All My Love, Detrick (8 page)

17

In February of 1936, the German Gestapo was declared above the law! Outward persecution of homosexuals and others considered “undesirables,” as well as the Jews, began to be commonplace all around Germany. The more the harrying continued, the more it came to be accepted as normal behavior amongst many of the population. And so, the violence that took place right in the streets became an everyday activity. Some were afraid to stand up, and others just stopped paying attention. But,…amongst all this danger and turmoil there did remain a few unsung heroes...

Lewis finally invited Leah to his home to meet his family. The power behind the desire he felt for her had forced him to seek acceptance from his family. If he could only reach them, he could propose and Leah would be his.

His mother planned to host a party in celebration of the opening of a new wing of the hospital. It took courage on Lewis’ part to arrive with Leah as his guest. The potential of this bold act to bring great disfavor and consequences that could prove to be grave weighed heavy on his mind. Lewis’ failed attempts at sexual advances towards Leah infuriated him and his desires grew more obsessive. Because of this, he came to the conclusion that he must marry her. So, since his parents would be busy with their guests, he felt that they would have little time to question Leah as to her background, making this the perfect time for an introduction. Later, after they had recognized her loveliness and refinement, he was optimistic that they might be willing to look beyond her humble station.

After Lewis had invited her and she agreed to attend, Leah rushed home to decide what she would wear.

She searched her closet frantically. A frown came to her face as she studied her wardrobe; it clearly consisted of nothing suitable for a ball. Agonized, she asked Jacob what to do. He suggested that she go into town and buy something new. Although his funds had decreased greatly since he’d been forced to stop serving Aryan clients, he reached into his pocket and held out a small wad of bills.

“Are you sure, Papa? I know how hard this is to come by right now.”

“Of course I am sure, my princess. What is money for if not for your family? So let me see that beautiful smile…eh?”

Leah smiled and reached for her coat. She would head into town right away. That way, if the dress needed alterations, there would be time.

“Thank you, Papa,” she said as she closed the door.

A cold wind blew across the road, and a gust of snow whipped across her legs. Leah pulled her scarf tighter as she strode towards the
ladies' garment shop. She hated to spend her father’s hard-earned wages, but she could not attend such a fancy gala without something appropriate.

As she passed the bakery, she glanced across the street. A warm flush crept over her cheeks when she saw Detrick walking in the other direction. Accompanied by a short slender man with thick glasses, Detrick strolled slowly along the cobblestone sidewalk. Leah’s tried, but could not force herself to look away before her eyes met
Detrick’s. The powerful magnetism of their attraction caused her knees to give way. She stood still unable to move, memorized for a moment, and then began to tread quickly away, turning her head towards the store windows. Detrick’s penetrating, endless blue eyes shook something deep within her like an internal earthquake, making her unsteady on her feet. A hot torrent of energy tore through her, and she no longer felt the cold.

What is this I am doing?
Thoughts and questions came rushing through Leah’s mind.
Even if I ended things with Lewis, and I would be foolish to do such a thing, and then, even more consumed by madness, if I explored these wild feelings I have for Detrick, the law would forbid it. This entire situation is perilous. I must force it from my mind.
She realized all of this, but try as she might, those blue eyes burned, imprinting her soul.

Across the road, Detrick and Konrad continued toward home, Konrad talking all the while.

“I am doing well with the party, Detrick, you should consider joining. Once we purge the world of Jews, homosexuals, gypsies, and other racial impurities, the Aryans like us will take our rightful place.” Konrad’s scarf had been blown away from his throat by a gust of snowy wind. With a single twist, he rewrapped the brown wool muffler his grandmother had knitted for him. Then he continued speaking.

Detrick did not hear him. Once his eyes caught sight of Leah, they
could not be diverted from the vision that captivated him across the street. His ears went deaf to Konrad’s ramblings. Her soft features held him imprisoned as his heart raced like a runaway train. His knees felt weak as he looked at her ivory skin, the color of blush roses from the cold.

“Detrick, you’re not listening to me.”

“What? I’m sorry, Konrad, what is it?” Detrick’s tone of voice bore his annoyance at being disturbed by Konrad’s insistent chatter.

“I am trying to tell you that you should become a part of the new Germany. WE are now in power.”

“Konrad, I’m not interested in this nonsense. I don’t know why you refuse to understand.”

“I don’t understand because Hitler has made it so that you, a true Aryan, can excel beyond your wildest dreams. You, my friend, can have all the things the Jews had…all of their money, their homes,
and their businesses. They rightfully belong to you anyway, because it is your birthright as an Aryan.”

“Please stop already. It is not your right to take anything that doesn’t belong to you.”

“But it does it belongs to us…. All of us Aryans - people like you and me. That’s what you don’t seem to comprehend. All of the natural resources of this country belong to us. The Aryans. THEY have stolen them. Now don’t tell me you are still friendly with that man you used to work for. Or, are you still working for him? It is against the law for you to be employed by a Jew.”

Since the passing of the Nuremburg laws, Detrick and Jacob had collaborated to keep his employment at the shop a secret.

“No, I am not working there anymore. I’ve been spending most of my time trying to train for the Olympics.”

“That’s good, you will make Hitler proud.”

Detrick looked away in disgust.

18

“T
hat dress is stunning on you.” The meticulously groomed woman, well past her prime, smiled as she studied Leah in a deep burgundy satin gown.

“You don’t think it’s too much. I mean the color is so vivid.” Leah frowned at her reflection.

“Do you want to look washed out? No, of course not; you want to stand out.
Oy
, your mother must be so proud…her daughter invited to the home of the Shapiro’s. Do you think maybe marriage is in your future?”

“I don’t know, Mrs. Licktenbaum. I realize he is quite the catch. Everyone has told me so, but somehow I just don’t feel the magic…you know?”

“Magic? Who needs magic? You’ve got a Shapiro, the son of a surgeon. And, someday he’ll take over his father’s practice and you… Well, you’ll be set for life.” Mrs. Licktenbaum adjusted a bobby pin in her neat gray bun.

“I suppose so. I mean
, it would be good for my family. And he is a nice fellow, even if he does talk about himself constantly.”

“So what should he talk about? That’s the way men are. Don’t fret…just be your pretty little self, Leah.”

Leah had known Esther Licktenbaum as far back as she could remember. In more prosperous times, before Michael's accident, her mother, Miriam, had been a frequent visitor to the ladies' boutique.

Once, when the Licktenbaums had an emergency and there had been no one to baby sit for Esther’s granddaughter, Leah had
offered her services as a favor so that the family could attend a funeral.

“I don’t know, Mrs. Licktenbaum. I thought something in a midnight blue might stand out less.”

“I don’t know why a girl as pretty as you are should want to hide in the corner, but…very well. If you would be more comfortable then let me show you what I have.”

Leah settled on a satin indigo gown. With a sweetheart neckline and a straight skirt, it hugged her slender figure to perfection.

“Well, my dear I must admit you’re right; this is a sophisticated dress. I like it on you.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“Me too,
” Leah smiled, hugged the older woman, and went back to change into her own clothes.

19

Disappointed that he had not been chosen for the upcoming Olympics, but resolved to put forth an even stronger effort, Detrick practiced running track outside at the park, regardless of the cold. Daily, he ran. On the afternoons that he worked, he stopped afterwards to dash around the track a few times, in order to keep up his momentum. Neither darkness nor weather would deter him. He’d failed to make it into the Olympics, which would begin in August. The others he’d been training with who had also been rejected had quit. But, he charged forward with firm determination to compete in the next set of games that would take place in 1940.

As Detrick finished working on replacing a bicycle tire one winter night, he decided to walk by the park on his way home and run a few laps.

He did not tell Jacob that he planned to train that evening; if he had, he knew that Jacob would have insisted he leave with enough time to finish before nightfall. Too often, the man had paid him for a full day and insisted that he stop work early in order to meet with his coach. Detrick knew how much Jacob cared for him, and he made a special effort not to take advantage of the affection they shared.

The
sunset, making the frigid winds even more penetrating as Detrick ran, his breath turning white in the winter air. Good sense told him that he must stop soon, for darkness covered the park, and he could scarcely see his way. Just another half hour
,
he promised himself. But, that turned into another hour, and then two. So many of the others on his team had suffered the same rejection and no longer practiced. They’d given up, but Detrick would not quit. He harnessed all of his inner strength, surpassing this failure, to become an even finer athlete.

Stopping for a moment, he rubbed his gloved hands together to warm them. He bent at the waist and stretched; then, taking a few deep breaths, he began to run again.

20

W
hen Leah came out of her room, Lewis saw her and it took his breath away. Stunned by her beauty, he could only stare with his mouth slightly open. She smiled at him and decided he appeared handsome in his black tuxedo. Jacob had just arrived home from work and he watched his daughter in awe as the couple entered Lewis’ automobile. Perhaps the two will marry, he thought. It would be good for Leah. After all, Lewis had plenty of money. However, Jacob’s keen sense detected something missing in his daughter’s eyes. If Leah married Lewis, would she be happy? Did she love him? Jacob sighed to himself, unsure of the answer as he watched the car turn the corner.

To reach the ballroom in the Shapiro home, Lewis lead Leah up a winding staircase. When she
entered, she stopped for a moment, allowing her gaze to fall upon the room, taking in the splendor. Never had she seen such opulence. The white marble floor was veined with silver gray. The entire room was lit by real crystal chandeliers and boasted a dance area the size of her entire house. Tables to accommodate one hundred guests had been set surrounding a ten-piece orchestra of men and women all wearing black. Music played as white-gloved waiters passed hors d'oeuvres. And, the guests, magnificent in their exquisite attire, waltzed with the ease of those who attended these formal parties regularly.

Upon seeing her adored son enter the room, Mrs. Shapiro rushed to greet him. An overly gay smile plastered on her face contrasted the scrutinizing disapproval her eyes betrayed as she studied Leah.

“Good evening, Mother. This is Leah Abdenstern.”

“Good evening, Mrs.
Shapiro. I am so honored to be invited to attend your party.”

“Indeed.
Well… Very well, then… Lewis, why don’t you take your friend and get her something to drink.”

Lewis nodded. He knew his mother well enough to detect the true feelings that lay just beneath the surface of her demeanor, and they only formalized what he’d expected all along. She would not easily grant Leah entrance to their world. He’d orchestrated this meeting in feeble hopes of an unexpected outcome. But, she’d responded as he’d feared she would. If only he had someone to go to who would understand, but his father brought nothing to the equation. Too busy with his professional life, his wife steered the family’s social ship, and he gladly trailed along.