Chapter 5
A Nice Dinner
––––––––
“YOU HAVE A VERY KEEN ear,” Boris said for lack of anything smarter to say.
“Well,” April said. “Here in California, a lot of people sound the same. I mean, there’s a way about us here. It’s like nowhere else in America. New York has its way. New Orleans has another. Not only do you not sound Californian; you don’t really sound American at all.”
Boris shoved his fork in his mouth and chewed as he tried to think of an appropriate answer.
Did she assume he was from Europe? If so, from what country?
Could he get away with telling her that he was from France?
Probably not. What about Poland? Maybe. Austria! Yes. That was it. He was from Austria.
Holding his finger up to keep her waiting, Boris chewed on his roast beef then finally said, “I’m from Austria.”
“Oh, my,” April said. “How fascinating. I hear the mountains there are spectacular. My father spent a great amount of time in Austria. What town are you from?”
He sighed in an attempt to hide his growing frustration at the constant questions. “This is really good,” he said with a pressed smile.
Where was he from. He didn’t know Austria all that well. The only city that came to mind was, “Vienna.”
“Oh,” she said with an amused clasping of her hands. She’d put her fork down and was giving him her full attention. “That’s where my father was.”
Of course it was, he thought with dread.
“Oh,” she gushed. “He went on and on about the beautiful architecture, the museums, the people. He absolutely loved it. What part of the city did you live in?”
Damn! Would she ever let up?
“Actually, it wasn’t in Vienna proper,” he said. “It was in a small town north of Vienna. A town that no one has ever heard of, so it’s just easier to say Vienna.”
“I understand,” April said as she picked up her fork and resumed eating. “What town?”
Seriously?
He knew he would have to invent a non-existent town to ensure that her father hadn’t been there, too. “Padlewitz.”
“Padlewitz?” April said, her brow furrowed. “I’ve never heard of it.”
“I told you,” he said with a pleased grin. “No one has heard of my tiny hometown.”
Sonya set her elbows on the edge of the table and leaned closer. “I’ve been listening to you and...”
Great. Now what?
“The way you say ‘one’. And the way you say ‘ever’... You sound a bit more Russian than Austrian.”
April gasped with surprise. “That’s right. I thought I had picked up on something that wasn’t quite right. Did you live in Austria all your life?”
These women were smart. Smarter than he’d assumed.
He nodded as he shoved another fork load into his mouth.
“You’re both very good,” he said with an affable laugh.
“Such good ears. If you must know, I was born in Austria, in Padlewitz,” he said to cover up his attempted lie.
“My family moved to Germany when I was about four years of age, but then I took Russian lessons since 10 years old.”
“How marvelous to grow up in Europe,” April gushed. “I’ve seen so many photos of those Bavarian castles. The majestic mountains and welcoming countryside... all so beautiful. It’s all so romantic.”
Now that the inquisition was over, Boris relaxed.
They had bought his story, and he couldn’t help but smile.
Looking at the two ladies before him, eating such a scrumptious meal, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so utterly and completely happy.
It was amazing what good company and great food could do to a man.
It was such a pleasant change of pace. While Igor was competent and determined, Boris had already grown tired of the constant criticism which often led to endless bickering.
They were supposed to be equals, but Igor believed and acted like he was more equal than Boris.
But if you questioned it, Igor would insist everyone was the same, everyone gets the same.
But somehow, Boris wondered, would Igor distribute the wealth of finding Hitler’s gold, equally to everyone or would Igor keep more for himself?
“Hast du Geschwiser?” April said.
Boris smiled. “You know a bit of German. How unexpected.” She had no idea just how unexpected it really was.
Good. Now she may think he was German, rather than Russian.
Even better! Let her think he was from a country the polar opposite of each other.
What a ruse when both countries actually are more similar than people expect.
Boris laughed inwardly. How clever he was.
But why would she ask if he had siblings?
“Hast du eine Freudin?”
“Nein. Nein. Ich habe keine Freudin. Nein.” He felt his cheeks warm up by the unexpected conversation. “I don’t really have time for a girlfriend.”
“I never thought that I would have the opportunity to practice my German here in California.”
“And your German is quite good,” Boris said, thoroughly enjoying his exchange with the young woman. “Where did you learn to speak it?”
“My tutor,” April said. “My father made sure I was well-educated, especially in languages.”
Boris shifted his gaze to Sonya who hadn’t spoken much since sitting down.
“Not me,” Sonya clarified. “Her previous tutor.”
“That’s right,” April said. “Hannah Horowitz was a good, if sometimes distant tutor. She was a little weak on math and science but was brilliant when it came to showing me a bit of German and French.”
“Oh,” Boris said. “You also speak French?”
“Bien sur que je parle francais,” April said without faltering.
“Ah, et tu parle tres bien,” Boris said.
“Merci beaucoup,” she said, clearly pleased with herself. “Tell me, have you ever been to visit the Neuschwanstein castle?”
He let out an amused laugh. “That castle,” he said with a shake of his head.
“Everyone wants to know about that castle. It seems to have captivated the world’s imagination.
But you know there are many other beautiful and worthwhile castles.
Hohenzollern Castle is spectacular, and Heidelberg Palace is a very special place. ”
April nodded. “I’ll have to read up on those.” She took a bite of her meal and looked thoughtfully at him. “My father has been to Europe many times, and he’s always told me such fascinating stories and facts. Not having the chance to visit that castle has been one of his major regrets.”
“And where is your father?” Boris said, suddenly wondering if the man was somewhere in the large home.
“He’s in Europe right now. I’m uncertain whether he is still in Switzerland or if he’s already in Italy. But I don’t believe he’s ever been to Germany. Perhaps the Summer Palace of Russia. I hear it is truly marvelous. How Catherine the Great had decorated it.”
Boris looked at the young woman with keen interest. The more she spoke about Europe, Russia, and Germany, the more he wondered where her sympathies lied.
He would have to find a way to learn her true feelings about these countries.
Perhaps she would be a strong candidate for recruitment.
After all, the Communist party of Russia gained momentum going after the youths promising freedom and diversity, but later was about conformity and no individualism.
Boris shook his head. What was wrong with him? Perhaps it was the American air?
The doorbell rang.
“Again?” Sonya said as she set her napkin on the table beside her plate and stood. “I’ll be right back.”
April waited until Sonya was gone then looked at Boris. “I hope it’s not another lost traveler.”
“Well,” Boris said, realizing that he’d completely forgotten about Igor.
“I... you see...there has been...” He looked to her for a bit of sympathy as he searched for the proper words.
“To tell you the truth, I was just so tired and so hungry... all I’ve eaten all day were some nasty peaches. .. and I forgot all about...”
“Enjoying yourself, Boris?” Igor said as he entered the dining room with Sonya.
“Ah,” Sonya said. “So, you two know each other.”
April looked at Boris, waiting for an explanation, while Igor glared at him, his eyes filled with seething rage.
“Oh, my bruder,” Boris said as he reluctantly got to his feet. “I was so hungry and the food here smell so good, I forgot all about you.”
“Well,” April said, forever cheery. “The more the merrier. We have plenty to go around. Please, do join us.”
Igor, still fuming, hesitated.
“Bitte,” April added as she stood up and gestured to the empty chair across the table from her. “Please. I’ll go get another place setting.”
Igor’s brow rose at the simple German word. He shot a curious glance at Boris as he sat down beside him.
“Here you go,” April said as she returned with a plate and silverware. “You must be famished.” She served him a thick slice of roast beef with a large dollop of mashed potatoes. “I am sorry, but we’re out of string beans.”
“This is very good,” Igor said. “Danke.”
“Wie heiBt du?” April said as she resumed her seat. “I mean, we just learned through you that his name is Boris, right?” She pointed to Boris.
Both men nodded.
“And you? Wie heiBt du?”
Stunned Igor stared at her for a long moment.
“Isn’t it splendid?” Boris said. “The young woman is fascinated with Germany and even speaks the language.”
Igor looked at April with new interest. “My name is Igor,” he said, finally answering her question.
“Well, it’s very nice to meet you Igor. You know, I know that we’re here in sunny California, but the nights can sometimes get chilly here. I’m glad you came in for a nice hot meal.”
“Danke,” Igor said.
“You’re very welcome.”
“When did you boys leave Germany?” Sonya said.
The men looked at one another.
“It feels like forever,” Boris said, hesitant to give an actual timeline of their activities.
“These are very confusing times,” Igor added. “The days, the weeks, the months are like a blur. Our lives have been turned upside down in every conceivable way. It’s even hard sometimes to know whether it’s day or night.”