The Day the Flowers Died

  But despite the words from various opponents of Hitler, the Chancellor within weeks would become absolute dictator of Germany and propel a series of events resulting in World War II and the eventual deaths of approximately fifty million humans, many of whom he deliberately exterminated in concentration camps on German soil. The fertile grounds that once offered life for many would become graves to bury the increasing dead.

  Upon the announcement, many vacated Germany: writers, musicians, great thinkers, doctors, scientists, including the pacifist Albert Einstein who would effectively help end the war to come with his scientific efforts. Einstein fled the country, vowing never to return, asserting that he “shall live only in a country where civil liberty, tolerance, and equality prevail.”

  The floods of influential people in vehement disagreement at Hitler’s successful Chancellorship emigrated west, finding a refuge that would eventually turn many others away and send them back to the feared German country they had departed.

  The heated news brought Rebecca to her knees and Eli picked her up and held her against his chest her breath labored. Pushing away, she walked downstairs, taking each step in disbelief at the turn of events from November to January, somehow yielding Germany to Nazi power.

  No one could have seen and no one expected this. Her body became tense and muscles froze as she felt starved for fresh air; air she knew wouldn’t be fresh much longer with the rank words from the Nazi party unfiltered in the streets. She scraped across the cobblestones in her black shoes while her black button up dress swayed over the sidewalk and then over the grass. Gazing at the flowers that once brought her peace, she discovered the flowers were dead, trampled by Nazis in their celebratory parades. In place of spring’s budding flowers, they left behind only dirty prints of heavy jackboots.

  Monday, February 27, 1933

  The crackling fire from the burning Reichstag building woke everyone. The attack on Reichstag equaled an attack on Germany for many citizens. Despite Nazi plans to destroy German democracy, Hitler blamed the Communists for this wanton destruction, which many willingly and naively believed. Regardless of who was to blame, parliament burnt to ruin and along with it, the republic.

  The hands of one man wrote a new instrument for government — suspending civil liberties, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of press, accomplished by the issuance of a Reich Presidential decree. Those who opposed this new legislation were brought to a set of special courts which Papen enforced by signature to the decree, including revoking the right to appeal.

  Nazis paraded on the streets. Considered pests in Germany before the chancellorship of Hitler, now citizens welcomed them as the police. No one who despised them tested their impatience, lack of mercy or brutality, or one would be beaten or disappear.

  Harsh words poured from Nazi tongues and often they kicked and punched like undisciplined children who wanted candy. They dragged rebellious citizens off to jail. Unwanted shops, offices and business were vandalized and discouraged. The mark of the Nazis, like slaves branded, burned into the minds, the streets, the cities of Germany. Their presence overshadowed the lives of German citizens and even the air seemed heavier to walk in, strangling those who wished to depart from it.

  * * *

  Rebecca awoke the next morning and brewed tea for herself and Eli while he slept. They had to ready themselves for the work day ahead. When the kettle whistled, Rebecca poured them each a cup of tea and sliced a bit of lemon to drop into Eli’s. She admired the diamond ring on her finger, clenching her hands together and caressing the ring with the palm of her other hand. Though small, the diamond symbolized their commitment and their love, a silver band, a circle that never ended.

  She smiled as she set the cups on the table and called out to Eli, “Rise and shine. Your tea is ready.” Eli rolled over, swinging his arms, pushing himself out of the comforts of the double sized bed.

  “Coming, my dearest Rebecca.” Eli enjoyed emphasizing his adoration for her and had been referring to her as his dearest Rebecca since they returned from their honeymoon. Rebecca loved hearing it. Eli threw on his long black robe and wobbled to the table to sip his tea before washing in the large bath basin in the bathroom.

  She waited for him on the sofa in her white hospital attire and, when he exited the bedroom dressed in his grey suit with a white button up shirt, she placed his plate of eggs and toast on the table in front of her rare television. They ate breakfast before he drove her to the hospital, then continued to his father’s firm.

  Another office window was smashed; its broken glass littering the floor. Eli picked up the stone and set it on his desk. Only a few lawyers stayed with the firm and they remained in their office, finishing up work. The firm’s carpeted hallways were barren of the life it once knew, quietness and stillness taking its place. Ezekiel hired Aaron a few months earlier and now Aaron sat in the office across the hall from Eli with the door closed. Eli invited himself into Aaron’s new office where Ekkehard used to sit.

  “How are things with you?” Eli inquired and Aaron faked a smile of contentment, a smile Eli knew too well, stretched across his face like hard clay.

  “Good.”

  “What’s wrong?” Eli insisted.

  “What do you want me to say? Things are terrible. I don’t have the job I was hired out of University to do because I’m a Jew. Our country is being dictated to and controlled by fascist racists. The parliament has been burnt down and, along with it, our civil liberties. Who knows how much longer we can continue working without being attacked by the Nazi patrol.”

  Aaron took a deep breath and then glanced out the window behind him overlooking the breaking city. “I’m not like you, Eli. I can’t look at people and see the best. I can’t look at Germany and have hope for the future.” Aaron shuffled the papers in front of him. “I’m a realist and it’s time to get out of Germany.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Einstein left, Jewish musicians, artists, writers, thinkers have all left Germany. They can see what’s coming. With Hitler in charge, there will never be equality for Jews. There’ll never be peace for you and Rebecca.”

  Eli’s face grew stern and red and Aaron went on. “What will become of the two of you? What happens when the Nazis find out about your marriage?” Eli’s thick brows twisted in concern, of thoughts he long had himself.

  “What do we do?” Eli sat in the chair across from Aaron.

  “I know you love her. So, you need to do what’s best for her. The two of you need to get out of here. You need to get her out of here.”

  “How?”

  “There’s a ship, the Hamburg American Liner, that leaves for America every month, but you won’t be able to purchase a ticket without the proper paperwork.”

  “What do we need?” Eli wiped his forehead.

  Aaron rubbed his chapped lips before speaking. “It will be easy for Rebecca. She doesn’t have a passport, but her mother is American and her father is German. You can request her American passport from the America embassy, disclosing her dual citizenship.” Eli’s lips released their clenched form. “Then you present her passport to purchase her ticket and she must show it again before boarding and at immigration upon entering America.”

  “And myself?” Eli worried and Aaron moved in close.

  “You will need to apply for an American visa. You’ll need your birth certificate, a certificate of good conduct from the German police which includes the police dossier, your prison record, military record, and any other government records as well as a German Police permit allowing your departure.”

  Aaron pondered in thought like he often did in court. “Additionally, you will need to obtain two affidavits from American citizens sponsoring your entry into America and give proof of a substantial savings in your bank account.” Aaron spoke like he was reading a list, a list he himself had become familiar with in his own inquiries.

  “How am I to acquire affidavits from America citizens? I don’t even know
anyone in America.” Eli’s brows arched.

  “You told me Rebecca has an aunt. You could request a sponsorship letter from her. You said Rebecca speaks of her aunt highly, that she is a compassionate woman.” Eli nodded. “If she’ll write the letter for you, then you can present it to the American Embassy in Germany. In the meantime, while waiting on the letter, you must assemble all the other documentation.”

  “What about my marriage to Rebecca? Won’t that help?” Eli asked.

  “You’ve only just married her. For American citizenship, you’ll have to demonstrate your marriage to her for at least a year or two.” Aaron shook his head and continued, “Even after all the paperwork, you’ll still need to convince the American consuls and the state department officials that you will be a benefit to their economy, not a burden.”

  Eli looked out the window, watched a few youths pass and then returned his thoughts to Aaron. “What about my family, my parents and sisters?”

  “They’ll have to undergo the same process and, even if you all comply with the regulations, it doesn’t guarantee your visa will be approved.” Aaron played with the papers on his desk, avoiding the inconvenient truth. Eli laid his hands over the mahogany desk and moved close to Aaron.

  “What does that mean?”

  “There has been a steady increase in immigrants to America. Roosevelt has tightened restrictions on immigrant policies to protect national safety and guard against an influx of foreigners. The President is fearful of the swollen unemployment rates in America and doesn’t want immigrants taking jobs from American citizens. The quotas are low at just over one hundred and fifty thousand immigrants for the year.”

  Aaron’s face grew weary. “This number includes everyone from every country wanting to enter America.” Eli looked down at his hands in Aaron’s response, hands once manicured but now neglected.

  “Compassion takes a back seat to protocol when the majority of American citizens are opposed to refugees. Anti-Semitism is rampant in the general public and in many key governmental offices.” Aaron stood and walked to his bookcase against the wall to browse with his finger, tracing over the titles of books.

  “But there is another way.” Aaron’s eyes hinted of a devious idea.

  “What?”

  “The documentation can always be forged.” Aaron whispered the last few words as if others might overhear.

  “Forged?”

  “If it comes to that; if you don’t hear from immigration or if they deny your visa.”

  “If I don’t hear from them?” Eli looked confused.

  “I’ve heard visa processes have been slowing. Immigration is not inclined to do you any favors.”

  “What about my family?” There was a hard swallow in Eli’s throat.

  “They should all start applying for visas now,” Aaron said, “but if I were you, I wouldn’t wait on the American immigration office. I know the legal system like the back of my hand and I would talk to Mr. Reiner.” Aaron whispered the name, but his insistent tone led to many more questions in Eli’s mind.

  “Mr. Reiner?”

  “I will take you to him if you need me to.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Just promise me the two of you will get out of here.”

  “I promise.”

  * * *

  Rebecca left the hospital on her lunch break and strolled up the road with her friend who had become like a mother to her. The woman’s dark hair was rolled into a braid and she wore spectacles for distance. Rebecca guided her along the German cobblestone sidewalks to the flower shop she frequented.

  Rebecca wanted to pick up more of her favorite varieties since the flowers she had were fading and the baby flowers outside the apartment were mauled. Upon arriving, loud cries from an elderly woman of the shop pervaded outside the shop’s broken glass window. Glass was scattered all over the sidewalk and inside the shop. The elderly woman sat wailing on her stool with flowers torn and ripped up around her. Rebecca rushed to her side, shielding her with her own arms in an embrace.

  “What happened?” Rebecca’s voice shook in panic and anger. Her friend stared at the destroyed shop, shaking her head in disgust in the corner behind Rebecca.

  “Nazi boys. My business ruined!” The woman’s jagged nose reminded Rebecca of the nose she adored on Eli. “They had such sinister smiles on their faces when they threw my flowers and pots against the cement floor.” She held her mouth with her hand and then told the rest of the story. “They laughed while stomping all over them. My precious plants.” Her sobs kept her for a moment. “How can anyone delight in destroying a livelihood?”

  The older woman burst into more tears, but Rebecca had no answers to offer and could only hold her in her arms, consoling her in silence. After a moment, Rebecca began lifting the broken pots off the floor and her friend helped sweep the dead flowers into a bag. The broken glass cracked underneath their feet until they swept it into another bag. The woman’s shop stood empty of flowers as she sat in hushed agony while Rebecca and her friend departed to return to the hospital for work.

  Work only provided a whole new set of problems for Rebecca.

  Upon learning of her wedding to a Jewish man, her boss had given her the snub nose every time he passed her. Eyes that once held a healthy respect for her now dimmed with slanted, tightened edges of revulsion. Rebecca would cordially smile and look away, pretending to not notice the change in his demeanor. She wasn’t sure if he felt this way because she married a Jew or because she married at all. During the few encounters she had with him, he hinted at being single and wondered if she was available. Rebecca had said no.

  On top of this, an overflow of patients depended on a declining staff, some of whom were asked to leave because of complaints to their character or personality, though Rebecca knew it had more to do with their heritage or sympathies. The woman with long blonde hair rarely said anything to her anymore, though they had once been close friends. Most of the doctors avoided her, except for one who on occasion still enjoyed her discourse.

  The hospital felt like the streets of Munich to Rebecca. There was no longer the fellowship among equals. Care for the patient no longer came above all else. Rebecca would see certain patients fitting the Aryan profile given treatment first over non-Aryan patients, though they may have entered the hospital earlier. She would see preferential treatment to blond haired men and women to those with dark hair.

  She couldn’t justify the rationale, though, not officially law, it was practically a mandate by the Reich Chancellor. Then she wondered how long it would take for the Nazis to make it law, not just social prejudice, not just something done because everyone else did it, not just something done because you felt threatened.

  On her way home from work, she saw the streets mauled with Nazi soldiers clinging to their structured forms, red twisted crosses, and perverted ideals. The streets to her smelled repugnant, like raw sewage or burnt food, and she wanted to throw up. Looking at the German youth idealizing this man, this god to them, marching in perfect rows up the streets made her want to weep.

  She thought about all the generations of young boys and girls who would grow up with ideas as twisted as the crosses they wore and wondered how they would ever be taught something different, something that would tell them this is not right. The cab drove her to her apartment building and she plodded up to the steps, gazing at the dead flowers in the grass bed as she opened up the door with its broken latch. Her fingers fiddled over the latch, reminding her of the first time she met Eli and how long ago it seemed. That thought stayed with her all the way up to her room and kept her smiling.

  She walked to her kitchen sink, wanting to fill her flower vases with new water, but the flowers wilted and new water couldn’t revive them. Even the spring sun could not save them. She waited for Eli to come home from work and prepared dinner of boiled potato and beans. Meat was expensive and, without her parent’s financial support or her father’s occasional slip of money, she had to save every
penny.

  Eli also tightened his finances. Though he worked for his father so long as his father had the firm, Eli’s paychecks also had to be cut. Ezekiel’s firm had steadily declined since early 1932 and his employees felt this lack of income. When Eli walked into the room, the air lifted and the heavy weight of the day disappeared. Rebecca ran up to her Eli and allowed herself a brief visit at his chest before he took off his trench coat. He could smell dinner and his nose enjoyed the fragrance.

  “What are you cooking?” Eli inquired.

  “Nothing special; just beans and potatoes.”

  “Still, it is the best beans and potatoes I have ever smelled,” Eli joked and nudged Rebecca in the shoulder, drawing a taut smile from her. It was difficult for her to let go of the sadness of her days.

  “It will be ready in twenty minutes.”

  “Good, gives me time to wash up first.” Eli washed his face in the sink and then gave himself a mock bath with a washrag and a little bit of water in the basin. They tried to conserve water usage. He sat in the tub, mulling over what Aaron had told him and considered if forging his family’s passport documentation would be the best course of action. He could wait on his own papers, but he didn’t want to put their lives in danger.

  He needed to know they would be safe. After he finished his wash, he wore a comfortable tee shirt and pajama pant. He sat the table where two plates were ready to be filled with dinner. Rebecca carried the platter of food to the center and plopped comfortably into her seat.

  “Bon appetite!” She attempted a failed French accent which sounded a cross between the hard German sound and the soft Dutch. Eli smiled and then his face froze in seriousness.

  “Rebecca.” At his tone, Rebecca sat motionless in her chair.

  “Yes?” Her eyes widened.

  “I need to talk to you.”