Saturday, June 3

It is a hot early morning, I stand over the sink of our small kitchen and wash and cut potatoes for today's breakfast. I am excited because, from our last correspondence, me and Irina are supposed to go see a movie in the town's theater. I am just now waiting for the Lieutenant's permission to leave in which I hope he doesn't take too long.

Suddenly a loud roar goes over our heads. I drop the potatoes and knife and rush out of the kitchen. Kurtz and Obrenski obviously heard it too. Believing we are under attack, we race over to our posts on the gun. We are bewildered when we see Lieutenant Spreig studying, with binoculars, an aircraft that zooms ahead with a speed I have never seen before. I ask’,”What is it?’ for I have never seen that kind of craft before. “I don’t know.” says the Lieutenant studying it closely. “Well Spreig, are we going to shoot it or what?” Obrenski asks impatiently. “No.” he replies. The Lieutenant continues, "It is moving far too fast for us to shoot down.” "Is it hostile?” I ask. “I don’t think so……Wait it's one of ours.” he replies “Ours? We don’t have anything that can fly that fast.” Obrenski replies. The Lieutenant responds,” We do now. So that's what they were talking about…..Gentleman, you are now bearing witness to our new wonder weapon.” “ Wonder weapon?” Kurtz asks curiously. The Lieutenant continues, “ They call it a Me 262, it's a fighter jet from my understanding and it uses rockets to fly.”

“Thats impossible, a rocket couldn't move some thing that big.” Obrenski states. I observe the craft and it looks like one of our normal fighters except it has two large barrels under the wing which must be its engines. I roars in the distance loudly as it leaves us. I have never seen anything like it. "Well I’m glad it's on our side.” Obrenski states. Kurtz looks as though he has seen some kind of angelic figure. He looks excitedly asks the Lieutenant and says, “ Do you think they have a toy model?” Kurtz has been collecting model airplanes as of recently and even putting them together himself. I’m actually impressed with his hobby, he seems to enjoy it even going as far to paint them. I don’t know where he gets the paints from though. "No, I don’t think this one is out yet Kurtz.” the Lieutenant responds. Kurtz whimpers,” Awww.”

After the initial excitement is over, I return to our kitchen and continue my task of making breakfast. As I pass Kurtz’s cot I notice all the model airplanes sitting on his trunk. From biplanes to bombers, I can tell they are all hand painted. After finishing my task of making eggs and cutting potatoes. I carry out the plates to Obrenski, Lieutenant Spreig and Kurtz, who all stand about discussing our recent discovery. “I'm telling you Spreig, if we have enough of those, the war could be as well as won.” says Obrenski. This is the first time I have seen him not pessimistic about the war. “ We will have to see.” responds the Lieutenant. Kurtz still sulks over not being able to obtain a model of the strange aircraft. As I hand out plates the Lieutenant thanks me. Kurtz exclaims in disgust as he receives his plate,” Franz does it have to be eggs again?” Obrenski snaps,” Would you rather eat from a can?” Kurtz shakes his head no. “ Then quit bitching. At least they haven’t started rationing us yet.” Obrenski snaps at him. The Lieutenant says after taking a few bites, “Well, I think they are delicious Franz.” I smile with a small amount of pride. As we eat, I wait patiently for Lieutenant Spreig to release us. After finishing his plate, he says,” Gentleman, are free to enjoy your leave. But Obrenski, I need you for something first. “Ugh, What now Sprieg?” Obrenski gripes. “ I'll tell you later.” responds the Lieutenant. I, excited, collect plates and deposit them in the kitchen sink. As I race out of the barracks, I am stopped by the Lieutenant. “ Franz, remember Kurtz goes to his grandmothers today.” “I didn’t forget.” I say trying to hide the fact that I completely forgot. Obrenski seeing through me states,” You’re a terrible liar Franz.” I shrugg him off as Kurtz giddly followed behind me to the kubelwagen. Kurtz gets in the passengers and I in the driver's seat. I start up the vehicle and away we go.

It is a hot summer day, and the cool breeze feels pleasant. Entering the city, I notice the streamers from the festival are still up, but more and more are shops and homes decorated with flowers that they must have picked the other day. I decide it would be easier, though regretfully, to pick up Irina before dropping off Kurtz because her house is closer. As we pull up to her home, Kurtz asks, “Is this her house?” “ Yes.” I reply. Kurtz suddenly jumps out of the vehicle and races to the door. He knocks on it until Irina answers in a dark blue plain dress with a yellow bow tied around her waist, she holds a small purse in her hand. He then quickly hugs her. She looks at me surprised and I exit the vehicle and walk up the steps to the little sloped hill up to the patio. Kurtz still holds his grip and exclaims,” I missed you!” she hugs him back and states,” I missed you too.” He released his grip and states, “Franz, me and Irina would play games in the hospital.” “ Is that so?” I ask. She says,” I would keep him company.” “Oh well that was nice of you. Are you ready to go? Sorry I was about to drop him off.” I say "Yes I am ready. Thats ok, I want you two meet someone.” Oh really, ok” I reply disappointingly, hoping to get rid of Kurtz sooner than later.

We all return to the vehicle and Kurtz asks, "Franz, can I stay up front?” What? no. The lady is always supposed to sit up front. Doesn’t Kurtz know that? I am about to tell him no when Irina says,”That's fine Kurtz, I’ll take the back.” What? That's not how this is supposed to go. Kurtz giddily jumps into the passenger seat. Irina walks around my driver's side and gives me a smile. She sits behind me and leans forward and places her hands on my shoulders. They are so gentle that it is relaxing. She then slowly runs her hand down my arm until her hand sits atop mine on the gear shift. I feel goosebumps all over my body. Kurtz notices and asks,” Can I help drive too?” Kurtz just ruined the moment. Irina releases her hand and says motherly,”Sure Kurtz.” I am aggravated at him. Irina, before she leans back in the seat, whispers in my ear, "You can teach me how to drive later." I feel goosebumps again. I wonder what has gotten into her and more importantly, I think I like it.

We drive into the jewish district with the direction that Irina gives by pointing to the streets over my shoulder. While she points she rubs her hand through my hair. I like to say I kinda like it. Surprisingly this part of town seems more lively then it had a few months ago. The people seem more plentiful and more cheery even though they still wear the yellow star. The shops have been repaired and some of the buildings have been painted. A variety of shops and homes gleam white, blue, or yellow. The blinds are open on the houses and many door frames are adorned with picked flowers. This place seems like there are no signs of antisemitism.

We parked on the side of the road near a store complex. We step out of the vehicle and Irina takes my hand. Kurtz asks excitedly,” Where are we going?” “You will see.” Irina replies. We walk down an alley where there are shops of various kinds line the cobblestone walk. Many of the shops sell a variety of nick nacks from glass works to jewelry from their open glass display windows. After a moment of venturing we come to a fork where two paths veer like a Y. In the middle of the fork sits a two story toy store with the name of “NUHAM’S TOYS” in bold on the store's window. I observe through the window many toys and trinkets as well as model planes that are suspend from the ceiling. We enter the shop and step on to the oak hardwood floor that creeks like an alarm alerting our presence. Specks of dust float as dark purple walls that have silver painted swirls surround us. Shelves are lined with toys, dolls made of porcelain that are hand painted and dresses that I assume were sewn by the shop owner. Also tops and yo yos and little toy cars, many of them I notice are wood and appear to be hand carved and painted. At the front of the store are shelves that contain a variety of chocolates and hard taffy. Suspended from the ceiling are tracks that a little model locomotive runs in laps around the store. Kurtz looks around in amazement as though he had never seen such a sight. I watch an obviously older tan balding man with a long graying beard sticking his tongue out of the side of his mouth. He observes through a magnifying glass, and attempting to glue some pieces of an unknown structure together while sitting at a table. “Uncle Nuham!” Irina exclaims. “Ah my little Irina." He says surprised and rises from his occupation joyously and she rushes to embrace him. They hug briefly. "How are you my dear? How is your mother? And who are your friends?” he asks with a gentle but boisterous voice. “She is fine and I am happy to see you again. This is Franz and that is Kurtz.” responds Irina releasing her grip. He comes with an outstretched hand as he shuffles toward me. I notice the yellow star of David on his shirt. I just realized I have never met a jew before. I take his hand in a firm handshake and he says,” I am Josef Nuham.” he looks at Irina as he still shakes my hand and asks, “Is this the boy you wrote me about? Why, he seems like a nice young man.” Wrote about? I look at Irina confused, Kurtz continues his amazed wandering in the background. She notices my confusion and says, “Mr. Nuham was a close friend of my father.” “Ah yes, Albert was a wonderful friend, we were in the war together you know. You know he saved my shop when the Nazis wanted to burn it down.” He pauses, reminiscing, “ I miss him dearly.” He then shouts," Ishmel! Come see who it is." A tall tan man with a long black beard comes from the back who is obviously slightly younger. "Irina, it's good to see you again." he says quietly, almost exhausted, before disappearing again into the back rooms. The old man re-takes his seat at the work table.

Irina jumps up and sits on his table asking and crosses her legs, "So what are you working on today?" "Ah, just a little house, I am going to paint it pink for the girls." H

he replies. I ask curiously, "You made all of this?" He responds proudly, "Yes, well me and my son Ishmel." He looks to Irina,"Did you know Ishmel is working at the tank factory at night. Poor boy has been so tired lately." "Really? I thought you had mentioned it before in your letters." Irina says. I hear Kurtz poking at the trinkets behind me. The kind old man replies,"He has been a great help, he helps me during the day. And the income he gets from the factory helps dearly in these trying times." He looks at me and says," You see young man, when I was in the army in the first world war, I had nimble fingers, so they used me to make explosives. When the war ended I decided to use my talent not for weapons of war but for items of joy. I have had this store for the last twenty years." I look to him amazed. He looks past me and asks Kurtz, who is intensely studying the model planes that dangle from the ceiling, "And you young man, find anything you like?" Kurtz rushes up to the table excitedly and asks," Do you have an Me 262?" "A what?" he asks, confused. "It's a fighter jet we saw this morning." I explain. "Oh, I didn't know we have fighter jets. I remember the first planes, they were a sight to behold." He looks to Kurtz, "I say to you little one, you tell me what it looks like and I'll make one for you." "Really?" Kurtz says excitedly. His excitement turns to a frown as he says," I don't remember what it looks like." He then perks up again by asking," Franz, do you think Obrenski could draw it?" "Well I am sure he could." I say. Obrenski is a good artist after all. "Oh I almost forgot!" the aged man exclaims rising and shuffling to the back room. After a few minutes he returns with an engorged envelope and hands it to Irina saying," Give this to your mother, I was going to mail it but it is faster this way." She takes the envelope and tucks it into her purse.

I look at my watch and notice it is noon, our movie should start soon and we still have to drop Kurtz off at his grandmothers. I make eye contact with Irina and look nodding toward the door. She, obviously noticing my discreet signs, says, "Well Uncle Nuham, we need to be going now." "Ah but you just got here." he replies disappointed. I prepare to leave as Kurtz interacts with further trinkets. Irina hops off the table saying," I'm sorry Uncle Nuham, we have a movie to catch." "Alright well you have fun." he says. "Come on Kurtz, lets go." I say. "But I want to stay." he replies pleadingly. "It will be alright Kurtz, we will come back another day." Irina says very motherly. Kurtz replies disappointed,"Awww ok."

We wave goodbye and reenter the Kubelwagen, this time Kurtz is in the back while Irina sits up front. As we drive out of the jewish district. Irina says to me as if in a confession," Uncle Nuham has been helping me and my mother with the income he gains from the shop." "Really? you never told me." I reply surprised. She continues," When father died, the army never gave us his pension. They said it was for the betterment of the country. So my mother was having to work double shifts at the factory. But Uncle Nuham has been helping mother pay bills with some of the funds from the toy store. I suspect that is why Ishmel is working now to make up the money he is giving us." I am astonished, I never knew that her family was struggling financially. I think and I say, " I can give you my army pay to help you." She blushes, embarrassed, and says "Thank you Franz, that's really sweet but we are doing just fine." Kurtz butts in leaning in between our seats and says," I'll help too!" I ask confused, "Kurtz, do you even get paid?" He thinks for a second and then utters cutely," I don't know." Me and Irina chuckle at him.

We arrive at Kurtz's Grandmother's apartment and park out front. Kurtz gets out and Irina says,"Now Kurtz be good for your grandmother." "I will." He responds as he goes up to Irina's side. He hugs her over the door frame before leaving us. "Bye Irina, bye Franz." He says waving before he disappears into the apartment infrastructure. Irina looks at me and smiles, "So are you going to teach me how to drive?" as she puts her hand over mine on the gear shift. As we drive to the theater in the east of town, I explain to her the mechanics of operating the vehicle. To my surprise, she really doesn't seem that interested. She does however keep her hand over mine as I change gears. She, also as we drive, points at some of the landmarks while also brushing her hand across my chest. I have to say I enjoy the affections but I also fear her mother's wrath and decide it is in my best interest to not play along.

We arrive at the large theater, which is a two story tall building that is nestled between two tall buildings and it has four ionic pillars at its entrance. We park some distance away and walk hand in hand to the entrance. People walk about the sidewalk on this sunny afternoon and we pass many smiling faces. We walk in between the large ten foot pillars. A large triangular sign hangs from the outside ceiling and displays the many movies and showtimes. We enter through the double doors and step on to the black and white checkered tiles of the lobby. The lobby is a large room that has two halls that lead into opposite directions. The walls are red painted wood. From the ceiling hang large glass chandeliers that light the area. In the middle of the room is a large ticket booth where a line has formed. As we wait in line I ask Irina,"What movie do you want to watch?" "Oh it doesn't matter." Doesn't matter? Then why did we come to see a movie? I browse the selection of titles to find a suitable film. But I am not sure what she likes. There is a romance called "The Love of Roses." I figure I can't go wrong with a romance. I catch her out of the corner of my eye looking at me biting her lip, trying to contain some unforeseen excitement. I ask, "Do you want to see the new romance?" "That would be perfect." she replies.

After waiting in line for a while, I pay and collect two tickets. We follow the directions of the theater staff and come across the opening to the auditorium of several rows of chairs. The film hasn't started yet and there are already patrons doting the seats, many talking gayley among themselves.

Irina takes me up to the top row just several feet below the projector. We take our seats and she sits to my right. We sit a good distance from the screen. After a while the lights go out and the projector displays its pictures on the large canvas screen. The first to show are a few advertisements but it is suddenly changed to a newsreel of the war. Video of ruins and burning cities remind me that we are in a time of great struggle. Irina clutches my arm and whimpers, "Franz, please stay here." She is obviously distressed by the images and I am sure worried about me. I myself worry that I could be deployed to the front one day. That is a terrifying thought. The feature film is displayed and is set in a noir film style. Of course it is still black and white but I am surprised that the feature is a little entertaining.

After a short while into the film, Irina suddenly scoots in her chair closer to me, and places her hand upon my thigh. I feel goosebumps all over me and tingling up my spine. I try to keep myself from getting too excited. No no no, I need to keep my hands to myself. But the temptation is so overwhelming. I pick her hand up gently off my thigh and I can tell she is frowning. So she tries a different approach by taking her hand and rubbing my shoulder. I would lie if I said I didn't like it. I just came to the realization that she isn't here to watch a movie at all, she was just trying to get me alone and I bet this was her plan all along. I gently again remove her hand and I know she is frustrated. She tries another approach, this time she leans towards me and kisses neck. She is actually kissing my neck and what's worse is that I like it. I try to keep my composure but I can feel the warmth of her breath upon my neck causing goosebumps to shiver down my body. I am certain I am trembling as she continues. In a knee jerk reaction I jolt and grab her thigh by accident. Oh my God, I grabbed her thigh and I didn't mean to. She giggles seductively in approval. I try to keep myself calm from this seductress but the temptation is too much. What the hell, her mother is not here anyway. What is she going to do? I decided to take the initiative. I grab her and passionately kiss her lips. I obviously took her by surprise for she pauses, closes her eyes and pulls me closer. She places her hands upon my face and kisses me with a passion I have never experienced before. I place my hand around her waist and pull her closer. I can tell she approves because she kisses me more aggressively. I feel so intoxicated. I can feel her body trembling, I am certain her face is flush. I just realized I am sweating with excitement, she is too. She plants kisses all over my face and neck. She takes my hand and places it on her thigh again but this time she guides my hand slowly up her leg. I am surprised at how soft her skin feels. My heart flutters with emotion, a magical euphoria has passed over me. Am I actually doing this? What magnificent emotion drives me to do this act, especially in public? I don't know and I really don't care but I am loving this moment. Love, is this what it feels like? I want more of it.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Then a voice interrupts us," Are you two finished yet?" We freeze and slowly turn to find we have an audience. One of the theater staff has his arms crossed standing over us. I can't see his face because of the darkness but I can sense his scorn. I look around and see others have turned to watch our moments of animalistic passion. I am so embarrassed, I'm sure my cheeks are bright red. "You know there are other places to do this, right? Or do you prefer it in public? Do I need to rent you two a room at the Heisenberg Inn?" He asks. Irina stammers, completely embarrassed, "Uh uh no sir." Oh God! I just realized that they had paused the movie! The whole crowd is staring at us! Oh God this is so embarrassing, I just want to climb in a hole and shield myself. Why did I do this? Why did I let her let me do this? I almost feel anger toward her but the moment was so nice and I was so embroiled in emotion. I can see why romance is an amazing thing. "Alright you two, I think you have seen enough of the movie. Get going before I call the police." He says. We rise and shuffle our way past him. Before I fully pass him, he grabs my arm and says, "Was it nice making a fool of her." I shake his grip and brush him off. We walk down the aisle as the crowd stares us down. I can just imagine the horrid names they have for us. I just noticed my face is wet with saliva. I wipe myself clean and we exit the screening room. As we walk in the lighted hall way down the black and white checkered tile floor. I can see clearly in the light how red her face is. It is shades of red I didn't know the human face could make.

We exit the theater silently and I am completely ashamed of myself. As we exit on to the street, she bursts into laughter. Why is she laughing? She takes me by the hands and asks," Wasn't that fun?" I say aggrivated, “Fun? We got kicked out!" "I know, wasn't it great?! Oh Franz, I feel so alive!" She says as she does a little twirl, her dress sways behind her. I think it was great until we got caught. If my father were here he would beat me senseless for making a fool of myself in public. It was a rather exhilarating experience and one I probably would mine doing again except maybe in a place more private. I smile and can't help but laugh at her. "Do you want to go to the lake?" she asks. "I don't see why not, we obviously are no longer going to be able to see a movie." I reply. She laughs more. I give a little chuckle. This girl is going to get me in trouble, I just know it. But I kind of like it, it feels good to be adventurous.

We re-enter the vehicle and begin our trek a little north to the lake. Though she is less frisky now, she still attempts to touch me whenever she gets the opportunity, though she is not nearly as bold in broad daylight. As we approach the blue reflective waters of the lake, we notice that there are twice as many people here then our last venture here. Many men, women and children go about this hot sunny afternoon to either walk the footpath of the park or to swim in the refreshing lake's pool. Me and Irina find a spot to park and begin our march up to the lake hand in hand. We take our place on the park's trail shaded by a pathway of grand oak trees whose green leaves shield us on both sides of the walk. We watch as children run and jump into the lake. A variety of swimmers and laypersons can be seen. Many couples walk hand in hand down the cobblestone path that circumvents the lake.

We collect ourselves on the gray cobblestone path and begin our lap around the lake under the tall great oaks.

She suddenly says bashfully as though the euphoric spell she was under wore off and the weight of her actions have fallen upon her," I hope nobody there knew us or my mother will tie me up by my toes." "You? Do you know what your mother will do to me?" I say rhetorically. She chuckles, "I know you won't like it." Irina blushes, embarrassed, rubbing her arm, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I didn't mean to get us in trouble. I guess I got a little carried away. You're not upset are you?" I guess she is feeling pretty bad right now, so I say," No I actually… kinda liked it." " You did?" she says as her excitement renews. "Yeah I have never done anything like that." I say. "It was kind of good wasn't it?" She asks. " Yeah it was." I say smiling briefly. "Can you believe we did that?" she asks almost astonished herself. "No, I can't" I say, She looks at me and says smiling uncontrollably, "Did you see the looks on their faces!" She laughs. I think we did get some surprised glances. I join her in laughter. "We stopped the whole show!" I add and I laugh so hard I find it difficult to breathe. The other patrons give us looks as we are doubled over in laughter.

On the opposite side of the lake, we can see the four apartment blocks that rise several dozen feet into the sky. On small patios, multiple people hang their laundry out to dry on clotheslines. The bright red blues, yellows, green, and tans, decorate the apartment blocks like christmas ornaments. On this side of the lake we can watch old men and boys cast their fishing lines into the lake. I watch as an older man with a white beard in overalls reel in a cast with a defiant smallmouth bass of an emerald green wriggling desperately to escape its capture. But it's too late for the poor creature who has been yanked from the water and flops erratically at the end of the old mans pole. The old man laughs heartily. Small dragonflies of a dark blue zip around the edge of the lake like spectators. Small lily pads float on the blue lakes surface, and underneath them swim small schools of minnows. The oak trees are sparcer here but a wall of trees with a large gap in the middle reveal the rail line that is a several yards behind the lake. The cobblestone patch is adorned with white lillies and of purple and pink tulips on both sides.

“You know Franz." she says smiling as we have walked almost around the lake. "You are a pretty good kisser." She continues," But I still think you need some more practice." as she hits me with her hip, I almost stumble. " Well, you are not bad yourself." I say nudging her. She smiles briefly. "Franz." she says, " I really like you." I pause, never has a girl said she likes me. She stops and looks at me nervously as though she said something wrong. She looks as though she is anticipating an answer she is not going to like. I do really like this girl and especially since I have found this new intoxicating affection, I can't help but find her more attractive. "I like you alot too, Irina." I say. She smiles like those were the best words she has ever heard. She comes and holds my face and kisses my lips. I noticed she kicked up her leg. God! This girl is so cute.

My thought is interrupted by a rumbling of the earth that feels as though the ground shall split apart. I am dumbstruck as to what is happening when the loud whistle of a train makes it clear to me. It chugs past us here as we observe it go by through the gaps in the trees. A black locomotive passes us by and following behind it are several flat cars that have freshly assembled panzer four tanks tied down to them. The train shoots forth its black columns of smoke into the sky. The gray paint on the boxy shapes with treads and a vicious protruding cannon look completely brand new as though they had just come off the assembly line. About twenty cars later, the train leaves us. I feel as though it were a reminder that through all of this beauty and tranquility, there is still a war going on. Those weapons of destruction are going to a place far away from here to do battle and great violence. It is my only hope that those distant battlefields don’t end up finding their way here.

We finish our laps around the lake on this sunny day and decide it is time to pick up Kurtz. We are disappointed to end our date but we still walk hand in hand to the kubelwagen. She clings to my arm as I start the vehicle. I really like her new found affection. Is this what a relationship is supposed to feel like? As we drive through the town to Kurtz's Grandmother's house she runs her hand through my hair. I am almost ashamed it is so greasy but she doesn't seem to mind. As we arrive at the apartment, I honk the horn to summon Kurtz.

Kurtz emerges and stands at the top of the stairs. I strain to see because he is silhouetted by the building's infrastructure but he is definitely holding something. I strain to see what he is holding as he descends the staircase. Something outstretched and black meets my eye as soon as the light touches it. I am shocked, Its a cat! Why in the hell does he has a cat?! Kurtz holds close to him a black cat with white paws and piercing yellow eyes. Kurtz holds him suspended under his arms, the cat dangles swinging back and forth as Kurtz steps down each individual stair. The cat seems helplessly annoyed. Kurtz greets us,"Hi Irina, hi Franz. How was your day?" It's as though he is completely oblivious that he that is carrying an animal. Irina must be surprised too because she stammers asking,"Uh Kurtz, uh what do you have there?" "Have what?" He replies oblivious. Irina answers for him,"What are you holding?" "Holding what?" he asks innocently. I add in bluntly, "The cat Kurtz." He replies gkeefully," Oooohhhh, this is Otto. I found him." He found a stray cat. Oh God, and he already named it. I am about to tell him to put it down when Irina suddenly says,"Well I think he's cute." What?! She is not supposed to encourage him! I speak up sternly," Now Kurtz, you know that we can't have a cat. The Lieutenant would never allow it." Kurtz frowns,"Awwwww." Irina speaks up, "Well I think he should keep it." What? No, what is she doing? She shouldn't be encouraging this. "No no no." I state. "Aww Franz please." He pleads. "No!" I repeat sterner. "Please, please, please, pretty please?" He begs. The cat just sits there suspended in a perpetual shrug, seemingly not perturbed. Irina looks at me and says," Come on Franz, don't be such a sour puss." I reply," No, do you know what the Lieutenant would do to me if I allowed Kurtz to bring a cat? I would be scrubbing the gun spotless for a week." Irina suddenly runs a finger down my chest, saying almost with a pout,"What could it hurt?" She leans forward and kisses my neck. The euphoric feeling returns. She whispers in my ear seductively,"There is more of that if you let him keep it." Goosebumps run down my spine and I finally break and say looking at Kurtz," Fine, but you get to explain it to the Lieutenant." Kurtz jumps exclaiming,"Yay!" Irina smiles and kisses me on the cheek. The Lieutenant is going to kill me.

Kurtz clamors into the backseat and we drive awhile. "Well how was your day?" Irina asks very motherly. The feline is held down in Kurtz's lap, the poor creature doesn't dare to struggle. Kurtz begins his excited chattering," It was great! Me and Grand Mommy when to the store and bought groceries and she bought me new paints! Then we listen to the radio and I helped her make pretzels!" So that where he has been getting the paints from. "Oh, that sounds like fun Kurtz. I'm glad you had a good day." "What did you guys do today?" He asks. Me and Irina blush, I stammer,"Well uh we uh…" "Watched a movie." she finished my sentence confidently. "Awesome, what was it about?" This time it is Irina's turn to stammer," It was… uh…" "About romance." I complete her sentence. Kurtz exclaims in disgust," Gross." Irina turns in her seat to face him. "Are you telling me you don't like girls?" I see out of the rear view mirror his cheeks turning bright red." Nah uh, not me, I'll never like girls." "Does that mean you don't like me?" she asks with a pouty face and batting her eyes. Kurtz stammers his face bright red, "Well thats..uh.. not what I mean." "Kurtz, don’t you want a girlfriend?" She asks slyly. "No, never." He says shaking his head firmly. "Well one day you will find a girlfriend but you got to be a good man like Franz." She says. She thinks I am a good man! "Nah uh. I don't ever want a girlfriend." "Oh Kurtz, you are so cute." She says. His face turns an even brighter red as she turns to sit back down. She chuckles quietly to herself.

We pull up to Irina's house and I stop out front. She grabs her purse. I am filled with disappointment to see her leave. She leans over and whispers in my ear," I'll write you my soldier." before kissing my cheek. Goosebumps run down me and I long for that euphoric feeling once again. She leaves us and Kurtz, now disgusted, says," Gross, gross, gross." "Kurtz, you will like it one day." I say "No, never, not me." he says as he hops into the passenger's seat.

As we drive back to the gun pit in the early evening, the sky is full of fluffy clouds that are turning a shade of purple from the descending sun. The heat is bearable only due to the cool wind rush of our open top kubelwagen. As we pull up beside the gun pit, I watch Obrenski and Lieutenant Sprieg moving wooden boxes of supplies that sit in a pile in the middle of the gun pit, into the barracks. Obrenski has a lit cigarette that hangs from his mouth. The Lieutenant had his officers cap removed which reveals his short cut brown hair, a move that is unusual for him. From the looks of it, they have been at this task all day.

As I park the vehicle and me and Kurtz clamor out, Kurtz holds the cat again in a shrug, it dangles as he walks. Obrenski flashs an angered sweaty look saying,"Well there you two are! We have been at this all day. Could have used your help with the boxes of shells an hour ago." Then he notices the cat, "What the hell is that?!" he exclaims in a mix of anger and surprise.The Lieutenant emerges from the open door barracks and asks,"Is something wrong?" Obrenski replies frustratedly," I'll tell you what's wrong! Look what the cat dragged in!" He points to the still dangling black feline, I am surprised at how calm it is. The Lieutenant sighs examining the animal,"Now Kurtz, you do know this is a military installation?" Kurtz avoids the question and says,"But…but his name is Otto." Obrenski exclaims," Dear God, he has already named it! We will never get rid of it now." The Lieutenant huffs and utters fatherly,"Now Kurtz, we can't have a cat here. We simply can't take care of him. The eight eight will scare him off." "Aww please Lieutenant? I'll feed him and water him and take care of him." Kurtz pleads. The Lieutenant looks firm and unwavering. Kurtz adds pleading, “I’ll even eat all my vegetables.” The Lieutenant gives a slight smile and huffs," Fine." "Kurtz exclaims," Yippee!" And dashes off to the barracks. I hear him chattering inside saying,"Otto, we are going to have so much fun." Obrenski looks at the Lieutenant surprised,"You can't be serious Sprieg?" The Lieutenant replies,"It would be good for him to have a little responsibility." Obrenski snaps,"You have got to be joking, you know he won't take care of it." The Lieutenant replies,"He will do fine." “That's great but I’m not picking up after it.” Obrenski states.

The Lieutenant orders abruptly," Franz, grab a box." I rush over and lift one of the small but heavy wood boxes and head toward the barracks. "To the kitchen." he orders. As I enter, the cots near the end where the kitchen is has been removed and in its place wood boxes. I enter the kitchen and open the wood box with a knife to reveal its contents of canned foods. I begin taking the cans and storing them on the shelves to add to the collection of salts, canned milk, sugar and flour. Several pots and pans hang from racks on the wall. The Lieutenant walks in carrying another box and sets it atop the stove. He asks,"Well Franz, how was your day." "It was great Lieutenant." I reply "Well that is good. Do anything fun?" He asks, opening the wooden container. "Well uh we got kicked out of the uh movie theater." I confess. He stops his task and turns to me with a serious look. "Why?" he asks sternly. I stammer for a response rubbing my hand through my hair nervously," Uh uh, making out." "You what?!" he snaps. Oh no. I brace for a scolding. He lashes at me like an angry father," Now Franz, I know you like this girl but sex is not what a relationship is all about." " It's only the best part." blurts an obviously listening Obrenski as he enters the kitchen. " Did you do her yet?" He asks. I stand there blushing and feeling ashamed of myself. The Lieutenant just glares at him before turning and saying, "Love can be a beautiful thing Franz but it is more about companionship. Believe it or not I was married for thirteen years." "And I was married for twelve but…" chimes Obrenski before the Lieutenant interrupts him. "Anyway Franz, it is all about trusting and caring for a person. Something some people don't do." He says, glaring again at Obrenski. "What?" exclaims Obrenski as though he were innocent.

Once we have finished unloading we retire to our cots for the night. Obrenski reads a letter on his cot by oil lamp light that sits atop the chest beside him. The oranges and yellows glow and flicker off the wall lighting our home on this dark evening. While Kurtz sits on the floor painting one of his many model planes. Otto the cat lays sleeping on Kurtz bed. I decide to confess to Obrenski. "Obrenski, she made the first moves on me." He stops and gives a grin." Ah she is a loose girl then." "Well uh no." I say. "Right, and you two weren't getting hot and heavy in the theater?" He asks sarcastically. "Well uh uh." I stammer. "Was it nice?" He asks. "Yeah it was really nice, like it was just amazing. She let me touch her leg and her skin was so soft. And she was kissing my neck." I reply, faintly feeling that euphoric feeling. He grins wider than before and says," That is good Franz, this girl is obviously all about you. Now you just got to get her alone." "Well I really feel something for her and maybe the Lieutenant is right…" "Forget about the Lieutenant, and do what you want. You only live once Franz." He interrupts me. I ponder that but I also don't want to sully Irina. Kurtz still sits on the floor painting his model planes, seeming completely oblivious to our conversation. " Well I think maybe we should wait." I say. "Well are you planning to get married?" He asks. Marriage? I hadn't thought of it, I wonder what she would say if I asked. "Well no." I say. "Then you won't last that long." I, aggravated that he doubts my resolve, come back," How would you know?" "Because you couldn't even contain yourself in public, just imagine what you'll do in private." I pause and wonder if he is right. "Just promise me one thing Franz." "What's that?" "I don't care if you get married or what you have to do but get some action before this war kills you." He says seriously. "You don't think it is going that well?" I ask. "I know it's not." He states matter of factly. " But what about those new fighter jets?" I ask. "Thats not the problem. Who is going to fly them Franz?" He asks. " Well I am not going to make that promise." I say, changing the subject. "That will change." He replies.

A couple days have past and I receive a letter from Irina that contains a stationary that is full of lustful dialogue and also a photograph of her in a more scandalous dress. How she got the picture taken is unknown to me but it doesn't seem to be a professional photo. Meaning she must have taken it with her friends, one of which is an amateur photographer. Every time I gaze upon it, I get goosebumps and that euphoric feeling returns. I smile and am excited for the next stage of our relationship… Is this really what love is about?