Your Silence Hurts Me

Chapter Four

Later, after supper, Marie and her parents sit down in front of the fire for their evening ritual of reading literature by the fire light. Once she is all bundled up in her wool throw blanket, Marie attempts to continue reading Pride and Prejudice. She never wanted to read the book; however, Louise continued to pester her about it so much that she eventually caved. To her surprise, the book has exceeded even her maximum expectations. The entire concept of two people being so blindly in love with one another really appeals to her.

"Are you trying to burn a whole into that book?", Brigitte asks Marie playfully.

The blurriness in her eyes, that has come about from the trance like state she was in, clears away and she looks towards her mother. Before she can reply, the sound of the staircase creaking causes everyone's attention to turn to the doorframe. After a while, the Captain enters the room. He acknowledges the group and excuses himself for interrupting their evening.

"The weather has caused my room to become rather chilly. I would greatly appreciate if you would allow me to warm up a few minutes next to your fireplace," he requests in a gentle tone.

Marie's eyes dart to look at her father. He in turn looks at Brigitte who gives him a small nod.

"Do you want a chair?", Andre asks.

A small smile comes across the Captain's face, as he shakes his head and makes his way to the fire. He squats down next to Marie's side of the sofa, which is nearest to the fireplace. She watches as he rubs his hands together in order to warm himself faster. Marie goes back to reading her book; however, she is barely able to read one sentence before the Captain begins speaking again.

"It's times like these that I feel as though I am back home. Yet, I find that there is much more peace here than in Germany," he states, as his gaze remains on the fire's flickering flames.

Marie glances over the spine of her book and towards her father, who is not even bothering to let the Captain's words disturb his peace. She then slowly shifts her gaze to her mother, who also appears to be unbothered by his words. Her attention returns to her book.

Despite being ignored, the Captain continues, "I was only eight when the first war started. Even then, I had this deep desire to visit France and learn about its history. My father was a captain in the previous war, which is why he wished so greatly for me to be one in this war. Fighting is something I see no point in doing; however, due to my family's relationship to the Frueh, I was practically obligated to join the Third Reich for my family's sake."

Although her eyes remain fixed on her book, Marie's mind is focused solely on every word that the Captain says. He stays a few more minutes, before standing back up and walking to the door. Before exiting, he clicks his heels and thanks them for allowing him to warm up. Afterwards, he swiftly leaves the room and heads back upstairs.

Marie's eyes linger on the spot where the Captain had just been standing.

Again, her mother takes her out of her dreamland by stating, "Your father and I have to go out of town next week."

Marie straightens her posture and quirks and eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"The Germans are wanting us to supply them with some of our cheeses. Since Olie is no longer here, we have to go and deliver them across the barrier," Brigitte explains.

Without saying a word to one another, Marie and her mother both know that this means that Marie will have to be alone for a least a week. A week with Captain Hans Müller.

Early the following morning, Andre and Brigitte bid their goodbyes to Marie before leaving to cross the barrier. The goodbyes were solemn, yet quiet and given without much fanfare. Despite worrying about her parents' safety, Marie kept her emotions in check and made sure to not give her parents any reason to worry about her. Like many family-owned businesses since the start of the war, Marie's parent's cheese and dairy business had plummeted in sales. This in turn caused them to cut down on many items that were not essential for their daily life. This is why, despite not liking the idea of her parents being in company with so many German soldiers, Marie felt reprieve in the thought that it would bring in some needed revenue to the business. Besides, were her parents being with multiple German soldiers any worse than her being alone with one right under her family home's roof? The thought caused her head to ache, and she quickly shoved it out of her mind.

"We'll try to return in at least a week my dear," her mother reassures her for the third time that day.

Smiling weakly, Marie replies, "Just take care of yourselves."

Her father laughs and announces, "You don't need to worry about me. Once those Krauts taste my cheese, they'll become like mice in the palm of my hand"

"Humble yourself Andre," Brigitte tells him playfully as she looks at Marie.

The two shake their heads as a way of nonverbally agreeing that Andre was a boy in a man's body. Their fun ceases when the front door opens to reveal the Captain.

"Good morning," he says simply.

Marie and Brigitte lower their heads and do not acknowledge him. Andre, too nice of a man to not at least answer the Captain, replies with a simple 'morning'. The Captain's eyes linger on the group for a beat longer before turning on his heel and heading the opposite direction.

"Well, my dear, we'd better get going," Andre says once Hans had rounded the block.

Brigitte hugs Marie once more before heading toward the car.

Before she enters it, she turns back to face Marie and cautions her, "Be careful."

Marie nods and automatically knows that her mother is talking about the Captain. She does not know how she will survive a week alone with him, but she has to.