Page 188 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Alex’s eyes burned, and he closed his eyes, shaking his head. “They... didn’t make it...” He didn’t want to go into the details. Not now. Not when he’d have to repeat the story again so soon when he got home.

“Have you spoken to your father?” Uncle Friedrich asked Alex.

Alex shook his head. “We only just got into town. Your house was closest to the station.”

“I should call him.” His uncle reached for his phone.

“No, Uncle. I need to see him in person. As soon as possible.”

“Of course.” He looked around at the group of men. “If you don’t mind being uncomfortable, we might be able to squeeze into the SUV.”

Wilhelm and Ilsa sat at the small table in the sitting room, drinking coffee and eating breakfast. Wilhelm read the news on his tablet, and Ilsa sat quietly eating her toast. Kurt had just left to take Sofie and Derek to school.

The house was quiet these days. Both their daughters had left to begin their own families, and the grandchildren were in school. Kurt and Wilhelm spent most mornings at the Schloss. Ilsa typically found contentment in reading or visiting town, but occasionally a sense of melancholy would engulf her, causing Wilhelm to worry.

He put his hand on his wife’s. “Are you going into town today?”

Ilsa nodded. “I’m going to drop some things at the children’s home and help serve lunch.”

Wilhelm nodded. “I know how much they appreciate your help there.”

Ilsa smiled. “I like being there.”

“What do you say we?—‍”

A scream from downstairs interrupted Wilhelm’s suggestion that they take Sofie and Derek to the lake this weekend, and he jumped to his feet. It sounded like Hilde, one of the maids, in the entryway.

Wilhelm hurried downstairs and froze a few steps from the bottom at the sight of the five bearded men standing in the entryway, along with his brother and sister-in-law. It couldn’t be...

“Alex...” He stared as the tall man with a beard took off his hat and grinned.

“Hello, Vati.”

Wilhelm’s jaw quivered, his voice stolen by the weight of unspoken words. His son! His son was alive! And home! “Ilsa! Come quickly!” He ran down the remaining steps and pulled his son into his arms. “Alex!”

A cry from above him made him turn back to the stairs. Ilsa stood on the steps, her face pale, her beautiful gray eyes wide and filling with tears.

“Mutti.” Alex nodded to his father and tearfully went to embrace his mother.

Wilhelm looked around at the four other men, standing self-consciously, and beamed. “You are here. Alive?” He shook his head and went to each of them, hugging them hard and telling them how happy he was to see them. He then looked at his brother. “They came to you first?”

Friedrich shrugged. “I live in town.”

Ilsa pulled away from Alex long enough to embrace the other men, then returned to Alex’s arms.

“Come, let’s sit and you can tell us everything.” He glanced at Hilde, who beamed at the men, tears streaming down her face. “Please, bring breakfast upstairs.”

She curtsied and hurried away toward the kitchen, her expression as joyful as everyone else’s.

Wilhelm sighed and looked into each man’s face. “But where are the others?”

Alex’s face fell. “It’s a long story. One I will gladly share.” He glanced at his mother. “But I would love a good, strong cup of German coffee first.”

Wilhelm laughed, his heart lighter than it had been in years, and motioned to the stairs. “It will be brought.”

Alex sighed and took a sip of the first decent cup of coffee he’d had since being taken by Vitaly. His mother sat close by, staring at him with wet eyes.

“I’m so—‍” Mutti shook her head and swallowed. “I can hardly believe you’re home.”

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