Frau Joel’s head tilted to the side. She looked intrigued to hear more and pulled another chair from the table. Frau Joel sat down and crossed her hands over the woven place setting. "I am a good listener," she said.
I took another nibble of the bread before speaking. "Well, I fell in love with a woman and helped rescue her from Theresienstadt."
Frau Joel cupped her hand over her mouth and shook her head from side to side. "Oh, Charlie," she sighed.
"Ja. However, I was caught just as the woman made it past the guard tower. They threw me in prison. I was supposed to be locked up for ten years, but now that Hitler is—anyway, I only had to remain in prison for a year." I knew I should have been more careful of who I shared my story with, but talking about the situation kept the reality of my life alive and current.
"I see," Frau Joel said. Her lips pressed together, and she patted her hand against her chest. "I—well then, I’m going to go prepare your room while you enjoy your food."
"Danke," I offered.
I should have waited a little longer before unearthing my story.
Frau Joel untied her apron and hung it on the broom closet doorknob before leaving the kitchen. Before she got very far, though, she returned. "Charlie, you aren’t being chased by anyone, are you?"
"Nein, Frau. I’m looking for my love. That is all."
A firm smile grew across her cheeks. "That I support, sohn. Maybe I can help."
Chapter 26
1944
Zurich, Switzerland
Iwas counting out my euros, finding that I was quickly running out of money after just a few days of being in Zurich. It was time to find a job.
I offered Frau Joel the remainder of what I had left. "Here you are, my payment to you," I offered with an outstretched hand.
Frau Joel closed her eyes and inhaled sharply through her nose. She pressed my fingers down over the money. "Charlie, hold on to your money. I want to see you back on your feet, and I don't want to make things harder for you."
"I couldn't possibly impose," I told her, stepping closer with my hand outstretched.
Frau Joel tugged on my arm and walked me over to the sitting area near the foyer. "Have a seat, Charlie." The way she spoke to me made me think of Mama. I had not let her know that I was free from prison, and I knew it was important to do so soon.
We sat in two worn Victorian chairs with tan and pink stripes. The colors appeared worn, likely from sitting in front of the window’s light. "I lost my son, Charlie. The First World War stole him from me, and I have never been the same."
I found myself dragging my fingertips down the side of my face while noticing the monumental pain pulling at the outside corners of her eyes. "I am so sorry, Frau."
"Herr Joel and I knew we couldn't remain in Germany after Francis was taken from us. It was too painful. So, we moved here to Zurich and vowed to help displaced men and women due to the war. Francis might not be with us now, but he has brought us so much love. As I mentioned when you arrived, those who stay here with us become our family, no matter the length of their stay. We sometimes think this house finds lost people like yourself."
My heart ached for Frau Joel. To take such a loss and turn into a gain is much harder than she made it sound. She has overcome battles, some I could not imagine, and I admired her greatly. If she refused, there would have to be another form of repayment. "I will earn my keep here until it's time for me to leave."
Frau Joel allowed a smile to tug at her forlorn lips. "I will never turn down help, Charlie."
"Very well," I told her. "I will start by helping Herr Joel chop some wood, ja?"
"That would be wonderful, but I must ask how that will be possible with one arm?"
For the first time in almost two years, I had forgotten about my misfortune. I glanced down at my one lonesome hand resting on my knee. "Maybe there is something else I could be helpful with in the house?"
"I have some linens that needed to be washed and folded, and the stairwell could use a good sweeping," Frau responded with a grimace. Maybe she thought I was feeling emasculated, but I wanted to do whatever she would find helpful.
"I will do a great job at that," I assured her.
"Wonderful," she said, slapping her palms down gently on the armrests of her chair. "Charlie, I do have a question for you before you go."
"Ja, Frau?"
