CHAPTER 39 - LEIPZIG, GERMANY—SEPTEMBER 27, 1917
Anna sat on the edge of Max’s bed. She dipped a washcloth into a ceramic basin of lukewarm water, squeezed out the excess liquid, and gently wiped his forehead. With each of Max’s shallow respirations, a rattling sounded inside his chest. He’s worse today, she thought, her heart aching.
“Danke,” Max said, his voice hoarse.
“You’re welcome,” Anna said. She sank the washcloth into the water, and then washed his body, his muscles atrophied from being confined to bed for the past two weeks.
Anna had not gone back to work. After her two-week leave of absence, she’d returned to Oldenburg merely to inform Fleck and Dr. Stalling that she was leaving her position at the guide dog school to care for Max.
She’d wanted to resign via telegram, or by having Norbie meet with them to explain her decision.
However, Max had insisted that he and Nia would be fine while she was gone, and that he could contact a woman named Magdalena, who’d once been friends with his mutter, to help him if he needed anything.
She’d only been gone a few of days, but when she’d returned to Leipzig, she discovered that Max’s respiration had deteriorated, and she regretted having left him.
Despite Max’s fatigue, their initial days of being reunited were blissful.
They’d prepared meals together, walked short routes with Nia, and talked endlessly about everything but the war.
She’d read books to him while he cuddled with his dog, and he’d played the piano for her.
And in the evenings, they’d retired early to bed, where they lay wrapped in each other’s arms. But as each day passed, his breathing grew more labored, and a bluish tint began to appear on his lips and fingernails.
Soon, he became too weak to climb the stairs.
Confined to the apartment, he played the piano when he wasn’t resting.
However, a few weeks ago, Max became too frail to leave his bed, and the music ended.
Anna dried Max with a towel and dressed him in clean sleepwear. She picked up the washbasin and carried it to the kitchen. As she disposed of the water in the sink, the front door to Max’s apartment opened, and Norbie and Nia entered.
Nia scampered to Anna, where she received a pat on the head, and then ran into Max’s room.
“How is he?” Norbie asked, hanging up his jacket.
She approached him. “Not so good.”
He hugged her.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.
“Me too,” he said, releasing her.
Norbie had made three trips to Leipzig over the past two months, and when he’d arrived a few days ago and saw that Max was confined to his bed, he’d told Anna that he would remain with her to help.
They couldn’t afford for her to be out of work and for him to close his clockmaker shop, but Norbie didn’t care, nor did she.
All that mattered to them was that Max would receive personal care, rather than being placed in a government hospital that would undoubtedly be short-staffed.
“Do you think Max would mind if I check in on him?” Norbie asked.
“I think he’d enjoy your company,” she said.
Norbie entered Max’s room, followed by Anna.
“Hallo, Max,” Norbie said.
Max opened his eyes and blankly stared. “Norbie,” he said softly. “Please sit.”
Norbie sat in a chair beside the bed. “How are you feeling?”
Max tilted his head toward the sound of Norbie’s voice. “Better. I was thinking of taking Nia mountain hiking.”
“That’s the spirit,” Norbie said.
Anna fought back tears and patted Nia.
“How was the park?” Max wheezed.
“Gut,” Norbie said. “Nia chased a squirrel up a tree.”
Max’s lips formed a slim smile. “Danke for being here, Norbie.”
“You’re welcome, my boy.” Norbie removed a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his eyes.
“I know it’s a sacrifice for you to leave your shop,” Max said.
“Not at all.” Norbie placed a hand on Max’s shoulder. “The clocks will stop ticking when I’m gone, but all I need to do is rewind them when I return.”
Anna’s chest ached.
“Would you like something to eat?” Norbie asked.
“Nein,” Max said. “But if it’s not too much trouble, a cup of your coffee would be splendid. Yours tastes better than mine.”
Norbie smiled and blinked tears from his eyes. “Of course.” He stood and went to the kitchen.
As Anna turned to follow him, Max patted the side of his bed.
“Stay,” he wheezed.
She approached him and sat.
“I should have gone to Oldenburg like you wanted me to.” He took in a few breaths. “It was stubborn of me to want to stay here. It’s a burden to you and Norbie.”
“It’s not,” she said.
He extended his hand toward her.
She clasped his fingers.
“I don’t want you to be sad,” he said.
“I can’t help it,” she said, her voice trembling.
“I’m not afraid of what awaits me.” He took in gulps of air.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“After I’m gone—”
“Oh, Max,” she cried.
He caressed her hand. “I want you to live your life. I want you to pursue your dreams, fall in love, and have a family of your own.”
“I can’t.”
“You must.” He drew in a shallow breath. “And you will.”
She pressed his hand to her lips.
“I wish that things could have been different for us,” he said.
Tears streamed down her face. “Me too.”
He placed his palm to her cheek, wet with tears. “You’re beautiful.”
“I’m a mess.”
“Nein.” He ran his thumb over her skin. “To me, Anna, you are flawless.”
Overwhelmed with sorrow, she lay down on the bed with him and cried.
She wrapped her arms around him, feeling his diaphragm contract.
His lips pressed to her forehead, and then he rested his head onto his pillow.
Anna, desperate and heartbroken, listened to the whistling of his labored breathing, all the while praying for a miracle.