A/N: I have changed Magda's name to Martina.
Shocked, Jo could only stare, mouth agape.
"This is Erika Messer and her sister Toni," said Frieda. "Erika was a year behind us in school, but we used to see her at lunch sometimes. I don't know if you remember. This is her Uncle Norman and Aunt Sylvia." Frieda glanced at a middle aged couple behind Erika and Toni. "Her Aunt Sylvia used to work in our factory a long time ago, when we made all different kinds of uniforms instead of just military uniforms. The boys are Erika's cousins Josef, Max, David, Peter, and Artur."
Frieda turned pleading eyes to Jo. "I'm only showing you this because you're my best friend in the world - and we need your help! Heidi was bringing food to us, but - " Frieda gulped. "She got caught."
A cold chill went down Jo's spine, making her shudder.
"I know it's a grave risk, Martina, and I wouldn't even ask you, except - " She looked down, and her voice dropped. "I know your family has chickens and a cow. If you could just bring us milk and eggs every so often, we'd be ever so grateful."
Jo looked from one desperate, hungry face to another and knew she had to help them any way she could.
"I'll do it," she whispered.
"Don't come in the same way every time," said Frieda. "Use the front door sometimes and the back door other times. Don't make a regular pattern of when you use each door. Bring the supplies in a plain shopping bag and come late in the evening, when most people are already home."
Jo had to know. "How did Heidi get caught?"
"Someone from the factory got suspicious and started following her around. They set up a trap, and she walked right into it. She didn't vary her route enough. That's something else you'll have to be careful about. Go the long way around sometimes."
I'll have to really make myself familiar with the area, Jo thought to herself.
She left Frieda's house feeling as if a heavy burden had just been placed on her shoulders. Oh, if only I could wake up and be back in Concord again! The last time I woke up as Martina, it lasted two days. How long will it last this time?
By the time she reached the Weber home, it was almost dinnertime. Renate was setting the table, and Mrs. Weber was bringing hot bowls of steaming food to the table. The aroma filled Jo's nostrils, making her mouth water.
She wondered how long it had been since the Messers had had anything to eat.
Neither Mrs. Weber nor Renate said anything to Jo. It must be a normal thing for Martina to visit Frieda after work, she supposed.
As they ate, all three family members kept glancing at the empty seats where Mr. Weber and Horst should be sitting. Jo felt an unfamiliar emptiness.
While Mrs. Weber and Renate were cleaning up after dinner, Jo took the opportunity to sneak into Mr. Weber's study. Trying to make as little noise as possible, she opened and shut desk drawers until she found what she was looking for - a map of Berlin. She opened it up and spread it out on the floor. She knew the train station was called the Lichtenrade Station. She found its location on the map and studied the streets surrounding it, memorizing various routes between it, Frieda's house, and the Weber house.
Deep in concentration, she lost all track of time until the sound of the door being opened made her jump.
"Martina! What are you doing in here?" asked Renate. "I've been looking for you for ages!"
Jo was torn. Should she share her secret with her older sister? After a moment of indecision, she pulled Renate further into the room and gently pushed the door shut behind her.
"Frieda has people living behind a dresser in one of her bedrooms," she whispered. "Jews!"
Renate gasped, and her eyes grew round as saucers. She shook her head as she backed away. "I won't tell!"
"They need food, eggs and milk," Jo continued. "That's why she showed me. I'm going to start taking food to them every day."
"I'll help!" said Renate.
"No!" Jo shook her head vehemently. "Don't you understand how dangerous this is?"
Renate thought long and hard. "We'll take turns," she said at last.
Jo opened her mouth to speak, but Renate put a finger to her lips.
"That's how it's going to be, Martina," she said gently, but firmly.
The sisters studied the map and worked out schedules and routes for themselves until it was quite late. After they finally went to bed, Jo lay awake for a long time, unable to fall asleep. Frieda had told her Erika had gone to school with them. How well had Martina known her? Had she kept a diary?
Jo couldn't wait to find out.
The next chance she got, she searched the attic until she found what she was looking for - several journals filled with Martina's handwriting. She poured over them for several hours, finding nothing about Erika, but a recent entry caught her attention. It was dated June 10, 1942.
I have been visiting Granny for only these past few days when who should show up but Pastor Baumgartner. Although it's been awhile since the last time I saw him, I recognized him right away.
"You remember my granddaughter, Martina Weber," said Granny.
"Of course." He smiled as he shook my hand, and I looked into his eyes and suddenly wondered what his first name is.
"It's good to see you again, Pastor Baumgartner," I told him.
"Please, call me Dieter," he replied. So that's his first name!
We had a lovely walk in the garden and a nice long chat. He told me of his travels, of the churches he visited in the United States, some of them Colored churches. I have never met a Colored person before! He tells me there are many living in the United States.
He talks to me as he does to Granny. I am flattered that he takes me so seriously, and already I feel a special bond with him. I'm sure we will be in touch again.