The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Forty-Eight

Anna was very glad that Hans had arrived in late summer; it meant that he was going to experience Missouri at Autumn, the most beautiful time of year.

Soon, Caleb was starting school, leaving Anna time to spend with Hans alone. He tried his best to be useful, helping with chores where he could. But after a month or so, his health had declined too rapidly. He was barely able to celebrate his fifty-seventh birthday in early October.

Elli had been gracious enough to move in with Ma for the foreseeable future, giving Hans her bed instead. Anna was grateful for her sister's benevolence, as was Hans. She'd even found them on the sofa, reminiscing about Karl and Freddie. Caleb certainly liked having him there; Hans was the only person who didn't seem to tire of his incessant questions.

Even Abe and Hans had spent time together, both of them drinking and having a cigar together, despite Anna's protestation on the matter.

"Let the man enjoy his time," said Abe, Anna finally relenting.

One afternoon in late October, Anna and Hans were sitting on the sofa chatting. Caleb was at school, Elli at work with Aaron, and Abe doing some repair work on the barn. Anna had received a wonderful letter that morning and was showing it to him.

"I can't believe Freda is a mother," sighed Hans, both of them smiling down at the photograph that Freda had sent of her daughter.

"Madness, isn't it?" smiled Anna. "The wedding was lovely, and seeing the boys again was glorious. Even if I did have to suffer seeing Ilse again..."

"You managed to make it over?"

"Sam helped us out," explained Anna. "He and Mavis used it as an excuse to visit Germany, so we all went in their family's plane. Besides, Caleb and their son Tommy get on so well."

"And Elli went too?"

"Yes. They met a few years beforehand when Freda did her tour of America."

"I saw her play in Edinburgh," grinned Hans. "Popped by to see her after the show."

"She said," grinned Anna. "She's so good, isn't she? Helga is so proud of her..."

"Well, she did have a rather wonderful piano tutor," he reminded her, Anna squeezing his hand. "How are Maria and Charles? I've been meaning to ask."

"They're good," said Anna wistfully. "Their bakery is doing really well. I'm sure I'll have a letter from her soon as well...."

Anna was interrupted by Hans erupting into a coughing fit, Anna rubbing his back soothingly as he clutched his handkerchief over his mouth. There was even more blood than usual, Anna sitting him back as he finished, then getting him a glass of water. Her heart hammered in her chest. Every day he grew worse. She knew the inevitable conclusion was drawing nearer.

It was time to show him something she had kept hidden for a long time.

"I have something for you," she said softly, taking his hand and leading him over to the piano. She sat him down on the stool, then darted upstairs, soon returning with a photograph in her hand. It was of the four of them at the party many years ago.

Hans' eyes grew glassy when he saw it, Anna trying to supress tears.

"I've kept them together for years," she explained, pulling the back off the frame to reveal a piece of paper with crudely written music on it. She handed it to him, Hans' heart racing.

"Reina's song," he whispered, Anna nodding.

"That was Elli's suggestion," said Anna, now sitting beside him on the stool. "But I started composing this for your birthday, not long after we had moved in together."