There are hasty introductions between the men; she can't stand to look away from him for more than a few seconds. Even so, he holds her hand, and she wonders if he needs the reminder of her presence just as badly as she needs it for him. Their hands are tight; their fingers curl around each other. She hopes he'll never let go.
Herr Steiner tells her to stay home for the rest of the week; when she protests he ushers them out through the front door.
"You need this," he says with a sad grin before gently encouraging her through the doorway.
And so she takes Max to the mayor's house. He doesn't say much as they tread the repaved road, letting her silently lead the way. She can feel him glance over her face again and again. Occasionally she struggles to speak, but she finds all conversations lead to the bombing, so she swallows the words, feels them burn down her throat. It would be unkind to speak of the deaths without his invitation to do so. She knows the words will hurt him, and wants to avoid that as much as possible. Besides, telling of watching Hans play down Himmel Street is too intimate, even though it kills her to stay silent. The need to tell makes her heart blossom near to bursting, but somehow she keeps everything tight in her lungs.
Ilsa Hermann keeps her face calm, but Liesel can read the joy in her eyes as she comes down to investigate the noises. For a moment, it's clear that she had been hoping for his safety just as much as Liesel had. She introduces them hurriedly, and it's also clear that Ilsa represses a desire to take him in her arms. They only shake hands; Max is delighted to meet the woman who took in his word shaker, although he doesn't say anything. The happiness and honor is bright and obvious in every expression.
Her voice is high and hesitant when he steps back from her foster mother. "Can he—stay?"
The question hangs in the air for an uncomfortable amount of time as Max struggles to invent a reason why he can't, uncomfortable with his desire to continue spending time with the girl but loath to let himself end the utter joy of being in her company.
"Of course he can stay." Ilsa's soft murmur carefully interrupts Max's fumbling. He blushes and says his thanks.
Liesel tugs his hand, and leads him into the famous library.
