Spirit of the Nation ★ Female America

6. West Germany Joins NATO

December 16, 1957

Paris, France

Hôtel de Vendôme

"Bonjour, mesdames et messieurs. Nous sommes le seize décembre et il fait quatre degrés dehors. Les nouvelles de ce matin nous emmènent en Union soviétique, qui a récemment lancé le premier satellite de l'humanité, Spoutnik un..."

I rolled over to switch the radio alarm off. Even in French, I recognized the words "Soviet Union" and "Sputnik." I heard them so often that they were driving me insane. I stretched my arms over my head and yawned.

France was hosting the second NATO summit. Three countries had joined the Alliance: Greece, Turkey, and West Germany, the latter being the most controversial among the founding member states. A chaotic day lay ahead.

My fancy hotel breakfast arrived with a note from the front desk. It was a telephone message received around midnight, scribbled down in barely legible English.

Monsieur Edward not attend. Death in family royale.

Panic shot through me like a bolt of lightning.

I immediately picked up the bedside telephone and dialed a London number. It rang too many times, and I fell back onto the sheets in despair. I kept the telephone to my ear as I raked my nails across my scalp, my mind racing.

"H—Hel...lo?"

"Now, of all times?!" I shouted into the phone. "Of all days?"

He sighed loudly. "It might come as a surprise to you that I have not yet mastered life and death," he rasped, sounding like he had barely slept.

"England," I ground out. "Now is not the time for jokes."

I heard the telltale rustling of bedsheets. "Right, so, how's Germany?"

"How would I know?" I snapped. "I got in late last night. I haven't seen anyone."

He made a displeased noise. I waited with bated breath for his forthcoming wisdom. "I anticipate much friction between him and France, which you alone must work to alleviate."

The hopeful smile vanished from my face.

"Since we left West Germany, he's only gotten closer to the Soviets. They are far more accessible to him than we are." He paused to stifle a yawn. "Germany is at an inflection point. It's more important now than ever to groom him."

"'Groom'?"

"Guide," he amended. "Guide."

I worried my lip between my teeth. England's knack for subtle diplomacy was not a skill that I possessed. My approach was more akin to a bull in a china shop.

"I know you don't like him," he continued. "Neither do I. But whatever you do, don't let him isolate himself in some corner of the room. Draw him into the discussion. Make him feel welcome."

"Right." I nodded. "Okay."

"However," he added gravely, "assume that everything you say to him will be repeated to Russia."

"O—Okay..."

"Just remember that..."

A sudden knock at the door made me sit ramrod straight. The maid was calling for my empty breakfast tray. My head whipped toward the clock.

"...and only we can prevent that from happening."

"I have to go," I rushed out, maneuvering awkwardly to the edge of the bed. "I'll call you tonight!"