"On the other Side" is a story about a young German girl, her family, and friends. The events take place in a quaint, old city in the foothills of the Taunus Mountain region near the Rhine. The story begins with the mysterious disappearance of her father suspected due to political provocation. The family's pains, sufferings, and difficulties continue to escalate amidst the war-torn surroundings of World War Two. In the midst of increasing pressure and opposition from Nazi influence her mother, a woman who fears and loves God, finds strength to look toward a brighter future. Although on the other side of the political arena and facing its threats, dangers of war, bombings, and hunger, provisions and safety arrive at just the right time. Seeking refuge from the turmoil that beset her life, the young girl, still in her teens, draws strength from her mother's example in order to overcome startling challenges which face her as she approaches a new era in America. This story is based on facts, historical events, the writer's first-hand experiences, and recollections.

On The Other Side

By Marianne Smith

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 Marianne Smith
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-5699-5

Chapter One

Mid 1930s ... Living the good life.

A blanket of snow covered the quaint old city at the southern foothills of the southern foot of Germany's Taunus Mountains, the place Anna called home. The neat and tiny figure of Anna's mother moved swiftly around their cozy apartment. Busy applying a fresh coat of wax to the old wooden floor in their kitchen, she stopped briefly to stir a pot of steaming hot chocolate on the kitchen stove. Lost in her thoughts, she smoothed out the tablecloth on the breakfast table. She cheerfully muttered to herself, "This is Christmas Eve, the most special evening of the year, and everything must be perfect."

The scent of the Christmas tree Anna and her brother Guenter had decorated earlier filled the air. Anna reached for one of the cookies their grandmother baked, which now decorated the tree.

"Hands off," her mother demanded from across the room. "You must be patient."

"All right." Anna clasped her hands behind her back.

"After all, this is the night the Christ child will send the angels to deliver the presents to all the children," her mother continued in a soft tone.

Earlier in the day, the postman had delivered a postcard from a cousin in the Black Forest. The picture of an Alpine winter scene caught Anna's fascination. Her cousin Eric-mild-mannered, tall, handsome, blue-eyed with blond hair-had promised to take her there by train sometime, but this evening he would take her to their grandmother's house to celebrate their traditional Christmas dinner.

The bells of the cathedral nearby broke the silence as Anna opened the window of her tiny bedroom to look for Eric. Across the rooftops, she saw the balcony of his apartment. She became especially anxious to see Eric's new wife, Emma, later that evening. Emma, a welcome addition to the family, had been reared in a little village near the Rhine, so this was her first experience in the city.

Snowflakes shimmered in the light of the old street lantern below as Anna patiently waited for a sign of Eric. Her long pigtails bounced as she jumped off the stool her mother had placed near the window.

"Where are you, Little Chubby?" Eric called from the entrance hall. As she ran into his arms, she began to sob. "Why the tears?" Eric asked.

"It's nothing," mumbled Guenter as he reached for Anna's coat. "She cries over nothing!"

Anna glanced at Guenter's big brown eyes and mischievous smile as he gently led her out of the apartment.

As they approached the street, a gust of icy wind pushed them back into the entrance.

"Jump up!" Eric smiled as he bent to lift Anna over his head and onto his shoulders.

"It's like riding on your rocking horse, Guenter!" cried Anna. She delighted in Eric's bouncing gait as they pressed onward toward their grandmother's house.

Their grandmother, small in stature, dressed in black, with her silver-grey hair neatly braided and gently framing her pretty face, greeted everyone with open arms. "I was concerned about you! Let me take those wet coats. Did you know I have been baking all afternoon?" she teased.

"We can tell," Eric said, smiling. "It smells wonderful! We love coming to your house for dinner because you are the best cook!"

She shook the snow from their coats and said, "My love for cooking and baking began with your grandfather. People in the restaurant business recognized him to be one of the finest chefs in the region. And he loved his instrument." A warm glow came over her face as she walked over to touch their grandfather's zither that rested in one corner of the room. "Heat stroke took his life in Baden-Baden during a competitive cooking event," she reminded the children. Anna's mother stood close to his favorite zither and nodded as the grandmother placed the coats near the stove to dry.

"Now you may light the tree," she instructed her grandchildren. One by one, Anna and Guenter lit each candle that decked their grandmother's Christmas tree. The soft light of the candles illuminated the room. "I hope this rabbit is done soon. I know all of you must be starving," she called from the kitchen.

"For the last few months I helped feed that rabbit, and now we are having him for dinner?" Guenter shrieked as he shook his head in obvious displeasure.

As always, Christmas Eve was indeed a joyful event. Anna reclined at Eric's feet and sang as he played his mouth organ. Everyone was present except the children's father. No one questioned his whereabouts, but Anna's mother paced the floor in front of the French doors that led onto the balcony. Here she had a clear view of their grandmother's neighborhood.

A gentle nudge woke Anna from a short nap. "Wake up! It's time for midnight Mass. Your brother is spending the night with your grandmother. The two of us will go to midnight Mass," ordered her mother.

The chill of the midnight air came over Anna as she watched her mother lock the heavy wooden door of their grandmother's apartment house. "I am thankful the wind has calmed," she told Anna while pulling her hat over her ears. Thick layers of snow made the walk up the steep hill to the ancient Catholic church difficult, but the sounds of the organ coming from atop made the walk pleasant. Anna held tightly to her mother's hand as they approached the church.

"This is exciting and more fun than sleeping," Anna giggled as she attempted to remove the snow from her boots before entering the church.

Catching her breath from the mile-long walk, Anna stood silent with her chin pressed against the wooden fence that surrounded the life-size nativity. Distracted for only a moment, she watched her mother kneel close by. She fixed her eyes on the figurines. "Everyone is smiling," she whispered. "Even the little lamb curled up near the baby Jesus seems to smile. We came to the birthday celebration just like the shepherds and wise men," Anna whispered.

Anna pushed her featherbed away and pulled her doll out from underneath. "Come on, Puppchen," she said, cuddling her doll tightly against her chest. "It's Christmas morning! We must find Guenter so that we can go into the living room and see what the angels brought during the night." St. Nicholaus had made his rounds three weeks earlier and left treats outside their door.

Guenter had come home from their grandmother's home and was patiently waiting in the kitchen. Hand in hand they opened the door to take a look in the living room. Anna stood speechless, with the back of her hand pressed against her face, and smiled. "How can this be, the little Baby Jesus sent all of these presents?" she uttered in amazement as she walked toward the dollhouse.

She had no idea that Eric had spent many weeks designing the tiny wooden structure, which included miniature farmhouse furnishings. "Guenter, look, even new skis for both of us," she shouted. Guenter rejoiced over the new books and art supplies for his hobby. Thrilled with their Christmas gifts, the children spent hours playing and waxing their new skis for a trip to the slopes.

Their mother seldom failed to remind them of the source of their gifts. To remember the reason for this special season was her message. While limited in skills of teaching about God, she had a deep love for Jesus that was evident and sufficient for planting the seeds.

Anna had a special love for Eric. He was the only adult male in her life. Her father was never around, and she had no memory of him. His name and...