Not Leaving {The Book Thief}

16

Rudy's POV
       The mothers house was only a kitchen with a single room attached to the back. The white tiles were stained yellow and the floral wallpaper peeled. The backroom had a lumpy couch with a limp throw pillow and a large bed with striped bedding. I felt the urge to hold my nose for there was a light smell of bad cheese. "Well this is certainly smaller than our old house." Liesel said while she pushed aside the limp pillow. "I bought it a year after I left you. I can take the couch for tonight..." She started to say. "I'll take the couch. You and Liesel can share the bed." I spoke up,trying to come off as a gentleman. "Oh you really don't have to! But if you insist." The mother crossed to the bed and pulled a small quilt out from under the bed. "Here you go Rudy. I'll go out tomorrow to try and find a proper mattress." She said as she walked into the small kitchen.

     Me and Liesel sat down on the couch and looked at the stained walls of the apartment. "The old house had a kitchen with an attached parlor. There were two little rooms with a view of the park. I miss it terribly." Liesel whispered to me. "How about I make a feast of some Brot und Käse? I can find some Kaffee from a neighbor even!" The mother shouted out joyfully. "Yes please, Mama!" Liesel shouted. "Who do you think she was waiting for?" I whispered. "I have no idea. She kept to herself and never made friends, not since Papa died anyways." Liesel responded. "How did your papa die?" I asked as my curiosity once again started to overflow. "Now that you mention it, I don't know. I was only four and Mama never talks about him." Liesel said with a puzzled expression. "The food is ready!" The mother walked in proud of her meal of cheese and bread. "Mama? Who were you waiting for at the train station?" Liesel asked, taking her plate. "I was, um, it really can wait..." the mother said avoiding eye contact. "No mama! It can't wait. Every time you avoid answering you just sound more suspicious." Liesel shouted making her mother jump.

      "Liesel, you won't understand." Her mother said still avoiding eye contact. "I will try to understand! Your scaring me, please tell me!" Then I put the pieces together. It was her Papa. He wasn't dead, Liesel had only assumed that. "Liesel..." I tried to tell her. "Rudy! Don't, please! Liesel, it's your father. He's coming back from America." The mother said beating me to the punchline. "What do you mean my father's back!? He is dead Mama!" Liesel shouted. "I never said he was dead! You just assumed such a silly thing. He went to America, he left us!" She screamed at her. I wrapped my arms around Liesel who was now shaking with tears. "He left us, his family, for the 'American dream'! But he has finally given up! He doesn't even know about poor Werner, or about you going into a foster home. He is a selfish man and you shouldn't have to meet him. But he'll be here soon enough." She shouted at poor wimpering Liesel. Liesel stood up and walked out of the apartment, taking hold of my hand and pulling me with her. "I want to leave Rudy. Please." She said once we reached the cold street.

      "Liesel why can't you stay to meet your father? I think your mama's judgment on him isn't exactly trustworthy." I said, pulling her close to me as she shivered with cold. "But he left me for America, and mama didn't even tell me he left. She just left me to believe him dead! I miss Papa, I miss the Hubermans, they were better parents than this mama." She cried. "How about we find a hotel to stay in, since I doubt you want to go back to your mama." I suggested and helped her down the street. A cold drizzle started to pour as we made our way down the street to a little hotel we'd seen earlier. The lady at the front desk was asleep when we entered and was greatly disgruntled when we waked her. We walked up the rickety old stair case to our small room. Liesel immediately colapsed into the bed and fell asleep instantly. I walked over to the lace covered window and looked out at the street. Men returning from late night shifts lined the streets. Would this be me someday? Working late, trying to scrape up bits of money and returning to a fast asleep Liesel, worn out from a hard days work. I wanted to be rich for Liesel so she would be sleeping in ad large room full of books which she would read all day and I would return just in time for a grand dinner cooked by a servant. That would be bliss but it was extremely unlikely considering I didn't know a trade. I sat at the window counting how many blonde men I could see, how many men were still sporting swastikas, how many were clutching a small check that would barely cover the bills.

     How many times had my father come home with a handful of 'just enough' money for 'just enough' food. I then decided Liesel and myselfs' life wouldn't be full of 'just enough', she would have more than enough food and more than enough books. I looked back to Liesels tear streaked face which head a serene expression. I stepped down the stairs to the street and smelled the cold night air. The late shift workers had cleared out and it was only me and a drunk man singing some song across the street. I walked down the street, looking in shop windows. Most lights were out since it was 9 o'clock. I felt in my pocket for the extra money Sarah and Charles had given me and started walking towards a barters. The bell chimed sorrowfully above my head as lights flickered slightly. "I was just cleaning up, perhaps you could come back in the morning..." the old man said starting to help me out the door. "Please I just need a ring."

Is it weird to fangirl during your own story?

"Ah! Well I can't stop love can I?" I smiled as he hobbled behind the counter and pulled out a case full of rings. "Now what is your price rang?"
He smiled at me, ready to sweet talk me into the most expensive one. "100 pounds" sorry I don't know Germanys money system... "Well I got this lovely silver one, but it's only a band. Surely you wouldn't mind springing for a diamond ring?" He said, he obviously thought himself a very good salesman. But this ring was just until I could afford her a proper one. "It's perfect and I slipped my 100 pounds onto the counter and gazed at the thin delicate band. "It's only 80 pounds, I could throw in a proper velvet box if you'd like?" He said holding up a little blue box. I nodded and slipped the little ring into the box and ran out of the store back to the hotel. Tomorrow would be the morning...