The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Thirty-Six

Anna found the plane journey exhilarating. Abe and the boys recounted stories of their experiences in planes, Abe pointing out that this would be his first one that he didn't have to jump out of.

Elli's birthday had been a lovely celebration, the boys showering her with gifts as always. Aaron had promised he'd go in and check on Ma and Elli regularly whilst they were away. Anna had certainly struggled saying goodbye to Elli. This wasn't like her summer trip with Ma. She was going to be thousands of miles away, and both of them could certainly feel it. She had been teary all the way to the airport. Once the plane flew into the air, Anna was finally distracted enough to stop thinking of Elli, or how apprehensive she was about being back in Germany.

It had been nearly two years, and she wasn't entirely certain of how to feel. She was hopeful of so many things. She was hopeful that she might be able to see Maria. She had still not heard from her friend, and mail was so slow in reaching her that she had had very few updates from Helga over the years. There had certainly been no time to write to her since Hatcher came to deliver the news. Maybe she would finally get a chance to explain everything to Freda, and to see that Maria was safe.

But there was still so much hurt attached to her homeland.

Even as they stepped off the plane, the air felt different. Perhaps she had hope she would feel a sense of welcome now that time had passed. But it felt no different to when the train had pulled away all those years ago. This wasn't her home anymore. She clutched at Abe, who already sensed how sad she was. He did his best to distract her, the three of them practicing his improved German with him the entire car journey.

Nuremburg was so similar to the towns that surrounded the camp. This was nothing like Berlin. Anna wished she could take Abe there. She wanted to show him where she had grown up, show him the Germany she cherished.

As they reached the hotel, she couldn't help but glance around her. She felt so desperately uneasy. Ernst was nearby; she knew he couldn't get to her, but to be so close to him again was horrible. Abe was right, this was going to upset her. Abe wound his arms around her as the other two watched the bags being unloaded. He could clearly feel how tense his wife was, his nose buried in her hair.

"Y'all hungry?" he asked.

"Aren't I always?" sighed Anna.

Abe chuckled. "Why don't we grab you somethin' to eat whilst the boys check us in?"

"I'd like that," she smiled.

He called to the boys who bid them on their way. Then he took Anna's hand and lead her across the street towards the cafes they had passed moments ago. "What y'all in the mood for?" he asked, noticing how people were glancing at him. He wasn't used to being in Germany as an average citizen; his size and accent certainly attracted many stares.

"Something sweet," she confirmed, pointing at the bakery with seats outside.

"Sounds great to me," he returned, his arms around her waist to support her as they walked.

Anna did like slipping back into her native tongue to converse with people. They didn't stare at her with wide, surprised eyes like they did in America. This was a familiarity that she hadn't realised she had missed.

They were soon sat with coffees and poppyseed cake, chatting happily. Abe certainly knew how to cheer her up. It was like their early days together in Berchtesgaden. It might not be like her old home in Berlin but reminiscing about her early life with Abe was wonderful. He was her new home... her forever home. Eventually Sam and Hollywood came to join them, all of them recalling their time in Berchtesgaden. It was such a welcome distraction.