فصل 69

joana

The town of Gotenhafen bloated with refugees and military. The shoe poet scavenged through abandoned luggage as we walked. He found two pairs of boots. The wandering boy quickly shined them. By the time we reached the movie house, Poet had traded the boots for a large bucket of hot porridge.

“Useful skills can always be bartered. You see, your expertise is valuable,” he told the wandering boy. The boy beamed.

We approached the small movie house. “We’ll sit down soon,” I assured Emilia. She looked as if she might collapse. We walked to the back door but found it locked.

The shoe poet turned to the German. “Perhaps you can find a way in, friend?”

“Perhaps.” He nodded. “Gather around me.” We did as he asked. He removed a small jackknife from his pocket and within seconds had opened the door. We slipped inside and he locked the door behind us.

“We should leave it open,” I told him. “Others will need a place to stay too.”

Others were already inside. Sitting in the chairs, lying on the floor.

“I see the goat mother made a few coins selling her information,” said Eva.

“Where shall we make our camp?” asked the shoe poet, looking around.

“We should take the projector room,” said the German. “Upstairs.”

“I don’t want to walk up the stairs,” said Eva. “I’m tired. Let’s just sit and eat this porridge before it gets cold.”

I agreed. The day had been so long. The boat ride, the ice, Ingrid.

Ingrid.

I felt a tremor in my throat.

“So,” said Eva, “who’s hiding the blackberries and carrots from the dead house?”

After a quiet meal I laid Emilia down and elevated her legs on a suitcase. The wandering boy was asleep in seconds. Eva also fell asleep quickly, her huge frame the length of two wandering boys. She snored, sputtering growls each time she exhaled.

I pulled my medical bag from my suitcase, preparing for those who might need help.

“Hey,” said the German quietly.

I looked over to him.

“There are several ships. Tomorrow we’ll all be split up at registration,” he said.

Emilia looked at me. I hadn’t thought of that. “But we should try to stay together,” I whispered to him.

“Well, what’s your story for her?” he said, pointing to Emilia.

“I guess the same, with the Latvian’s papers.”

He shook his head. “It will be tougher here. Everyone wants to get on a boat.”

“I’ll explain that she’s pregnant. She’ll open her coat and they’ll see.”

“But she doesn’t look old enough to be the Latvian. She doesn’t speak any Latvian,” he said. “They’re strict here. There are senior officers in charge, not just young recruits.”

Emilia reached out and touched the German’s knee. “Bitte,” she said.

“I’m sorry, I can’t take you on,” he told her. “But she can.” He pointed to me.

“I can?”

“Yes. Like the old man said, skills are valuable. The larger ships will have hospital wards. They’ll need you. Present yourself for work, but tell them you want to bring your patients with you.”

Emilia looked at him. “You are patient too,” she said.

“Maybe. I do have”—he hesitated—“a medical condition,” he said.

The shrapnel. I had nearly forgotten. “Oh, I haven’t even asked. You seemed well. How is your wound?”

“It’s not that. It’s something else,” he said.

“What?” I asked.

Emilia patted her left ear and then pointed to the German.

He stared at her, shocked but laughing. “What are you, a little witch or something? How did you know?”

“What is it?” I repeated.

He leaned in, over Emilia. “My left ear has been damaged,” he whispered. “I have papers, an important assignment. I need to get on a boat. But there’s a chance they’ll ask me to stay and fight instead. I’d have a stronger case with a medical testimony. You could say that I’m recovering from a wound along with losing my hearing.”

What was he asking me to do?

“I’m not a doctor,” I told him.

“But I was your patient,” he said. “Please, just think about it.” He grabbed his pack and pointed up to the projection room. “I’m going to find my way up there.”

He walked off. He had spoken more to me in the last five minutes than he had since he joined our group.

The shoe poet was still awake, listening. He raised his eyebrows at me, then rolled over to sleep.