1994
Whitney answered the door to find a tall deeply tanned man standing before her. For a brief second the same exact feeling that overcame her that happened earlier on the street. Her stomach twisted and the weirdest feeling of déjà vu filled her.
He was dressed in jeans, and what looked to be a worn brown leather jacket. He had a black Boston Red Sox cap on, which covered most of his thick black dark hair. His eyes were intense, his eyebrows narrowed and thick stubble growing in over his rather handsome face. Staring up at him, a mixed feeling of fear and attraction went through her mind. The top of his jacket was wet, beads of water rolled off it.
Whitney saw it was just beginning to rain outside.
She tried to open her mouth but no words came out.
"Whitney Castor?"
Whitney blinked before snapping out of whatever gaze she had on him.
"Ummm, yeah."
The man smiled holding out her license and a few of her credit cards.
"I picked these up by accident, didn't notice until I was at the gym. Thought you might miss them."
His voice was deep and had a strong Boston accent. Yet again the same feeling went through her. Nervously smiling, she took them.
"Wow…I didn't even notice they were missing. I would of drove myself crazy looking for them."
Whitney looked up at him grateful. Right away a smile appearing on her face.
"Thank you so much. It's rare to have somebody go out of their way because the other one did something stupid."
The man smiled, slightly blushing.
"It wasn't stupid; I should have looked where I was going. Besides that's what American is being all about, helping each other out."
Whitney smiled.
"Now that's the spirit…old fashion but I admire that."
The man grinned and Whitney suddenly felt very safe, as if the two had known each other for a very long time. Her eyes locked with his before he cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, would you mind If I could use your bathroom?"
Whitney had been taught most of her life never to talk to strangers. Not to park beside vans, or to offer directions to what seemed like a friendly helpless handsome young man.
Also…never to invite them into your apartment.
But for some strange reason, Whitney felt as though she could trust this stranger, who she could of sworn she knew. Steeping back, her license and her cards in her hands.
"Sure, come on in."
The man smiled before walking inside. Whitney shut the door behind her before noticing now wet he had gotten. Rain poured outside and the sound of thunder was distant. Whitney glanced over and thought of Philip. She wondered what was keeping him.
"Would you like a towel?"
The man looked embaressed before lightly laughing as he looked down at himself.
"I'm sorry, I'm getting your floor all wet…"
Whitney smiled waving her hand.
"Screw the floor, it looks like it's getting really bad out there."
The man grinned.
"Yeah it sure is…"
"There's towels in the bathroom, down the hall to your left. Would you like some coffee?"
"No thanks, I'll just be a second."
Whitney smiled before offering him her hand.
"And your name is? Sorry."
He smiled his hand nearly three times the size of hers. His handshake was firm and strong.
"Donny."
"Pleased to meet you Donny."
Why did she now really think she knew him? Her sense was getting stronger. He started at her for an extra moment. His eyes staring at her with such a look Whitney couldn't explain.
He smiled back before heading towards the bathroom, taking his baseball cap off as he did. Whitney walked him before eyeing the answer machine.
Still no messages from Philip.
Just then thunder sounded. Whitney jumped.
The doorbell rang. Whitney turned, thinking for a brief second that maybe Philip lost his keys. Looking down the hallway, she saw the bathroom door was closed. Walking to the front door she answered it.
"Hold on a sec."
Whitney went to the door, and right before her hand turned the knob her heart froze. Right away such a horrible overwhelming feeling of terror struck her she thought she was dreaming.
Donny…
Her thoughts went back to her huge framed almost life sized photo she had hanging in her office. The same photo she constantly stared at whenever she was working. A million stories, articles, photographs, and names rushed through her mind within seconds.
He didn't just look like him, just a strange fluke like how some people look alike. Growing up, people often said she looked like a young Ann Margret. No, this man didn't just kinda look like Donny Donowitz…
It's been fifty years, how is this possible…
Her eyes widened before she opened the door, a terrifying feeling at any second two strong arms would wrap around her and yank her backwards. She hoped it was Philip on the other side of the door. Opening it, that empty cold feeling that just overcame her got much worse.
Two police officers.
"Ms. Castor?"
Whitney didn't think she could speak. Standing in the doorway, she watched as one of the officers cleared their throats. Their eyes empty of emotion.
"Is your fiancé Philip Swann?"
Whitney looked over her shoulder, feeling herself beginning to shake.
Something was wrong…something horrible.
1941
A few days after they arrived at Hanna's cabin, Regan was sitting on her wooden porch swing outside, a blanket wrapped around her and dressed in one of Hanna's clean jumpers. Her short hair tied back, the bruises and cuts on her body were finally healing. Regan sat there, eyes red and puffy as she tried to control tears.
Outside nearly every single tree was changing color. Beautiful reds, gold's, and browns seemed to have taken over the entire forest. It was early morning and the others were behind back packing in the last of their equipment. Aldo wanted everyone to load the truck up and get going, there were plenty of miles to go before they reached their next destination. Hanna was inside, fixing the men some food to travel with along with a few fresh blankets and medicine. Standing on the porch in front of Regan as Aldo who leaned against one of the wooden poles and took a snort of his snuff. Donny meanwhile stood in front of her, his brown leather jacket on and one foot up on the swing to keep it from rocking. His eyes were sincere and worried as he finished talking.
Regan took a deep breath.
"Why would they do this?"
Her voice was hitched.
Donny stared down at his boots before shaking his head.
"I don't know. Maybe Landa never really was the true friend he claimed to be with your family. Maybe proposing and leading you to believe he loved you was just a lie."
Regan shook her head.
"He was such a gentle man; he loved my father like a brother!"
"I know Regan, but he hired his own men to massacre your family…we found you wandering in the forest half alive. You had this on you…"
Donny handed Regan a crumbled up piece of dirty paper. Something he got Stiglitz to write in German a few nights ago.
Wicki refused when they asked.
Regan's green eyes studied the paper before her face crumbled, putting her hand over her mouth a tin cry escaped. Looking up at Donny, tears rolled down her face.
"He wrote this?"
"We found it on you. Maybe it was supposed to be a message…"
The letter pretty much was Aldo's idea. In German he made Stiglitz write as though he was Landa. It said that he decided to take care of Regan's family simply because he wanted to send a message to any of those who feared him. That he was not only The Jew Hunter but a man who showed no pity or mercy. That he simply used Regan and hoped whoever found her would have some fun before putting her out of her misery and shot her in the head. That he was unable to love, just kill and make sure everyone knew that the Germans had no emotion. That they including him would go to any means in bringing the new world Hitler had dreamed of.
Regan tossed the letter to the porch floor, she held her stomach.
"I think I'm going to be sick…"
Donny quickly went to her side, sitting next to her before carefully putting his arm around her shaking shoulders.
"Shhhh, it's all right…"
Regan shut her eyes, trying to control her tears.
"H-how did you…f-find me…"
Her voice was getting more broken up. Donny looked up at Aldo before clearing his throat.
"Like we said, you were wandering in the forest with this letter. You weren't making sense and you were hurt real bad. We didn't think you would make it so we tried to drop you off at a village not that far from where we found you. I dressed in civilian clothes and tried to drop you off at a hospital but they wouldn't take you. I don't know why but they wouldn't. I tried another village and again they wouldn't take you. I don't know why…I don't think Landa send out anything or you're wanted. But they just wouldn't. I tried telling them you were German but they wouldn't try to help you. A few officers got wind of me and I had to haul out of there and meet the team later that night. We fixed you up and learned you spoke pretty good English. You were hurt bad, but you came around…"
"How long was I with you?"
"Few months, you got better and…"
Regan cut him off, shaking her head if though she had a horrible headache.
"You said…"
Regan looked up, her eyes locking with Donny.
"We're married."
Aldo shot Donny a very amused look before looking away. Donny seemed embarrassed but forced a tiny smile. He reached over, brushing her hair away from her face.
"Not officially…but I was the one that took care of you. You learned who we were and what we did and you finally woke up to the fact that our people were worthless. That they were monsters and that turning against them wasn't the big sin you build it up to be. You tagged along even though we trusted you and gave you to chance any time if you wanted out to just leave. Instead you stayed, helped out even a little. A lot like Wicki and Stiglitz you saw that fighting against your own really wasn't as horrible as it seemed…knowing after all you were doing it for the right cause. I proposed last month and don't you remember the river?"
Regan who was closely listening, closing her eyes and trying to think.
"River?"
"I got down on one knee, gave you those dog tags…"
Donny pointed to the metal laying on her chest. Regan looked down, confused. Aldo listened as Donny stared deeply into Regan's eyes and continued his fake story.
"I asked you to be my wife. I didn't think you would seeing I was Jewish. But you smiled, and told me that after everything that had happened…you finally saw the truth in what we were doing. You said yes and since we were in the middle of nowhere we stood up together and as I put the chains over your head we kissed each other and said we were married. I promised you once the war was over and I brought you back to American we would get married, right in Boston."
Regan stared at him, fascinated before blinking.
"Boston?"
Her eyes dropped, thinking of something.
"B-boston…Boston."
She slowly said. Donny looked concerned yet touched her face with his hand gently.
"You lost your footing, fell and hit your head…I was so fucking worried since you weren't waking up…"
It was Donny's turn now to make his voice sound shaken.
"I…"
Aldo didn't look as though he could stand it. Turning, he walked down the porch. Regan reached over, touching his back.
Donny looked up, almost on the verge of tears. For a brief second Aldo saw this and wondered if it was part of the act or just guilt finally crashing down on Donny. Turning away, he left it alone. This was Donny's problem now…and his plan.
"I should of taken better care if you. I should of watched you…"
Regan shook her head.
"I just can't remember some stuff; a lot of it is cloudy. I'm sure I'll come around. Besides…maybe its better I can't remember. Sounds like everything has been a nightmare until you came along."
Donny smiled, looking up at her.
Regan reached over, her thin fingers running through his thick black hair. This tiny gesture made Donny look up at her, his heart pounding in his chest. Funny to think nearly two weeks ago he was grabbing her by the ankles as she clawed at the forest floor.
Regan's eyes were filled with tears.
"He really killed my whole family?"
Donny silently nodded, almost as if his eyes were in pain.
Regan took a deep breath, wiping her eyes.
"Then I guess you're my family now…"
Donny made a nervous laugh through his own tears. None of the men had ever seen him so much as shed a tear, now here he was crying right beside the woman he had raped over a dozen times. Regan slid the blanket off her shoulders before leaning in close.
"You're men…I heard you call ourselves 'The Bastards'?"
Donny nodded.
"You're all Jewish American? You kill Germans?"
"Nazis…"
Regan stared down before Donny saw an empty shade fill them. Looking back at him, she forced her own smile. Pulling herself closer to him she linked her arm around his.
"I guess this works out. I can fall in love with you all over again."
Donny smiled before very gently leaning over, his plump lips going against hers. The kiss was gentle, not rough or forceful. Donny shut his eyes, holding her closer before pressing his forehead against hers.
His hand linked with hers.
"I'll protect you Regan…I'll never let you go…"
He whispered.
Down near the truck, Wicki helped load in another trunk. Looking up at Donny and Regan, his eyes became outraged.
A half an hour later all of the men were loaded and ready in the truck. Hanna was on her tiptoes whispering something French into Aldo's ear as he began to get into the driver's side. Smiling, he kissed and thanked her before waiting for Donny who was carrying Regan to the front cab. Regan was wrapped in her blanket and looked slightly amused.
"Donny I can walk…"
Donny's face was serious as he lead her over to the passenger door.
"You need to save your strength, besides you don't weigh anything."
Regan laughed, laying her head against his chest before staring up at him.
"So schrecklich, als ich fühle, ich errate, dass ich ziemlich glücklich bin. ..I nur hat herausgefunden ich habe einen sehr hübschen Ehemann. Ein Amerikaner...go Figur."
Donny looked down at her, raising an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You don't speak German?"
Donny shook his head.
Regan smiled as Donny pulled the door open.
"I was just saying that as horrible as I feel…I'm pretty lucky. I just learned I have a handsome husband. An American…go figure."
Donny smiled, holding her tight before sitting down. Regan looked over and saw Hanna waving goodbye.
"Goodbye Hanna, thank you again."
Hanna stood back, arms crossed.
"It's all right doll. Just take care of yourself with these big strong men around you."
Hanna smiled, tapping a wink before motioning towards the back of the truck.
"I packed away some dresses and clothes, better then wearing your man's shirts."
Regan thanked him again before Hanna waved them off. Starting the engine, the truck began hauling down the back road. Regan laid her head against Donny's chest. Shutting her eyes, Donny looked down at her worried. Gently he brushed her hair back.
"Anything hurting?"
Regan shook her head.
"I'm just sore…"
"You need anything?"
"No, I just want to rest…"
Her words trailed off as Donny smiled, a smile that held so much overwhelming love it seemed almost sickening. Donny held her, kissing the top of her head before looking over at Aldo.
Aldo smiled as he drove.
"This should be mighty interesting…it sure will be…"
They drove through the night, and finally stopped right before dawn. Donny hadn't said much the entire ride before looking down at her, snuggled up against his chest. Looking over at Aldo who had killed the engine and was having a cigarette, he deeply sighed.
"How long are we stopping?"
"Just enough to stretch our legs."
Nodding, Donny opened the passenger door and carried Regan out into the chilly early morning air. The first frost was just starting to settle. Hearing the tailgate slam open, Donny decided not to even bother getting the weird glances and looks from the others. Carrying Regan a little out of sight, he waited until her eyes opened. She blinked, looking sleepy.
"Where are we?"
She said before yawning. Donny looked around, the forest seemed so still at this time. Looking at the still dark sky, he knew dawn would come within the next twenty minutes.
"We stopped for a little bit. You cold?"
Regan nodded before Donny rubbed her arms that were underneath the blanket.
"Need to use the bathroom?"
Regan nodded as he carefully set her down. Hanna had given her slippers and an extra pair of boots that were packed away with the extra clothes. Regan wrapped the blanket tightly around her before taking a long look around the woods. Her feet crunching down on the leafs around them.
"I'll just be behind this tree…"
She mumbled. Donny nodded, not really wanting to let her out of his sight. Regan disappeared before Donny turned and unzipped his fly. Urinating, Donny shivered by the cold before tilting his head back. He still hadn't felt right since Regan kicked him down there. Standing, he thought about all the lies he had said. He hoped it would work…so far she believed him, trusted him.
He couldn't explain this feeling he was getting, but he was scared to death it might be love.
"Donny?"
He heard her voice call out, slightly concerned. Donny finished, shook and quickly zipped himself back up before hurrying a few trees back. Regan's blanket was off, and she still had the jumper on. Her arms crossed, she looked worried. Donny quickly went over.
"What is it?"
Regan bit her bottom lip before backing up slightly. Shaking her head she hitched in a deep breath.
"Donny…have we…been together?"
Donny stared at her, right away his heart sinking. He really didn't know how to respond.
"Together?"
"Made love?"
Donny thought back at that night, how her hands slapped his chest and arms as she struggled to get from underneath him. How the sound of ripping cloth filled the air and how limp she became as he buried himself inside of her. Her helpless cries echoing.
Donny snapped out of it before gently cupping her face with his hands.
"Once…you said you wanted to. The night I proposed…do you remember?"
Regan shook her head, on the verge of tears.
"I…hurt down there. I think something is wrong…"
Donny's expression changed.
"What do you mean?"
Regan looked embarrassed.
"None of the men…I mean you can trust them?"
Donny thought of Wicki, how badly he wanted to slap the blame on him. Knowing it would be too dangerous he shook his head.
"Regan their your new family. Their protecting you as much as I am. Besides, I told you…I would never let anyone hurt you."
Regan shifted from foot to foot, right away she burst into tears.
"I want my mother…"
She began to cry. Here Donny saw how young she really was. Frowning, he brought her against him and wrapped his muscular arms tightly around her.
"Shhhh…"
"I'm so confused…"
Donny then stared down at her.
"I love you Regan."
Regan looked up before hitching in a cry.
"I wish I knew if I loved you."
Donny looked around the woods before biting his lip.
"Do you want me to take a look?"
Regan seemed embarrassed.
"No, I'm okay. I just fell when I had my accident? That's it?"
Donny looked down at her before nodding.
"That's it."
Regan nodded before nervously laughing.
"This isn't like me…being so helpless…"
"You've been through a lot. It's fine."
Regan then eyed where the truck was, a few yards away.
"What do they think?"
"Who?"
"Them?"
"They understand you've been through a lot. They know you just need time."
Regan's face stiffened.
"I just wish I could remember. It's horrible not knowing."
Donny slipped his hand into hers.
"Remember? We get to fall in love all over again?"
Regan forced a smile before Donny kissed her hair.
"Come on…"
He lead her back to the truck and before getting in, she noticed Wicki finishing his smoke as Aldo yelled for the others to hurry. Regan had her blanket draped over her shoulders and stopped before staring at him. Donny stood behind her, not liking this one bit.
Regan took a step closer to him.
"What's your name?"
Wicki stared at her before flicking his smoke down.
"Wilhelm Wicki."
He offered his hand and when Regan gave hers, he gently took it and kissed it. Donny's eyes were fuming as he watched. Regan smiled as Wicki's kind eyes looked her over.
"Are you feeling better? You gave us a scare."
Regan blushed before nodding.
"Much better. I can't remember much but I'm fine."
Wicki eyed Donny.
"That's good."
"I think I remember you."
Wicki smiled.
"Do you?"
"Yeah…you speak German right?"
Wicki nodded.
"German born…"
"So isn't another one of you?"
"Yes, Stiglitz, he's out back, you'll meet him."
"Austrian?"
Wicki smiled.
"You have a good ear, yes. Originally from Salzberg."
"You speak English really well…"
"I know several different languages. Helped when I got drafted."
"You're American?"
"Left Germany in my twenties. Enlisted and got drafted…you speak English really well."
"My French is rusty, but my English I've been working on."
Wicki crossed his arms.
"Is that so?"
Regan brushed her hair back.
"Yeah. I speak a little Italian too."
Wicki smiled before Donny stepped forward, his hands resting on Regan's shoulders.
"Come on, it's cold."
Regan turned, nodding before smiling at Wicki.
"Bye Wilhelm."
Wicki nodded.
"See you later Regan."
Donny lead Regan into the front cab just as Aldo rounded up the others. Just before Donny hopped into the cab, he glared at Wicki who simply stared at him. Once inside, Aldo started the truck and turned the heat on.
"Been acting like a bitch, probably will quit soon."
Donny wrapped his arm around Regan, drawing her in closer.
"Cold?"
"A little…"
The truck started before Regan glanced up at Donny.
"I feel safe."
She softly said."
Donny smiled before holding her closer.
Present
Whitney's license and credit cards fell to the ground, making a hollow click against the wooden floor. The officers took their plastic covered caps off before slowly informing Whitney that security had found Philip's body outside of his car. His I.D was on him and…
Everything else was a blur.
Whitney's entire world went numb.
No, she was dreaming.
Everything stood still. All Whitney remembered was letting a high pitched helpless "No!" escape her. The officers kept speaking before Whitney felt vomit gurgle up in her throat. They had to be joking. It wasn't Philip, they were wrong.
"Ms. Castor are you all right?"
Whitney moaned before racing down the hall, any other thought she had before answering that door faded away. Slamming the bathroom door open she saw it was empty.
No sign of the man.
Freezing, screamed.
Written on the mirror in what looked to be lipstick were the words…
You and I belong together.
