hedwig informed him with a smirk on her face.
“Really? After me? I did not know. What an honor.”
Hedwig laughed, “Yeah, well, he still thinks of you as a cute sweet little kid who loves fishing. Little does he know.”
“I was not very nice to him at Jacob's funeral. I behaved so immaturely.”
“Yes, you did.”
“Thanks. Make me feel worse than I do.”
Hedwig reached for his hand, “We understood. You were young and stupid.” They both laughed.
After the meal, the band that was originally playing light dinner music began playing “Beer Barrel Polka”. “Come, Hedwig. Let's dance.” Edmund pulled his sister onto the floor where they laughed and twirled. The dancers clapped and cheered as if the war was on another planet.
Duke Ellington's “Ol' Man River” began to play which caused all the dancers to stop. Suddenly someone shouted, “Stop playing that Negro Noise. We don't want that here.”
The crowd began pushing as men lurched toward the band. Edmund said to Hedwig, “Go back to the table while I handle this.”
As men wrestled each other to the floor, Hedwig followed her brother's instructions. Hedwig watched from afar as Edmund assumed control of the situation, and ordered other men in uniform to assist him. After a few minutes, Edmund said to the band, “Now play something appropriate.” The band played as two guards removed a man for the disturbance.
That moment caused Hedwig to accept Edmund as a man with responsibilities. That night when she went to bed, she prayed for her brother's safe return and cried for the thousands of people who were sure to die.
Chapter 69
1941
Over the next two years, Hedwig continued to assist with the Underground movement saving hundreds of lives. Sometimes one of them would give her a token of thanks, as Abner Goldstein did with his pocket watch. She always hoped someday Father Becker would be able to reunite these people with the tokens they left behind.
Edmund and his sister wrote to each other as often as possible. They both tried to keep the topics light, but each knew the other was terrified. In December 1940, he wrote to her saying he could no longer receive letters, but would write to her when he could.
Edmund's most recent letter read:
Dear Sister,
Life is short and uncertain, but my love for you is never ending. Be sure to tell Alois and Little Edmund about me some day. Don't let them think I remained the dummkopfe Alois met in Philadelphia. Always know I am proud of you. I am proud of everything you have ever done and for the choices you made. I only wish I had the strength to listen to my conscience as you have yours. Maybe if I survive this, we can go kill some fish together. If not, know that I will always be watching over you, protecting you.
Love Always,
Your brother who misses your apple strudel
Hedwig knew the moment she read the letter that he was not returning home. She put it in a picture frame next to the picture of him in his uniform at his graduation. They adorned her fireplace mantle where she lit a candle for him and prayed for his safe return. She knew it was futile, but prayed all the same.
The inevitable knock at the door came late at night.
“Frau Schultz? Are you the next of kin to Group Leader Edmund Geiger?” the soldier at the door stood at attention.
Weakly, Hedwig uttered, “Yes.”
“I regret to inform you that on June 22nd, Group Leader Geiger was killed in action within the borders of the Soviet Union. The Fuehrer--”
Hedwig grabbed the soldier and shook him by the shoulders, “NO. It's impossible. He's so young.”
The soldier tried to remain composed, “The Fuehrer and all of Germany thank you for his sacrifice---”
Hedwig nuzzled her face into his chest, and flailed her arms about. “Why? Tell me why?”
“Ma'am?” The soldier pulled her back, “The answer is because he was a dutiful soldier that gave his life for the Fatherland. He wanted to secure our race and nation for future generations of Aryans and Germans. That is why, Ma'am. You should be proud.”
“Proud?” Hedwig cried and screamed at the same time. “You want me to be proud? The hell with being proud. I want my brother back. Can you do that? Can the Fuehrer and Germany give me my brother back?”
“Ma'am, I am not informed as to how collection of the bodies occurs. I am sure someone from the War Department will be in touch with you. I am just a messenger, ma'am.”
“You are a messenger? Good, then send a message for me. You can tell the Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler, he can go to hell.” Then she slammed the door.
Oh my God. What did I just say? He can have us all executed. Oh God, what have I done? Hedwig thought.
The soldier knocked on the door, “Ma'am? I know you are upset, but please calm down. I am going to leave you a card so you can call the War Department if you have any questions.” He pushed the card under the door. “Again, I truly am sorry for your loss.”
A week later, Edmund's body arrived. It was someone's body at least. It was too charred and mangled to identify. Proper identification seemed impossible. The casket was closed during the ceremony, but Edmund received the full respect he would have expected. Flags were waving, rifles saluted and bugles played out of respect.
Hedwig sat alongside the coffin, completely alone amongst a group of strangers. Alois and his family did not attend. Most of the faces in the crowd were vaguely familiar. People that Edmund went to school with or neighbors that never visited anymore.
Just as Hedwig felt depleted of all strength, a hand glided across her shoulder. “Hello, my darling,” Gustav whispered in her ear.
Tears poured from Hedwig as she sought solace from her old friend. Gustav wiped her eyes, “There, there. Edmund wouldn't want you to make those beautiful eyes ugly and bloodshot by crying.”
A slightly attractive woman walked toward them, “Gustav? Aren't you going to introduce us?”
Hedwig pulled back, raised a brow at Gustav then looked at the woman. Gustav still had his arms around Hedwig when he said, “Hedwig, this is my wife, Katherine.”
Katherine responded, “Oh it is such a pleasure to meet you.”
Hedwig scoffed, “It is?”
“Of course. My husband has told me so much about you. I feel like we are old friends,” Katherine said with a smile.
Hedwig spat, “Please forgive me if I don't find pleasure in anything that happens to take place at my brother's funeral.”
Gustav grabbed Hedwig's arm and pulled her away.
“Would you please calm down? She did not mean anything by it. She is trying to be polite.”
“Where did you find this one? She's brilliant. Maybe we should hire the Tommy Dorsey band so we can dance on my brother's grave. Wouldn't that be some fun? I don't know about polite, but it might be a pleasure.” Hedwig's rage erupted from within her as she mocked Katherine.
Gustav looked her in the eyes and said, “Katherine is not the one you are mad at. Please don't talk to her that way.”
Hedwig paused to compose herself. “You are right. I apologize.” She then turned to Katherine, “Please forgive me for my behavior. This has been a trying and emotional day for me.”
Katherine responded by wrapping her arm around Hedwig, “Oh you poor dear. I don't blame you one bit. If I was in your situation, I would be a total mess.” Hedwig peered at Gustav with annoyance.
The three of them walked slowly to the waiting cars. Gustav offered, “Do you have a ride back to your home?”
“I do. Thank you. It won't be necessary for you to escort me.” After a moment, she asked, “How have you been? Are you living in Berlin now?”
Katherine interjected, “We are. And we have baby number two on the way. We just found out.”
Hedwig felt a kick in her heart that spread through her entire body. “Congratulations. How exciting. Good to know you are doing your part for the Fatherland.”
Katherine's eyes got wide with excitement, “That is exactly what I say.”
Hedwig shook her head in disbelief.
“Let us take you to lunch, please? It has been such a long time since we last saw each other,” Gustav tried to persuade Hedwig.
Katherine suddenly felt uncomfortable. “Gustav, why don't the two of you go to lunch together, and I will go visit with my parents.”
“Are you sure, Schatzi?”
“Yes. Hedwig probably wants to spend time with you, and I have not seen my parents in awhile. I'll take the car back.” Katherine then kissed Gustav on the cheek and walked away.
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