“It’s more than that. Some Volksdeutsche barely have a drop of German blood, but Franz is only a second-generation Pole, and even though his parents grew up here, they’re both full-blooded Germans. He’s German.”

“Your point?”

“You know my point!” she exclaimed, running a hand through her hair while I sat up. “What would Mama do if I brought him home?”

“Your mother isn’t judgmental, and Franz isn’t a Nazi.”

“It’s not that simple. People see an unmarried Polish mother, and they assume she’s either a victim of war or a treacherous slut who collaborated with the soldiers, then they judge me and hate my child. I see it in their eyes every day, and if I married a Volksdeutsch—” She broke off with a huff, shaking her head in vehement refusal before dropping her voice. “I’ll be damned if I make it worse.”

I stayed quiet while Irena got up and paced back and forth in agitated silence. I’d had a feeling this decision had been plaguing her for the past few weeks, but she’d done well keeping it from everyone—especially Franz.

At last she stopped and faced the small farmhouse. “I won’t put Franz in that position, either. After we leave, he’ll find a nice girl, and Helena and I are fine on our own.”

When she looked at me, I nodded. “All right.”

She waited, but I didn’t elaborate. “That’s all you’re going to say?” she asked.

“What am I supposed to say? It’s your life. You decide what’s best for you and Helena.”

I sliced a piece of gołka and chewed it slowly, savoring the cheese’s touch of saltiness while silence lingered. Irena probably knew what I was doing, but I won every time we engaged in this particular game, so I didn’t relent. Sure enough, she heaved a sigh.

“Dammit, Maria, you’re so annoying.”

Although I grinned and she couldn’t resist a small smile, a glimmer of concern remained in her eyes. Unfounded as some of her fears may have been, only time could eliminate them.

After a moment, I spoke in a soft voice. “You can leave whenever you want, Irena.”

“How many times are you going to tell me that?” she replied as she sat down again.

“I know how much you miss them and that you didn’t expect to be away this long.”

“We talk on the telephone, and Mama and Helena are back in Warsaw now that it’s been liberated. You’re nearly well enough to leave. We’ll use the papers Franz got us and keep you as covered up as possible, and he’ll accompany us to make sure we arrive safely. We’ll be home soon.”