When We Were Shadows by Janet Wees

Author:Janet Wees
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2017-12-20T16:19:20+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The Empty Bunk — Farewell from Alfred

13 December, 1943

Guten morgen (good morning) Walter,

Forgive me. I leave and do not tell you. It is for your safety. Your mama helps me write this letter because my Dutch is not so good.

In Germany I was teacher in Cologne. I was married, with young daughter. Cologne was bombed in May, 1942. I was in army. To this day, I do not know fate of my family.

The German army send me to island in north of Holland for my last post. I use anti-aircraft guns. Sand dunes become bunkers to shoot British airplanes flying to bomb Germany.

I feel depressed because I have no family news. I listen to BBC to hear the Allies’ side. My comrades laugh. I believe BBC. Stories about the treatment of Jews upset me. I decide Hitler must be stopped. I feel ashame.

Dutch people living on the island avoid us. They cross street when we walk on same side. They cycle away from us. They do not enter cafés if we are inside. Every night I sleep watching the beam from lighthouse shine through the window. It dances across the wall of the room. It quiet me.

I decide to get out. I find a religious man with conscience. He is a minister from small church in village. We make plans.

One afternoon I go for walk. I find dry clothes on washing line. I take shirt and pants and hat. In small alley I change clothes. My uniform I cover with dirt and grass. I keep my head low and walk to ferry. On ferry I sit alone and not talk to no one. When we dock, I walk out with other people.

I had map, and piece of paper from minister for farmer. I not know what the minister wrote. It was in Dutch. I find the farm and hide in barn hayloft. When the farmer come I drop the paper through slats in loft floor.

I look through slats. The farmer reads and looks up. He climb the ladder and look at me without speaking for long time. He go away. Later he come back with blankets, bread, and cheese. “What am I going do with you?” he ask.

The Underground question me. Police question me. I don’t know why they not kill me. They move me from farm to attics, cellars, and empty houses. Always questions. Soon they see a poster for reward to catch me. Then they believe. They hear of manhunt on the island and in port. I grow beard and moustache. I worry about my friend on island.

They bring me to your hut. My eyes were cover for the secret trip through forest. If I am caught I will be shot. I not know where they take me now. They want my help with more secrets.

You are brave boy. I would honor a son like you. On outside you are quiet. I see inside too, where you are fearful. I do not know how I can change that.

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