Finding Rebecca: A Novel of Love and the Holocaust by Eoin Dempsey Page B

was a terrifying time. I’m glad you
weren’t here to see that. I can see why your father wanted you away from here
during that time.”

    ‚ÄúWe‚Äôve had a wonderful life in
Jersey.”

    ‚ÄúI spoke to your father earlier, it
does sound like the most beautiful place, but do you not find yourself
intoxicated by the sheer surge of life in this city?”

    ‚ÄúI‚Äôm feeling intoxicated by
something,” Christopher replied, and they both laughed.

    ‚ÄúThis is the most incredible time to
be German. You should come back here and be a part of this revolution. The
Party, we’re trying to change the world, to work for a better future.” His eyes
were on fire, the half smile on his face growing beneath his thick moustache.
“I mean, you don’t have to join the Party. Your uncle says he never will, but
he’s as proud a German as you’ll ever meet.”

    ‚ÄúI know.‚Äù

    But Werner hardly seemed to hear him.
“It’s a revolution all right, a wonderful, bloodless revolution. Look at this
city, everything’s in order again, everything’s clean and the people are back
at work. Finally it’s okay to be proud to be German once more.” Werner looked
at Christopher, most likely for a cue to continue, but Christopher didn’t feel
like giving it to him. He wanted to ask him about Rebecca, and why she could
never be a part of this wonderful society but he didn’t, and instead looked
over at Uli, who was roaring laughing.

    ‚ÄúWhy do you think he did it? What is
so special about Karolina?” Christopher asked Werner.

    Werner smiled and lifted the glass of
beer to his lips. “I think time catches up on all of us sooner or later,
Christopher. You’re young now, but you’ll understand one day. We all marry for
different reasons, some for love, some for money or power, and some, so they
won’t be forgotten or left behind.” He looked at Christopher and then around
the table. “But I’ve met Karolina, several times now. She is a wonderful woman,
and she’ll make Uli very happy.” They looked across at Uli, downing the third
of three straight shots of vodka and laughed.

    ‚ÄúWhy did you get married Werner?‚Äù

    ‚ÄúI think a little of each reason, my
friend, a little of each.”

    Christopher was sick before his uncle‚Äôs wedding, and had to
run out of the church during the ceremony itself, not an easy task considering
he was sitting in the front row. But the day was a huge success and Uli smiled
almost the whole day and Karolina seemed very happy too. She looked beautiful
and Christopher’s father seemed happier than he’d ever been.

     

     
Chapter 8

     
    Christopher awoke from a dreamless,
dead sleep and immediately felt her beside him. It was the morning after his 20 th birthday. He was on his back, she on her side facing away. He lifted up the
sheet and saw the gentle curve of her back as she lay, her legs tucked up so
far as to be almost touching the elbows she held clenched together in front of
her. Her gentle hair was carelessly split over her shoulders, gold against the
light brown of her skin. He had never realized quite how small she was, just
how fragile. He went to reach his hand over to touch her hair but stopped
himself. He drew his hand back and let it fall uselessly onto his belly. She
kicked her legs slightly as she breathed out hard, almost as a snort, and then
drew them back in. Christopher was frozen, unable to leave as they were in his
room in the apartment he shared with his friend Tom. He sat up in the bed, more
as a reflex against the pain than anything else and Sandrine stirred beside
him. She turned over to face him and opened her eyes with a gentle grace he had
never quite seen before.

    ‚ÄúGood morning,‚Äù she said.

    ‚ÄúGood morning,‚Äù he replied and it
took everything within him to stop himself