Broken Wings

Sliver of Hope

Else Schüffen-   Munich, Germany 1942

 
She had to bring him back. She just had to. It didn't matter anymore that he may get caught, or that they may be arrested; all that mattered was that they were together. At least, that's what Else felt at that moment. When she recalled it a few months later, she was overcome with foolishness and regret. But it really didn't matter; either way, Maximilian could or could not get caught and arrested.

Painting was a way of relief. It gave her a voice that was otherwise buried. A thin sliver of moonlight streamed into the window, slicing through the middle of Else's canvas. An empty canvas. It was a sliver of hope, of inspiration.

And then she painted. A brush, dipped in fury and love and longing, spilling out across the emptiness of a blank canvas. She forgot about the horrors, and the emptiness in her heart, just for one moment.

❀❀❀

"Mama, I'm going to Myna's," Else called from the kitchen, already slipping on her leather boots. The sky was growing dark, leaving an empty shadow across the earth.

"Right now? Can it wait, Else?"

"Nein, Mama," she pleaded.

"Don't dawdle, I don't want to have to come searching for you like last time."

"Danke, Mama! I promise."

It was a rather frightening time of day to be out by one's self. Most of the children on Fünfte Strasse could agree with the above statement. Nazi soldiers and S.S. officers lingered about, especially cranky about having to be out so late. A dark, inky blackness flooded the streets, threatening to overtake anyone that dared to come to its territory. Thus, Else was grateful when she reached Myna's house, and even more so when her father offered to drive them to the tall brick house.

"I can't believe you're dragging me into this, again. Und making my father drive," Myna muttered under her breath, staring out the frosty car window.

"I thought you liked adventures. Plus, don't you want to see Rosalinde and Henrik again?"

"I suppose so. Just why now? Why not--"

"Okay girls, I'll just drop you off by the curb. I imagine you have someone to pick you up? I don't think your mothers would approve of you walking alone in the dark," Myna's father interrupted.

"Ja, of course we do. Danke for driving us." The girls were thrust back into the exposed, chilly air. Dark figures loomed above them, casting shadow on the street. Else knocked gently on the door, in case anyone else answered. Once again, it opened immediately.

"Come in," Rosalinde said under her breath. A pleasing, comforting aroma greeted the girls, drawing them towards the kitchen.

"I just baked some bread. Would you like some?"

Else nodded, scanning the room for her brother. Shrugging, Myna trailed behind.

How I love it when people give me free food. Especially in 1942.

"Where's Max?"

"He's upstairs, still in bed. His fever is finally starting to go away, but he's still quite weak. I think his ankle is bothering him, also." Rosalinde smiled, passing out the soft, freshly baked bread. Myna gasped. She hadn't seen bread like this since rationing began. And they were getting it for free.

"Can I see him, please?" Else asked anxiously, taking a slice of bread.

"Of course, dear. Just don't wake him if he's sleeping."

Else, in a moment of excitement, abruptly rose from her chair and slid towards the stairs, leaving her friend behind.

She would get to see her brother again.

Skipping over every other step, Else made it up the stairs in no time. He was there, lying peacefully sleeping in a blanketed bed. Breathing in and out quietly.

"Max." She tiptoed up to him, kneeling down by his bedside. His arm lay dangling over the side, hanging motionlessly. "Everything will be okay, I promise," she whispered. It had been a long time since she's heard those words spoken. And it came from her.

"How's the young man doing?" A figure appeared in the doorway, strolling casually into Rosalinde's bedroom. Else gasped in surprise, stepping away from the bed.

"I was just going to ask him if he wanted dinner." Else's heart pounded ferociously, threatening to jump out right in front of her. The figure bore the swastika. He was the enemy, the S.S.

"Let's hope he gets better. We can always use new members of the Party. Jews can be difficult to find, you know. Especially if they are hiding."

"Ja."

The officer nodded, obviously unimpressed by this little girl's reaction, and sauntered out of the room. Breathing a sigh of relief, Else kissed Maximilian goodbye and crept down the stairs to finish her bread.

"Hello, Else. This is Officer Brodebeck, he lives above us," Rosalinde said, motioning towards the S.S. officer that had startled her.

"Your father is a member of the Party?"

"He applied," Else quickly lied.

"Hm. Very good. He will get in very shortly, my dear, don't you worry. Hitler will take any faithful man in."

"Ja."

"Do you two girls need a ride? I assume your parents are expecting you shortly," Rosalinde asked, redirecting the conversation.

At least, the man seemed friendly enough. Emphasis on seemed.

"No, we can walk, thank you," Else assured. Myna shot her an angry glare. First she lies to her father, and then turns down an opportunity for a ride.

Back into the freezing cold again.

"Why did you say we didn't need a ride? I'm going to freeze to death out here," Myna hissed.

"I don't know." Else shrugged, struggling to walk straight against the wind.

"Well, this is the last time I'm coming with you to visit your brother."

"You got free bread," Else pointed out.

"Okay, fine. This is the last time I'm coming with you when it's dark."

A thick, smoky odor choked Else, becoming more prominent as she continued walking. And then she saw orange. A glowing, steaming orange that ate everything in its path. Embers fluttered down, like little flurries that came before a snowstorm. Else stood in front of the store it engulfed, burning tears through her eyes, watching the flames tear apart the roof of the building. And then she saw the window, aglow with flames.

It read Brandenburg Shoes.

The Star of David was painted sloppily across it.