The Hidden Heart

Chapter 4 - Annamarie

A little while later my parents told me it was almost time for dinner. We always eat the leftovers Mrs. Miller made. I hear knocking at the main door and I know it must be a stranger because the Müllers are all here. I race to tell my parents because who knows who is at the door. We drop what we're doing and hide in the corner of the hidden room. It's a little silly I know. If someone enters this room, they will see us without a doubt, but it makes us feel safe. We are silent and try to listen to what the guest is saying. Or should I say guests.

I hear Mrs. Müller say, "Hello Gentlemen. I don't mean to be rude but who are you?"

One man responds, "We are Nazis and are in charge of certain houses in case you were hiding Jewish people here." He says Jewish people with disgust and continues,"We have reason to believe that you are hiding them here because we know you're friends with," he pauses, "Tilda, Joseph, and Sophie Schmidt." Oh no. I try not to gasp. I see the blood drain from my mom's face and it looks like my dad is trying to comfort her without making any noise. Because I have anxiety, I'm trying not to pass out, but I can't do my breathing exercises because it would be too loud. I'm about to have a panic attack but I know I need to stay calm if I don't want to be found.

I'm in a daze when I hear Mrs Müller respond, "Again, I don't mean to be rude, but I'm a little confused. Why do you think we're friends with them?"

The man responds, "Your daughter," pauses, " Kira Müller, has been seen several times at their apartment."

Mrs. Müller says, "Wow. Okay. We got in a huge fight with them because I was talking about a pet peeve of mine that my husband does, and then Tilda actually pointed out something that my husband did that annoyed her. I wasn't inviting her to talk badly about my husband. The nerve of that woman. Sorry gentlemen. I didn't mean to get off track. Anyways, I'm shocked Kira went over to their house. She knows we are in a feud with the Schmidts. I'm not talking to them until Tilda apologizes. Anyways, we are not friends with them, but feel free to check the house. You men have a very important job. Come on in. Oh hi Mr. Becker. How is Kaylen doing? I was thinking that maybe Kira and Kaylen could hang out together sometime."

Mrs. Müller is a genius. She made up a fight, I could tell by my mom's confused expression that the fight never happened, to make it seem like she would have no reason to hide us. Now they might not look as hard.

I hear people coming upstairs which I assume includes the Nazis, Mr. Becker, and Mrs. Müller. Mrs. Müller asks, "So how do you check the walls?" Oh so that was the banging sound I was hearing.

Kaylen's dad responded, " I knock on the walls and see if I can hear a hollow sound because that means usually there is a hiding spot there."

Mr. Becker continues knocking on the walls in Mr. and Mrs. Müller's bedroom. Right when he's about to knock on our door, I hear a wry chuckle and I assume a smirk. Then I realize that he skipped over our door as he continues knocking on wood down the wall. A little while later, I hear say they found nothing. I let out the breath I didn't realize I had been holding, but the panic set in again when I realized Mr. Becker did find us, he just didn't say anything. I remind myself that I can focus on that later. I keep listening because I think maybe, just maybe, I can figure out why he hid us and what he is planning to do with this information. I hear the front door creak open. Mrs. Müller tells the Nazis to have a nice day, and as they hail Hitler, I hear her voice pretending to care but I hear the shivers in it and I know she hates Hitler as much as I do.

Just when I think they've left, Mr. Becker says, "I don't know if you're interested but I am an artist and I just finished a painting. As I was searching your house, I realized it would look perfect above your bed. I'll send it over and if you don't want it you can send it back. Bye."

I am shocked. I mean he's trying to help us, I think, but he's a Nazi. I hope Mrs. Müller will come up and explain everything. I sit in silence as my dad and mom comfort each other simultaneously. I think about Max as I wait.

It was Friday, and I had just come home from school. I was doing my homework when I heard the telephone ring. I go over to the telephone. I hope it's Max. Just a few days ago I told him that I liked him and he told me he liked me too. . . but we haven't talked since. I pick up the phone, and it is Max! I say "Hey. What's up?" SO lame. I know. He tells me that he wants me to come over and I comply. He's wearing a nice t-shirt and jeans. And that adorable smile. I can't help but grin beside him even though I feel embarrassed for being underdressed. I truly care about him. He then says, "Sophie, will you go out with me?" I say yes, of course. He then says, "I'm sorry I didn't ask sooner. After you left, Kira asked me where I had been, so I told her that we were in the woods. I must have had some look on my face because she asked me to tell her the secret. I tried to deny it, but she made me. I didn't tell her anything about your anxiety" he was quick to reassure me, "but I did tell her that we both know that the other likes them. I was going to call you that afternoon, but Kira made me wait and ask you in a nicer way". "Kira" we both say at the same time while rolling our eyes. I was just so happy that I'm going on a date with Max.

About an hour later Mrs. Müller comes up. I rush towards her and ask, "What was that all about? What is up with Mr. Becker? Why did he offer us a painting to cover up the hidden room? Is he trying to help, is he going to tell the other Nazis, is he really a Nazi or is he part of the resistance? What's going on?" I had so many questions, but I started with the basics. Not going to lie, even when I was super confused, my mind kept drifting back to Max. It took a lot of my willpower to not ask about him as well.

Mrs. Müller responded calmly, " I think he's trying to help us, but I don't know for sure. He could be part of the resistance and he might be acting as a double agent for us. Because I'm part of the resistance, I'm sure I can figure out if he's acting as a double agent for us."

I hear an "Okay. Thank you." coming from behind me and I realized that my parents were in the room and I had completely forgotten about them. Oops.