Lilly's Stories

November 4, 1944

Dear Jonah, 

My paper supply at the moment is limited, so I must be brief. 

I miss you more than this tiny piece of paper will allow me to express. I hope that you are not the only one who believes me. I find it hard to believe that the two quietest people in the town were suspected German spies. My brother and I are hanging on, but we are very afraid. Our parents would have been much better at this. I know some German they taught us before they passed, but hardly enough to live here. Not having been born here, we aren’t accepted as readily. I don’t mean to suggest that they are unkind, they simply don’t treat us the same way as the other locals. So we are neither fully trusted here nor in America. Otto is much more optimistic than I am. I wish I could be the same, but I find it so hard to see the good out of this tangled mess. 

There are rumors floating around that the Soviets are coming closer each day. I don’t know what to believe, and I think that is what scares me the most. Anything can happen.

Missing you,

Christi

November 30, 1944

Dear Christine, 

I just got your letter, and tore it open the minute I saw it. I bet you can imagine the look my mom gave me as I snatched it off the table, completely ignoring her visitors. I know I’ll hear it from her later, but I couldn’t wait another minute to hear from you.

I’m sorry your neighbors don’t treat you the way they should. If my prayers are answered, you won’t have to deal with them for long. This war will end, no matter how impossible it seems right now.

For now, I hope you can find ways to be happy, even if they’re small. Enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and imagine me there, just like last summer, eating that burger. I remember how you laughed when the onions and mustard fell out the back of it, splattering into a smiley face on my plate. 

Alice wants me to tell you that she never doubted you. She says she wishes you were here to help her study for her algebra exam. She baked an apple bundt cake today for Mom’s party, and we both thought of you. The scent reminded us of your birthday last June, when your friend baked one and we all had a picnic in Cooper’s Park. You remember it, don’t you? You were wearing that pale purple knee-length dress with a brown belt. Your hair was tucked behind your ears in a headband. Alice talked about your dress for days after that, going on and on about how much she would have loved to wear it to the dance, especially if Chester asked her. You remember how disappointed she was when he asked Joan instead? Well, there’s a winter dance coming up that she won’t stop talking about. She got asked by some kid named Robert and won’t let me forget. In case you couldn’t tell, she is very excited. 

I can’t wait to see you again, when I’m sure we’ll have apple bundt cakes galore to celebrate. 

Yours,

Jonah

December 19, 1944

My dear Jonah,

I remember it all as if it were yesterday. What I’d like to know is if you remember the time you fell off the dock in the lake a couple of years ago because you slipped on the hot dog Otto dropped. 

I’m trying to follow your advice, and it seems to be helping a bit. Last Saturday, Otto and I went ice skating. Of course, nothing is the same with soldiers wherever you look, but it was a nice distraction. We enjoyed a treat of Zimtsterne cookies afterward, but paid more than we would have liked for them. Otto has found a job at the local florist, although he knows next to nothing about flowers. I have no idea how he landed the job, but we’re grateful for the income. 

The rumors about the Soviet armies nearing Germany seem to grow louder every time a conversation sparks. I’m worried that there will be an attack, and something might happen to us. I can’t say much, but you may be right. We may see each other soon. Unless the army reaches us first. 

Sending my love,

Christi

January 7,  1945

Dear Christi,

As soon as you give up hope, the war has won. Don’t lose sight of the happy moments—they’ll help you through. And, of course, a reminder of the cakes waiting for you.

I miss seeing your smile around here. My birthday next week won’t be the same without you here. Mom tried to get me to have a big party, but I’m not in the mood for whatever one of those has in store. I think I’d like to just celebrate with Alice; maybe we’ll see a movie. Her dance was last Friday and apparently it was a real good time. She said to let you know that Robert got her a corsage that she can’t wait to show you. 

I saw one of those kids you babysat a bunch of times—Audrey, I think?—at work the other day and she asked when you were coming back. She seems to miss you almost as much as I do, though I don’t know how that could be possible. 

I was cleaning out my desk (shocking, I know) and I found that old keychain you won at the fair last summer. I couldn’t win that game no matter how hard I tried, and you went up and got it on your first try. You and Alice thought it was so funny, and you gave me the keychain with a bearpaw printed on it.  Of course, you played again and won yourself the teddy bear with a yellow bow tie. 

I can’t wait to see you again, hopefully soon. I’m praying for you and Otto, and that the rest of your time in Germany passes well.

Yours,

Jonah

January 28, 1945

Dear Jonah,

Our food has run low. Otto’s job barely makes enough for our lodging, which is above the florist’s now. We could not afford to stay in the hotel any longer, and it wasn’t very clean either. I think this is better, although we do feel a bit awkward to stay in Mr. Herrmann’s house, like we are intruders. I don’t think he really minds, but it’s still a little weird. 

We can’t think about that too much, though. Food is our main priority. It is scarce around here. Especially this time of year. I’m trying to be positive, but every night we lie in bed hungry, and wake up to aching stomachs. Even Mr. Herrmann has admitted that he’s finding it harder and harder to come by enough food for him and his wife. 

I managed to get a job at the seamstress’s place down the street. There isn’t much business there, but every bit of money counts. And my German is improving, so it is getting easier to understand people. 

Send my love to Alice, and happy birthday!

Always,

Christi

February 16, 1945

Dear Christine,

Alice and I have been thinking it over, and Alice said that I should join you in Germany, no matter how dangerous. She’s seen how upset I’ve been lately. I don’t like the idea of you so close to the war, but I like it even less because I’m not there with you. We’re looking for every opportunity to cross the ocean, but I wanted to make sure it was okay with you first. I’m praying for you every day, and hoping you and Otto are safe and happy. 

Awaiting your reply,

Jonah

March 4, 1945

Dearest Jonah,

It appears the rumors are true. Soviet forces are closing in on Germany. It is no secret now. Just after I sent my last letter to you, we saw Soviet armies across River Oder. We don’t know when they will strike. Everyone is in a panic. We have saved up money and are leaving for France. I don’t know when I’ll be able to write to you next, but I promise as soon as I can, I will. 

Love,

Christi

May 5, 1945

Dear Jonah,

I am so sorry I have not written to you in so long! I hope you were not too worried. We have made it to Paris. Berlin has been destroyed, and Hitler has died. I can hardly believe all that has happened. 

There is much that is hard to write, and will have to wait until I see you. We traveled on foot for most of the journey, and were exhausted by the time we reached Strasbourg and were able to catch a train headed to Paris. We figured we should be far enough away from the German border there.

If you still wish to join us, you know I would be elated to see you. Whenever you arrive, look for L’Hôtel de la Cour, where we are staying, and we will find you. 

Love,

Christine

June 2, 1945

Dear Alice,

I made it to Paris last week, and all is well! Christine and Otto are doing much better now that the war is over here in Europe, although there are still a lot of challenges, one of which is that none of us speak French. That sure has been an adventure. 

I hope you, Mom, and Dad are all doing well, and Christine sends her love and wishes you good luck on your final exams. I’ll keep writing to you as long as we’re here, and as soon as we scrape together enough money, we plan on coming back home. 

See you soon,

Jonah