فصل 95

florian

Was she telling the truth? Had the soldier really contacted Koch’s office or did she say that because she was mad and wanted to scare me?

I waited until the middle of the night when I hoped everyone would be asleep. I had noted toilet facilities in the corridor as the sailor walked me to the chimney. I quietly slipped out of the small door with my pack, keeping my head down.

People occupied every possible space, yet my lavatory visit went undetected. I then went to the maternity ward to see Joana. If what she said was true, the ship would be swarming with soldiers hunting for me at first light.

I peeked in but didn’t see her. The Polish girl slept, the baby cradled in her arms. I walked to the infirmary. It was a solemn sight, wounded men on wooden pallets lined within a foot of each other. Joana tended to a soldier nearby. Their words were easily heard in the quiet dark.

“Well, you’re not wearing a wedding ring,” said the soldier.

“No, but I told you. I have a boyfriend. Now, you rest quietly and let me finish with this bandage.”

“Let me be your boyfriend, just for tonight,” pleaded the soldier.

My fingers curled into a fist.

“Please, just let me finish,” said Joana, her voice taut.

The soldier continued to pester. He grabbed her with his good arm. “C’mon, give me a little kiss.”

“Hey.” The word came out before I could stop it.

“There you are,” said Joana. “I was just telling Sergeant Mueller about you. I’m almost done here.”

I stepped back into the corridor to remain out of sight from the men.

Joana walked out of the infirmary. “What do you want?”

“Does that happen often?” I asked.

“They’re delirious.” She sighed, fatigued, and tucked a curl behind her ear. “I’m busy. What do you want?”

What did I want? I wanted the war to be over so I could ask her out.

“I need to know. Did the soldier really say that he had wired Koch?” I asked.

She looked up at me. I couldn’t read her expression. I told myself that her eyes weren’t pretty and that I didn’t want to kiss her. She just stared.

“Did he really say he had contacted Koch?” I repeated.

“Yes,” she finally whispered.