Broken Wings

Distant Dreams

Else Schüffen-   Munich, Germany 1941

Life was certainly looking up for little Else. She had been blessed with friendship, and with painting. Now, all she needed was for Maximilian to come back. Each day brought new hope and life. Tulips unfolded, showing off their lovely colors to the world, and the sun came out from its hiding place.

Myna was a miracle for Else.

Her parents repeated this several times over the course of two weeks:

"It's amazing, how one day she was moping about, refusing to leave her room, and the next she can't stop talking and going everywhere with Myna," Father whispered one morning, taking a sip of watery tea.

"I know. She just seems so much happier. And so much older." Mama paused, smiling at the sound of her daughter's footsteps scampering down the stairs.

"Mama, Father, I'm going to leave a little earlier today for school." Else interrupted their whispering, standing before them like an eager dog waiting for food.

"Und why is that?"

"I'm going to walk with Myna today," she replied. She grabbed a slice of stale bread and hurried off to meet Myna at the corner of Fünfte Strasse. The air stroked her cheeks, cool, yet not biting. Else smiled at the sun, for it warmed the day greatly. Skipping along, she hummed Deutschlandlied, despite having heard it several times a day.

"You're late, Fräulein Schüffen," Myna said sternly once Else arrived at the corner of the street.

"My apologies, ma'am." Both girls broke out in laughter, joy unable to remain in their throats.

"We had better get to school, though, Else. Yesterday, I was late and it did not turn out well. But what do you say to meeting at our place after school?"

"How could I say no? I'll have to tell my parents first, though," Else said, strolling alongside Myna. She took little note of the red flags fluttering lazily in the wind today, staining various shop windows. All her attention focused on the girl beside her.

"You never talk much about Josef. Why is that?" Myna asked.

"I don't know. I guess I don't see him much. He's always so busy with his work, serving the Führer and such."

"Oh. That's too bad."

"It's not really all that horrible. I'm rather used to it. Plus, I still have Mama und Father und you und Ma--" Else stopped mid-sentence.

"Max?"

"Ja. Except I don't have him anymore," she whispered melancholically. She gazed at the ground, staring at the obscurity of her shadow.

"I'm sorry, Else." Else nodded, and for the rest of the way to school, the girls just walked in silence, contemplating their past, living in the present, and dreading the future. Else gazed up at one of many Nazi flags waving lazily in the gentle breeze. It was so powerful, yet it could be easily torn apart.

If only someone had the courage to do so.

❀❀❀

School was dreadfully boring.

Wasn't it always?

Else was extremely grateful when class was finally dismissed, as was Myna. They raced out the door, trying to get ahead of the big rush of children. Myna continued to sprint, even after they were well past the flow of exhausted pupils. Panting, Else's legs burned in fury as she forced herself to run just a little further. Finally, she gave up and slowed to a walk.

"Else, hurry up. I need to be home by supper and I already have a lot of homework," Myna said impatiently, who was already several yards in front of Else.

"I don't think I can run anymore," she panted, finally reaching Myna.

"Here, hop on my back. You're not that heavy, anyways."

Else nodded, jumping on her friend's crouched back. She squeezed Myna's shoulders as her friend rose up, and both girls laughed. "You're even lighter than I thought!" Myna remarked. And so she ran. Myna scarcely seemed to breathe at all, effortlessly winding through the meadows and forests.

They ran past the creek with its clear water, and across the wildflower field, and finally halted at the intimidating brick wall. It looked as if it could crumble at the slightest tap.

"Here we are," Myna said, setting Else down and crawling through the manmade hole. When Else could no longer see her feet, she followed her through, cringing at the mud tainting her dress.

When Else finally emerged, she found Myna had disappeared. With her heart pounding rapidly, she scanned the courtyard, searching for her friend.

"Myna?"

"Right here, Else. Just checking to see if anyone's been here. There used to be lots of older kids around fifteen and sixteen that would come here after school."

"Oh, okay. That makes sense," Else murmured, "When can we go inside?" She gazed up at the mansion looming before them. It reminded her of a castle from a fairytale, yet smaller and dilapidated.

"Right now," Myna said, smiling. And then she turned on her heel, and disappeared into a doorway. Else trailed dutifully behind, glancing around cautiously. As she entered in through the back door, she was even more in awe than before. A marble ballroom floor lay before them, vastly stretching out into far corners. A grand staircase stood at the opposite end, winding up until it reached the second level.

"Wow."

"I know. Someday, I hope to show my parents this place. I can only imagine how much they would love it," Myna said, daydreaming.

"My parents wouldn't understand if I showed them."

"I suppose. Come, let me show you the balcony. Then we should get going. It takes forever to get here and back."

Myna led her up the winding staircase, trotting quickly and skipping half of the steps. Else, despite panting heavily, sprinted up instead, admiring the artistry of the railing on her way. When the staircase came to an end, Else followed her to a glass door that led to a peaceful and romantic looking balcony.

"Isn't it just beautiful?" Myna asked in awe, staring up at the evening sky. Little bugs flitted about, chasing each other in the gardens below. Else grinned, squeezing her eyes shut to take in the aroma of flowers.

"It's just gorgeous. I wish I could live up here."

"I would give anything to stay here forever."

It was one of the few perfect moments that Else had ever experienced in her life. It all ended much too quickly, but it remained in her memory for a good many years.

It helped Else get through some of the toughest times of her life.