THE LETTER

On November 9th 1943, the Steiner's received the letter everyone feared most in the war. A telegram announcing their father's disappearance. Alex Steiner served for the Nazi army 110th infantry Regiment, front line base division, when his rifle platoon came under heavy fire from British troops near Vienna on the second to last day of October. German soldiers who survived the attack later realised he was missing.

The Steiners weeped, thinking the worst.

**It touched me how humans cried for another. The endearing selfless thought for another. But what use was it?**

Barbara Steiner was the first to dry her eyes. It looked like she was about to speak something of encouragement but retreated, she couldn't bring herself to do it. It's not true. Shouldn't she be able to feel it? Without a word went upstairs and locked the door.


Liesel sat on the top of the stairs paying close attention to the hushed whispers of her mama and papa. "Oh Jesus Crucified! I can't imagine what they're going through." Liesel could hardly hear their muffled voices, but from what she thought she heard, the postmen gave papa Hans a sad smile, which could only mean bad news.

Liesel felt tears swelling her eyes. Nein! No. No. No. Please Lord. This can't happen, not to Rudy. She panted.

"Liesel, you can come down."


Liesel rushed to the Steiner's house.

He was not there.

Liesel rushed to the Amper River,

He was there.

She made sure to be quiet.

"Can't you leave me alone for a few minutes!"

"Rudy-"

"Nein! Lassen Sie mich! Leave Me!"

When Rudy heard no footsteps he stood up to face her. "I can't deal with this!" He yelled scaring off the birds in the nearby trees.

Instead, Liesel took a step closer.

A itch of a cry broke out, "This is all my fault, if I had just gone with the Nazi's my father would be here instead of me."

"Rudy- don't think like that." But who did she think of herself to ask that of him. She could sense his burning jealousy that her papa was back and not his.

"No," he stepped away from her causing her eyes to sting from his hostility.

"If I had just gone, my father would be safe with my familie. They need him. Nobody needs me."

"I need you," she spoke too soon without thinking, instantly regretting the words.

He looked at her with distant eyes.

How could she be so selfish.

They sat together in the docks. silent, and far apart.

And when he stood up, she followed him, and went home.