Berlin blood

The Austrian morning is characterized by extraordinary freshness and a beautiful dawn. Laura, getting up at the first rays and peering into the distance, hopes for Paul’s arrival. She worried and missed him. For two days in a row after her arrival, she did not know what to do with herself, and went through all the things in her lover’s room. The housekeeper, who came every day, entertained her with all sorts of stories and talked about some interesting moments from Paul’s life before his encounter with the war. Laura did not find herself within four walls, but she did not dare to go out, fearing that she would be recognized as a stranger. She studied German day and night, because she didn’t want to return to her native country more than anything else in the world. And why? Everything there is foreign to her and not to her liking. The city became alien and cold for her. Without her family, the country was empty and took on alien features; no one was waiting for her there anymore. She cooked, read books, learned languages, drew, but everything turned into fog for her, and the days became indistinguishable from each other. *** “Madam, a letter has arrived,” Traudel brought the letter into the living room, where the girl was reading a book. She greedily snatched it and opened it as carefully as possible. The letter was long, but she read it quickly, skimming the text and smiling in places. At the end she jumped for joy. — He will come! The day after tomorrow he will be here. — Is it true? This is wonderful! Tell me, what else does he write besides this? “He writes that I should pack my things and wait for him here, and also that you give me the key, because he is not going to live here,” the last words were spoken with sadness. Laura hoped so much that this was not the last time she would see these mountains and this woman with whom she had become friends. “Oh, I’m sorry, but apparently there are reasons for this that he doesn’t want to talk about.” In any case, I’m glad that Mr. Bernstein decided to leave. There’s nothing good here. I think in such a situation, if it weren’t for you, he would have returned here or would not have survived this war at all. But now I think he’s happy. I look forward to the moment when I can look into his eyes again, even for a split second, and understand that he has grown up, like so many other children I raised. — Tell me, have you raised many? “Laura completely forgot about everything and didn’t feel awkward, she changed dramatically and relaxed. — About twelve children. They fired me, but I always know that I am in every heart: people don’t forget love that easily. They may forget the face of the one they loved, or details, but to forget love… No, people do not forget love. As is cruelty. People remember this very well,” Traudel left the room. It is impossible not to notice that the woman was sad: Laura opened a wound in her soul. — Traudel, wait. Tell me, did you know from childhood that you would become a maid? — Yes, my mother worked for the rich and upper class, like my grandmother. We had no other fate, there were no men in our family either, they died. — Did you want a different life? — Certainly. Like everyone else, I wanted to break free, find my calling and follow the destiny that was destined for me alone. However, looking back now, I understand that I am happy with my life, and why not die now? I’m ready: the funeral dress is in my closet, the money has been saved, the farewell letter has been written, and I know who I’ll leave my house to. I don’t have a daughter, so let it be a boy who is always poor and poorly dressed, he grew up without parents, and I looked after him. — Tell me, would you leave here if you were in Paul’s place? I just don’t understand why I should leave. It’s not all that bad here, and why… — Oh, it’s a long story. This place became cursed, so to speak… As soon as Mr. Bernstein acquired it, everyone rejoiced. They bought an apartment to move out for the winter, but the first time they arrived, the lady twisted her leg, the second time they had a very strong fight, and Paul caught the moment of beating his mother. And after that no one came here for two years. The last time Mr. Paul left here — he lived here for a month, maybe more — he had a huge fight with his father and did not want to return home, and then he was called up. “I’m sorry that Paul had such a childhood, I now understand what I saw in his eyes when he was in my family.” Everything is so warm and cozy there, we always celebrated holidays together and everyone helped each other, but that was when my family was alive. Now that country is cold and foreign to me after their death. — They say that every person comes to his family and his clan for a specific purpose, which the Almighty has outlined for him. Mr. Paul loved his family in his soul, even though it was different from all other families. His family wanted to be exemplary, but in reality we all know: the more you strive for the ideal that they came up with for you, the worse it becomes for you, and the more black your life seems. — I’ll go pack my things. Maybe Paul will arrive earlier than I think — you need to be prepared — the girl left, and the elderly woman followed her with her eyes. For the first time in her life, she told someone Paul’s story. She had been through a lot in her lifetime, so all she could do for this girl was wish her luck and let her go, hoping that each other’s love would save them.