The Boy in the Basement

Chapter 36

Papa progressed back to normal life slowly but surely. Before we knew it, it was like he was never gone. Mama was so happy and relieved, although she tried not to show it that much. Liesel finished the 8th grade, and summer began once again. Her and Rudy were almost never home, as they were always running around town. Liesel kept reading her books. She had said it was as a tribute to Max; as long as she kept reading, he would always be alive and with us. Speaking of Max, he had been gone almost a year. To my disappointment, he was becoming more and more of a distant memory. I was beginning to forget the sound of his voice, and what it was like to kiss him. All of us were slowly forgetting. It terrified me to think that soon enough, I would barely remember who he was or the impact he had on me and the others.

On a good note, though, Cora's wedding was in 2 weeks. Both her and Nik were so excited. They had planned an outdoor wedding. It was small, but for the two of them, it was perfect. The two other bridesmaids and I were wearing blue dresses. i had gotten mine 2 weeks ago. It was simple, but I really liked it. So I decided to bring it home to show the others and see what they thought. Mama, Papa and Liesel were all attending the wedding, too. Cora had wanted them to. Liesel was excited too, as she had never been to a wedding before.

As soon as I got home, I quickly put on the dress and showed the others.

"You look so beautiful!" Mama said as she hugged me. Cora is so lucky to have you as the maid of honor. I know you've helped her so much with planning."

"I just want her and Nik to have the best wedding possible. They're a great couple, and they deserve it."

"I'm so excited! I've never been to a wedding before." Liesel said. "Have you, Papa?"

"The last one I was at was my own, and that was a long time ago." Papa replied. "But Mama is right, Adeline. You look wonderful, and i know Cora is lucky to have you as her maid of honor."

"Thank you, both of you." I went and got changed again. I was nervous that I would ruin the dress before the big day. I went back into the kitchen to find all 3 looking out the window, towards the road. "What is it?"

"Another parade." Papa muttered. I joined them to see about 50 Jews marching. They all were so thin, and so tired. But on they trudged.

Suddenly, Liesel backed up a bit. "Max!" She said, and then she ran out. I felt fear in my; had she really seen him? Or was she just imagining it?

"Liesel? Liesel, you come back right this instant!" Mama ran after here, and so did Papa and I. But by the time we all got outside, Liesel was already running through the parade. She was going to be found, and the soldier may hurt her. If Max was really in there, he would be hurt, too.

"My God, it's him." Papa said in awe. I saw him, too, and almost cried out. Max had been caught. He was thin like he once was when he first came to Himmel Street, and he looked so tired. Liesel got up to him, and they embraced. Max began saying something to her. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a soldier walking toward the pair, and he had a whip in his hand. That set me into action, and I rushed forward. i wouldn't let him hurt my sister. I wasn't sure I could stop him from hurting Max, although I could try. But Liesel? No way. I heard Papa try and stop me, but I didn't care.

Before I got to her, a soldier grabbed Liesel and threw her to the ground, as another did the same to Max. The one in front of Liesel rose his whip, but I quickly stepped in front of him.

"Don't you DARE hurt my sister." I said. I was more mad than I had ever been.

"She deserves it, the little bitch! She's Jew lover, didn't you see? She's a monster!" The soldier replied.

"Damn right she loves him. You know why? Because she's a decent human being, and so is he," I said, pointing at Max. He was staring up at me in shock. At this point, a lot of people were staring; neighbors, soldiers, and even the other Jews. But I didn't care. "If you can't see that, than I think you're the monster here." Both of us were silent for a moment, staring at each other. I should have been scared, but with all the adrenaline, I wasn't. The soldier suddenly slapped me so hard, I almost fell over.