The Cuckoo's Cage

Chapter Fourteen

Karl stood, staring out at the garden whilst his mother busied herself behind him. He had always loved the garden; he and Anna used to play out there every day when they were small, regardless of if it was raining. Anna preferred the rain any way. He reimagined the photographs they had taken here, and it made him smile. He missed her terribly.

"Here we are," said Helga, beckoning him to the kitchen table. He went and sat with her, smiling at his mother as she made his coffee for him. She was such a sweet woman, her cheeks always rosy and her hair always slightly messy. She was plump, with the same strange green eyes as him. She radiated warmth and happiness; he adored her. "You seem even sadder than since I last saw you," she commented. "Are you eating properly?"

"My eating habits are not the problem," sighed Karl. Helga studied him.

"It's Anna," she deduced, "isn't it?" He nodded. "Are you going to explain to me what's actually going on?" she pressed. He'd only told her that Anna had decided to stay for Elli. He hadn't told her of Ernst or what she'd had to do.

"It's not nice," he mumbled, Helga taking in a deep breath.

"Nothing is nice at the moment," she reminded him. "Tell me, son."

"Anna is pregnant," he murmured. Helga's eyes widened.

"Oh my," she said. "What does Hans think?" Karl shifted uncomfortably.

"It's not his," he replied.

"What?" gasped Helga. "I don't understand." Karl looked so forlorn. "Karl Von Hart," she said sternly, "you tell me what is going on, right this minute!"

"Anna started up a relationship with the Commandant of the camp, so that he would place Elli somewhere safe."

"A relationship?" Karl's eyes met hers, and she looked horrified. "And now she's pregnant with his child..."

"She's so frightened, mother," said Karl, the words sticking in his throat. "And I can't bloody do anything." Helga got up and hugged him tightly, Karl clinging to her.

"Anna is tough," she reminded him. "If anyone can survive this, it's her."

"I keep trying to tell myself that," he said. "But she's been through so much. What if this is too much for her?"

"That's not the Anna I know," hushed Helga, trying to keep her own emotions in check. "Keep trying to go back and keep in contact. It's all you can do." She sat back in her chair, taking his hand instead while he wiped his eyes furiously. "My sensitive boy," she whispered, squeezing his hand. "I think I shall have to pay a visit to this Hans," she continued. "He needs a good talking to."

"He needs a fucking slap," muttered Karl, his mother's eyes narrowing. "Sorry for swearing."

"Do you think he still loves her?" she asked.

"Yes."

"And does she love him?"

"Yes," he said again, a bitter edge to his voice.

"Then they should be reunited," confirmed his mother.

"He doesn't deserve her!"

"Clearly, he needs to make up for what he has done. But ask yourself honestly, do you think that their reunion would bring her happiness?" He sighed, not saying anything. "Her happiness is important to me too, Karl. I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it."

"When you've met him, then you can make your decision," he mumbled.

"Still," she said, changing the subject, "you said she has your friend Freddie with her. That's something."