فصل 99

joana

Dr. Richter evaluated Emilia’s condition. “She seems a bit traumatized,” he commented.

I tried to agree with him without raising suspicion. “Yes,” I whispered. “I thought so too. She speaks constantly of her husband, August, a German who’s fighting at the front. She’s desperate to get to him since being separated from her parents. She fears he is dead.”

He nodded. “You mentioned you have maternity experience?”

“I assisted at the hospital in Insterburg. I delivered several on my own without complication.”

“I don’t know how many expectant mothers we’ll have. I have a couple of nurses and one medical orderly. I’ll need you to help the wounded soldiers in the other ward as well,” he said.

“Yes, of course. I was shocked when I saw the men this morning,” I told him. “We didn’t see injuries of that severity in Insterburg.”

The doctor lowered his voice to a whisper. “I fear the condition of the men speaks loudly of Germany’s fate. It’s a short voyage. Let’s do what we can to make them as comfortable as possible. Have you lost many?”

I’ve lost my family, my language, and my country. I’ve lost it all, I wanted to say. But I knew what he meant. “I lost a friend crossing the ice just yesterday. And you?”

“Too many to count,” he replied. “Tomorrow more wounded will be the first to board. I’m told we’ll also have a group from a sanatorium—German girls who fell into the hands of the Russians. I suggest you get some sleep tonight. The coming days will be long.”

I dragged my cot over to Emilia’s and settled in next to her. We were finally surrounded by protection and comfort. Sheltered from the snow, the cold, and Russian soldiers, I finally felt safe. The ship had anti-aircraft guns affixed to the deck. Tonight I would sleep on a cot in a warm room, out of harm’s way.

I lay face-to-face with Emilia, who was still wearing her pink hat. She smiled at me. I thought of the summers in Nida with my cousin. At night we’d lie close, noses nearly touching, whispering and giggling. Emilia reminded me so much of Lina. She had the same blond hair and sea-blue eyes, deep with strength and secrets.