Her brows furrowed and pulled in toward her nose as if she might cry. “I'm not sure. I haven't seen him since we were separated at arrival,” she said through a sniffle. “Did you find your papa andbrother?”
I shook my head as more comprehension hit me. The barracks were filled with only women. The line at the sick bay was made up of mostly women, though I did see one or two men scattered throughout the line. The shower, though—all women. “I don't think men are living here, other than the Nazis, ofcourse.”
Her lips fell into a downward curve. “I know,” shewhispered.
She stepped away from the shower and twisted her hair tightly to free the trappedwater.
I followed Leah, dressing at the same time. “I'm sure we'll see each other again,” shesaid.
“I hope so,” I replied, though I didn't know how many people were around in the same location, or how often I would be running into familiarfaces.
I hurried back around the corner toward the building but stopped with fear when I came close to running into a group of Nazis who were standing in a circle, having a discussion. I was quick to notice that one of them was Charlie. I caught his eye for a brief second before we both looked away. Part of me wondered if I had imagined the odd interaction from the night before, but by the look in his eye, I knew I most definitely hadnot.
The men carried on through a roar of laughter, and I walked around the side of them, ignoring their presence while they ignoredmine.
As I snuck back into the sick bay, I was again given a look by many of the Jews who were standing in line, but I tried to avoid the questions in their eyes and focused solely on the German nurse waiting for me behind thedesk.
She spared no time upon my return. “You will register each Jew. Their number, ailment, age, and whether they are expectant.” The woman was not speaking to me softly, and I witnessed the sickened expressions on the faces of those who were waiting inline.
“Yes, Madame,” Ireplied.
The woman took the chair from behind the desk and moved it to the other side of the room. When she returned, she pointed to the stack of papers. “There youare.”
The papers were all handwritten notes about each patient who had come and gone, including only the four pieces of information she asked me to record. I took a stack of fresh paper and piled it neatly onto a clipboard, then found a pencil in a tin can I noticed on the corner of thedesk.
I pulled my coat collar up and buttoned it over my mouth and nose, fearful of contracting anything from the sickpeople.
Immediately, I began questioning the patients standing in a line that was spreading throughout the alleyway of the barracks. It seemed like an endless amount ofwork.
Without knowing how many hours had passed, I guessed the time from the position of the sun and the fact that it was slowly beginning toset.
A hand on my shoulder pulled my attention away from the woman I was questioning. I turned to see who was behind me, and found him—Charlie. Taken aback by his greeting, I struggled to maintain my composure due to the unease I was feeling. “Yes, sir,” I greeted him, sounding weary. There was a certain look in his eyes that I couldn’t quite understand, and it made me wonder what his intentions were. With everything that had happened to my family and myself, I was smart enough to know I couldn't and shouldn’t trust anyone—particularly a soldier of anykind.
“Follow me,” he stated with a commanding tone, one that didn’t soundauthentic.
I did as I was told, feeling even more confused about his intentions, but I dared not ask him anything at that moment. After all, I should have known better than to argue with a Nazi after watching the way they killed Mama, even if I had already tested my limits with Charlie. I followed closely in his footsteps while analyzing his straight posture and how tightly his hands were clasped behind his back. I walked as straight and tall as I could, but had to hold my arms over my chest as if embracing myself to shield my body from the icy coldwind.
We stopped at a small nook between two barrack blocks where there was no one else in sight. I didn't speak first. I had already thanked him the night earlier for the bread, and I didn't know what else he wanted from me. “I'm glad to see you’re doing paperwork,” hesaid.
“Why is that?” Iquestioned.
“Your longevity depends on your assigned job,” he answered. There was a seriousness in his voice, and his hands still had not moved from behind his back. I couldn’t understand why he would say that to me, and I wondered if it was a warning orthreat?
“Are you trying to get me killed?” I whispered. I was not flattered or humbled by his pleasant attitude toward my new job. If we were caught having a private conversation back there, I could assume how it might turn out. I was the enemy, and he was—I'm not sure. I knew what he did not want to be, but if push came to shove, would his allegiance be to those that could have me killed without blinking an eye, or to a Jewish girl he justmet?
Charlie’s eyes were not one of a Nazi. He had an innocent look that set him apart from the others. I could see hate and resentment a mile away with some of the passing men, but not Charlie. I was not about to admit that to him, though, because I was still unsure about trustinganyone.
“What do you want?” I asked, looking over my shoulder as my level of discomfort escalated. I didn't understand what was happening, but I knew I shouldn’t be backthere.
“A friend,” hesaid.
I covered my mouth as if trying to hide the sarcastic laughter threatening to erupt from my dry throat. “Nazis are not friends with Jews. That’s justabsurd.”
“Of course. That’s what we’re supposed to think. That’s the way they want us to be. Where’s my say in the matter, though?” he argued. “I had no choice about becoming a soldier on this side of the war. I was forced to, and I don’t want to be considered a Nazi because I’m not akiller.”
“Clearly, it can be worse, so be thankful you aren’t Jewish,” I replied withhaste.
He leaned forward and lowered his voice to nearly a whisper. “I am not comparing our situations. I’m simply answering your question as to why I’m as desperate for a friend as you are. I obviously shouldn’t have approached you. Myapologies.”
