Page 39 of All We Thought We Knew
“Don’t you have ears, Fritz?” the soldier in the wheelchair hollered. “The nurse called my name. Get movin’.”
The woman’s eyes widened, and embarrassment washed over Gunther. He wished she hadn’t been there to witness his shame.
“Can’t you hear me, Fritz? I said, get movin’!”
The patient’s loud voice silenced the crowded room. Everyone’s attention focused on them.
Gunther took hold of the chair’s handles and began to push. He kept his eyes downcast as they neared the desk.
“Sir? May I have a word with you?”
Both Gunther and the patient turned to look at her.
“You talkin’ to me, pretty lady?” the young man drawled, then grinned. “I’ve gotta get this leg of mine tended to, but after that I’ll have all the time in the world for you.”
The woman, however, didn’t smile. “I wasn’t speaking to you.” She focused her attention on Gunther, and her expression softened. “It’s Mr. Schneider, correct?”
Gunther nodded, stunned that she knew his name.
“We met the other day. I’m Ava Delaney. I work for Colonel Foster. I’m updating personnel files.” She held up a small stack of folders. “Yours is one of them. When you’re finished here, would it be possible for me to ask you some questions?”
Gunther stared at her, at a loss for words. The young soldier, however, had plenty.
“Ma’am, this fella ain’t American. He’s one of them enemy aliens the Army brought in. You best keep your distance. He could be a Nazi, for all we know.”
Gunther thought Miss Delaney would realize the mistake she’d made by approaching him, but she leveled a severe look at the soldier, not Gunther.
“Colonel Foster does not tolerate disrespect in his hospital. To anyone.” She turned to the armed guard. “It is your duty to see to it that this man treatseveryonewith respect. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the man said.
The patient’s face grew dark. “I’m a soldier in the United States Army. You got no right to tell me—”
“That’s enough, soldier.” The guard moved to stand between him and Miss Delaney. He looked at Gunther. “Get this man into X-ray. When you’re finished, you can meet with the lady.”
Gunther nodded.
A quick look at Miss Delaney told him she agreed with the plan.
He pushed the chair forward. The angry patient remained sullen until they reached their destination. Gunther and a nurse helped him from the wheelchair onto a raised padded table, with a metal contraption hovering above. When the nurse stepped out ofthe room, Gunther turned to follow, but the young man grabbed his arm and yanked him back.
“You better watch yourself, Fritz,” he said in a low voice, his lips curved in a snarl. “No broken leg is gonna stop me from teachin’ you a lesson next time we meet.”
Gunther jerked his arm from the man’s grip and left the room without a backwards glance.
Miss Delaney was waiting for him when he and the guard returned to the reception area.
“I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.” She offered a cautious smile.
“Thanks to your government, I have nothing but time on my hands.”
An uncertain expression marred her face, and Gunther wished he could take his terse words back. His anger with the injured man had gotten the better of him, and he shouldn’t take it out on her.
“I thought we could talk in the mess hall next door,” she said to both Gunther and the guard. “That will afford us more privacy.”
With it settled, the guard led the way. Lunch would be served soon, and aromas from the kitchen greeted them when they entered the long building. Rows of tables and chairs filled the space.
Miss Delaney sat at the nearest table. Gunther took the seat opposite her, while the guard remained near the door.
