Chapter 10.

August 1937
Amsterdam, Holland.

There was a small coffee shop at the end of the street. It was cozy, quaint little place with large windows and round wooden tables. Sitting by one of the outside tables, sketchbook in hand, was Erik. The pencil in between his fingers was busy scratching away the scenery of the cobblestone street and the houses that aligned it.

Two hands suddenly covered his eyes, causing him to pause his work.

"Guess who."

"A little mischievous kitten."

Ruth laughed and removed her hands. She popped her head around and planted a soft kiss on Erik's lips. She then sat down opposite him.

"Having you been waiting long?"

"I'm not sure, actually," he replied with laugh. "I got lost in the artwork and never noticed the passing time."

"That's good. I got held up at home. Mother brought in visitors again."

"At this rate you'll be personally acquainted with all the bachelors of the Amsterdam Jewish community." Erik said this with a laugh but there was a hint of bitterness in his voice. There was no doubting the fact that Ruth was becoming a beautiful young woman. Today she wore a soft white dress with green flowers on it and a white and green matching hat. Her curly hair had been tamed with the help of multiple pins and was twisted in an elegant bun. She hadn't applied very much make-up, just enough to bring out her enchanting facial features.

"No doubt the boys her mother invites are falling over themselves trying to get her attention," Erik mused as he fought to keep his jealousy under control.

Ruth had rolled her eyes at his statement. She obviously did not care for all those bachelors. Thank goodness for that.

"Come on, let's go for a walk," she said, jumping up and pulling at his arm. "It's a beautiful day and we must make the most of it."

Erik smiled and tucking his pencils and his sketchbooks away, he rose. Ruth clung to his arm with both of hers. They stepped out into the street and strolled down it.

"I was very sorry to hear about your mother's passing," Ruth said after a few moments of silence.

Erik let out a sigh as he gazed off into the distance. "She was in so much pain the last two months, it was almost a relief when she passed away, ashamed as I am to admit it. At least her suffering is over. It's been three months now. Johanna never even came for the funeral, neither did Father. Fritz showed up his new wife and daughter. At least he has some respect for the woman who birthed him. Unlike that cold hearted sister of mine."

Ruth squeezed his hand and there was a sort of helpless look in her eyes. He smiled and pinched her cheek. "Don't worry, I'm alright. I'll admit it was very hard at first but life has to go on. Oma was worried about me and suggested I spend some time away from home to sort of let the memories rest."

Ruth's eyes lit up. "So how long will you be here?"

"Two weeks."

She squealed with delight and he had to laugh.

"You're still such a baby at times."

"Yeah, well you like me the way I am," She retorted, a proud grin on her face.

They walked silently for a while, enjoying the late summer afternoon.

"What do you suppose happens to people after they die?" Erik suddenly spoke up.

Ruth paused before answering. "I think that depends on who you ask," she said at. "Each religion seems to have their own idea.  I like to believe that we will end up in heaven with God in the end."

"You know, the Buddhists believe in reincarnation."

"Since when do you know anything about Buddhists?"

"I was reading a book about Ancient China and it touched on the Buddhist religion. After a person dies he is reborn again into a new life. The sort of life he is reborn into depends on what sort of past life he led and what sort of Karma he built up for himself."

A perplexed look came to Ruth's pretty face as she pondered this strange concept.

"It's an interesting theory," Erik went on. "Don't you think?"

"You believe it?"

"Well, no, at least not in the way the Chinese believe it. But I do sort of like the concept of being able to return and live your life again. You never know, I mean, God has so many souls entering Heaven every day, maybe He recycles some of them and allows them to be born on earth again."

"God recycles souls?" Ruth burst out laughing. "Erik! Blasphemy! They'll excommunicate you from the church if they ever hear you say such things."

"I'm not saying it's the Gospel truth!" Erik hurried to defend himself. "But I always thought of God as a loving, merciful Deity. Perhaps, if you felt you weren't given a fair chance or that it was all cut too short, He's willing to give you another go."

He could see she was both amused and astonished at his radical reasoning.

"Don't ever mention this to your Oma," Ruth cautioned.

"I only mention it to you because I know you have an open mind."

Ruth shook her head with a bemused smile and turned the subject. "What will you do now that your mother has passed on. I know you still have one more year of university left. How about after that?"

Erik didn't answer right away. That was a difficult question. He knew the answer she wanted to hear. It was one he couldn't give her just yet, and how he hated to disappoint her.

"I know you're hoping I'll move," he spoke at last. "And to be honest, I do want to. It's just...well...Oma doesn't want to move anywhere. She was born in that village, lived her whole life there. Her parents, brother, husband andchildren are buried there. At the same time I can't leave her alone. She's already eighty four."

He watched closely for her reaction. A hint of disappointment shone in her eyes, but at the same time reflecting understanding.

"You shouldn't leave her, Erik," Ruth agreed with him. "After all she has done for you, it wouldn't be right. Old people often don't like change and we know that neither Fritz or Johanna want to be bothered with her. You have another year to study anyway, maybe she'll come round to the idea of moving at the end of it. Slow, gentle persuasion might just work."

Erik smiled and squeezed her hand. "What about you? What are your plans."

"I need to get away from home," Ruth declared, passion lighting up in her bright eyes. "I can't take any more suitors coming to my door. Sara doesn't mind and good for her, but I've already got my man and don't need any other, thank you very much."

Her devotion was reassuring, and the idea of her getting away from her parents who were determined to marry her was likewise pleasing to hear. Erik couldn't help but entertain a fear that one day, God forbid, some fellow might show up and steal the heart he guarded so carefully.

"Over the summer I've taken a typing course," Ruth continued. "I'll find a job as a typist or as a secretary. I plan to move in with my cousin Susi. She's studying medicine and lives alone in a flat. I know she's been looking for a flatmate and when I suggested to her my idea she was thrilled. I'll be an independent woman living on my own, with my own job making my own money."

"Will your parents approve?"

The bright eyes became downcast. "Probably not, but then I'm already twenty one, I don't really need their approval. I'm sure with time they'll come to understand."

They had reached a bridge that crossed over a canal and paused in the middle to watch the sun that had just begun to set.

"We'll save money, won't we, Erik," Ruth spoke at last. "You in Germany, me here. Then when the time comes and we can finally marry we'll have something to start with. Even if no one supports us it will be okay. We'll support ourselves. Won't we?"

"Of course we will. And when we do marry we won't stay in Amsterdam."

"Certainly not. The city isn't the place for us. We're country folk you and I. Where will we go, Erik?"

He was silent for a while, deep in thought. "Switzerland," he said at last, his eyes gazing far into the distance. "We'll move to the mountains in Switzerland."

"Oh yes, of course," Ruth agreed with a happy sigh. "We'll find a nice village up in the mountains, far far away from all those who disapprove. We will be safe, just you and me. There will be no more secrets and hiding and sneaking around. We'll have a house and a barn and a garden. And in our spare time, when the work has been finished, we'll climb the mountains and you'll paint the view as I sit and watch you. We'll do just that, won't we?"

He said nothing but drew his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. She rested her head on his shoulder. He rested his head on her soft hair. They stood together for a long time this way. Full of hopes. Full of dreams. Full of patience.