you.” He laughs, and I can’t help but laugh with him.
Chapter 16
Paris, France
November 1918
Christian and I spent the next several months working to keep the Germans at bay. Gerhardt was pleased with the information I provided, and like Christian had said, it wasn’t anything that would hurt the Allies. Germany was so desperate at this point, they took anything they could get and hoped it would help turn things around for them. But it didn’t.
In late October, Christian received word that he had to report to the train station at the Forest of Compiègne on November eighth. The Forest of Compiègne is located in the region of Picardy, France, near the city of Compiègne, about sixty kilometers from Paris. He has been gone for four days, and I am anxiously awaiting his return.
I seat myself at one of the tables in the conversation hall at Madame LaRue’s, intently watching the door. Every time the door opens, my heart skips a beat and then deflates when I realize it is not him. What if he does not return? And why did he have to leave? As the day turns into night and there is still no sign of Christian, I am convinced he’s not coming back. I knew everything was too good to be true, so I retire to my room. As I lie in bed and drift off to sleep, so does all my hopes and dreams.
The next morning, I wake but realize I have no reason to get out of bed, so I close my eyes and fall back asleep. The loss consumes me. It doesn’t hurt so much when I am asleep and can escape to a better life in my dreams. This continues for several days.
On the fifth day, Madame LaRue barges into my room. “This ends now, child. You cannot throw your life away and give up. You have too much to live for.” She pulls the covers from my body. “Now get up. You are going to bathe, put on some clean clothes, and eat something.”
“No!” I cry. “I want to stay here.” I grab for the covers.
“If you don’t get your pretty little arse out of bed right now, I will throw you out of this establishment, and you will live on the streets,” she demands. She is serious too. I can see it in her eyes. I have never seen her this angry with anyone. I know she is doing this because she loves me. I mumble back at her to leave me alone, but she ignores my plea.
“I’m waiting.”
Madame has always been so good to me. She’s been a friend I never expected to have. And she is right. Even if the rest of my life leaves me stuck in Germany, I have to live on.
I crawl out of bed. She walks to my door and calls for one of the maids. “Have a bath drawn for Katerina.”
“Yes, Madame,” the girl replies.
She goes to my armoire and opens the door, then shuffles through my clothes. Pulling out one of my day frocks, she says, “Here, you will wear this.”
I have no more strength to argue. I grab the frock and walk out the door. I head down the hallway to the room where the bath is and wait for it to be filled.
Once I am bathed and dressed, I make my way downstairs. I have to admit, I do feel much better, but I will never tell Madame that. She is sitting at one of the dining tables. When she sees me, she gestures for me to join her. Within five minutes, they are bringing me food—a fresh baguette with jam, tea, and some fruit—and for the first time in days, I find I am hungry.
I begin to eat, and Madame watches me intently. She is ensuring that I eat every bite of food on my plate. I feel like a child. But, I have been acting like one too. I look up at her and glare, and she smiles. Then her eyes leave my gaze, and she is looking over my shoulder. Her smile broadens. She gets up from her chair and leaves. When I turn to see where she is going, to my utter astonishment, standing before me is Christian.
“Christian!” I exclaim. I jump from my chair and wrap my arms around him. “What happened to you? You were expected back five days ago!”
“I’m so sorry, my love. I sent word I would be delayed, but it must not have