The Book Thief(104)

Rosa swapped the bucket from left hand to right. Its lucky youre going to the war, she said. She held her finger in the air and wasnt afraid to wave it. Otherwise Id kill you myself, you know that, dont you?



Papa wiped a stream of water from his throat. Did you have to do that?



Yes. I did. She started up the steps. If youre not up there in five minutes, you get another bucketful.



Left in the basement with Papa, Liesel busied herself by mopping up the excess water with some drop sheets.



Papa spoke. With his wet hand, he made the girl stop. He held her forearm. Liesel? His face clung to her. Do you think hes alive?



Liesel sat.



She crossed her legs.



The wet drop sheet soaked onto her knee.



I hope so, Papa.



It felt like such a stupid thing to say, so obvious, but there seemed little alternative.



To say at least something of value, and to distract them from thoughts of Max, she made herself crouch and placed a finger in a small pool of water on the floor. Guten Morgen, Papa.



In response, Hans winked at her.



But it was not the usual wink. It was heavier, clumsier. The post-Max version, the hangover version. He sat up and told her about the accordion of the previous night, and Frau Holtzapfel.





THE KITCHEN: 1 P.M.

Two hours till goodbye: Dont go, Papa. Please.

Her spoon-holding hand is shaking. First we lost Max.

I cant lose you now, too. In response, the hungover

man digs his elbow into the table and covers his right eye.

Youre half a woman now, Liesel. He wants to break down but

wards it off. He rides through it. Look after

Mama, will you? The girl can make only half a nod

to agree. Yes, Papa.





He left Himmel Street wearing his hangover and a suit.



Alex Steiner was not leaving for another four days. He came over an hour before they left for the station and wished Hans all the best. The whole Steiner family had come. They all shook his hand. Barbara embraced him, kissing both cheeks. Come back alive.



Yes, Barbara, and the way hed said it was full of confidence. Of course I will. He even managed to laugh. Its just a war, you know. Ive survived one before.



When they walked up Himmel Street, the wiry woman from next door came out and stood on the pavement.



Goodbye, Frau Holtzapfel. My apologies for last night.



Goodbye, Hans, you drunken Saukerl, but she offered him a note of friendship, too. Come home soon.



Yes, Frau Holtzapfel. Thank you.



She even played along a little. You know what you can do with your thanks.



At the corner, Frau Diller watched defensively from her shop window and Liesel took Papas hand. She held it all the way along Munich Street, to the Bahnhof. The train was already there.



They stood on the platform.



Rosa embraced him first.



No words.



Her head was buried tightly into his chest, then gone.



Then the girl.



Papa?



Nothing.



Dont go, Papa. Just dont go. Let them come for you if you stay. But dont go, please dont go.



Papa?





THE TRAIN STATION, 3 P.M.

No hours, no minutes till goodbye:

He holds her. To say something, to say anything ,

he speaks over her shoulder. Could you look after my

accordion, Liesel? I decided not to take it.

Now he finds something he truly means. And if

there are more raids, keep reading in the shelter.

The girl feels the continued sign of her slightly

growing chest. It hurts as it touches the bottom of his ribs.

Yes, Papa. A millimeter from her eyes, she

stares at the fabric of his suit. She speaks into

him. Will you play us something when you come home?





Hans Hubermann smiled at his daughter then and the train was ready to leave. He reached out and gently held her face in his hand. I promise, he said, and he made his way into the carriage.



They watched each other as the train pulled away.



Liesel and Rosa waved.



Hans Hubermann grew smaller and smaller, and his hand held nothing now but empty air.



On the platform, people disappeared around them until no one else was left. There was only the wardrobe-shaped woman and the thirteen-year-old girl.



For the next few weeks, while Hans Hubermann and Alex Steiner were at their various fast-tracked training camps, Himmel Street was swollen. Rudy was not the samehe didnt talk. Mama was not the sameshe didnt berate. Liesel, too, was feeling the effects. There was no desire to steal a book, no matter how much she tried to convince herself that it would cheer her up.



After twelve days of Alex Steiners absence, Rudy decided hed had enough. He hurried through the gate and knocked on Liesels door.



Kommst?



Ja.



She didnt care where he was going or what he was planning, but he would not be going without her. They walked up Himmel, along Munich Street and out of Molching altogether. It was after approximately an hour that Liesel asked the vital question. Up till then, shed only glanced over at Rudys determined face, or examined his stiff arms and the fisted hands in his pockets.