Berlin blood

Chapter 20 America greeted them with sun and warmth, despite the beginning of winter. Ilsa, wrapped up warmly, quickly walked off the ship’s ramp. There were a lot of people, but no one was pushing or screaming. Nobody was in a hurry. Everyone was friendly and polite. In a specially designated area for immigrants, a man in uniform asked several questions about the purpose of the visit, the time of the planned stay, about relatives in America, and also inspected things. Ilsa and Gunther were taken to a special town for refugees and immigrants. The town had all the comfortable conditions for living, and in the distance one could see the lights of New York skyscrapers. Gunther and Ilse looked at them as if spellbound. The room where they were placed for the next week was a little stuffy. There were several single beds in a row, and everyone in the room was in full view. Gunther and Ilse settled down in the very corner and, after a long day, retired. *** The days flowed by themselves, and it began to seem to Gunter that they had been living in this town for more than two years, although in truth only a few days had passed since their arrival. Life here was no worse than any other place. Some made friends, some fell in love, some even managed to get into trouble. Gunther and Ilse stayed aloof, didn’t really communicate with anyone and didn’t make friends. Towards the end of the week, a person from the emigration service came to them and said that next week they would be issued a temporary tourist visa, and then a residence visa would be issued. Gunther asked the emigration service representative what would happen to them when they left here, and the man explained to them that as soon as they received a visa, they would be free to do whatever they wanted within the limits of American law. — What about work? — Becker clarified. “I understand that we will be under the care of Mr. Richter’s sister, but is it possible to get a good job with our status?” — Mr. Richter’s sister will be fully responsible for you, and ask her about employment too. However, until you have a residence visa, it is unlikely that you will be able to get a serious job somewhere. Immigrants are also not entitled to quotas. — How then to live? The man shrugged. — Small part-time jobs, that’s all that’s how everyone lives here. — He answered and said goodbye to them. Ilse sighed and looked at Gunther. — Well, it’s much better than nothing. “She said a little later. Gunther nodded. — Much better than in Germany. Yes, and my sister will not leave us in trouble. — That’s for sure. All that remains is to wait for the move. *** The following week, as promised, they were released from the town and taken to New York. In order to obtain a tourist visa, Gunther and Ilse went to a special police department where they worked with immigrants. Gunther felt a certain excitement when receiving the documents, because for the first time in a long time he no longer had to fear that he would be captured. — Congratulations on receiving your visa. — The policeman shook his hand. Gunther shook hands with a policeman for the first time and honestly, without pretense, rejoiced at his freedom. They left the building, and Marie was already waiting for them on the street. She looked even better than the last time they met in the bunker. — Marie. — Gunther hugged his sister as soon as they drew level. — Brother! — Marie exclaimed, hugging him back. — How was your trip? Everything is fine? I was worried. — Yes, everything is fine. Thank you for taking responsibility and helping us. — Oh, yes, it only makes me happy. Okay, get in the car, I’ll take you to the apartment I’ve selected for your stay. — Have you found an apartment for us? — Gunther raised his right eyebrow. — Yes, why are you so surprised? Anything for your beloved brother. Or is it prohibited? — No, of course not, but I would like to clarify with what money you organized all this? I don’t think it’s from our modest savings. Or did you find a good job here? — Look at the essence, brother. — Marie grinned. — Yes, everything is fine with my work, and I can afford to buy you a home. Gunther opened his mouth, but Marie was already walking to the car, and he had to hurry after his sister. He opened the back seat door for Ilsa, and then got into the car after her. “Tell me, eh…” Ilsa wanted to ask a question, but Marie interrupted her: “You don’t burden me at all.” Besides, believe me, it will be difficult for you to get comfortable in America without connections. In this country it’s every man for himself. I had a hard time myself. But I won’t let you experience such an experience. Tell me, brother, I heard about the trial. I hope you were found innocent? — Yes, I was found innocent, Albrecht helped me get free. “Is this the guy you helped escape from Germany?” — Yes he. I didn’t even think that fate would collide us like this, but it turned out to be happiness. — In any case, it’s good that you left. When it became known about Hitler’s suicide, I was all nervous and panicked and wanted to run and make an inquiry about your whereabouts. You can’t even imagine what was going on here, the whole country was in an uproar. I didn’t even leave the house at first, I was afraid. But now everything is fine. She drove them to a house located at the end of the street, which was located a little further from the center. All three got out of the car, and Marie, looking happy, led the couple to the house. They went inside and then took the elevator to the top floor. The apartment Marie bought was beautifully furnished. Inside they were greeted by a small hallway. On the left side there were two doors leading to the bathroom and bathtub, along a short corridor there was a passage to the kitchen, and on the right side there was a view of the spacious living room, from which one could access the loggia and the bedroom. All the decorations were done in beige tones, which was very calming, and Gunther almost strangled his sister in his arms. He couldn’t have dreamed of anything more. The most he could count on was a tiny room, which he and Ilsa would allow themselves for the first time. After drinking tea, Marie said goodbye to her brother and his fiancee, promising that she would drop by as soon as possible. Ilse also glowed with happiness and, like Gunther, thanked Marie for such a precious gift. When Richter’s sister left the apartment, Ilse and Gunther went out onto the loggia with a bottle of Calvados, and Gunther also took cigarettes with him. The young people sat for half an hour, enjoying the silence provided. None of them could still fully believe that this was happening to them in reality, and not in a dream. They went to bed when they were completely frozen, and lying on soft pillows, they were extremely grateful to fate. *** They celebrated Christmas in a narrow family circle. Their sisters came to Ilse and Gunther, one of whom had long ago started a family. By that time, Richter had fulfilled his old dream — he became an artist and painted paintings to order for decent money, and Ilsa worked as an editor at a newspaper and loved her job very much. They often saw Gretel, who, although she lived in another state, visited them with her husband and child. — Do you think the world will recover? — Ilsa asked between conversations. — Of course, the world will recover. There has never been such a case when the planet did not come to its senses. The question is different. Will people who survived the war recover? After all, we are a generation stuck between the past and the future. — Yes, our century has already seen two wars, we have witnessed too many events and we ourselves have changed. I would like to believe that there is enough peace for our lives. — I think that’s enough. The war was supposed to teach that life should be valued, that you should be happy with what you have and that you should not run forward when you have it here and now. You need to take from life everything that it gives you and enjoy these benefits. Don’t waste it. And find joy in any situation. — Yes, and the most important rule: life is everywhere. The main thing is to find it! On such a good note, they ended the conversation about the essence of life and moved on to other, entertaining topics. None of them knew what awaited them next, but no one doubted that they deserved happiness. Ilse looked at Gunther and realized that this man had pulled her out of the bottom of her life. Only after meeting Richter did she learn what real, sincere, mutual love is. He saved her from death, both physical and spiritual. And she knew that, looking back at her, Gunther felt the same feelings, that he longed for a life with her. She knew that she had become his salvation, his raison d'être, for which he fought so hard for freedom, for which he was ready to flee the country. A little later, when the guests had already left, Ilse stood in Gunther’s arms on the loggia. Both of them looked into the sky, where one of the neighbors decided to launch a beautiful fireworks display. “Perhaps everything is just beginning for us,” Ilsa said quietly. Gunther nodded to her in agreement, and then their eyes met. They looked at each other and saw in each other a continuation of their souls, their lives. They healed themselves, their wounds, and got rid of emotional distress. The decision to come to America turned out to be the best and most correct. This was their home, this is where they found peace. They will never forget the past and will not rush into the future. They decided that they would live in the present.