Page 79 of All We Thought We Knew
How would he tell Ava? Did she already know?
“I’ll send Mr. McCoy, the commander of the new camp, a recommendation for you to continue working in the hospital at Fort Lincoln.” He gave Gunther an intense look. “This war will end one day, Mr. Schneider. God has given you a special gift. I expect you to become a great doctor someday.”
Gunther exited the office, defeat rising inside him despite theman’s commendation. A glance at the clock on the wall told him he’d have to wait a little over an hour before he met Ava.
Leaving Camp Forrest and his job at the dispensary was disheartening, but the thought of never seeing Ava again filled him with desperation.
For one wild moment, he wondered if he should escape before he and the others were loaded onto northbound trains. Two men tried to sneak through the fences of the military installation last month. Both were caught. Gunther’s job, however, gave him special privileges to move about without a guard. It wouldn’t be difficult to hide in one of the many delivery trucks that came and went through the gates.
But what would he do if he were successful? He couldn’t put Ava in danger by asking her to help him. And if he couldn’t continue to see Ava, there was no point risking an escape.
When both hands on the clock reached twelve, Gunther dashed out of the dispensary and practically ran for their normal meeting place.
She was already there.
When she turned to him, her face told him she’d heard the news.
“You know.” He joined her on the bench.
She nodded. “Colonel Foster told us this morning.”
Gunther heaved a sigh. “I foolishly believed I would remain at Camp Forrest for the duration of the war. It never occurred to me they would move us to make room for POWs. Even after the Japanese internees who’d arrived from Hawaii were relocated last year, I didn’t think we would be next.”
Ava worried her bottom lip. “I don’t know much about North Dakota, other than it gets very cold there in the winter.”
“I hope the housing they provide is better than the huts here. The concrete floors are always damp, and gaps in the wooden walls allow the wind to pass through, especially when it blows from the north.”
They sat in silence for a time before Ava reached for the brown paper bag next to her.
“I brought roasted turkey sandwiches. Gertrude found a wild turkey trapped in one of the barns yesterday and managed to grab it. The meat is a little gamey, but with beef and cheese and other items now being rationed, I suppose we should be grateful for anything extra we can get.”
Gunther accepted the sandwich, but he had no appetite.
There was so much he wanted to say to her, but he wasn’t certain he should. Ever since they’d begun their lunch-tutoring sessions, he’d held out hope they could have a future together once the war was over. His training under Major Gridley convinced him he could return to medical school and become a doctor, a profession that would allow him to take care of her in the manner she deserved. Although she had never indicated her feelings went as deep as his, she enjoyed his company as much as he enjoyed hers.
But with this morning’s news of his imminent transfer from Camp Forrest, all hope of a future with her seemed lost.
They didn’t discuss the latest book they’d been reading. Lessons in English seemed futile now. Instead, Gunther peppered her with questions about the farm, her dreams—personal topics he’d avoided until now. With their time together limited, he wanted to know everything about her. She in turn asked about his life in Germany, and for the first time, he admitted that his brother was a Nazi and his fear for his mother.
“When the war is over, I will bringMutterto the United States,” he said, determined. “There will be nothing left of Germany when the Allies are finished. The country she has always known no longer exists. She will need a new beginning.”
Ava smiled, although there was sadness around the edges of her bright red lips. “You are a good man, Mr. Schneider. A good son. You don’t deserve any of the hardships that have been forced upon you. I’ll always cherish our friendship.”
Her words were not what his heart wanted to hear, but he treasured her friendship too.
They met the following three days at their usual time and place. A sense of urgency hovered over their conversations, although Gunther restrained himself from professing his love and admiration for her.
“There is a going-away gathering for the internees in the camp mess hall tonight. Cake and dancing, from what I’m told.” He’d practiced this speech numerous times that morning, but his nerves nearly choked him now. “Major Gridley said personnel from Camp Forrest who worked with many of us will be in attendance, including himself.” He swallowed and met her gaze. “I hope you will come.”
“I’ll be there.”
Her soft, shy response emboldened Gunther. “I would be honored if you would save a dance for me.”
Her eyes, beautiful and shining, gave him his answer before she spoke. “I’d like that.”
When they stood, she took a book from the lunch bag and handed it to him. Gunther recognized her dog-eared copy ofEmma.
“I want you to have this, to remember me by.”
