Wartime Brides Collection

Chapter Five

Chapter FiveNoreen laid down her fork then wiped her mouth with the linen napkin. She pushed away her empty plate. Empty. Just like her heart. A year had passed since that awful day when the boys were killed at the railroad yard while coupling two train cars. Please God, help me understand why You took away my family.

She shook her head to rid the gruesome vision from her mind, then folded her hands and cleared her throat. How would her daughters-in-law react to her announcement?

Odelia looked up from her plate, still partially filled with sauerbraten, its tangy fragrance hanging over the table. “What is it, Mutti?”

“I’ve come to a decision.” She took a deep breath. “I hope you’ll understand. I’ve prayed about this for a long time.”

Rosa’s forehead wrinkled. Her eyes filled with tears. “You’re leaving Germany, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I think it’s best. Manfred was right when he said Hitler would bring the country to war. I didn’t see it at the time.” She shook her head. “I told him he was foolish to say such a thing. It’s me who was foolish.”

Rosa reached over and patted Noreen’s arm, her calloused fingers warm against Noreen’s skin. “Don’t say that. You are a wise woman. Wise in the ways of God.”

“You are a sweet girl. And that is why you should stay in Germany and meet a nice boy you can marry, who will provide for you. And Odelia. You are both too young to remain widowed.”

“Why did you not remarry, Mutti Noreen?” Rosa asked.

“No man ever measured up to my Edmund.” Noreen sighed, then pasted a grin on her face. “He was the only one who would have me.”

Rosa snickered. “That can’t possibly be true. Surely you had your pick of suitors.”

“No, but that’s kind of you to say.”

Odelia scowled. “We’re getting off the subject. Are you leaving immediately? If so, there is much to do in preparation before we go.”

“We?” Noreen c****d her head. “I’m returning to England. You’re staying here.”

“I will go with you. Someone has to help you.”

“I may be old, but I’m not infirm, Odelia. Thank you for your offer, but I will be making the journey alone.”

Rosa stood and put her dishes in the sink with a thump. “No, we are both going with you. It’s what family does for one another. Your in-laws took you in when you needed help, and now we are going to help you.” She looked at Odelia. “You are right. There is much to be done. I will notify the landlord and secure provisions. Can you make the arrangements to sell what we won’t be taking?”

The dishes clattered as Noreen cleared the table. “There is no need for you to accompany me. I’m English. Soon it won’t be safe for me to stay here. You are German. You can remain with no worries.”

Taking the plates from Noreen, Rosa set them on the counter. She grasped Noreen’s hands. “We want to do this for you. You have loved and supported us since we first met you. We three women are alone. Let us be alone together. Please.”

Odelia nodded. “Please, Mutti.”

Noreen studied the two young women. Rosa-small and lithe, her corn-silk blonde hair wrapped in two braids around her head as a crown. Bright blue eyes sparkled above a pert nose. Even dressed in worn-out clothing, she carried a regal bearing. Odelia towered over Noreen and Rosa. She wore her dark hair pulled into a bun at the nape of her neck. Dark eyes and heavy eyebrows contrasted with her light complexion. The girls seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for her decision.

“All right. You may join me, but if you find that dreary, old England is not for you, I will understand.”

Rosa squealed and clapped her hands. Odelia’s face lit up.

“Do you think we can be ready in two weeks? I’d rather not delay.”

“The sooner the better.” Odelia hugged her arms around her middle. “Herr Hitler is not to be trusted.”

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The platform vibrated beneath Noreen’s feet as the train rumbled into Berlin Station. Hordes of people shoved their way toward the iron behemoth. Babies wailed. Parents barked orders at their children to stay close. The smell of unwashed bodies mixed with the coal dust in the air.

Perspiration trickled down Noreen’s face, and she scraped a damp strand of hair behind her ear. The satchel on her back threatened to tumble to the ground, so she hitched her shoulder to settle luggage back into place. The bulging bag that had traveled with her from London to Berlin so many years ago would now make the return trip.

She gripped her bulky, brown suitcase tighter and braced herself against the tide of humanity. Not ready to get swept into the train, she hunched closer to the wall. Odelia and Rosa stood sentry at her side.

Noreen glanced at Odelia’s face, whiter than usual. As the departure day approached, the young woman had become quiet and withdrawn. More than once this morning, Noreen found her frozen in place, lips moving in silent prayer. When questioned, her daughter-in-law claimed she was simply petitioning for safe travel.

The loudspeaker crackled with static.

The mob quieted. A child cried out then fell silent.

“Achtung! There will be a slight delay due to mechanical difficulties.”

A moan rose from the crowd.

“Please move back from the train. We will announce when it is time to board. Thank you for your cooperation.”

“I can’t do this.” Odelia sobbed into her crumpled handkerchief. “I’m sorry, Mutti. Don’t hate me, but I cannot go with you to England. I’m not brave enough.”

Noreen pulled Odelia into her arms. “Hush, child. I could never hate you. You have to do what is right for you. You should stay and make your life here.”

Several people stared at the trio as the young woman continued to cry. Rosa stroked her sister-in-law’s back. “Where will you go? Your family is gone.”

Odelia sniffed and wiped her face with the damp cloth. “I have a second cousin who lives in Hamburg. After Manfred died, she said she would take me in.” She patted her handbag. “I received a letter from her last week renewing the invitation. She owns a dress shop and said I could work with her doing alterations.”

Noreen opened her bag and reached inside. She withdrew several Deutschmarks and thrust them into Odelia’s palm. “You will need these until you receive your first paycheck.”

“No, I’ve taken enough from you.”

“Nonsense. I insist you take them. And before you leave the station be sure to get your ticket refunded.”

Rosa unwrapped the blue scarf from around her neck. She draped it across Odelia’s shoulders. “It’s not much, but it will keep you warm during cold nights.”

Odelia’s lip trembled. “Thank you. I will miss you both.”

The women clung to each other while Noreen prayed.

“Your attention, please. We will now begin boarding the train to Brussels. Please proceed in an orderly fashion.”

The buzz of voices filled the station as the people jostled each other. Odelia gave Noreen and Rosa a gentle push forward. “Go. Don’t miss your train. I’ll be fine.” She held up a scrap of paper then handed it to Noreen. “This is my cousin’s address. You can write to me there. We’ll stay in touch.”

Noreen stuffed the paper into her purse and nodded. She brushed Odelia’s damp cheek. “Blessings on you, child.” She turned to Rosa. “This is your chance. You can remain in Germany, too. I don’t have another son or a brother who can marry you.”

Rosa shook her head. “Please, don’t try convincing me to leave you. If you’re going, I will go, too. If you stayed, I would stay. You are my family, and even your God has become mine.”

England, several days later