The Book Thief | Don't Leave Me

Woman

All the men of the house each had their job, so they ended up spending their hours out of the house, leaving Liesel alone. She despised it, and missed being set to work. She'd already done the weeks cleaning twice already, wiping down all the picture frames, dusting off the shelves, straightening the row of books and re-aligning the sofas and chairs.

Even with her small collection of books yet to be read, she couldn't find something to entertain herself. She'd made many failed attempts to knit, crochet and sew. Last week Rudy had already taken away her Embroidery kit to prevent her from taking out her frustration with it on Rudy yet again.

She didn't want to sit there for hours reading books, or taking naps. She was never a person to have a routine of napping, she must always be doing something, sleeping is for bedtime, and bedtime only.

She had no one to socialise with, as she hadn't gotten to know her community to well, and a neighbour across the road from her had already come to despise her, for being a refugee from Germany. She had to learn to hold her tongue from him, and even hold back her German comebacks, for she knew it wouldn't do her anymore good, for he worked at the local Police station.

It was a hot day, 36 degrees to be precise, so Liesel didn't find any reason to go out for a walk. Don't worry, it's been worse.

She longed to go to the creek to dip her feet into the cool water, and walk across the bridge to where it panned out to a river, and a waterfall into the low mountains of rock and granite. It was a commonly visited place by Liesel and Rudy. They'd stand behind the curtains of the waterfall, and would take turns swinging across the riverbank by the rope securely hanging down, occasionally letting go to land at the foaming water in the clear blue river. They'd listen to the crashing sound made and they'd rush out the water back to the river bank for another turn on the rope.

She stared out the window of her bedroom on the second floor, looking across the town, waiting to see Rudy and Max walking home, well that wouldn't be for another hour, and Alex wouldn't be home for another two. It was only 4:02, time to read again.

She walked out onto the balcony half an hour later, when she looked up from her reading place, and found that as the day was closing into the evening, that the weather had become much cooler, and the sun was beginning to take its place higher above the clouds. She took off downstairs and left the house after looking up, leaving the two of them alone.

She buttoned her cardigan as she walked down the footpath, and headed in direction of the markets. She smiled at the passing children, running through the streets and found Freda, the girl who took part as Liesel's Flower girl for her Wedding. She was just eight years old, and was shy but had a big heart.
She was trying her hardest to reach for an apple from the trolley, crouching lower each time to try getting a harder jump for the apple. Her grin widened for the girl, and so she lifted her for her to reach it.

"Thank you; oh, it's you Liesel!" She said returning the smile as she turned around.

Of all people she'd newly met in the last year, Liesel had a closer bonding to Freda the most. Freda too had a love for stories, and they'd spend Sunday afternoons together. Liesel was still a child at heart, so the two of them certainly got on well when it came to playing games and conversations.

Freda's mother worked at the market, and would have Freda help her on some days after school.

Liesel could recall a time when a man flirted with her at the grocery stand. He held a stem of wheat between his teeth and spoke words of the English language in an American accent. She laughed at his reply and gave him her best smile, just to annoy Rudy even more as pay back for the joke he'd pulled on her once before.