Strawberry Red

Chapter 29 Ruby

In November Ruby was sitting on the sofa in her apartment slowly rocking Louis to sleep. She had wanted to at least take three months off work after the birth to be with her son. But now it seemed as if she'd take off far more than three months. She couldn't bring herself to leave Louis alone for an entire day. Sure, sometimes she went out without him but then she knew Otto was caring for him. But she didn't want to bring her son to a daycare and be apart from him for an extended time-period.

During the day she was listening to the radio to be updated on the Allies' success. And when Otto came home, they'd discuss the latest news during dinner. To make their 'relationship' more convincing, he had moved in with her. Currently, he was sleeping on a mattress on the ground as Ruby's apartment only had one big room and a bathroom. The kitchen, dining room and bedroom were just one big room.

"I'm back," shouted Otto and locked the door behind him. He took off his white coat and hung it up next to the door. "How are you doing?"

"We're fine. Dinner's on the stove," answered Ruby. She laid Louis in his bed and sat down at the table. She moved Rosie's letter to the side and took out a notebook.

"What's new?" Ruby got out a pen and added the date on top of the page.

"His condition is getting worse and worse," responded Otto and placed the pot on the table. "Some say he's got months to live."

"That would be awesome. But I feel like you don't agree with their estimation?"

"His doctors are doing everything to keep him alive. He's got the newest medicine and technology tested on him. I don't think they'll let him die, after all he's the Führer." Otto fixed Ruby a plate with mashed potatoes and then helped himself to a serving.

"You're probably right." Ruby nodded and pushed her food around in the plate. She didn't feel like eating.

"But there's good news. The Russians have finally crossed the German boarder in the East."

"They did?" Ruby dropped her fork onto the plate.

"Yes, and they have apparently freed the first concentration camps and POW camps. It's not long until they'll reach Stalag II," continued Otto.

"That is amazing news." Ruby started to smile. She had found hope again that she and her husband would be reunited again soon. "I'll write a letter to agent Horace. I can drop it off tomorrow during grocery shopping."

"Sounds great. I'll take care of Louis while you're gone," offered Otto.

"It's a done deal." Ruby started to put on the letter for the SOE and included every last detail.

"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Otto concerned. He had stopped eating too and was looking at her with worry. He had noticed her mood dropping over the months. But in recent weeks she had started skipping meals.

"Not hungry, I'll eat later," said Ruby. She didn't even look up from her paper, she was still writing.

"You need to eat. You need nutrition. Studies have shown-"

"I know, I know. I'll eat later, I promise." Ruby finished the letter and folded it. "How are things at the hospital?"

"Fine, I guess." Otto breathed in deeply. "But the Northern wing was completely destroyed by a bombing last night. And they haven't been able to rebuild it again."

"What about the children? Northern wing was the children's department, was it not?"

"It was. Eighty-nine children were killed and ten staff members," answered Otto with a sullen undertone. "They couldn't get everyone into the shelters on time."

"It's getting worse, isn't it? More bombings, more people dying," said Ruby and slowly zoned out. She was lucky that the bombings hadn't hit her house yet. To be truthful, it was extremely dangerous for all three of them to still stay in Berlin. But she didn't want to leave Germany before her husband was safely back at Thorpe Abotts. She swore that to herself, and she would keep that promise.