Chapter 9-Happy Anniversary
Sighing wearily, Gertrude stared at the reflection in her bedroom mirror as she applied her lipstick. Once finished, she again studied the person looking back at her. Despite spending nearly two hours getting ready, Gertrude quickly realized despite her best efforts, she had not been able to make herself look forward to this dinner.
"Otto," she began leaning forward, hands flat on the dresser. "I wish you'd tell me whether or not I'm doing the right thing by letting Albert talk me into this dinner." She exhaled through her nose and moved a strand of hair behind her ear. "He keeps insisting you're dead and I should move on and remarry. But I believe differently, my darling. I believe you are alive somewhere on the Russian front. He doesn't understand missing-in-action is not dead." She bowed and shook her head sadly. "But I suppose I shouldn't be angry at Albert. I know he means well, and wants only what is best for me. But why can't he understand? Why?"
Using her hairbrush, Gertrude proceeded to brush her hair until she was satisfied. When finished, she again studied her reflection, allowing a small smile to appear.
"You always liked my hair this way, Otto," she said sadly. "In a strange sort of way, it's been three years, and I still remember the little things you loved about me. I remember everything, my darling. I remember how handsome you looked in your uniform; how you felt in my arms when I hugged you; the feeling of your lips pressed against mine; how you smelled. But mainly, I remember the feeling of waking up every morning wrapped in your arms." Gertrude blinked away the gathering moisture in her eyes. It would not do to start crying now and ruin the makeup she spent considerable time working on. She took a deep breath and turned back to her reflection. She studied herself again as she took a deep breath.
"It's ironic, my darling, that the only one who understands what and how I feel is an American prisoner-of-war. To think, a POW understands what my brother either doesn't, or can't." A sad smile appeared. "I wish you could meet Colonel Hogan, Otto. I think the two of you would get along nicely. You'd like him. In a way, he's a lot like you, my love." She exhaled out her mouth. "I will be seeing Colonel Hogan later this evening when I return from dinner in town. I truly hope you understand about Colonel Hogan, Otto. He is only a substitute for you as nobody can or will ever replace you in my heart. Not even Robert as he prefers I call him. All I can tell you, my love, is he has made this week bearable for me, and I will always be grateful. It is so good to wake up in a man's arms again, even if only for a few days, and even if they are not your arms. He also makes me feel as beautiful and desirable as you did which is something I haven't felt in three years. But mostly, he makes me feel like a woman again." She then selected a pearl necklace and proceeded to fasten it around her throat.
Stepping back, she studied herself in the mirror. She suddenly thought she saw Otto's reflection standing behind her admiring her reflection and smiling approvingly. It brought a smile to her face.
"Please forgive me, Otto," she said to the apparition. "Please forgive my indiscretion. I will find a way to make it up to you once you come back to me. It's for this week only Colonel Hogan has my body, but it is you who has my heart and always will."
A sudden knock on her bedroom door startled Gertrude, and when she looked in the mirror again, the apparition she believed had come to her had disappeared, if it had ever been there to begin with. The knocking continued.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"It is me, Gertrude," Burkhalter announced. "Are you ready yet? We are going to be late."
Gertrude exhaled deeply out her mouth. "I'll be right with you, Albert. Let me get my coat." She feigned a happy expression and planned on forcing herself to relax and just get through tonight.
Newkirk knocked on the door of Hogan's quarters, and opened it once he heard the order to enter. Opening the door, the Englander spotted his commanding officer stretched out on the lower bunk reading a paperback book. The Colonel looked over the top of the book questioningly at Newkirk.
"Thought you'd like to know, sir. Klink, Burkhalter, and his sister just drove out the front gate."
"Okay," Hogan replied. "Thanks, Newkirk." Hogan started to return to his book but noticed Newkirk hadn't moved. "Is there something else?"
"Yes, sir. What time do you want me to raid ole Klink's stash for the champagne and caviar?"
"Wait an hour before you go. I want both to be properly chilled for later."
"Yes, sir. Colonel, can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What's on your mind?"
"Well, sir. Begging the Colonel's pardon. You sure are going through an awful lot to entertain Frau Linkmeyer tonight. Is this information so ruddy important?"
"It can make a big difference to the war. Also, it is her wedding anniversary and I thought tonight I should be extra nice. Plus, it'll give me something else to talk about while I continue pumping her. " Hogan held up a hand stopping him when he saw Newkirk about to ask another question. "No, I can't tell you. It's classified." Hogan believed if his men ever found out what he and Frau Linkmeyer were really doing, he would never hear the end of it.
"I understand, sir," Newkirk answered even though he really, for the life of him, couldn't see what possible information Gertrude Linkmeyer could have, and why the Colonel didn't use his golden tongue on Burkhalter instead. But again, London, in it's infinite wisdom, thought for some reason it would be easier to get the information from Burkhalter's sister. And the Colonel always followed orders. So who was he to question another country's orders. Shrugging, he opened the door and started to leave when Hogan's voice caused him to pause and look back. "Sir?"
"Make sure you remind LeBeau while you're raiding Klink's secret stash, he's to get a nice assortment of flowers from Klink's garden."
"But sir, won't Klink raise a ruckus when he sees flowers missin' from his garden?"
Hogan smirked. "Not when he sees those same flowers in Frau Linkmeyer's guest quarters he won't."
Newkirk chuckled. "You think of everything, Gov'nor."
Hogan chuckled. "Dismissed, Corporal. And make sure I'm told when they return from town."
"Right, sir." Newkirk closed the door behind him leaving Hogan alone in his quarters.
Hogan returned to reading his book again, but found himself reading the same sentence at least twice before he closed the book and sat it down on his footlocker beside his bunk which doubled as a night table. With a sigh, he clasped his hands behind his head and stared at the underside of the top bunk. The corners of his mouth curled upward.
Tonight he would make Gertrude's night special. Having gotten to know her over the last few days, it wasn't too big a deal considering he could only imagine what it must be like to celebrate one's wedding anniversary while being away from the one you love. It was bad enough being separated from his mother, Sandra Marie, his brothers John Robert and Michael, and his sisters Katherine and Sarah. But that wasn't exactly the same thing as a spouse. He remembered his own mother's feelings when her husband, Robert Michael Hogan, was away during World War One and then a POW. He saw from her letters that she still became depressed on that special day even though his father had since died. He had seen that same look in Gertrude's eyes that he had seen in his mother's. He promised himself he would do what he could to ease that sadness tonight even if just for a little while.(1)
Tonight he would give her the flowers when he arrived at her door. They would follow that by snacking on caviar and sipping champagne. He would wish her happy anniversary. Then, he promised himself, they would talk before consummation.
Consummation. Just the thought made Hogan grin. It just wouldn't be that he would be making Gertrude feel special tonight; but that she would be doing the same for him even though tonight was not about him nor had any of the other nights.
Of course, Gertrude wouldn't see it the same way. In her eyes, she was helping Hogan relieve his loneliness while she was here, and he was doing the same for her. They both realized there was no love involved in their little liaisons, which was clear from the start on both their parts. But then something came to Hogan that when he stopped to think about it, he never really thought about before.
Why had he allowed what happened the first night to continue? He could just as easily have put a stop to it after that first time; but so could Gertrude and she didn't. What did that say about him as a man? That he was putting his own needs and desires before hers? He couldn't deny he was enjoying the benefits of the time they spent together. But was he being selfish and taking advantage of a woman when she was missing her husband? Hogan never thought of himself as selfish or self-serving, and he couldn't understand what brought this on today of all days. He would have to talk with Gertrude about these feelings tonight when he met with her.
"Very interesting changes you made to the Ratszeller, my dear," Burkhalter announced as he pushed the chair back under Gertrude. He looked at Bertha who was seated across from him but beside Klink who resembled an expectant father waiting in a maternity ward. Klink didn't like that the General had hit on the young woman while she was showing them around and pointing out the changes she had made so far. He had also seen the look of annoyance on Frau Linkmeyer's face at her brother's actions. But Burkhalter had the authority of sending him to the Russian front, so he kept his mouth shut. He watched the General sit down beside his sister, his eyes never straying from the young, attractive woman with the waist length black hair and dark brown eyes. He was eying her as a hungry predator would his next meal. The small group then placed their orders with a waiter.
Burkhalter had eyed Bertha up and down the moment he was introduced and smiled like a Cheshire cat. Klink knew exactly what was on Burkhalter's mind as his reputation as a womanizer was well known, and he knew the General was looking to add Bertha as another conquest.
Reaching a meaty hand across the table, Burkhalter gripped Bertha's hand. "Tell me, my dear. How did you end up with someone like Klink? You are so young and Klink is old enough to be your father."
"I'm sorry, Herr General," Bertha replied pulling her hand away. "Wilhelm's age doesn't matter to me. And he is who I wish to be with and nobody can change that, though some have tried," she added, staring hard at the General. Then with a shake of her head, she tossed some of her hair over her shoulder. She had dealt with officers from all branches of the German military and was able to handle herself very well. She was also aware Burkhalter was Klink's commanding officer and was capable of making trouble for him. So when the reservation had been made, Bertha promised herself she would deal with Burkhalter so that Klink wouldn't get in trouble. Nobody spoke again until the waiter arrived and served them their food. The meals were eaten in silence and nearly finished before the General started again.
"Delicious food, my dear," Burkhalter said cheerily, determined to win this prize and steal her away from the balding Kommandant.
"Ja," Gertrude agreed. "Excellent. You will do very well here."
"Thank you. You are both very kind."
"Bertha has a good head for business and for what people like," Klink chuckled nervously.
"Thank you, Wilhelm," Bertha purred planting a small peck on his cheek which caused Klink to blush and smile nervously.
Gertrude smiled at the affection between the couple. "Isn't that nice, Albert," she said purposely. "Klink has finally met someone." She continued to watch Klink and Bertha exchange looks and smiles, and Bertha stroke the Kommandant's face lovingly as her forehead pressed against his. They seemed oblivious of Burkhalter and Gertrude.
"Nonsense, Gertrude," Burkhalter said loud enough for Klink and Bertha to hear and look in his direction. He then reached out again, and rubbed the pad of his thumb over the back of Bertha's hand. But to his surprise, Bertha smiled coyly and removed her hand from Burkhalter's. Her eyes hardened. "You can do so much better than a mere Colonel, my dear. I am a General after all, and have a chalet in a remote area of town if perhaps one day you'd like to see it."
"A chalet, Herr General?" she asked with wide eyes. To her, not only was this General a womanizer, but a pig as well, and he disgusted her.
"Yes indeed." Burkhalter smiled leeringly.
Bertha looked down at the General's hand. "That's a lovely wedding band, Herr General. Tell me, does your wife like the chalet as much as you? And why didn't she join you tonight?"
Burkhalter's face turned beet red while Gertrude chuckled at the younger woman's boldness. But she couldn't take anymore of this and needed some air.
"Enough!" Gertrude suddenly said in a loud voice as she slammed her napkin onto the table and got to her feet. "I am leaving and returning to Stalag 13." She couldn't take anymore of her brother's actions. Not today anyway.
"Gertrude, you will sit down and relax. You are making a spectacle of yourself!" Burkhalter hissed glaring up at his sister. "Now sit down!"
"If anybody is making a spectacle of themselves it is you, Albert. Today of all days you couldn't control yourself just once." Gertrude then smiled at Bertha and Klink. She reached out a hand to Bertha and patted the younger woman's hand. "If was very nice meeting you. I hope you do well with the Ratszeller and in your relationship with Klink." She started to walk away when Burkhalter stood and grabbed at her arm.
"Gertrude, you cannot leave like this! We haven't finished our dinner, nor have we had dessert. And I am not ready to leave yet. Besides, we all came in one car, so you can't leave."
"That's where you're wrong, Albert," Gertrude hissed. "I will have the driver return for you after he drives me back to camp." She jerked her arm from her brother's grip. "I suggest you not stop me from leaving else I will really create a scene. Goodnight, Albert." She turned and stormed away.
Slamming his own napkin down on the table, Burkhalter sat back down angrily.
The ride back to Stalag 13 seemed to take forever according to Gertrude as she looked out the rear passenger-side window. Actually, it took the same amount of time to drive back to the prison camp as it did into town, but for some reason it just seemed to take longer. She took a deep breath as the car passed through the front gates of Stalag 13 and exhaled through her mouth. Leaning forward a bit more, she looked briefly in the direction of Barracks two as the car passed by the Kommandantur, and wondered if Hogan was watching, waiting for her to return. She leaned back in her seat once the vehicle passed the hut and continued onto the guest cottages. Once the car reached its destination, she ordered the driver to stop and got out. After ordering the driver back to the Ratszeller, she bid him goodnight, then walked inside her guest cottage turning on the overhead light. She knew she had not been expected back until sometime between 2000 and 2100 hours, but due to her argument with her brother, she had come back earlier. She found that the drive back to camp did nothing to lessen her anger.
As she approached the sofa, Gertrude angrily flung her pocketbook onto one corner of the sofa, and her hat soon followed. Lastly, she removed her coat and flung it across the room where it landed askew on the floor. Then, she collapsed on the sofa, buried her face in her hands, and sobbed uncontrollably. How could Albert embarrass and humiliate her on this day of all days? He was aware how important today was to her, and still he acted like a jackass totally oblivious of her feelings. She felt so horrible at this very moment that she believed nothing would repair the damage.
"Otto, my brother has ruined this day for me," she sobbed running her hands down her wet face. "Albert has done the unthinkable and humiliated and embarrassed me on one of the most important days of my life; well aware what today was. I need you to help me, to give me a sign that this can still be the beautiful day just as it has been for the last thirty-one years."
She couldn't tell how long she had continued crying thinking her prayers would go unanswered when the knock on her door came. Looking up, she wiped the pads of her fingers across her tear-stained cheeks. She hoped her visitor wasn't Albert because she was not in the mood to see nor forgive him right now. Whoever it was knocked on her door again.
Getting slowly to her feet, Gertrude walked to the door pausing only to take a deep breath, before opening it to find herself face-to-face with Colonel Robert Hogan. He was holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand, and on his other arm was a basket containing crackers and caviar, and in his hand was a bucket filled with ice and what appeared to be a bottle of champagne. The smile of his face rapidly disappeared the second he saw her red, puffy eyes and tear-streaked face. He quickly placed the items down on the table near the door and came inside closing the door behind him. He wrapped his arms around her bringing her close to him and held her. He kissed the top of her head.
"What did your brother do tonight?" Hogan asked, concerned.
Gertrude started crying again and buried her face into Hogan's chest. She didn't want to talk right now. She wanted comfort and caring, and a small part of her wondered if Hogan's arrival was the sign she had asked for from Otto.
"Just hold me, Robert," she said shakily. "Don't say anything. Just hold me as tight as you can right now. Bitte."
Hogan did as he was asked, and held her close against him as tightly as he could. He let her cry out the hurt and pain it was obvious her brother had caused. He promised to himself when she had calmed down, he would show her that someone cared.
(1) The names of Hogan's parents, Robert Michael and Sandra Marie Hogan, along with their other children John Robert, Katherine, Michael Thomas, and Sarah Hogan were characters I made up in my other story From The Depths of My Soul.