short lives. By the time they entered their second story bedroom, Esther was once again crying hysterically. Her whole body was shaking like an autumn leaf in November. Erik was so moved by his sister’s dilemma that he decided to do something to calm her down.
“Esther, why don’t you quiet down. I promise everything will be OK. Would you like to spend the night with me?” Offered a protective Erik.
“Yes, yes, yes! Would you mind?” Replied a tearful, but grateful Esther.
Both children quietly went to bed. Although their minds raced ahead with horrible thoughts of what might happen to them, they eventually fell into a deep, but restless sleep. Meanwhile Franz and Sarah sat in their living room in silence. The events of the last sixty-minutes had both of them in a state of shock. They just stared at each other unwilling or unable to move.
Both parents had that thousand-yard stare, the same look that shell-shocked combat veterans have after extended periods under fire. Their long and wonderful life was slipping away, and they had no control over it. After what seemed like an eternity, but actually was only ten-minutes; both of them turned and embraced each other. Never in their twenty-six years of marriage had they held each other closer than today. It seemed as if their souls were trying to bond into one magical unit. As if on queue Sarah began to cry; Franz tried to comfort her as best he could.
“Don’t worry dear, everything will be fine. Our God will protect us, and those around us. We must pray for our family, and the other members of our synagogue. We Jews have endured many other tribulations throughout history, and we shall survive this.” Finished a somewhat emotional Franz.
Sarah nodded in silence, but still had the foresight to ask him one more question.
“Franz. do you still think we should prepare? Just in case? Please tell me what to do! Please?” Asked an emotional Sarah.
Well, I guess we could take some precautions. Let’s prepare one small suitcase per person. Additionally, we should perhaps take some of our gold coins with us. You could sew them into the lining of our coats. Better yet! Be sure to spread them out evenly between us. That way we could prevent losing them all at once,” Replied an anxious Franz.
Sarah nodded her head and stood up. She walked the twenty feet to the kitchen and bent over near the stove. She reached down and pried up a large board near the corner. Using both hands she pulled up a heavy wooden box. Wrapped inside a fine Belgian cotton pillowcase, was a heavily gilded wooden box. Sarah carefully unwrapped the contents. Inside the box were forty, mint condition, twenty-mark gold pieces. These coins had been given to them as a wedding present. They had been carefully preserved over the years, and had risen in value. Each coin was worth around four hundred Reich marks. Currently these coins represented a substantial sum. Sarah decided to also stash her three diamond rings, given to her by her grandmother.
Under normal circumstances these coins represented a small fortune. Sixteen thousand marks was enough money to purchase a house, a car and have some left over. Sarah walked over to the vestibule and retrieved her children’s coats. After carefully splitting the seams, Sarah sewed fifteen gold coins in each coat. She also took her three platinum and diamond antique rings and sewed them into Erik’s lining. After examining her perfect handiwork, she proceeded to sew five gold coins into her and Franz’s coats. Once she was satisfied everything was undetectable; she packed two suitcases and placed them near the front door. Franz sat the whole time in the living room and silently watched his wife. He did not know or have the courage to say anything meaningful to her.
He eventually stood up, and walked over to his wife. He stooped down and kissed her on the cheeks. His tenderness caught Sarah by surprise. Franz was not normally an affectionate man. She stood up and embraced him. The more she held him, the less she wanted to let him go. After two minutes of silent hugs, they reluctantly went to bed. Franz lay in bed and silently prayed every prayer he had ever memorized. He prayed for his family, children, wife and his flock, as he was so fond of calling them.
His thoughts raced ahead. What is going to happen tomorrow? What will they do with us? What will our neighbors think? How will they notify us? Why are they doing this to us?
As it turned out, destiny took care of the events, and before long all Jews and non-Jews would suffer the consequences of a madman.
The Real Heroes
The morning could not come soon enough for Erik and his sister. They both got up before dawn and took a quick shower and hurried downstairs. Both of their parents were actually still sleeping when they loudly knocked on their bedroom door.
“What, what? Who is it, and why are you waking us so early?” Asked a still groggy Franz.
“It’s us, Vater.” Replied Erik.
“OK, OK, OK, I know it’s you, but why are you up at this ungodly hour?” Asked Franz, as he got out of bed and put his housecoat on.
“Please don’t be angry, we only thought that after last night, it might be a good idea to get up early and leave town, before, before, before?” Stuttered Erik.
“Well son, it’s probably a good idea, but I have decided to wait and see what happens? I just can’t leave town without informing the rest of the families. You do understand? Don’t you?” Asked Franz, looking directly into his son’s big brown eyes.
“No, no I don’t! That, that man last night warned us. And I am afraid Vater.” Replied a nervous Erik.
“Sometimes we must leave our destiny in the hands of our God. You have every right to be afraid, but God will show me the way.” Stated Rabbi Goldmann.
Erik looked downwards and then away from his father. He was thoroughly confused, but he trusted his father and did not want to upset him. His mother appeared and told the children to go to the kitchen and wait for breakfast. Both of them answered in the affirmative and walked into the cold room. A few minutes later, Sarah walked in, still dressed in her nightgown and lit the stove. Within minutes the kitchen was warn and cozy, as they had always known it. She made a pot of coffee with lots of milk and sugar for the kids. She wanted to make sure that everyone had plenty to eat today.
Sarah boiled eight eggs, cut eight crunchy breakfast rolls, served fresh cheese, sliced roast beef and homemade marmalade. This was a feast, and she smiled when she saw her children devour every bite on their plate. Before she could finish the dishes, the church bell began to ring in an unusual but, rapid fashion. This was the signal for the volunteer fire department to report to the firehouse. Both of the kids looked up to their mother as if asking permission to go to the fire.
“No, no, no! Don’t even think about! Today is not the day to go and get lost. You need to stay close to home. Please, don’t look at me with those puppy eyes. I am not changing my mind! What do you think Franz? Asked Sarah.
“Well, for once I agree with you.” Replied a smiling Rabbi.
“Oh, you are incorrigible. You will give them the wrong impression.” Stated Sarah as she stood up and walked towards the open window.
“Franz, Franz. Maybe you should go and see what is going? Half the village is running towards the church.” Begged a now concerned Sarah.
“OK, OK. Calm down. I will go now, but all of you stay nearby and don’t wonder away! Is that understood?” Stated the ex-Sergeant
