The walls felt as though they were caving in on me, and for reasons I couldn't quite put my finger on.
It must have been a sixth sense I was feeling.
1Son
2Yes
Chapter 4
Twelve Years Old - 1935
Bavaria, Germany
Ihardly slept the night I found out I would be going to a new school. I had never enjoyed the action of change, which was probably the real reason for my lack of sleep, since it was impossible to know what changes were coming toward us as a country.
My mattress squealed as I rolled out of bed, which informed Mama that I was awake.
"Charlie, breakfast will be ready soon," she shouted from the kitchen.
I slipped on my knickers from the previous day. The suspenders were still attached, making the act of dressing a bit simpler. Knowing Mama would not take kindly to filth, I took a pressed collared shirt from my wardrobe, buttoned and tucked where appropriate. I had plans for the day, and I couldn’t have Mama stopping me for a clothing issue. I even combed my hair to the right as she preferred. With my knee socks pulled up and outdoor shoes secured, I scurried down the short hallway, finding the savory and salty aroma of pretzels and sausage.
"You are already dressed as if you have somewhere to be," Mama said, speculating rather than asking if I had such plans.
"Yes, Mama. I plan to visit Papa at the shop. I was going to see if he needed help with any of the cleaning duties."
Mama narrowed an eye at me, ready to call my bluff. I was not a good liar. "Charlie, you have never asked to help clean the bäckerei1."
I tented my fingertips in front of my waist, thinking of a way to sound more convincing. "Well, Claude can’t do much, and I have been bored. That is all."
"Ja, I see," Mama said, still obviously questioning my intention by the intense stare she was giving me. Mama took the dishrag that was draped over her shoulder and wiped down the wooden board she had floured to prepare the pretzels. "Are you still upset about the new school, Charlie?"
She knew me all too well. "No, Mama. I’m not upset. But I like my current school, and I don’t understand why I need to go elsewhere. I’d much prefer to stay put."
Mama wiped her floured hands on the bottom of her apron and strode toward me. As she leaned down to close the height gap between us, I peered into her ocean blue eyes that looked like mine. Except her eyes were full of hope while mine felt full of despair. "This change is for the best. I know you are comfortable at your current school, but you are receiving a wonderful opportunity, and we would be foolish not to accept the invitation. You must understand."
I didn’t understand. My grades were fair, nothing to brag about, and I didn’t stand out as an overachiever, so I couldn’t see a reason anyone would send me an invitation to a new school. In any case, Mama was not about to budge on the matter. Papa was my only hope.
Mama offered me a dimpled smile and pressed her warm hands against my cheeks. "Mein2Charlie, es wird am ende in ordnung sein3," she would often say.
It will be all right in the end.
I wondered how she could know such a thing. Though, I was not one to query Mama or Papa. They knew best, but my questions continued to grow, and the answers did not satisfy my concerns.
I stared through the four-paned window across from the dining table as I devoured my breakfast. Mama stared at me all the while. "How is Claude feeling?" she asked as I took my final bite of sausage.
"He is getting well," I answered with a mouthful.
"Good, send him my best," she said, resting her arm on the table, holding her chin up by her fist. "You are still heading down to the village, ja?"
"Yes, Mama. I want to visit Papa."
"Very well, Charlie. Please don’t find any trouble along the way."
"I won’t," I agreed.
I took my cleared plate and brought it over to the sink basin. "I will see to your dish, Charlie. Run along, sohn."
The floorboards bounced as I ran out the front door and onto the damp cobblestone road.
