You Are My Sunshine: A Novel Of The Holocaust (All My Love Detrick Companion Novel) (25 page)

She hated him. She could hardly look at him. He was worse than any Nazi she’d ever seen, because he was a Jew just like her and he was
crueler than the persecutors.

“So,
enough said. You will come to my apartment and you make me feel like you are grateful. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”His voice was filled with warning.

She felt the bile rise in her throat, but she nodded and followed him as he walked several paces in front
of her. The wind whipped her hair into her eyes wetting it with her tears.

Chapter
39

As she stumbled back on shaky legs to her own apartment, Zofia turned into an alleyway and vomited. She could still smell Koppel on her skin and the images of what had just happened would not leave her mind. She wanted to talk to Dovid, to feel his comforting arms around her, to hear the smooth soft lilt of his voice. What had happened with Koppel would hurt him, but he would understand. Dovid knew what it was like to be too weak and too caught in the web to fight. It was well after dark and she knew she should hurry home as quickly as possible, but she could not. Careful to avoid the streetlights she slipped through the alleyways all the way to Dovid’s apartment. Before she knocked on the door she looked around to be sure, she had not been followed. Then she entered the building and climbed the familiar stairs. When she got to the apartment, she rapped softly on the door. There was no answer. She knocked harder, and still no answer.  Fighting the reality that slowly seeped into her mind and heart filtering through her blood like a lethal dose of poison she pounded her fists on the door. “Dovid, Dovid” she called out knowing he would not answer. But hoping, praying, she was wrong. Her voice louder than she intended, “Dovid” Still no answer “DOVID…”

A woman wearing a
lose fitting housedress came out of the apartment next door.

“Shhhh,
Quiet.  The man who lived here was taken away on the transport last night. I saw the Gestapo come and get him. They dragged him outside and herded him onto a train that was leaving.  The people who lived with him have not been back since yesterday. I don’t know where they are. I’m sorry, but you should go away from here. It’s not safe.”

Z
ofia sunk to the floor burying her face in her hands. “My God, Dovid, what have I done to you….” tears flooded her face as she wept her grief pouring from her in loud gulping sounds.

“Come in. Please, I have some tea. You are welcome to a cup.”

Zofia shook her head. “No, thank you.”

She
felt weak and so she held on to the handle to the door of Dovid’s apartment that she had entered so often in the past and used it to help herself stand. 

“I’m alright.” She said. “Thank you.”

Her hand gripped the railing, her knuckles turning white as she descended the stairs out into the street. Her legs felt like jelly beneath her and she thought she might drop to the ground any minute.  High in a tree a black crow let out a scream. Zofia looked up to meet its eyes. A dull pain shot through her chest and she reached up to touch her heart.

This was Koppel’s way
of punishing her. Koppel had done this.

Chapter
40

Christa changed Katja’s diaper. Then she carried her into the kitchen humming softly. Manfred warmed a bottle on the stove carefully testing it on his inner wrist to be sure it was not too hot.

“She’s so pretty, isn’t she?” Christa said.

“She looks just like you. She has your blond curls and your lovely skin.”Manfred said leaning over to kiss his wife.

“I am so happy that we adopted her.” Christa said.

They sat on the sofa side by side while Christa fed the baby.

“The doctor says she can have more table food now.”

“Pretty soon she won’t be taking the bottle at all.”

“I know
, I will miss her being a baby. You know, I meant to tell you, that she let go of the sofa for a few steps yesterday.”

“I missed her first steps?” Manfred asked.

“I’m sorry, you were at work. She walked for almost two whole steps. Then she looked at me to make sure I was watching, and it distracted her. So, she sat back on her little bum.”

They both laughed. “I wish I had seen it.”

“Well, no doubt she will do it again.”

“Yes, and then before you know it she’ll be running.”

Manfred reached up and tenderly caressed his wife’s hand as she held the bottle.

“It means everything to me to see you so happy.” He said.

She reached over and brushed his lips with her own.

“She’ll be asleep soon.” She said a smile finding its way onto her face. Any feelings of attraction she’d thought she had for Reichsführer Himmler were gone. Motherhood suited Christa Blau.

“Yes, and then I will have you all to myself.”

“I can’t wait.” She said.

“Me either
…” He tenderly touched her cheek.

She glanced over at the roses on the mantel over the fireplace and decided that she must be the luckiest woman in the world. How many wives
could say that they received roses almost every week?

Chapter
41

On Katja’s third birthday, Christa and Manfred gave a small house party for the family. The only attendees were his mother and Christa’s parents.  They had a nice dinner and a small cake.  After they finished Dr. Henkener stood up and apologized. He said he had to leave early because he had to check in on a patient at the hospital.  As he was gathering his coat, the family surrounded the baby grand piano. Manfred played as everyone sang well-known German folk tunes. Christa sat cross-legged on the floor holding Katja at the waist to secure the child who was attempting to stand while she was playing with the toys she’d just received. Baby giggles filled the room interrupting the singing but nobody seemed to mind. They’d just enjoyed a sweet apple birthday cake, and even now, the smell of an orchard lingered behind blending with the hearty aroma of rich South American coffee.  The sun had just descended from the sky and the night was enfolding the city in the mysteries of her dark arms.  Dr. Henkener took a last look around at his family. They were beautiful. If only Hitler had never risen to power, he would have been a happy man. But as things stood, he could not turn a blind eye. His sense of right and wrong would not allow it. And so, Thomas Henkener left the party and made his way to his office, watching behind him with every step. Careful to ensure he was not followed. A light blanket of snow covered the sidewalks and a cold wind began to blow out of the north freezing the snow, turning it hard. But to Thomas Henkener, the winter was a blessing. It enabled him to hide the food he carried inside the lining of his wool coat. He’d stayed up late one night making pockets inside the garment, secure enough to hold the packages he planned to take. Tiny particles of snow danced in the streetlights as Thomas Henkener hurried along. A slippery undercoat laid hiding beneath the powdery cover causing the doctor to lose footing several times. His hand clutched the building as he moved closer to his office taking great care not to stay on his feet. And because his mind was so fixated on not falling, he never heard the soft footsteps lurking behind him. When he arrived at the heavy doors to his office building he looked around assuring himself that he was alone and then slipped inside. He wiped his shoes on the rug by the door and then turned to lock it. Without flipping, the light on he headed up towards the attic with the food he’d brought for his Jewish friends still hidden inside his coat. When he got to the end of the hall, he looked around again. In the silence, he could hear his own breathing. It was ragged, nervous. Dr. Henkener was getting older; the flirtation with danger was too taxing for him. Yet he must do this.   The doctor removed the ladder from its secret hiding place and climbed up. Then he pushed the title out of the way and entered the attic, where his friends waited. It brought a tear to his eye to see how badly in need they all were, of the food he brought.

They greeted him warmly hugging him, thanking him, blessing him.

These were good people. Competent doctors who’d spent their entire careers saving lives. They had been reduced to this…

Chapter
42

Outside Dr. Henkener’s place of work Ghestpo officers Schweissguth and Girtz watched and waited. They had been following the doctor for several weeks on a tip from one of the other tenants in his office building. Because of the doctor’s relationship to Manfred Blau, that little ass-kissing puppy of Dr. Goebbels, they had to be careful before apprehending him.  If Henkener proved innocent, there would be hell to pay. Goebbels would see to that. So, they’d taken extra time, followed the doctor, and observed his every move.   And now, they were pretty sure that he was up to no good.  The tenant who’d called them in the first place, a dentist working only a few doors to the left of Dr. Henkener had shown them around the building, including the location of the hidden attic. But they had not gone up yet. They could not break their cover until they were able to catch Dr. Henkener in the act. If they did, the old Doc could always claim that he knew nothing about the Jews up there. And because of Goebbels, he’d get away with it. They weren’t going to let that happen. Girtz knew Manfred personally. They’d gone to school together. In Girtz’s mind, Manfred was nothing but a weakling, undeserving of the position he held.  But mostly Girtz despised him for how quickly he’d earned the favor of Goebbels. Most of the guys had to go through the army and rigorous training to be accepted into the SS.  But not Manfred, somehow he’d weaseled his way in with Goebbels.   When the news of Manfred’s father in law possibly hiding Jews came to Girtz’s attention, he wanted to make sure to trap Manfred. The task of surveillance was top secret. Girtz had been told by his superior who was also jealous of the snot nose kid who’d gotten into the SS and Goebbels office without working for it, that he must catch the doctor red handed. Otherwise, no arrest was to be made.  All of this worked out the way Girtz, and his superior officer planned, shame would surely fall back on Manfred who did not deserve to be working beside such a high-ranking officer. Not to mention that he, Girtz might just receive a promotion for his hard work. Schweissguth was Girtz’ best friend, they spent time together outside of work drinking beer and dreaming of success. Just recently, Schweissguth had married.  Girtz trusted Schweissguth and told him about Dr. Henkener.  Schweissguth volunteered to accompany his friend on the arrest, telling Girtz that he too desperately needed a promotion since his marriage. Now the two stood outside in the darkness shivering with cold and anticipation. The old dentists key to the building snuggling safely in Girtz’s right pocket. His fingers fondled the key. This could be the key to his future. Both Girtz and Schweissguth had made arrests before, but nothing as big as this. By tomorrow morning, the entire party, possibly Hitler himself, would know what had taken place.  The arrest of his father in law would shed doubt on Manfred’s loyalty. Manfred, Goebbels right hand man.

They waited in the darkness for a quarter
of an hour to be sure that Dr. Henkener had already gone up to the attic.

Girtz and
Schweissguth turned to each other. “You think it’s enough time?”

“Yes. I’m sure he is there right now. If we are quick we can catch
him in that attic with those Jews.”

Girtz
nodded. His hand was shaking as he put the key in the lock turning it and changing everything in Manfred’s life forever.

The two Gestapo
agents quietly made their way into the building. They dragged their feet to prevent the marble floor from clicking beneath their shoes. When they got to the secret door that opened into the attic, Schweissguth climbed the ladder then pushed the ceiling tile.

Perele
Shulman saw them first. She screamed her hand went to her lips “OY Got in Himmel.” She cried.

“
Gestapo” Girtz bellowed

Guns drawn the two SS
officers entered the attic. Perele Shulman clutched her husband who turned towards her taking her into his arms. When he saw the two men, Dr. Shulman gasped softly. “Oy, Dear God.”

Zalaman Rosen stood gripping the small table his
knuckles white, his face a pale mask. Minka his wife began to cry.

Thomas Henkener stood paralyzed staring at the two young men in long black leather coats.

“You are under arrest, all of you. That goes for you, also, Dr. Henkener. I am sure you knew that it was a crime against the Reich, treason, to hide Jews.” Girtz said.

The loaf
of bread and hunk of cheese that Dr. Henkener brought stood in the middle of the table, untouched. Henkener looked at the food then his eyes drifted up to the two men.

“You
boys should be ashamed of yourselves.” Dr Henkener said.

Girtz took his gun and cracked it across Dr.
Henkener’s face. Blood spurted from the doctor’s nose landing on the opposite wall.

Thomas
Henkener winced.

“That shou
ld shut you up. Now, let’s go, quickly.”

All five people were loaded
into a waiting automobile. The Jews would be transported to Nazi Headquarters and then from there to a camp for extermination. Henkener would face a worse fate. But before they were slaughtered, Girtz and Schweissguth would see to it that Manfred was knocked off his pedestal and brought to his knees.