Unconsciously, with neither having intended it or attempted to initiate it, Sabina suddenly found her hand creeping slowly inside Matthew’s, and Matthew found his large palm closing about the tiny soft dainty thing inside it.

For several more long minutes they stood, feeling more quiet bliss and happy contentment than ever before in their young lives. Both could have stood there all the night long. In the innocence of their love as friends first, and brother and sister second, the whole world was for them right here, right now. They were oblivious to the crises and wars and threats all around them. Gradually they even grew oblivious to the storm.

Suddenly, able to contain her exuberant joy no longer, Sabina leapt away, regretting her impulsiveness the moment she did, for another such moment at Matthew’s side might never come again. She ran several steps out into the middle of the balcony and cried out:

“Oh Matthew! It’s just so wonderful! I’m so happy! Whee!”

She tossed her head back into the driving rain, threw her hands into the air, and yelled with childlike abandon and glee.

Matthew was at her side in a moment, and the two of them spontaneously danced an impromptu little jig in the rain, spinning and twirling, then stopping to stand in the downpour, both laughing in sheer pleasure and delight.

Gradually the mood subsided.

Still the rain plummeted down onto their heads. Slowly they walked toward the door, both drenched to the skin, and made their way back through the quiet corridors to their rooms.

“Good night, Matthew,” was all she said, when they paused outside his room.

He looked deep into her eyes again. She returned the gaze. It lasted but a second.

“Good night, Sabina,” he said.

He turned and went inside, and Sabina continued on down the hall to her own chamber.

The storm was mostly gone by morning, and midway through the afternoon, Thaddeus and Matthew returned to Berlin.

53 The Coming of War

53

The Coming of War

Three days later, Sabina found herself awakened before dawn with a vague sense of anxiety. Her sleep had been filled with dreams, though formless and strange, and she remembered nothing. When she awoke, suddenly, even though she had been only partially asleep, it was with the fading of a far-off sound in her ears.

She glanced outside. It was still dark. It must be another thunderstorm, she said to herself. Immediately her thoughts turned to Matthew.

Wide awake, she leapt out of bed, dressed hurriedly, and ran out into the corridor.

There was only one place she wanted to be at a time like this. If she could not actually share the special moment with Matthew, she could at least think of him while she enjoyed it. Two or three minutes later she ran out onto the balcony, which looked east. Sabina was oblivious to the date.

It was the first day of September. The year was 1939.