What I Miss About You

Soulmates That Weren't Meant to Be - Ben

Natalie was staring at Dr. Heinrich in disbelief, but a slow smile started to come into her eyes. "Tell me how...please, explain," she said in a surprisingly steady voice. But her hands were gripping the arm rests of her chair tightly.

Dr. Heinrich never took his eyes off her. "As I've said, it was nearly impossible to convince her to go. She was so devoted to her work and, despite the horrific circumstances, Germany was her home. Always had been. It was where her parents had been born...and died. It was where she had been born. Where she'd learned to save lives instead of take..." His voice broke and he looked quickly away. "She was a life-giver," he choked. He shook his head, still not looking at us. "A bright, beautiful thing thriving in world of darkness and evil. I couldn't let the regime put that flame out."

He looked at Natalie again, this time his eyes watery and grieved. She stood and went to him in one fluid, graceful movement, as if by instinct. She knelt at his side, her hands taking one of his between them. Two young, small, delicate hands cradling the aged, gnarled one. It seemed to give him the the push he needed. He reached up and stroked Natalie's hair back from her face.

"I still remember the discussion. Her fierce pride and her attachment to those poor, unfortunate people she ministered to." He sighed. "I had to tell her...I committed treason against the Reich by telling her but it was the only way. In some ways, it might have been construed as a lie, but as it turned out, I was right." He looked off into the distance. "I had to tell her the Third Reich was falling. And soon."

                                                                           ***

"Deiter, I can't," she stated flatly. "I can't leave these poor women and their babies..."

"How can I make you understand, Ruth, that there is no other way?" I sighed in exasperation. "If you don't, soon it will be you on the boxcar. I can't let that happen!" I ground out between gritted teeth. "Please, listen to reason. I can make you go, you know."

Her eyes flashed at me then golden fire. "Why do you...why are you so concerned? Isn't that my fate? Hasn't it been for some time now?"

I blinked at her fearless bravado. Her calm acceptance. "It doesn't have to be, Ruth..."

"You didn't answer my question, Deiter. Why?"

I dropped my gaze from hers and stared down at the scuffed, worn wooden floor. "The tide is turning, Ruth. For you, if you escape soon enough, you can live your life free from reach of the Fuhrer...if you stay I cannot guarantee that. I will do what I can here, but you...you are already on their radar. And I can't watch you disappear into one of those places."

Tears swam in her eyes. "What do you mean by all this? Tell me plainly, Deiter."

I placed my hands on her shoulders. "I've heard things...murmurings in the ranks. The regime cannot hold onto power much longer. But for you, the danger is far from over." I let my eyes travel all over her, memorizing her, branding her into my memory. "There is a safe place...Le Chambon-Sur-Lignon in France. It's not that far...I can drive you there. Under cover of night. But we must move swiftly." I tightened my grip on her shoulders. "Ruth."

She stared wildly into my eyes. "But, if that's true..." she murmured. "You'll be killed. If not by them, then by the Allies. Deiter...you can come with me."

It was then I had a small glimmer of her true feelings. I had thought it was all on my part, but I saw at that moment the infatuation, the attachment that had formed for her. It matched mine and inwardly I cursed the wretched world in which we lived. I shook my head.