" How was the market today Miriam?"
I look up at Uncle Joseph and set down my fork. " It was pleasant. I have always enjoyed going to the farmers market on Saturday's back home in the Summertime." A ghost of a smile appears on my face. We continue to go around and tell about the pleasures of the day. After dessert Uncle Joseph dismisses everyone but my Aunt an I.
" What is going on?"
" We are changing your name."
" What!"
" Your Aunt and I have been talking. We noticed how earlier in the farmers market everyone looked at you as Bruno and Greta shouted your name."
" So? Everyone looks when someone shouts." I explain and hand my finished dessert plate to the Jewish girl who was working on clearing the dining table.
" We realize that Miriam is too... American. Too much of a western name. It needs to sound more European. Not necessarily German, just not Western. Your Uncle and I are very worried what may come if other German citizens find out you are an American." I finally understood their view of it all. Their concerns. Still skeptical I slowly nod my head.
" Alright... I see where the two of you are coming from." After all it was a reasonable request. " What name were you thinking then?" My tone questioning.
" How about we use your middle name? It isn't entirely German sounding, more French actually, but not at all American." Aunt Elsa's tone joyful.
I thought about it. " Charlotte... Charlotte Miriam Webber." My uncanny voice let the unfamiliar way of my name slip out between my lips.
"Zöller." Uncle Joseph interrupts.
" What?"
" You are not Fraüline Webber. You are Fraüline Zöller. Your last name."
" So, Charlotte Miriam Zöller?"
" Ja.You are going by Zöller unless you want to get yourself killed." Uncle Joseph tells me. A hint of smugness in his voice.
" Charlotte Zöller?"
" Ja. You are taking your Aunt's last name just like I did. No more Webber. No Weber and no Weeber. Only Zöller."
" Got it... goodnight." I get up and walk out of the dining room. I go up to my room. I sat on my bed staring at myself in the mirror. I stand up and walk closer to my mirror. I straighten out my posture. I stand with my left side facing the mirror, then my right. Examining myself...
" Hallo, Ich heisse Charlotte Zöller."
" Ich bin Charlotte Zöller."
" guten Morgen. ich bin Charlotte Zöller."
" Guten Abend, mein Name ist Charlotte Zöller."
I stand their hopeless. I look nothing like a Charlotte. I am not a Zöller. I am a Webber. Uncle John is a Webber.
YOU ARE READING
M I D D L E of Enemy Lines
Fiksi SejarahMiriam Charlotte Webber is a seventeen year old American teen. She was born and raised in San Diego, California; United States of America. She is an only child with both her mother and father gone in Europe fighting the Nazis. Miriam's mother is...
