On my final night in the barracks, Corporal Jimmy Felder, the CQ duty soldier, arrives with what I expect to be mail, yet it's not an envelope but a small box. I recognize it instantly—the Norddeich box that held Anja's necklace, the one I gave her back in November. My heart sinks at first—I assume she's returned it. But why?
With Jimmy looking on, I open the box. Inside, nestled on a bed of soft cotton, lies my Bronze Star! Confusion floods me initially. Then it hits me—she must have known about my departure for the US and wanted to return the medal I had lent her that night at the party. That dreadful night.
Her actions speak volumes—she didn't anticipate seeing me again. Did she?
Turning to Jimmy, I ask, "Where did you get this?"
He shrugs, nonchalant. "It came in the mail, through S2 (battalion intel), and was released today."
My frustration bubbles. "How long was it in their possession?"
The CQ's annoyance matches mine. "It came from a German civilian, so it had to go through inspection. Sgt Carter had it, and it was released today. If you have a problem, take it up with him!"
"Was there any wrapping?" I probe.
"It was torn off, so I tossed it," he replies.
Gently, I place the box with my medal at the bottom of my duffle bag amid the items I'm packing. In an almost heartbroken tone, I inquire, "Was there anything else with the box, Jimmy?"
He turns to leave, his tone frosty. "If there was, it's gone now, you freak."
Throughout the night, sleep eludes me. My mind swirls with unsettling visions, dreams, and fears of a future devoid of Anja.
YOU ARE READING
The Wall Crossers
Non-FictionStep into the captivating world of "The Wall Crossers," a spellbinding tale set against the backdrop of Cold War-era West Berlin in 1971 and 1972 to the latter half of the 21st century, from Berlin to Bhutan. This narrative weaves together the lives...
