Page 62 of All We Thought We Knew
“That may be easier for you than for me. Everything has been taken from me. Even my freedom. I cannot see a future for me in America, nor do I wish to return to Germany. Not while Hitler and the Nazis are in power.”
I debated whether I should tell him my story, but somehow it felt right. “I know the feeling of losing everything. My husband, Richard, died at Pearl Harbor. We hadn’t been married for very long. I was supposed to go to Hawaii to be with him, but there was a delay in obtaining our housing.”
Genuine sorrow filled his face. “I am very sorry, Mrs. Delaney. You have surely suffered a greater loss than I have.”
I offered a sad smile. “We’ve both suffered. War is so awful. I don’t know why some leaders are bent on power at any cost.”
“Let us hope the Allies win soon, so it will all come to an end.”
I picked up my glass of water and held it up. “Cheers to that.”
A smile formed on his lips, and he did likewise. “Cheers.”
We ate our meal, with easy conversation between us. A glanceat the clock above the main doors, however, reminded me of my duties.
“I best get back to the office.” I stood and reached for the lunch tray, but Gunther took it from me.
“Please, allow me.”
It had been some time since a man showed such chivalry toward me. “Thank you, Mr. Schneider.”
We walked to a window-sized opening where an unseen person took the trays, then made our way outside. Some of the servicemen watched us with curiosity, no doubt wondering what a civilian employee was doing with one of the enemy aliens. Thankfully no one questioned us and we stepped into a glorious afternoon. Even the wind had died down, making the afternoon truly pleasant.
“I enjoyed speaking with you, Mrs. Delaney.”
I smiled. “And I you.”
He glanced toward the dispensary, then faced me, regret in his eyes. “I hope I will see you again.”
A warm tingle spread up my arms. “That would be nice.”
I turned toward the administration building, wondering if he was watching. I forced myself to face forward until I reached the wooden steps. When I glanced in the direction I’d come, my heart skipped a beat.
He stood in the same place where we’d parted.
He lifted his hand to wave goodbye.
Only when I returned the gesture did he turn and walk back to the dispensary.
• • •
Gunther and Iaccidentallymet at noon the following day, and the day after that.
I purposefully didn’t bring lunch from home, ensuring the need to make the trek to the mess hall, the same time I’d gonethat first day. When I spotted his green uniform at the table in the back corner, I had to keep my bottom lip clamped between my teeth to hide my grin.
We talked about all kinds of things. The hospital. The internment camp. The war. Although neither of us delved too deeply into the subjects, considering our positions at Camp Forrest, by the end of our third meeting, I knew I’d found a friend.
“Where did you learn to speak English so well?” I asked. We’d both finished eating our fried fish and coleslaw, with Gunther bemoaning the lack of sauerkraut on the menu at American mess halls. My lunch break only lasted forty-five minutes, so we filled every second with conversation.
“After my father died from the effects of the mustard gas he was exposed to during the Great War,Mutterwent to work as a schoolteacher to support us. She was fluent in French, and when one of her fellow teachers asked her to tutor his daughter,Mutterin turn asked the man to tutor me in English.” He paused, as though remembering that long ago day. “She always hoped I would come to America to study medicine.”
“What about your brother? You said he’s older than you.”
Gunther’s brow tugged into a frown, and he didn’t answer right away. “Rolf joined the army as a youth. I have not heard from him directly in many years.”
His stiff answer reminded me that our friendship was new. Although I hoped he knew he could trust me, I would understand if he remained cautious regarding the information he divulged about his family and his life in Germany.
We followed the same routine we’d begun the first day. He carried my tray to the counter, then waited for me to reach the office steps before he waved. I’d just raised my hand in return when I heard Colonel Foster’s voice behind me.
