A knock on the door woke Saban and Elisaveta. “Who could that be?” whispered Elisaveta.
Saban rose and retrieved a revolver Marcel gave him from the nightstand drawer. They slid their feet into slippers and grabbed a coat and hat. The knocking continued. Saban peeked out the back door. It seemed safe, so they hurried as quietly and cautiously as possible out into the cold. As planned, Elisaveta headed to the woods while Saban went to the workshop. He positioned himself behind the anvil and used it to steady the revolver. A dark figure came around the side of the house. Saban was shaking as he cocked the revolver and took aim. The figure went to the back door, knocked and whispered, “Besnik it is Marcel.”
Saban came from behind the anvil…show more content… “To help carry the supplies.” Saban paced back and forth flailing his arms and said, “All we wanted to do was go home. First, you talked us into helping while using this farmhouse. Now you want us to go sneaking into the night to help at this… this drop… and with a donkey. And what happened to all the volunteers Cedric said you were getting?” “Some will be there tomorrow night. But at the same time, there have been many arrests. I would not ask you if it was not terribly important. These Nazis are monsters. They kill indiscriminately—Jews, civilians, and do not forget our people the Roma. They must be stopped. The Allies are doing their part. Word is there is going to be an invasion somewhere in France. We must do our part to help make it a success. If France is liberated, the rest of Europe will most assuredly follow.” Saban paused. “I do not want Krisztina carrying anything.” “She would not. She would guide the donkey. Elisaveta rose, faced Saban, and put her hands on his shoulders. “My dear husband, we are part of this war whether we like it or not just like everyone else in Europe. If we were home, we would be in hiding… or dead. But here we can help make a…show more content… I, however, think you are a manipulating son-of-a-bitch.” “I see… well, I have certainly been called worse. Does this mean you will help?” Saban glanced at Elisaveta who nodded. “It would seem so.” Marcel jumped up. “Good! A courier will deliver information on the rendezvous.” He grabbed Saban’s hand and shook it. “Thank you.” Then he hugged Elisaveta. “Thank you.” At the door, he turned and said, “You are now fully involved in the fight for freedom. Long live a free Europe!” He peeked out the back door and left. Saban picked up the chair from the floor, stood behind it, and put his hands on the chair’s back. He raised his eyes to Elisaveta’s. “I do not want you hurt. If something happens to you, I would not be able to face our families. They would blame me for not protecting you. And I could not live with myself because you are my reason for living.” She rose, crossed behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head on his back. “There is nothing I can say that will completely ease your mind. But I feel we are being led by a force that will also protect us.” “What force?” “The Roma who have been
