They joined the line forming behind the entrance to the church kitchen, where coffee and a variety of pastries and fruits were offered.
"Is nice of them to feed us," Yuri commented.
"You see," Erica told him. "Americans are for the most part very generous and compassionate people. I don't care what your government told you about us."
"Americans are very different from what I thought," Yuri agreed. "If I had known, I never would have agreed to join in attack."
They took their food and found an area where they could sit and eat in private.
"Last night wasn't really my first time," Erica said softly. "Someone forced himself on me once."
Yuri was confused. "But how..."
"Not the normal way. The other way."
"Oh." Understanding dawned on him. "Oh, Erica. Poor little girl. Come here and let me hold you." She went into his arms, and he held her and comforted her.
"It was soldier, yes? One from my country?"
From deep within the shelter of his arms he felt her nod.
"Oh, Erica, I am so sorry." He hugged her more tightly. "You should hate me, but instead you love me."
"What he did wasn't your fault, Yuri." Something occurred to her. "Have you ever done that to anyone?"
"Me? Oh, no." He chuckled slightly. "I shoot at men before, yes. But hurt woman like that? Never."
"That's good." Erica was very relieved.
"Well, you two have sure gotten awfully cozy, haven't you?"
Startled, Erica looked up to see Jed and Matt staring at her and Yuri.
"Boy, am I glad to see you guys!" she exclaimed. "Where did you go after the bombing?"
"We came straight here and waited for you. We knew you'd come along eventually," said Jed.
"We didn't expect to see you still with him," Matt grumbled. "Why are you all cuddled up with him like that?"
"Erica tell me about something very bad that happen to her once. I try to make her feel better," Yuri explained.
"I'll bet you slept with him last night, didn't you?" Matt accused.
"That's none of your fucking business!" Erica exploded.
"She's right, Matt," Jed said mildly. "It is none of your business."
"Matt and I have an aunt and uncle who live in Canada," Jed continued to Erica. "We've decided that I'm going to join the army and Matt will go to stay with our aunt and uncle until he's old enough to join himself. His birthday's in only a few more months, and he'll be old enough to join up then. Erica, you're welcome to stay with Matt in Canada."
"What about Yuri?" asked Erica.
"I'm not about to ask my aunt and uncle to harbor a Communist," Jed told her. "Yuri's on his own."
"But he's Franz Schmidt, the West German exchange student, now. Remember?"
"I won't lie to them either." Jed's tone of voice was firm.
"I won't go without Yuri," Erica said.
"Do not worry about me, Erica," Yuri told her. "I will be all right."
"I can't leave you behind, Yuri," Erica insisted. "I love you!"
"I knew it!" Matt sneered.
"I want you to be safe, Erica," said Yuri.
"I won't leave you, Yuri," Erica repeated.
"If you are killed because of me, I will never forgive myself," Yuri told her.
"If I go to Canada with Matt and you die here alone, I'll never be able to live with that," Erica countered.
"Let's just go," Matt said to Jed. "It's obvious she's made her decision."
"You can still come to Canada with us," Jed told Erica. "Their border is still open to American war refugees. Chances are you'll be able to find shelter nearby."
"Do you want to?" asked Yuri.
"It sounds like a good idea to me," Erica replied.
"Then we will go." Yuri took her hand, and they set out.