Chapter 27
The immediate mission at hand was done and they were about to have a major breakthrough so they sent Gretel home. It was a little too early seeing as how Hans was not home yet but Gretel did want to go home. She felt depressed about everything that had happened and so wanted to sleep in the comfort of her own bed as she felt sad. She also wanted to be around Iris after what had happened. The last thing she wanted was tell her what happened. She wanted to be around Iris to comfort her for something she didn't even know about yet. However, she could have to tell her sooner or later. Gretel walked through the front door which got Iris' attention.
Iris' head shot up at the sound of the door opening and closing thinking about the person at the door being Hugo. She ran downstairs to see that it was Gretel who had walked through the door. It was okay that it wasn't Hugo. Though it was a little disappointing, Gretel was still a great sight to see for Iris. "Gretel!" she said as she ran to her.
The sight of Iris made Gretel feel sick. It was one thing thinking and knowing that you had to slowly break someone's heart. But when they were right in front of you, it almost made her feel sick all the emotion that would be going on after she told her maid of her husband's death.
Iris ran into Gretel's arms, "Wie bist du, meine Liebe?" (How are you, my dear?) asked Iris after pulling away.
Gretel stared at Iris' face in sadness, "Ich bin in Ordnung" (I'm alright,) said Gretel looking to the ground. "Wie geht es dir" (How are you?)
That question and that question alone is what brought the tears to Iris' eyes, "Oh, mein lieber Gretel, ich habe noch nie so glücklich gewesen in meinem Leben," (Oh, my dear Gretel, I have never been so happy in my life,) said Iris as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Gretel stared into Iris' eyes searching for the part where it wold be okay to break the news to her but Iris' was irrevocably happy and there was no sadness within her at this moment. Gretel telling Iris the news would surly kill her. "Es gibt keine Notwendigkeit, mir zu sagen, ich erzählte ihm von dir und er verließ nicht allzu lange danach" (There's no need to tell me; I told him of you and he left not too long afterwards,) said Gretel forcing a smile.
Iris pulled Gretel into another hug, "Oh, mein Gretel Liebster, du hast keine Ahnung, wie viel Sie ihm zu sagen, für mich bedeutet. Ich habe ihn wieder zu sehen, und ich vermisste ihn so sehr. Er erzählte mir, dass er für mich kommen, wenn dieser Krieg vorbei war," (Oh, my dearest Gretel, you have no idea how much you telling him means to me. I got to see him again and I missed him so much. He told me that he would come for me once this war was over,) she said smiling.
All this information made this situation all the more hard. There was no way Gretel could slowly break Iris' heart. She had to put it off somehow, "Das ist wunderbar. Iris, ich bin so glücklich für dich ... Sie haben keine Ahnung, wie glücklich ich bin,That's wonderful. Iris; I'm so happy for you...you have no idea how happy I am," said Gretel giving her maid a small smile.
Iris' huge smile turned small at the sight of Gretel's lack of energy over the exciting situation. "Gretel, ist alles okay?" (Gretel, is everything okay?) Iris asked, curiously.
Gretel tensed up because Iris noticed Gretel's unhappy expression, "Oh, nicht darum kümmern, Iris, all dies reisen in diesen Monaten hat mir wirklich bekommen. Nicht zu erwähnen, wie spät es ist. Ich muss ins Bett. Gute Nacht, Iris," (Oh, don't worry about it, Iris; all this traveling over these months has really gotten to me. Not to mention how late it is. I must be off to bed. Good night, Iris,) she said being short and then going up the stairs.
Iris did not buy this, "Gretel," said Iris.
Iris saying her name made her nervous. Did she notice that something was wrong? "ja?" (Yes?) she said slowly turning nervously.
"Sind Sie sicher, dass alles in Ordnung ist?" (Are you sure everything is okay?) she asked coming up the stairs a little.
"Ja, alles ist gut jetzt gute Nacht, Iris," (Yes, everything is fine now goodnight, Iris,) said Gretel trying to get away again.
"Gretel, würden Sie mir sagen, ob etwas falsch war oder nicht?" (Gretel, you would tell me if something was wrong wouldn't you?)
"Natürlich würde ich." (Of course, I would.)
"Und warum benimmst du dich wie etwas schief gelaufen ist und mir nicht sagen? Gretel, was los ist." (Then why are you acting like something went wrong and not telling me? Gretel, what is the matter.)
"Nichts." (Nothing.)
"Sind Sie sicher?" (Are you sure?)
"Ja." (Yes.)
"Gretel?"
"Was?" (What?)
"Sagen Sie mir." (Tell me.)
"Bitte lass mich nicht" (Please don't make me.)
"Warum nicht?" (Why not?)
"Weil es weh tut zu viel!" (Because it hurts too much!) she said screaming.
They both stood there staring at one another. Gretel could not believe that she just admitted something to Iris and Iris could not believe that Gretel would lie to her.
"Gretel, warum du mich angelogen?" (Gretel, why would you lie to me?) asked Iris breaking the silence.
Heavy tears rolled down Gretel's cheeks, "
"Weil es dich verletzt," (Because it would hurt you,) cried Gretel.
Iris placed both hands over her mouth, "Gretel, sag mir, was passiert ist" (Gretel, tell me what happened,) said Iris knowing what Gretel had to say.
"Ich kann nicht, es würde Sie zu viel verletzt," (I can't; it would hurt you too much,) said Gretel, the tears still rolling down her cheeks.
"Bitte sagen Sie mir, dass Hugo in Ordnung ist," (Please tell me that Hugo is okay,) cried Iris loudly.
"Ich glaube, ich kann sagen, dass," (I don't think I can say that,) cried Gretel hesitantly.
Iris' face was red with tears. All her dreams of having a future with her husband had collapsed.
"Iris," cried Gretel walking down the stairs to Iris to comfort her.
"Nur zu Bett gehen" (Just go to bed,) cried Iris, storming out of the room.
Gretel slowly walked back to her bedroom feeling nothing but pure sadness.
The next morning when Gretel awoke, she woke up in that dazed state where you forget everything from the day before. But then everything in your life hits you and it's a hard hit; like someone killed you by throwing a stone at your chest. She laid back in her bed letting tears fall onto her pillow.
About an hour later, she rolled out of bed and walked out of her bedroom fully dressed heading downstairs for breakfast. On her way, she walked into Iris who was walking down the hallway holding laundry.
"Guten Morgen, Gretel," (Good morning, Gretel)" said Iris a little awkwardly.
"Iris, es tut mir leid ich nicht sagen sofort," (Iris, I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away,) said Gretel.
Iris gave Gretel a small smile, "Es ist okay, Gretel, ich verstehe Ihre Bedenken. Ich weiß, dass ich wahrscheinlich dasselbe tun hatte ich gelernt, dass Donny starb." (It's okay, Gretel; I understand your hesitation. I know that I would probably do the same thing had I learned that Donny died.)
Gretel returned the smile, "Iris, tut mir so leid," (Iris, I am so sorry,) she said staring into her maid's eyes.
Iris looked to the ground letting one year fall down her cheek, "Ich denke, mein Glück war einfach nicht sein soll," (I guess my happiness just wasn't meant to be,) she said letting herself smile again.
"Sagen Sie nicht, dass Iris. Sie waren zu glücklich sein" (Don't say that, Iris. You were meant to be happy,) said Gretel getting closer.
It was then that Hans walked through the front door.
The two ladies quickly stopped the emotional state, walked down the stairs, and gave Hans a proper greeting.
"Vater!" (Father!) said Gretel pretending to be excited to see her father. She ran into his arms.
"Hallo, mein Lieber. Ich habe viele gute und einige schreckliche neue mit Ihnen zu teilen," (Hello, my dear. I have lots of good and some dreadful new to share with you,) he said gravely. "Lets diskutieren sie über Tee," (Lets discuss it over tea,) he said in a tone that tried to lighten the mood. He then looked up at Iris.
Iris curtsyed and left to prepare the tea and as she walked away, she felt as if it were hard to walk. Her heart was dead. She tried not to cry but she couldn't help but just let one tear fall down her face.
This was the story of Gretel's life: having tea with monstrous men. They were out on the balcony. Gretel sat with good posture as Hans leaned back in his chair breathing in the fresh morning air.
Gretel had been holding a cup of tea, but then placed it on the table when she said, "Vater?" (Father?)
Hans looked at his daughter and then leaned on the table with his elbows, "Ja, meine perfekte kleine Prinzessin?" (Yes, my perfect little princess?)
"Sie sagten, dass Sie gute und schlechte Nachrichten hatte." (You said that you had good and bad news.)
"Ah, ja, gut," (Ah, yes, well,) he said leaning back in his chair, "es war ein massecre in einer Taverne letzte Nacht. Ich untersuchte die Szene an diesem Morgen. Die gute Nachricht ist zwei der Basterds tot sind. Wicki, der jüdisch-deutschen geborenen, die in die Vereinigten Staaten ging und wurde ein Bürger und Hugo Stiglitzs" (there was a massecre in a tavern last night. I investigated the scene this morning. The good news is two of the Basterds are dead. Wicki, the Jewish-German born that went to the United States and became a citizen and Hugo Stiglitzs.) He then leaned back on the table, "mein Liebling, die schlechte Nachricht ... es tut weh, es zu sagen ... Ich habe auch festgestellt, dass Ihre geliebten Verlobten ... Toten. Ich bin mir sicher, dass er ein Held gestorben, meine Liebe." (my darling, the bad news...it hurts to say it...I also found your beloved fiance...dead. I'm sure that he died a hero, my love.)
Gretel's head shot up at this fact. Her fiance was in the Tavern last night? He died in the gun shooting? He was dead. She couldn't believe it. This must have been a dream. She was finally free from him. She had to know for sure that she could be free from now on. "Vater, bist du sicher?" (Father, are you sure?) she asked, pretending to sound sad.
"Ich fürchte ja," (I'm afraid so,) he said very gravely.
He was dead. He was really dead. She was free from him. All that stood in Donny and Gretel's way was Hitler. Gretel had never felt happier in her life. However, she couldn't let her father know of her happiness. She tried to cry.
"auweh" (Oh dear,) said Hans as he rose from his seat to comfort his daughter. He sat down beside her and put his arms around her.
"Ich liebte ihn, Vater ... Ich liebte ihn," (I loved him, father...I loved him,) she cried into his shoulder.
"Shhhh. Ich weiß, meine Liebe" (Shhhh. I know, my love,) he said rubbing her back.
"Ich habe nicht einmal zu sagen: "good-bye"" (I didn't even get to say 'good-bye',) she wailed.
Hans stopped hugging her and tried to get her to stand up. "Warum gehen wir nicht ins Haus gehen," (Why don't we go into the house,) he said trying to look into her eyes.
She had a napkin to her face. She simply looked up and nodded.
"Okay, lets go," (Okay, lets go,) he whispered. He led her into the house, motioned for Iris to clean-up the tea, and then sat her down on the coach. He had his arm around her as she laid her head down on his chest and cried, softly.
"Shhhhh. Es tut mir leid, mein Lieber. Es tut mir leid es musste so enden. Aber du wirst jemanden treffen neue," (Shhhhh. I'm so sorry, my dear. I'm so sorry it had to end like this. But you'll meet someone new,) he said trying to perk her up.
"Ich denke schon. Aber es wird nie jemand so schön und fürsorglich, wie er sein." (I guess so. But there will never be anyone as handsome and caring as he.) She was really playing it up now.
"Ich weiß, Gretel, aber es gibt viele Männer da draußen und du bist so jung," (I know, Gretel, but there are plenty of men out there and you're so young,) He cupped her little face in his hands, "und so schön," (and so beautiful,) He whispered looking deeply into her eyes. "Ich wäre nicht überrascht, wenn jeder junge Mann würde lange dein sein werden" (I wouldn't be surprised if every young man would long to be yours.)
"Thank you," (Dunke,) she blushed.
He smiled at her and then gave her a long kiss on the cheeks. "Nun, du wirst es nicht zu traurig heute Abend bei der Premiere, oder?" (Now, you're not going to be sad tonight at the premiere, are you?)
"Es dauert mir ein Leben Zeit, um über Dieter ... aber ich werde glücklich sein, nur weil ihr meine Cousine, von denen ich so viel, dessen mit einer solchen besonderen, erfolgreich, Nacht lieben," (It'll take me a life time to get over Dieter...but I will be happy just because its my cousin, of whom I love so much, whose having such a special, successful, night,) she smiled with tears in her eyes.
"Das ist mein Mädchen," (Thats my girl,) he kissed her forehead, "Du warst immer wie ein Soldat." (You've always been such a trooper.)
She giggled.
Hans looked up to see Iris walking into the room.
"Ist sie in Ordnung?" (Is she alright?) asked Iris, worried.
"Shes Einnahme ziemlich rau. Aber sie wird in Ordnung sein. Richtig, Gretel?" (Shes taking it rather rough. But she'll be alright. Right, Gretel?)
Gretel gave her father a small nod.
"Ich verstehe nicht, was ist los?" (I don't understand; what's going on?) asked Iris with tension in her voice.
Hans stood up and walked over to Iris to fill her in. He stood there whispering in her ear for about half a minute until Iris.
"Oh, mein Lieber," (Oh, my dear,) Iris was playing along at this point. She hugged Gretel around the neck, tightly, "Es wird in Ordnung sein. Shhhhhh." (It'll be okay. Shhhhhh.) Iris was swaying Gretel back and forth.
Gretel cried into her shoulder as Hans rubbed her back.
"Nun, meine Damen, ich habe eine Menge Arbeit zu, bevor wir gehen heute Abend zu besuchen." (Well, ladies, I have a lot of work to attend to before we leave tonight.) He gave his daughter one last hug and kiss. "Shhhhhhh. Es wird okay sein" (Shhhhhhh. It'll be okay.) He then left the ladies.
"Das war wirklich gut," (That was really good,) said Iris, after Hans was far away from them.
"Dunke," (Thanks,) Gretel smirked, "t war einfach. Ich kann nicht glauben, dass er wirklich tot ist. Iris, haben Sie eine Ahnung, wie wunderbar das ist?" (it was easy. I can't believe he's really dead. Iris, do you have any idea how wonderful this is?)
"Ich bin so glücklich für dich," (I'm so happy for you,) said Iris, excited.
Gretel's smile turned into a frown.
"Gretel, was ist los?" (Gretel, what's the matter?) asked Iris confused.
"Du bist nicht eifersüchtig, oder?" (You're not jealous, are you?) asked Gretel.
"Natürlich nicht, mein Lieber," (Of course not, my dear,) laughed Iris, "Ich freue mich für dich. Du bist frei von diesem Monster jetzt." (I'm happy for you. You're free from that monster now.)
Gretel looked down at her lap smiling. "Ich wusste nur nicht, dass du eifersüchtig zu sein, dass etwas Wunderbares mir passiert ist." (I just didn't want you to be jealous that something wonderful happened to me.)
"Gretel, du hast so viel durchgemacht im Leben gewesen. Ich bin so froh, dass jetzt etwas Wunderbares ist für euch geschieht." (Gretel, you have been through so much in life. I'm so happy that now something wonderful is happening for you.)
Gretel grabbed Iris in an embrace, "Ich liebe dich, Iris. Ich bin so froh dass du es warst, die mein Kindermädchen und meine Magd bekam." (I love you, Iris. I'm so happy it was you who got to be my nanny and my maid.)
Iris accepted this embrace warmly, "So bin ich, Gretel, so bin ich" (So am I, Gretel; so am I.)
Hey Readers! So I finally updated. Sorry for the delay. Your reward is a super long chapter. Sorry if this chapter was a little lame but I spent so much time on it that eventually I got fed up with it and wanted to post it. Hope you like it and don't forget to leave a review on your way out. Happy Readings! ;-)
