Six months passed, and Bertha forgot all about missing Colonel Landa, and went about her normal life. One day, Bertha was playing the piano, when Frederick entered the parlor and began playing his violin. Bertha gave a small smile.
"I remember when we use to play duets." said Frederick.
"That was so long ago. I couldn't even tell a C from a F." chuckled Bertha.
"I remember how we use to entertain our guests. We use to make them dance for hours."
Bertha stopped playing the piano and turned to Frederick, who was still playing away on his violin.
"Papa, where is this coming from?"
Frederick slowly began to stop, and he let out a sigh. He sat down in a nearby chair and gestured for Bertha. She approached the chair and knelt beside him.
"I speak of old times, because I'm running out of time."
"Papa, what do you mean? You're the healthiest man I know."
"Bertha, I've lived for eighty-four years. I've had a lovely home, a loving wife, and a beautiful daughter. My life has been long and I've enjoyed living it, the way that God intended. Yet, I feel my myself getting old. My bones ache, I'm constantly sick, there are some days when I can't walk because I'm too weak to move from my bed."
"We'll find you a doctor! The best one in Germany, in Europe even."
"No doctor has a cure for old-age, Bertha."
"It's in your head, Papa. You'll see the doctor tomorrow and everything will be fine."
Frederick nodded and kissed Bertha on her forehead, he then stood up and left the parlor. Bertha played the piano for a little while longer and then went up to bed. She made sure to say a special prayer for her father. She made sure to whisper the prayer and she spoke in German, to throw off Adele, as she only spoke Hebrew and English, and very little German. Bertha knew that Adele would begin to worry if she overheard the prayer. Bertha dressed herself in her nightgown, washed her face, and then knelt at the foot of her bed to pray.
"Sehr geehrter Herr, (Dear Lord,)
du durchgefuhrt haben viele Wunder. (You've performed many miracles.)
Sie mussen durchfuhren. (You must perform one now.)
Mein Vater ist sterben, (My father is dying,)
und er ihre Hilife benotigt. (and he needs your help.)
Ihm heilien. (Heal him.)
Bitte, nur geben ihm die Starke zu leben. (Please, just give him the strength to live.)
Bertha finished her prayer and then crawled into bed. She fell asleep, having the confidence that Frederick was just fine and the doctor would agree.
The next morning, Bertha woke up to hear Adele sobbing. Bertha thought that the doctor had arrived with terrible news, and she quickly jumped out of the bed. The moment she exited her bedroom, she saw two men wearing black, carrying something heavy and covered with a sheet. Bertha stood in shock and watched them go down the stairs, before she ran to Adele and Frederick's room. The bed was empty and candles had been lit. She also saw Adele sobbing and being comforted by Joseph Halper, the family's Rabbi.
"Rabbi Halper, what is going on? Where is Papa?" asked Bertha.
"Bertha," Adele sniffled. "come and sit with me."
"I want to see Papa!" yelled Bertha.
Rabbi Halper stood to his feet and placed his hands on Bertha's forearms. He gave a sad and faint smile.
"Bertha, do you remember that conservation we had about death, when you were younger?"
Bertha began to cry. "No. Please, don't say that Papa is dead."
"He went peacefully. That is the most important thing. He's with God now."
Without warning, Bertha fainted and was caught by Rabbi Halper. He and Adele worked to wake her up, as Frederick's body was taken out of the house.
Bertha was inconsolable, and refused to attend the funeral. All she did was lock herself in the parlor and stare blankly at Frederick's violin. She hadn't eaten or slept in four days, and Adele was beyond concerned for her. Rabbi Halper suggested that Adele give Bertha a task to perform, to get her out of the house and into the fresh air. So, Adele told Bertha to go the postal service to see if there had been any telegrams.
The family's driver, drove Bertha all the way to the postal service which was in the center of the city. Bertha climbed out of the car and entered the office. However, she was surprised to see Colonel Landa .
"Fraulien Heinz?" said Colonel Landa.
"Colonel Landa, it's wonderful to see you." said Bertha, her voice was incredibly meek.
"I arrived in Berlin a couple of days ago, to take care of business. I never expected to run into you." said Colonel Landa, looking over Bertha's poor condition.
"Are you all right? You seem so thin." noted Colonel Landa.
"I haven't eaten much lately."
"You look tired."
"I've been having trouble sleeping."
"Perhaps you should see a doctor."
"Is there a doctor that has a cure for grief?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"My Papa is dead. He's been dead for a week."
"I'm sorry for your loss, Fraulein Heinz."
"I thought you would be happy. You aren't exactly fond of Jews."
"Fraulien Heinz, please-"
"I must be going."
Bertha left the postal service but Colonel Landa followed her, all the way to her car. Bertha hopped in the car, but was shocked when Colonel Landa got into the car with her.
"Get out of this car." ordered Bertha.
"I don't take orders from Jews, do I?"
"Leave or I'll throw you onto the road."
"Don't let grief get the better of you."
Bertha rolled her eyes and looked out the window. Colonel Landa ordered the driver to take them to Bertha's home.