Chapter Nine
“Emilia! Are you packed already?”
I surveyed my room. “Yep!” I called down the stairs, before hurriedly closing my small leather briefcase with a snap. Us Hitler Girls weren’t allowed to bring much, because everything was provided. I had simply brought two spare uniforms, my notebook, and a book. Well, and something that was absolutely necessary, and absolutely forbidden. A grenade. Stephen had provided it when we met, along with the papers that were safely tucked away in the pages of my book.
I didn’t know what to do with it. But I knew that I definitely needed to bring it. Just in case. “Emilia! If you are done packing, come down and eat your breakfast!” Frau Muller shouted up the stairs, and I stumbled down them three at a time, my briefcase banging against my knees.
Sitting at the table, there was complete silence that echoed throughout the dining room. Herr Muller cleared his throat. “So,” he started, and I glared at him. “More talk against the Jews?” I interrupted, setting down my fork. “Thanks, but I really don’t feel in the mood.” I snapped, my eyes narrowing. Herr Muller sighed. “Emilia–”
“And here it comes again! The Great Lecture where my father gives me a speech on the fact that Jews are idiots and I should stay away from them! Can I hear a round of applause!” My voice rose, and Frau Muller snapped, “He is not your father!” I turned to my mother. “And my mother, who is about to give me a rant on how I should respect the Fuhrer, and that I am not her daughter anymore!” My voice got even louder in that last part. Frau Muller frowned hard and glared at me. “That’s because I’m not–”
I stood up suddenly. “You know what, Frau Muller? I don’t care what either of you have to say! I don’t care a cent what I’m supposed to call you or what I’m supposed to act like when I’m around Jews!” I grabbed a buttered roll from the basket on the table and turned on my heel toward the door. “Good bye!” I shouted, opening the door and starting to close it. Right before I did, though, I heard Frau Muller murmur, “Maybe she’s right,” to herself, and I bet I was the only one who heard her.