Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke Read Free Book Online Page B

Churches have challenged the authority of the Führer. It can’t be wise to send your children into their midst   —and most unwise for Wolfgang’s future in the Party. Impossible for him or Rudy to attend.”
    “You have asked me my Christmas wish and this is it: that my children attend church   —with the Kirchmanns, if no one else will take them. But I would prefer they go with you, Wolfgang, if you will.”
    “I won’t go, Mother,” Rudy asserted. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’ll have none of it.”
    “You must realize you are asking political suicide of your husband, Frau Sommer. You do not want that, surely,” Dr. Peterson insisted. “At least the German National Church has pledged allegiance to the Führer. Let them go there if they must. Even that   —”
    “The church’s allegiance is to our Lord Jesus Christ. The German National Church seems to have forgotten this.” Mutti’s blush deepened.
    “It is not that simple, Frau   —”
    “It is as simple as a child born of the Holy Spirit, as simple as His perfect life offered in place of our sinful ones. You are a guest in my home, Dr. Peterson, and entitled to your opinion, which you have stated clearly.” Mutti was her old self, for the first time in months. What had happened while I was out of the room? “I am disappointed, Rudy   —very   —but you are old enough to decide. However, I want your promise   —all of you   —that Lieselotte will be allowed and encouraged, provided a way to attend church.”
    Vater looked at Mutti, drawn by forces stronger than his own.
    “Wolfgang, do not   —”
    “Dr. Peterson,” Herr Kirchmann intervened, “do you not think this is between Frau Sommer and her husband?”
    “I want to go. I want to go to church with the Kirchmanns.” It was my voice, but from where the courage came to use it, I don’t know.
    “Wolfgang?” Mutti pushed. “Promise me.”
    Vater glanced at Dr. Peterson, at Rudy, at me, but would not look at Mutti. When he shrugged in defeat, Mutti’s mouth set, but she nodded.
    “It’s settled, then. Lieselotte goes with the Kirchmanns on Sunday   —every Sunday.”
    “We’ll be so glad to have you, my dear,” Frau Kirchmann soothed as though there had been no displeasure.
    I glanced at Lukas, who eyed me, surprised. A taste of triumph surged through my chest. Could freedom be so easy?
    And then the party changed again. Rudy switched the record and swept Marta into a waltz, delighting Mutti. It was his gift to her   —no matter that he’d not changed his uniform   —and Mutti accepted it graciously.
    Lukas became in that moment the same old Lukas   —full of life and joking with Rudy, kind to Mutti, reserved and respectful toward Vater. He even watched playfully over Marta when the dance ended, catching his sister as Rudy spun her out. Nothing had changed in him. But everything had changed in me these last months. Could he not see this?
    “Stop mooning,” Marta whispered as we poured new cups of punch together.
    “What?”
    “You know what. Stop mooning over Lukas. It’s obvious to everybody. You’ll never capture his attention that way. You look silly, like a child.”
    I turned away, biting my lip to keep from crying. Why must she spoil it yet again? And how could a person keep love and longing from her face? Was I really pushing Lukas away? I hadn’t said anything to him!
    Perhaps Frau Kirchmann overheard, perhaps not, but she called me. “Lieselotte, help me find the knife for the Rumkuchen.”
    “ Ja , certainly.” I was only too glad to escape Marta and the others.
    Frau Kirchmann whispered, as we set the tray in the kitchen, “Don’tmind Marta, dearest. She’s only a child. She does not think about what she says.”
    That one small bit of sympathy sent me over the edge, and tears spilled, running down my face. It was silly to cry. I was allowed to attend church with the Kirchmanns. I’d see Lukas every week. Mutti had her Christmas