Part Two

Chapter Ten

"The Family Picnic"

Part Two

Hans was washing some dishes. They didn't need to be washed but he needed to get his mind off of some things. The war was, again, weighing heavy over his mind and his heart. He didn't know how much more of it he could take. The only thing keeping him going now is knowing he is needed. Leisel was beginning to feel less like a sister and more as one of his own. He knew the idea of Leisel being a daughter to him is ridiculous and childish, but sometimes, when he looked back on that day she called him Papa, he liked it. He liked the way she looked at him when she needed help, liked the looks she gave him when he protected her… hated the way she looked at him when he…

CRASH!

Hans broke away from his deep mind, something stung in his hands and when he looked down he saw nothing but red, red, dripping red inside the white kitchen sink. There was a deep cut on his hand. It gushed out red and dripped all over the broken plate which was still stuck inside of his palm. The rest of the plate was shattered into pieces. It took him a moment to realize he crushed it.

"You Saukerl!"

Immediately his head rose and he saw his mother standing in the entrance way of the kitchen, but it wasn't the kitchen in his home. Though he was home, his old one. He was in his parents house and Rosa Hubermann was standing there, fists on her hips and eyes raging.

"Honestly Hans! Don't you have any idea how expensive dishes are?!" Marching over, Rosa took his hand. "And look at your hand!" Hans' eyes never left his mothers as she scolded him like a child. She murmured something as she examined the damage but Hans didn't catch it. "You're going to need stitches." Her gaze returned to his, cold and angry. Just like the mother he remembered. "How do expect us to pay for something like this?"

Hans blinked a couple of times before he answered her question with the same answer he used when he was a boy. It was the only answer that would keep him from a beating but more importantly it wasn't for a broken dish. This apology was meant for something more devastating. It was for the one thing that he never brought up. Something that he blames himself for, even though there was really nothing he could about it. The one thing which weighed heavy on his mind most and with heavy eyes, as he wraps his good hand around her's, he whispers, "I'm so sorry Mama."

Rosa looked at him, her eyes losing their strength and becoming more gentle. She slightly turned her head as she raised a hand and stroked his cheek. Hans closed his eyes, because he knew she wasn't real but he wanted to keep the feeling of her hand on his face forever. He wouldn't dare say it out loud, but be misses his parents and sometimes he feels like crying for them, but won't. There's nothing wrong with grieving for your parents but when you're an adult, you find it's much easier to just skip the tears and keep moving.

"Hans?"

He opened his eyes and suddenly he was in his kitchen again. His hand was still dripping with red and the plate was still stuck in his hand but now it was dripping all over the floor. His mother was nowhere in sight and Liesel was standing by the table, her eyes looked at him in concern. Well at least she didn't hate him, he thought to himself. Her eyes suddenly moved to his hand and they widened out of fear. She quickly turned on her heels, racing out of the kitchen yelling, "I'll get a doctor!"

…

"Liesel…" his voice was like a whisper calling her in a deep dark cave. "Liesel…Hey Saumemsch!"

Liesel lifted her head from her shoulders. They were waiting in the hospital, while Hans got stitches.

Rudy watched her carefully as she scowled at him, "Your brother is going to be fine. It was a small cut compared to what he might have seen in war."

"It's not the wound I'm worried about dummkopf," Liesel growled at Rudy. Her eyes mellow down and she puts more gently, "first he attacks me, and then… then I find him talking to himself. I think he should see a doctor."

"He's at the doctors."

"No not that kind of doctor."

"Do you mean a head doctor?"

Slowly Liesel nods.

"Do you know what will happen if he sees a head doctor?" Rudy says extremely serious. They all heard the stories of the retarded German citizens and how they were all killed for being imperfect. That could happen to Hans, but they wouldn't kill him for being retarded, they would kill him for being a coward.

Again Liesel nods, her face falling into her hands and silently sobbing into them. Hans and Trudy are the only family Liesel has left, the only family she is sure is safe. Max has been on Liesel's mind since the day he left. She doesn't like to think about him, it's like falling into a black hole. You want to wish for the best, tell yourself he's alive and that you'll see him again, but you know you will never see him again. Liesel knows she'll never see him again, and it breaks her heart. In her heart she believes Max will survive but the brain seemed to always know more than the heart. The brain seems to always be right.

Rudy put an arm over Liesel and pulled her to him. Liesel leaned into him the moment she felt his touch and it was like a moment of breaking. Rudy was right. They can't call a head doctor but they can't just do nothing. Obviously Hans needs help, but who can do it?

By the time Hans was free to go, it was dark out. Liesel had fallen asleep on Rudy's shoulder. Hans picked Liesel up from the bench and instantly Liesel's arms found their way to wrap themselves around Hans's neck. "C'mon Steiner," Hans said.

Rudy jumped to his feet and followed the Hubermanns out of the base hospital. When they finally got home, Rudy was getting ready to go to his room when Hans called him over. He was in the kitchen and Rudy didn't hesitate to comply. Hans was picking up the broken pieces of the plate and tossing them into the trash. "Get me a towel, Steiner."

Rudy left to get a kitchen towel in the cupboard. It only took him a minute to return. Hans thanked him and Rudy almost didn't catch it. He wasn't used to Hans thanking him before. Not that he was complaining but it was just a shock. He nearly fell over upon hearing it. Rudy watched Hans soak the towel, ring it out and slide it over the small dried up blood puddles on the floor. He continued this process until it was all gone.

Now that Rudy could see Hans at a different angle, he could see that Liesel was right. Something was off about Hans. Even Rudy could see it, and he hasn't really known him for too long, but it was too obvious. Something really pained him. Rudy turned and went straight to his room. He didn't want Hans to think he was staring.

...

*The next morning*

Hans was in the kitchen drinking coffee alone.

There was a knock on the door.

Hans goes to open the door.

He cries in shock

"What are you doing here!?"

...

READER'S NOTE-

Hey guys really sorry about the wait. Hope this is good enough and to GreenEyedShadoWriter, thank you soo much! That really made my day. I hope you enjoy this new chapter, and I will try to update at a more regular pace. Anyways! You guys know the drill!

REVIEW!