If Only...

By June Kelley Pierce and Bill Kelley

This brother and sister team decided to combine their efforts and themes to present exciting tales of unexpected events and emotions. Ordinary events lead to extraordinary outcomes. As relationships and expectations change for all of us in our everyday lives, these stories take in the raw emotion and attributes that allow you to experience the characters as if you were playing the roles yourself. The styles of writing are classically different but have a main thread that ties them together. These stories cross all geographic, socio-economic and historical lines—from the Nazi invasion and World War II to a small rural New England
town and the poverty and violence of an American inner-city. From kindness to vengeance, these stories transport us to a world where choices make the difference.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663218384

June Kelley Pierce

June Kelley Pierce is a retired Special Education teacher with a Master’s Degree in both Education and Special Education. She also has as an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology and Psychology. A native of Northern New York, Pierce has made her home in the Mid-Hudson Valley. This is Pierce’s fifth novel. She has four others to her credit—her first book, Keeping Secrets, its sequel, Restitution, Misunderstood and Neglected Cries. In 2019, Pierce published her first book of poetry, Painful Truths: A Memoir in Verse. Two years later, Pierce published her firt book of short stories, If Only, a combined effort with her brother, Bill Kelley. She has also published a series of eight books for children, each focusing on a different social skill, along with a life-skills guide for parents and teachers on the topic o bullying. Pierce is a folk artist and restorer and has worked in the Hudson Valley for the past forty years.

Book preview

If

Only…

June Kelley Pierce & Bill Kelley

38230.png

IF ONLY…

Copyright © 2021 June Kelley Pierce & Bill Kelley.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

844-349-9409

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6632-1839-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-1838-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021902797

iUniverse rev. date:  07/20/2021

Contents

An Honorable Man

Operation Zazou

On the Outside

In the Shadows

On the Edge

The Deal

Gunny’s Daughter

The Fiddler

The University Murders

It’s Only Friendship

An Honorable Man

JUNE KELLEY PIERCE

W ORLD WAR I HAD ENDED. Germany was destitute with rioting in the streets, and hunger was everywhere. The only businesses that seemed to prosper were the Jewish ones. This led to a growing hatred of Jews among the German people. The Muellers, who had lived in Bavaria all their lives and had enjoyed their neighbors and friends, planned to go on a family vacation with their son before greater unrest became apparent in Germany. They had heard of neighboring towns in Poland where Jews were being rounded up for work camps, and their property and businesses were being seized through the direction of Hitler and his policies. The hatred being spewed tarnished their once patriotic German pride. By 1939, the hatred of Jews was unbearable for some and unpredictable for many.

The Muellers wanted to flee before it got any worse, but more than that, they worried that their son, Christian, would be forced to join the young German Hitler Youth Group or the Wehrmacht. So far, the Mueller family had watched and waited from their small town in Bavaria to see how events would unfold. Taking most of their savings, Gertrude and Hans decided their course of action. Instead of vacationing as a family they decided to send their twenty-year-old son to begin a new life in the United States. They swore to join him when the country was stabilized.

Although he protested, Christian Mueller went as instructed two weeks later and, with life in such chaos, he would have given anything to take them with him. There were many questions before his journey began, and Hans was surprised at how propaganda, if said often enough, could burrow into one’s head and harden his heart. He wanted to right this wrong for his son.

Evenings by the fire were the perfect opportunity, and Christian could not help but wonder as he asked many questions. Hans did not hesitate in his answers and hoped he would be believed. In Christian’s mind, he wondered whether Hitler would indeed build a greater Germany through hatred and elimination of all opposition with total control. Would life ever go back to the way he had known it? The propaganda from every facet of German life had already begun to seep into his thoughts. In the days before he left, he began to look at his Jewish neighbors differently, seeing their facial characteristics and scrutinizing their mannerisms. Jealously crept in and if not for his parents, he would soon be one of them—the haters of anyone who was different and prosperous. He had to get hold of himself. As he questioned each and every thought, he was glad to still have his parents with him to discuss what he was hearing.

But Papa—Aren’t they vermin for taking the bread out of German mouths?

You must stop this kind of thinking, Christian! It is not who we are, and these are our neighbors and friends. German pride does not come out of hatred.

If taking from those who have more and sharing it with others who have starved to death is wrong, then I don’t know what is right anymore. Christian retorted. You have always said that sometimes there is a price that must be paid—is this not it?

We have just invaded Poland and there is talk of whole communities being sent to work camps. I’ve been told that many have died in the journey and have lost everything—How can that be right, Christian?

The conversation that evening was left up in the air, and Hans wondered how he might have levied his thoughts and beliefs any better to his son.

A week after their son left for the United States, Gertrude was preparing dinner when they heard a knock on the door.

As Mrs. Mueller peeked out the window, she saw this shabbily dressed young woman holding a young boy of about seven by the hand.

Could you spare some warmth and a piece of bread for my son? He hasn’t eaten for two days. I’m sorry to bother you but …I need your help. She said weakly.

The woman, nearly collapsing but leaning against the door jam, was quickly supported by Hans and pulled into the cottage with her son. Hans sat them down next to the fireplace, and Gertrude sliced bread and made tea. They were starving, and the Muellers suspected they had traveled a long distance with no coats and worn shoes.

"Why not rest some and come over here when you are warmed. It seemed some time before Gertrude was able to lead the woman and her child to Christian’s room, brought in a basin of warm water and soap as well as fresh clothing and helped them change into warm clean clothes. Gertrude handed their clothes to Hans and asked him to burn them. The prominent star fixed to their uniforms would not be worn again. The visitors could not believe the kindness and didn’t know quite what to say or do—Could they trust this couple or would they be led back to the camp?

Sleep for a while and we can talk later to see what plan works best for all of us. They slept until evening and awoke to the smell of something delicious. They stood near the stairway shyly, and Mrs. Mueller asked them to please join them, pulling out chairs for them to sit. They had not seen so much food in a long time, and their stomachs hurt at the thought of eating so much.

My name is Frieda Goldstein and this is my son, Noah.

It’s nice to meet you both. After dinner, we’ll see how we might help you out.

Gertrude wanted to weep, watching them devour dinner, hunched over their food like animals in the wild. Hans and Gertrude said nothing and found that the young boy, Noah, had taken a piece of bread and was holding it under the table as if to steal it. His mother saw what he was doing and told him to put it back and apologized.

Noah, if you are still hungry, you may take the bread, but you may eat whenever you need to here. No one is going to ever starve you again—please trust us.

Noah put the bread back on the table and said, I’m sorry, in a whisper.

After dinner, the woman began, We are Polish Jews from Krakow, and we escaped with our lives without knowing why. Others who tried to get away were found and shot. All of our family and friends were loaded in train cars to go to what the Germans called ‘relocation sites.’ We knew the difference; we had heard from others that the Jews were being eliminated. My husband was beaten to death for stealing wood, so we wouldn’t freeze to death, so all I have left is Noah. We had to run, even if we were shot and killed. Tears fell on Frieda’s tight, thin face, and she looked down as if someone had removed her heart and soul.

I had heard stories like this, Hans, but I chose not to believe them! We are Germans after all. How could it have gotten to this point? What can we do?

What about our old hunting camp up on the mountain? They could manage there. We can bring supplies, and they would be safe.

Yes, I think that is a good plan.

Noah was put to bed, and Hans, Gertrude and Frieda talked for several hours until it became clear to Frieda that a chance for life had been offered, and God had not abandoned her. She would do whatever she could to make it work, and all she could do not to endanger the Muellers, who had displayed such kindness.

"Let me gather some things for you, Frieda. There are warm blankets, a wood stove, pots and pans, and anything else you need that we have, Hans will bring you every few days.

Thank you for your kindness! I know what a risk this is for you, She choked out.

Gertrude smiled and put her hand on Frieda’s shoulder for comfort.

A hearty stew was packed up with potatoes, bread and dried venison, which was wrapped in a cheesecloth to take on the trip along with some warm clothes of Christian’s. They didn’t exactly fit Noah, but he welcomed them anyway and didn’t mind a bit that they hung on him—they were warm.

Hans, Frieda and Noah left at dusk the following day, traveling through the woods. The sky had gone from blue to gray and looked like it might snow. Hans wanted to get there before dark and