Berlin blood

Laura got off the train. The air in Austria is completely different and it’s harder to breathe. It seemed to her that she had found herself in a god-forsaken country, where everything was sad and dark. The sun is almost invisible, it is covered by clouds that have enveloped everything around in a dense layer, not the slightest ray is visible, everyone speaks an unfamiliar language, and in Laura’s hand there is only a piece of paper with the address of the house where she can wait out this turbulent time. She walked quickly, without looking back and with her head down. Although she looked unsightly, she was different. This country seemed to her cold inside, and the people were dead: they did not have the emotions that lived in any person who wanted to live. The girl got the impression that they don’t want to live at all, they simply exist neither hot nor cold, but only warm. Barely living people who don’t care. Along the way, the girl managed to notice to herself that, despite the war, the city was well preserved historically, and it was a pleasure to see these beautiful houses every day. There are beautiful views that give you confidence and desire every day, when you wake up, to see the view from the window with its mountains, fogs and incredibly beautiful lakes. She walked along the neatly placed houses, standing in a line, and, turning the corner, found another one there. He stood as if at a distance from everyone. Checking the address, she realized she was in the right place. Going inside, she climbed the spiral staircase and, turning the handle, realized that the door was open, which meant that the servants were inside. She also carefully turned the handle back so that the servants would not see or hear anything: if she just walked into the house, they might think it was a thief, so Laura knocked. A rustling sound was heard behind the door, and later an elderly woman of seventy years old in uniform came out to her. — Hello. Who are you? The question was more than logical, but it drove the girl into thought. Indeed: she somehow didn’t think about how to introduce herself, and said the first thing that came to mind: — Bride. I am Paul Bernstein’s fiancee. The woman frowned, but allowed the guest inside. — I was not warned. Are you sure you are at the right address? — Yes, sure. As proof, Laura showed a paper with an address. The woman looked at her for a long time, and then let the guest through, realizing that she was not mistaken. — Tell me, how can I contact you? — the girl asked this question quite sincerely. — Traudel. You can call me that. — Laura. — Very nice. Tell me, do you want something? I’m almost finished cleaning. — If it’s not difficult for you, have some tea. I came from a long journey and wanted to rest. “I’ll bring tea and cookies, come in and take off your coat.” Laura walked into the living room, and the woman walked in the opposite direction. The furnishings were modest but tasteful. There was nothing superfluous in the room, each thing had its own use: a closet with a huge number of maps, atlases, books, photographs standing on the shelves, a sofa located on the side, two armchairs, a small table that complemented the image. Everything was simple, but reflected the inner world of the owner. Soon Traudel arrived with a tray and, sitting down next to her, decided to keep company so as not to leave her guest alone. — Laura, tell me, how long ago did you come to Mr. Paul? I don’t remember that the last time we saw him, he talked about you. “We introduced him almost six months ago, and he told me to wait for him here,” Laura doubted: she didn’t know who she was, so she decided to limit herself to just this. — Tell me, have you been working for Paul for a long time? — Laura, who changed the subject so quickly, at first did not even have time to realize what came out of her mouth. — For almost thirty years already. I started working in the Bernstein house when Paul was not yet there. At first, like the other servants, I cleaned, then, after he appeared, taking care of him fell on my shoulders, and I became his nanny. His parents were constantly disappearing at balls and parties, and he was with me all the time. You can say that he grew up in my arms. — Tell me, what was he like before the war and service? Paul always avoided these topics, no matter how much I wanted to reveal this secret and find out. The woman sighed, looked around the room and began to speak: “He smiled, laughed a lot and loved to joke, his laughter was clear and loud. Looking at him, all troubles passed and it seemed: here it is, our human meaning of life — to laugh from the heart, no matter what happens. Despite the fact that his parents did not pay him much attention, he never despaired and believed in the best. He realized early on that they didn’t need him, even though they were waiting for him to appear. After their death, returning home, he could not be here. He kept saying that he needed to leave here and went away for a long time to travel around the world. — Where was he born? Here. — Yes, he was born here, but he was taken to Germany, where Paul lived his whole life before the war. Now I don’t know if he wants to come back here. But, probably, since Paul sent you here, he will come for you. “I’m still waiting for his return, I want to understand and see how he has grown,” having said this, the woman stood up and continued cleaning. Laura saw that she made her remember something that she did not want to remember anymore, having buried it once in her soul. Laura shouldn’t have asked so much, but now the girl understood why Paul had sad eyes when she talked with her father and grandmother: Laura had a family that she loved. These memories gave the girl a lump in her throat, but after looking up and finishing her tea, she went to the closet, deciding to distract herself, and took a book.