Casanova Klink

Gertrude had finished moving her mother's things into the guest bedroom, when she looked up and noted the late time. She knew Mama was tired from her long trip from Münster. With all the bombings and sabotage activities, the train trip had been long and arduous. What should have been a day trip had taken a week. Still, Gertrude was glad to have her mother here with her. The proximity of the synthetic oil factory at Gelsenkirchen and the strong military presence in the city made it a prime target for the Allies. It was only a matter of time before it was bombed, no matter what Herr Hitler said. Then there was her age to consider. Irmgard Burkhalter was approaching her eightieth birthday. Due to a stroke she recently suffered, she was often unsteady on her feet she had fallen several times. The neighbors had called with concerns and Gertrude had spent months persuading her mother that it was to make the move to her home in Michelau.

She pulled back the covers on the bed so her mother could take a nap before dinner, while going over in her mind what to serve from their meager pantry. Rationing in Germany, once a minor inconvenience, had taken on a life of its own. Sometimes she could barter with local farmers for items she needed but it was dangerous and if caught, she would suffer severe consequences.

Gently she helped the elder Burkhalter into bed and then pulled the covers over her mother's chest. She looked so tiny and fragile to Gertrude and she wondered where the years had gone. It seemed only yesterday her mother was young and active. Seeing her like this only reminded Gertrude of the short time she had left with her. Her mother was already asleep as Gertrude leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. She finished tucking her in, turned off the lights and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

Realizing Lotte should be home shortly from her teaching job in Prüßerg, she hurried to prepare dinner. Gertrude did not like her daughter riding her bicycle to work and back, too many things could happen to a young girl, but gas rationing had made it impossible for her to use the car on a daily basis. It was only when the weather was extremely bad such luxury could be indulged in.

Gertrude sliced the cold Leberkäse and placed it on a serving platter along with some Schwarzbrot and Tilsit cheese. After slicing the last two apples she had, she began to set the table. The sound at the door made her look up from her task. Expecting to see Lotte, she was surprised to see her brother as it was not like him not to bother to call first. Gertrude was immediately on guard.

"Has something happened Albert?" Gertrude asked as she walked over to where her brother was hangng his coat and cap on the walnut hall tree by the door.

"No, can't I visit without something being wrong?" Albert grumbled at her sister.

"Of course you can," she replied still on guard. "I'm setting the table for dinner. Would you care to join us?"

The General glanced over to the table and frowned. "I assume that the rest of the meal is still in the kitchen."

"No, that is it. There is a war on you know. Take either what is offered to you or leave it. It matters not to me."

"There's no reason to get your tail feathers ruffled Gertrude, I'll send some supplies by later this week."

"Don't do us any favors, Albert," Gertrude griped as she began to set a place for her brother. "What brings you here tonight?"

"I came to see Mama."

Gertrude paused, arched her brow at Albert and waited.

"And Lotte."

Gertrude silently regarded her brother. Withering under her scrutiny, Albert caved.

"All right Gertrude, I need you to fill in as secretary for me. It it's a wage of thirty-two Marks and forty Pfennigs a month. I know you could use the money."

Gertrude shrugged and continued to set the table. "What good is money when there is nothing to spend it on?"

"I'm asking for your help, I know how well you managed Otto's papers and was hoping to use your organizational skills to manage one of my subordinate officer's offices. Just until the regular secretary gets back from her leave of absence, I promise."

Gertrude walked over to the window, brushed the lace curtain aside and looked out. It had been dark for some time now and Lotte still had not returned. She was starting to get worried. Turning back to her brother, she thought about his request. Obviously, he was holding back in whose office he wanted her to work. This could only mean Klink. The last thing she wanted was to go back there.

"Who would take care of Mama? I can't drive there and back every day."

"You can stay in the VIP quarters and I will have Berta stay here until you get back."

She gave her brother a dismissive snort. "Mama will scratch her eyes out before the week's end. You know they do not get along."

"They'll both behave themselves, I'll see to it."

"All right Albert, I'll do it under one condition."

"Name it."

"Instead of pay, you get the gas and permits for Lotte to use the car to go back and forth to work. I worry about her being out there alone in the dark with so much Gestapo and troop activity in the area," replied Gertrude.

"Done, I will pick you up in the morning," the General said as he put on his coat and cap.

"One more thing Albert, could you see if you could find Lotte? She is late and I'm getting very worried."

Albert gave his sister a gentle smile, "Of course. I will pick her up and drop her back off before going home. Don't worry Gertrude; she probably met a young man."

"That's what worries me Albert," she replied as she glanced once more out the window.

Burkhalter walked over to his sister and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Don't worry, she is fine."

Gertrude smiled at her brother's attempt at comforting her. "I know you're right but a mother has the right to worry doesn't she?"

"Of course Gerti," Albert said, calling her the pet name she had as a child. "And that is something no one could question you on, your dedication to your family, especially Lotte."

"Out with you, before I start thinking of you as a brother instead of the bully you like to pretend you are," she said smiling as she swatted at him.

He was chuckling as he left the small cottage and a few minutes later, true to his word, he dropped Lotte off before heading back home.

The next day Gertrude found herself driving through the front gates of Stalag XIII, a place that she had sworn she would never to return. At least this time it was to work and not being pushed at the Kommandant like her last visit. She definitely felt more relaxed this time around. Stepping into the outer office, she noted it was in complete disarray. She could not imagine how long Klink had been without a secretary for it to get in such a state. Not only were there papers scattered all over the place but at least one half eaten sandwich and several half drank cups of old coffee. She sighed as she looked around at the mess, knowing it would take her most of the day to clean it before she would even be able to start any secretarial duties.

"This is just what you need, Gertrude, something to keep you busy." Albert said still in sales pitch mode.

Typical man, Gertrude thought, thinks women sit around the house all day with nothing to do. I would like him to trade places with me for just one day and see who works and who does not.

"Who wants to be busy? I am happy sitting at home with Mama," Gertrude said while she continued to inspect the wreck Klink had the nerve to call an office. She had more enough to do at home to keep her busy, she didn't need this headache. Still this did present her with an opportunity she might not otherwise have had. Better to keep her brother thinking she was apathetic about being here or he might start asking questions she rather not have to answer.

"Wouldn't it be nicer to sit around the house with a husband?" Albert said.

Not this again, I thought he had given this idea up after what happened the last time we were here. "Maybe," Gertrude said being deliberately obtuse, "whose husband?"

Laughing Albert replied, "Don't be coy, Gertrude, I am talking about marriage."

Albert was attempting to charm her and she was not about to let him. She thought she had put this notion to bed and she was not about to let him start his match making again. "You are always talking about marriage. How do I know I am a widow? Otto was only reported missing in action."

"That was three years ago. You're a good looking girl. You'd make somebody a good wife."

How she wished she could talk to her brother without playing these silly games. They both knew the circumstances surround his death, yet neither could admit it to the other. So instead, they had to play these silly games with each other. Gertrude tried to remind herself that what Albert was doing was out of love but she wished he'd leave her be, she had more important matters which needed her attention and a husband would just complicate things.

"I wouldn't mind getting married again, if the right man came along."

"Even if the wrong man came along you'd better grab him," the General remarked dryly. "Beggars can't be choosers, you know."

Her attention suddenly shifted from a pile of papers she had been thumbing through back to her odious brother.

"Albert!" she began as she picked up a waste paper basket and considered dumping it on her brother's head. Before she had a chance to act on her impulse, the door to Klink's office and the man himself walked into the outer office.

"Ah General Burkhalter, Frau Linkmeyer, what a pleasant surprise," Klink gushed.

"What is so surprising about it Klink? I said you'd have a secretary first thing this morning."

Oh no, poor Klink is unaware that my brother is matchmaking again. I have a feeling this will not end well.

"Yes sir you did. What time will she be here?

"She's here, right now."

Klink looked around the office and then at Gertrude. She noticed the sick look that crossed his face when he realized what the General had planned. "You don't mean your sister?"

"What's wrong with that?" Gertrude said hurt by Klink's reaction.

"Oh no, no, nothing, it's a wonderful idea but you see it's very complicated work," Klink said in an attempt to smooth things over.

She had kept house, balanced the household expenses, cared for their children, entertained high-ranking officials and acted as her husband's personal secretary. Yet he thought she was too stupid to manage one little office, the nerve of the man.

"What is so complicated about it? I can make twice the mess I see here."

"Well you see, work has been piling up since Fräulein Hilda left."

"That is no excuse to leave an office looking like this. Here," she said thrusting the wastepaper basket into his hands, "dump this."

"But I-I-I-I," Klink stuttered.

Piling more trash into Klink's hands, Gertrude continued in a tone which said she would brook no argument, "Get rid of this and bring me a broom on your way back."

Klink looked at the General who just smiled. "Yes ma'am," Klink said as he went to do what was ordered of him, leaving Albert and Gertrude alone once again.

"You see Gertrude, Colonel Klink really does need a secretary," Albert said, resuming their earlier conversation.

Resisting her brother's intentions Gertrude responded, "What he really needs is a maid."

"What he really needs is a wife. You know Klink reminds me a lot of Otto."

"Well yeah, yeah he does," Gertrude, said thinking about the physical similarities between the two men. She then thought about the differences. She somehow could not picture Klink bouncing children on his knee or reading love sonnets to her in bed. She remembered the total panic Otto had been in when Lotte had fallen off the swing and broke her arm. He was so upset seeing his little girl in pain that for days afterwards he would bring her home dolls, ribbons and sweets. Gertrude had to intervene before Lotte became hopelessly spoiled. After thinking about it for a moment, she continued, "But there are more differences than similarities. And that makes me a very happy woman."

Next: Casanova Klink: Part II

a/n:

Leberkäse (literally "liver cheese") is a type of sausage that does not contain cheese or liver. It is similar to a pink meatloaf, with very finely minced corned beef, pork and onions, spiced with marjoram, baked in a bread pan until a golden crust develops. It can be eaten hot or cold.

Schwarzbrot is a black rye bread.