You Are My Sunshine: A Novel Of The Holocaust (All My Love Detrick Companion Novel) (20 page)

“I’m sure it can all be arranged. I’ll speak to Dr.
Goebbels about it and we will send you and your husband to Munich, to Steinhöring, the home for the Lebensborn, where you can choose a child.”

“I can never thank you enough.”

“I’m sure we will think of something.” Himmler smiled.

Chapter
30

It was late when Manfred and Christa arrived back at the hotel room. He undressed and took a shower while she sat at the vanity removing her makeup and combing her hair. When he came into the bedroom, she turned to look at him. He was still slender, but he’d filled out since their marriage. In his black SS uniform, he appeared to be a man strong, powerful, daunting, but standing here wrapped in a towel, to her, he still looked like a young boy. That same young boy she’d taken to her bed on their wedding night. She couldn’t help but compare him to Himmler. Himmler a powerful man indeed, not necessarily, a looker, but the authority in his step, the confidence in his manner, well, it was attractive, very attractive.

She put the comb down on her dressing table. It was an Ivory comb inlaid with mother
of pearl. Manfred had given it to her as a gift for their first anniversary.

“Manfred
…”

“Yes, dear.”

“Please sit down; I want to speak with you about something.”

“Yes…”

“Well, tonight when I was dancing with the Reichsführer, he mentioned something to me.” She said, looking in his eyes assessing his mood. This pregnancy issue sometimes brought out a dark side of him. She must tread very gently. “I hope you won’t be angry, but he mentioned adoption. He said that we would qualify for a baby from the Lebensborn.  He said that there is a home in Munich. I have heard of it too, it is called Heim Hochland or Steinhöring.   He also said that if we wanted it, we could receive a beautiful Aryan child in need of a home just like ours, a home with a father who is devoted to the Reich and a mother who will love and care for it.”

Manfred sat on the edge
of the four-poster bed. Perhaps this was the answer. It would take the stress off their marriage.

“I am not angry. In fact, I think it might be good for us. We’ve both wanted a baby for so long now.”

“Oh Manfred, do you mean it?” She got up and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Yes, I do. I will talk to Dr.
Goebbels on Monday morning, and see when he thinks it might be convenient  for me to take a week off so that we can go up to the Highlands and bring the child back with us.”

She rubbed the back
of his neck and he pulled her closer.
 

“Come to bed.” He whispered in her ear. “Even though we will adopt a child there is no need to stop trying.”

She kissed him and broke away for a moment to turn out the lights. Then she got in beside him and they made love.

Chapter
31

“Heil Hitler” Manfred walked into his office to find Dr. Goebbels waiting.

“Heil Hitler”
Goebbels said.

“Can I have my secretary get you anything, c
offee, tea perhaps?” Manfred asked.

Goebbels
shook his head. “No thank you, I just finished breakfast,” He said smiling like a Cheshire cat. “Manfred, your pretty little wife made quite the impression on the Reichsführer. Do you know what he has done? He has instructed me to present you with a car and a driver. You will have your own automobile.”

“I am taken a back.” Manfred said and his face br
oke into a huge smile. “An auto, that’s quite a gift.”

“Well, Himmler said that you and Christa planned to adopt a child from
the Lebensborn, and with a little one you will need reliable transportation. Is this true about the adoption?”

“Yes, it is. In fact I was going to ask you about taking a week
off to go up to Munich and see the children so that we could select one.”

“
Of course it will be arranged. Would next month be soon enough? I need you for a few things this month.”

“Yes, that would be just fine.”

“I think it should be a nice time to travel, spring. By then the weather should have broken and you can have a few nice days to enjoy the country.”

“Dr.
Goebbels, you have always been so kind to me.”

“Yes, you are a good employee,
a dedicated member of the Nazi party and a good friend. I am proud to know you, Manfred.”

“Sir, knowing you has been the greatest honor and most precious part
of my life.”

“I’m glad to hear it. In
fact, I brought you a gift, because you made such a good impression on the Reichsführer. Something for your office, the good impression you’ve made reflects on me you know.”

“I do, and I can never tell you how much it means to me
to be someone you can be proud of.”

Goebbels
handed Manfred a large box. It was wrapped in white paper with a black bow.

“This
gift I am giving you is unique, very unique.” Goebbels said “Go ahead, open it.”

Manfred untied the ribbon. Then he tore the paper and took the top
off. Inside he saw the dried white bones of a human pelvis. Skeletal, bleached. He almost let out a scream. Looking up his eyes met the Doctor’s with confusion.

“It’s an ashtray, a
conversation piece. We have them made from the pelvis of dead Jews. Only top ranking officers own them. I thought you might like it… Gives people something to look at when they come into your office.” Dr. Goebbels smiled. “I have one.”

“Thank you sir, t
hank you.” Manfred said trying to hide his repulsion. He put the box on the side of the desk. “it is a truly unique gift.” Later, he would put the human ashtray on the other side of the room where he might avoid looking at it. But the harder he tried to avert his eyes the more drawn they were to white sloping pelvis.

Chapter 32

Once he was sure his wife Heidi was asleep, Dr. Henkener left the bedroom and dressed quietly in the downstairs bathroom. It was best to keep Heidi from knowing anything. The less she knew the better. It was not that he didn’t trust her. Although she did not agree with his sympathies for the Jews, he knew she would never turn him in. But why, subject her to this possible danger. If she remained ignorant, at least she remained safe. He dragged a wet comb through his thinning white hair and looked in the mirror. Satisfied that even though his insides were churning, he appeared calm and normal, then after quietly locking the door, he left the house.  Dr. Rosen, his wife and fifteen-year-old daughter were to meet him at the office. Thomas Henkener knew it was far more dangerous for them to be out after curfew, than it was for him to be taking a stroll. And even if he were stopped by the police, he could always tell them he’d forgotten important papers at his office. After all, he was a doctor. Doctors worked all hours.  His excuse was quite believable. Still, he felt the sweat trickle down his neck even as the icy wind assaulted his face.

He arrived at the
office and only lit a small lamp in the hallway, far away from any windows. The Rosen’s arrived almost immediately. As instructed by Dr. Henkener, the family carried no luggage, but Dr. Henkener could see that they wore several layers of clothing.

“I’m glad to see you, Zalaman.”
Dr Henkener reached out and shook Dr. Rosen’s hand.

“Thank you for doing this for us Thomas. I realize what a risk you are putting yourself under.”

“How could I not do this? It is the only humane thing to do. With a government that is responsible for such terrible acts. Anyway, we must not loiter. Let me show you and your family to the attic.”

Dr.
Henkener lit a candle and turned off the lamp. It was best that they do as much, without light as possible. Then he put another candle in his pocket.

“Follow me.” He said.

Dr. Henkener led them through a dark winding hallway through the back of the building where no one ever went as he fought the cobwebs out of the way. Dust covered the floor, and Mrs. Rosen coughed. When they got to the end of the hall, Thomas Henkener pulled out a small step stool from under a hidden crawl space.

“Hold the candle for a moment, Zalaman.” Dr
Henkeners said.

Then he climbed on the step stool and
pushed hard on a heavy tile in the ceiling. It opened pouring out a gust of dust and grime to reveal only darkness.

“Come we have to go up here.” Dr.
Henkener said as he used his arms to pull his body up into the attic. Next Dr. Rosen followed. Then they reached down and helped the women who were not strong enough to pull themselves up.  Once everyone was inside of the attic, they looked around. Although they only had the light of a small candle, it was obvious that the room was covered in filth. A few wooden crates sat in a corner, but other than that, the room was bare. Shana Rosen, Dr. Rosen’s daughter let out a scream as a spider crawled across the floor. Then she began to cry. Her mother cradled her. Dr. Rosen stepped on the insect, and frowned at his daughter.

“Shaaa, shaa,” Minka
, Henkener said. “We have to be very quiet. If we are not quiet, we will be discovered. And that would be bad not only for us, but for Dr. Henkener. So, you must never scream like that again.  Do you understand? It is very important that you understand mine kind.”

Shana nodded wiping the tears from her face. “I’m sorry Dr.
Henkener. I didn’t mean it. It was a reaction. I’m afraid of insects.  It won’t happen again though, I promise.” She said.

Minka began taking bits
of food out of her clothing and laying them on top of the crates.

“Next time I come I will bring blankets.” Dr.
Henkener said. “I’m sorry I didn’t think of it.”

“We’ll be fine. Don’t worry about us.” Dr. Rosen said. “We have plenty
of clothes. And besides you are doing enough.”

“I’
ll bring as much food as I am able to secure as well.” Dr. Henkener said. He looked around the room. He could not imagine what staying in this grimy cramped area would be like. Years ago, before the country had gone mad he’d been to a party at the Rosen’s home. He remembered it was a lovely bungalow, stylishly furnished, immaculate.  Now, Dr. Henkener felt a deep sorrow as he watched his colleague and his family forced to endure these horrendous conditions. Not only was he sorry, but he was ashamed, ashamed to be German, to be part of a regime that treated people the way the Nazi’s treated the Jews.

Chapter 33

Christa sat beside Manfred in the backseat of the shiny black car. The rich smell of leather mingled with cigar smoke and expensive cologne. Manfred closed the privacy window between the couple and the driver. Then he took Christa’s hand and held it between both of his.

“Would you prefer a boy or girl?” Christa asked.

Manfred thought for a moment. “Oh I don’t know. Let’s have a look and see what is available.” It would be easier to raise a girl. So much less would be expected of her, leaving fewer opportunities for disappointment among Manfred’s superiors. If he had a son, who did not excel it would be a bad reflection on him. He’d worked too hard to build a rapport with all of those who could further his career for him to allow a child to get in the way.

“I think a girl
would be nice, a girl who looks like you.” Manfred said and he squeezed Christa’s hand. She squeezed back and smiled at him.

It was warm for a day in early May and the flowers had just begun to bud outside the
Steinhöring home. The four-story country castle had been newly painted sugar white with canary yellow trim, the previous summer. A gush of green leaves had burst from the trees in celebration of the end of the long German winter and emerald grass covered the lush rolling hills.

“Such a quaint and lovely place,
” Christa said as the driver pulled up to the front of the Lebensborn home.

Manfred held
Christa’s hand as they walked in.

Women were everywhere in all stages
of pregnancy. All of them blond, all of them blue eyed, most of them tall with athletic builds. They were so similar that they seemed like living dolls, something created, instead of real people. As Manfred and Christa walked by the girls offered white toothed smiles.

Then there were
the others, nurses and helpers. These women, some blond, but many brunette, some young but some also older and well past child bearing age were the work force. These too were Aryan women, their bloodlines had been checked, but their looks did not reflect the qualities needed for breeding. So these women were responsible for the wellbeing of the superior blond, blued perfect specimens of Aryan womanhood.

A large
mahogany desk with intricate carvings of Teutonic Knights was centered a few feet from the door. Behind it sat a woman in her early forties. Her blond hair combed neatly into finger waves around her face. She had deep-set blue eyes and features so strong that they almost appeared masculine.