The Abbeville Boys

Chapter 4: Joseph Has Trouble

      While Kurt was consumed by the gliders, Joseph was still in shock at the situation he was in with school and the social order in general. The Nazis are putting pressure on rich Jews first. There are suddenly new taxes and it’s causing added stress on Joseph’s family. His life is becoming miserable. School is all about disparaging the Jews and his parents are on edge all the time. He no longer has the fun loving boyhood existence. Since Kurt was busy on the weekends with gliding Joseph would ride over to see him on weeknights occasionally but couldn’t make it every night.

      Joseph went to school one day and the teacher came into the classroom. She nonchalantly said, “Jews will no longer be able to attend this or any other school. Only Jewish teachers will be able to teach the children. You will have to find another means for your schooling.”

      The other kids looked around and Joseph was about ready to cry. He was supposed to graduate this year. He began to wonder about his future. He thought back to Kurt’s words, ‘How could it get any worse.’ Well, it has. The teacher dismissed the class and Joseph went outside. He walked aimlessly for a while and headed for his old school. It was getting late in the afternoon and maybe he could catch Hilda coming outside.

      As he approached the old school, kids were getting out of class and heading home. Joseph saw Hilda. He ran up to her smiling. She smiled slightly back, “Hi Joseph. How have you been.”

      He was just happy to see her, “I’ve been thinking a lot about you.”

      She stared into his eyes hesitatingly, “I don’t know if we should be talking. My teachers say we should not associate with Jews.”

      Joseph stopped and his eyes bulged out as his world turned upside down. He couldn’t believe what was happening. The isolation itself was bad enough, but now he was being isolated from close friends. Hilda put her head down and walked off. Joseph wanted to say something but didn’t. He stood there looking at everyone as they went about their business.

      He began to run. He ran to his house, which was still secure, and went to his room without saying a word to anyone. After some time, he decided the one person outside his house he could count on was Kurt. Joseph saddled up and rode over to see him.

      Kurt was waiting outside as Joseph came over the hill in a full gallop. He approached Kurt and began to dismount before the horse stopped. As he came off the horse he walked up to Kurt and stood there in front of him. Kurt had a perplexed look on his face, “What’s wrong my friend?”

      Joseph couldn’t talk; he stammered as he tried to relate what happened with Hilda. Finally, he said, “I talked to Hilda earlier and she said we can’t talk anymore because I was Jewish.”

      Kurt looked him in the eyes. He was at school and knew what was happening. The teachers constantly spread propaganda about the Jews. Most kids had turned against them.

      Joseph looked desperate, “You’re still my friend, aren’t you?”

      Kurt hesitated, wondering how he could ask such a question, “Of course I am. You have always been and always will be my friend. We’re brothers. I’ll admit I didn’t think it would get to this extreme, but it still must be a phase. You’re still secure. Your family has land and money. They can’t take that. No matter what though, you can count on me, anytime. Now let me saddle up and we’ll go to the river and get a few squirrels for dinner. You can eat here tonight.”

      Kurt made Joseph feel a little better and the ride was even more therapeutic. They shot several squirrels and had them cooked up for dinner. By the end of dinner, the boys were joking and laughing like old times.

      As Joseph rode home that evening, he felt better but the further away from Kurt he got, reality began to set in. Kurt couldn’t know what Joseph had been through.

      The next day Kurt finally got access to a motor car and drove over to Grechen’s house. This was his first time there as he rang the doorbell. A servant answered the door with Grechen’s dad right behind him. Kurt stood there nervously and said, “Good afternoon, Mr. Bauer. I was wondering if I could talk to Gretchen.”

      The man looked at Kurt for a few seconds, “Are you from the Reichard estate?”

      Kurt answered immediately, “Yes sir. I know your daughter from school. We’re friends.”

      Bauer turned and told the servant, “Go upstairs and get Gretchen.”

      The two men stood there as she was summoned. Mr. Bauer said, “Gretchen has told me about you. She said you aspire to fly for the Third Riech.”

      “Yes sir. I fly gliders. I’m hoping to enter pilot training soon.”

      Bauer nodded in approval, “I’ve also heard from local glider people you’re a celebrity. The best glider pilot out there. Is that true.”

      Kurt smiled with modesty, “I feel comfortable flying.”

      About that time Gretchen came down from upstairs. Bauer looked at Kurt, “I will leave you two to the parlor.” He then looked at Gretchen, “Be careful of him my dear. I can see he’s a charmer.”

      They laughed and walked into the parlor to sit and talk. As they sat down Kurt grabbed Gretchen’s hand and held it. They stared into each other’s eyes and Kurt said, “I’m so glad I finally get to come see you. I think about you all the time.”

      She stared back, “I think about you. We’ll be graduating soon. What are you going to do?”

      I’m hoping to get a commission in the Luftwaffe to fly. I’ll know soon. I’ve been flying gliders. I can’t tell you how amazing the view is from up there. I feel like it’s my destiny. I’ve never felt so good in my life.”

      Gretchen sat there somewhat jealous, “I wish I had a feeling of ecstasy like that. You seem genuinely happy.”

      “I am. It’s hard to explain. I feel fulfilled when I’m in the sky. There’s one other thing though. I want someone to enjoy my life with.”

      They looked at each other and Kurt moved towards her. He leaned forward and gently kissed her on the lips. As they kissed, she melted and began hugging him and pulling him closer. The hugging and kissing went on for more than several minutes. They stopped for a minute and just smiled at each other.

      Kurt finally said what was on both their minds, “Gretchen, I’m in love with you.”

      She starred back into his eyes, “I’m in love with you, Kurt.”

      They sat there for minutes on end hugging and cuddling. Grechen sat back and looked at Kurt, “I’m having trouble with what’s going on at school. I talked to Hilda today and she’s upset about Joseph. She said she’s being told to not associate with the Jew’s, but she really likes Joseph.”

      Kurt contemplated the statement, “Yes, Joseph came over last night and was worried about the situation. I tried to tell him everything would be alright, but I have no confidence in those words. This whole thing is getting out of hand. I don’t know what we can do except wait it out. I hope and pray things return to normal. All I know is, I back my friend and brother.”

      Gretchen looked at him with admiration, “I always knew you were a good solid person, but I never knew the loyalty you had for people close to you.”

      Kurt smiled and began kissing her again. They were in loving bliss.