Let It Rain

By: Katherine Wheiler

There I sat, staring out my small window at the endless raindrops. Just watching every drop fall past my window and hit the ground. It was as if they had me mesmerized. I couldn’t stop watching them and listening to them. It sounded like there was a tap dance on the roof of my house. It made me feel calm and relaxed. Like there was nothing to worry about. All was fine and good in the world. I didn’t want it to stop, I wanted it to rain forever, so that this feeling wouldn’t go away. My eyelids slowly closed shut, but before they were completely shut I took one more glance out my small, wet window. Just as I looked out I spotted Gustav running into the middle of the street, spin around in the rain, and then signaled to me to come out and join him. I jumped off my chair, grabbed my coat and boots, and sprinted outside.

Our eyes made contact and like always a warm ting-a-ling feeling ran throughout my body. He was like a brother to me. We had known each other our whole lives. We knew each other inside and out. What our hopes were, our fears, dreams, and each others secrets. It was like we were brother and sister. We had the same favorite food, toys, etc. No one could separate us. We were almost alike except for one thing, I was Jewish. Thankfully that never kept him away from me. Even though we were in out teens, we would still play our own little games. Go on adventures, discover new places, and try new foods. We were always together. Always.

Chapter One

“Katrin What in the world have you been doing? You are soaking wet ” My mother glared at me as I walked into the kitchen wet from running around in the rain. “Es tut mir leid mama. Gustav and I were...well...outside” I said with my sad puppy dogface. She scanned me up and down and finally handed me a towel. “You know very well that it is not safe for you to be running around outside. And it’s not safe for your friend either Don’t you remember what happened in the market place today?”

A shiver ran down my spine. My mind threatened to replay the whole thing. I started to feel that faint feeling I had felt when I watched it happen. Just remembering it all, the blood, and hatred. All the emotions that I had felt, came flowing back. “Mama why would people do such a horrible thing? We never did anything to them. We’ve done what they asked of us We moved out of our houses, stopped going to movies, and we are now living in the cold, dirty ghettos What more do they want from us?” I cried. “Katrin you know why. You’ve heard the rumors about us. We are Jewish and for that people have grown to hate us. Hatred makes people do crazy and stupid things.” I stared into her eyes hoping to see a glimpse of hope or at least a little tiny bit of faith, but I found nothing, nothing to comfort me.

I turned on my heals and sluggishly walked to my room. I felt as if there was no point in my life. That it would be easier to just end it. I wanted to leave this horrible, cruel life behind. I opened my door, walked into my room, and slowly closed my door. When it was closed I collapsed on the floor and let the tears flow from my eyes. There was nothing else for me to do. I just curled up into a ball and cried until I was in a deep sleep.

I jumped hearing the sound of tapping on the window. The first thought that came to me was that there was a stupid bird tapping on my window. I got up and looked out my window to find no stupid, brainless bird, but Gustav. I quietly opened my window and stuck my head out. “Katrin come I have something to show you And I need to talk to you about something.” It was a new adventure for us and the curiosity sparked my excitement and before I knew it I was out the window, sliding down the drain pipe. When I reached the bottom I had been going so faster than I expected and landed right on my butt. Gustav ran over to me stifling a laugh, grabbed my hand, and helped me up. I had thought that he would let go, but instead he held on tighter. It seemed as if he thought that we were going to be separated and he wouldn’t let that happen. I looked back at him bewildered, but he just stared back at me. He smiled at me and the pulled me off into the darkness. Every step we took would speed up, till finally we were running. Running through the streets, past the barber shop that was shut down and then threw the forest. It was as if something was behind us and was catching up. His grip on my hand grew tighter and tighter and even though it felt as if he were going to break my hand off I didn’t want him to let go.

We finally got to our little clubhouse. I smiled at it. We had so many memories there. I climbed the ladder first and close behind me was Gustav. I sat down in my usual spot and he sat right in front of me. We just sat there for a while and finally he pulled me over to him and held me close to him. It at first scared me and then I just melted into his arms. We just sat there for what seamed like hours. I never wanted to leave his warm embrace.

“Katrin” he paused still holding me tight in his embrace. “My parents made me I had no choice.” I pulled away from him looked into his eyes. I was confused and lost. “Your parents made you do what?” I said calmly. “They signed me up for the Nazi youth camp. They told me it was the best thing for me and that it would help me understand that Jews...” he trailed off. I could see the tears well up in his eyes “You have to know I didn’t want to It wasn’t my choice ” I just stared at him. I pushed him away and crawled over to the corner of the clubhouse. I could hear him move towards me. I wanted to tell him to stay away, to push him away from me, but my heart kept beating his name and longing for him to hold me tight again. He sat by me, not touching me or saying anything. We just sat there and finally I looked at him and he wrapped his arms out and I fell right into them.He finally turned, looked me straight in my eyes. “Katrin whatever happens I promise we will always be together. Nothing can tear us apart I promise.” I gently cradled my head on his chest and slowly drifted off into sleep. Before I was completely asleep I felt Gustav’s warm lips press against my forehead and then heard him whisper something I had always known but never heard him say. “I love you Katrin.”

The cool morning breeze woke me up. I slowly stood up and looked out the window of our clubhouse. Everything looked peaceful and bright. I looked around and inhaled the fresh air. The scent of fire caught my attention. Curiosity struck me and I waned to go see what it was. I turned around and looked at Gustav. Everything about him reminded me of a Greek God. I quietly walked over to where he lay and knelt down by him. I brushed his long dark brown out of his face. “Gustav wake up. Another adventure awaits us.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him up and started walking to where the smoke was coming from. I finally realized that the smoke was close to my house and I could tell that Gustav realized this too. His grip tightened on my hand and we picked up our pace. As we got closer and closer I became more fearful for what I would find. Finally we got where the fire had been. It wasn’t by my house are anywhere close to my house. It was my house. I sprinted to it screaming. “Mama Mama Where are you?” tears already starting to fall down my face. I ran up to the door and started to reach for it but before I could enter Gustav grabbed my other hand. “Gustav what are you going ? My mother is in there We have to get her out ” He looked at me with pity and tears in his eyes threatening to fall. He pulled me close and held me as tears streamed down my face. I finally pushed him away and it took all of the strength I could muster to make him let go. I ran into the house expecting my mother to be standing there with her worried look, but there was no sign of life. Everything was burnt. The up stairs had collapsed and there was no sign of her. I fell to my knees as the realization washed over me. She was gone and I didn’t even to get to say goodbye. Gustav walked over to me, picked me up off the ground and carried out of the burnt house that I use to call home.

I had nowhere to go, nowhere to live, I was alone. The only person in my life was a Nazi who loved me and I loved him. Gustav carried me back to our clubhouse, then set me down. I just sat there curled up in his arms not saying a word. I wanted to run, but I had no where to go. So I just stayed in the arms of the man I loved. “Katrin I have to go. Please do not do anything stupid,” he pleaded then whispered to me “I love you.” He then kissed my gently on my forehead and walked slowly our of the clubhouse. I sat there not knowing that, that would be the last time I would see him. I fell asleep thinking I would wake up to his beautiful face in the morning. Only in my dreams could I go to a place where everything was ok, where my mother was still alive and I place where I could happily with Gustav.

Chapter Two

I woke up refreshed and to the sound of birds chirping. I didn’t want to wake up but I had enough sleep and it was time for me to move around. I walked around outside the clubhouse, stretching all the muscles I could. I had thought Gustav would be back by now but there was no sign of him. I thought to myself ‘Maybe he’s getting some food and clothes and clothing for me.” food sounded good and some clean clothes would be nice.

--I started this story a long time ago, I think when I was in high school (most likely while I was taking the Holocaust class). I'm not sure I like it that much now after reading it again, but maybe with some more work on it, it might be a good one =] maybe!--