Page 181 of Valor

“We should be long gone by then.”

Fred looked up at him with hope.

“There is a contact. He will take us across the mountains.”

“Where will you go?”

Dr. Weiss laid his hand on Fred’s shoulder. “The less you know, the better for you and your family.” His tone was so grave that the fear of the past night returned.

Fred, unable to speak, turned back to the barn. As the men retraced their steps, he whispered.

“When?”

“Soon,” Dr. Weiss answered. They reached the barn, and he touched Fred’s shoulder.

“Give me a moment.”

“I’ll fetch some water for you,” Fred picked up a pail and walked to the pump. He pulled at the long lever and then forced it back down. Fred’s pent-up energy fired his muscles. He pumped the water with angry vigor, wishing he had the power to change everything. To make the world good, not evil. To give his feelings for Hedvika a chance. But as the water gushed in the bucket, he knew that it would have been easier to change the direction of the river that powered their mill.

When he got back to the barn, Dr. Weiss handed him an embroidered handkerchief.

“Thank you for all that you are doing for my family, Fred. You have a good soul.”

Fred’s fingers felt the small objects wrapped in the fabric. His cheeks flooded with heat. Accepting their gold as a payment for a piece of dry bread? He burnt with shame.

“It’s okay,” Dr. Weiss stretched out his arm. “Take it to your father.”

Fred accepted the offering and hid it in his pocket; then, he handed the bucket to the dentist.

“I’ll be back to do the chores. We can talk more then.”

“Thank you,” said the man who saved his face and teeth a few years earlier and now hauled a rusty pale of water inside the barn for his family to use.

* * *

Fred walked into the kitchen,his fingers tightly wrapped around the embroidered piece of fine linen.

Mother stood by the stove. Their eyes met. She shook her head ever so slightly, a warning to Fred. He nodded.

“Father.”

His was the only breakfast on the table.

“So, what did you get?” Father dropped his spoon into the bowl of steaming cream of wheat.

“This.” Fred tossed the bundle on the table.

Father greedily stretched his hand and grabbed it. He unwrapped the contents and whistled. “A ruby ring and gold cufflinks,” he chuckled. “Not a bad trade for a stale piece of bread.”

Fred’s stomach churned.

“How long did he say they want to stay?”

“They are moving on soon.”

“How soon?”

“I don’t know. They are waiting for a contact.”

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