“You can’t possibly do a concert in front of Hitler. Not after this.” Melanie tossed the newspaper onto the table. Her anger was so hot right now, she would strangle Hitler if he were in theroom. She paced in front of the table while Chaisley sat drinking her tea.
Oh sure. It was fine for Chaisley to be calm. She didn’t have to deal with all of the chaos from this interview. She just had to go on stage and play the piano. Chaisley didn’t have to worry about the reporters clamoring for another interview, another comment, another... another... another.
No, that was Melanie’s job. To clean up her friend’s bombshell.
Melanie pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes. Complaining wouldn’t take care of the stack of telegrams in her satchel. Or the gaggle of reporters stationed at every available exit in the hotel. She chewed her thumbnail for a moment, her anger ebbing for a moment.
Chaisley was not a reckless woman. The opposite, in fact. That’s what made this all so mind-boggling. Why was she telling the world she was blindnow?
Melanie flopped into a soft armchair, her head slamming against the plush headrest.
“Are you done with your tantrum?” Chaisley brushed her fingers over a lemon square on her plate. She picked up the pastry and nibbled on the corner.
The barb stung. “I don’t know how you can act so nonchalant about this.” Melanie wanted to grab Chaisley by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. Instead, she leaned forward and picked up the paper, smoothing it to read the front page.
Chais shrugged. “Probably because I can’t undo anything. God gave me peace about what to say, and I said it. Read it to me.” She took another sip of her tea.
Melanie took a breath. The paper shook in her hands. Chais was right about one thing, this couldn’t be undone. “‘World’s Most Renowned Concert Pianist Scheduled to Play for the Führer on Sunday.’”
“Gotta love how they twisted the words to say I am playingforthe Führer. Ugh. As if this wasn’t a last minute charade.” Chaisley half-laughed. “It’s really not that bad. So far.”
Melanie groaned. “I’m rolling my eyes at you.”
“Oh, believe me, I could feel it. Go on.” Her smile grew.
“‘Miss Chaisley Frappier, touted as the world’s greatest pianist for many years, is on a hope-filled tour of Europe, which is set to last about eighteen months. During this time, she will spend a good deal of time in Austria, France, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Germany, and Holland.’
“‘Miss Frappier spoke with us after one of her concerts and said she has been thrilled to share music with the world. Critics over the years have spoken of her “uncanny accuracy,” her “speed and ability to play the most daunting of pieces,” and most recently, “her unparalleled gift at composing music.” But what many do not know is that Miss Frappier is, in fact, crippled. She is blind.’”
Melanie’s stomach curdled. Crippled! How dare that man ...
She took another inhale to try and calm herself. It didn’t work because she’d already read what was coming. “‘She lost her sight in a tragic accident outside London on the same evening her parents were killed.’” That sentence made her blood boil. “No mention of the fact that it was aGermanbomb that caused the accident in the first place.” She flicked the paper with a loudthwack.
“Probably because I made sure I didn’t say that.” Chaisley dabbed at her mouth with her linen serviette. She looked calm. Peaceful, even. How? “Please continue. So far, it’s not horrendous. Other than the wordcrippled—which is complete rubbish.”
Fine. She’d read the rest and just see how Chaisley felt about it then. “‘While Miss Frappier’s loss is tragic, it should come as no surprise that herGermanancestry’”—she nearly spat the words—“‘is a testament to her overcoming all obstacles and shining as the best of the best.’”
“They make it sound as if I’m one of Hitler’s Aryan purebloods ... and oh, she wasn’t born this way, it was a horrible accident.Someone else’s fault.” Chaisley wrinkled her nose but then chuckled. “My grandmother’s parents were German. That’s a bit far removed to make such a statement, don’t you think? And what difference does it make whether a person is born blind or becomes blind?”
Nowshe sounded riled. Good.
Melanie shook the paper. “What message does this article send? Do you think people will assume that you align yourself with the Nazis since you’re playing in front of Hitler? I mean, the headline says you’re playingforhim.”
Chaisley frowned. “I can’t worry about that right now. I’ve decided to make contacts like Dr. G suggested. There are plenty of schools and universities for me to play at as well as concert halls on this tour. That will give us more opportunities to connect with people if the prospects arise. While I don’t relish the thought of playing in front of Hitler, there are people in Germany who might need us more than we know. We must move forward as planned and see what we can do to stop the evil.”
Melanie sat down beside her and grabbed her hand. “I know. And I want to help too ... but I don’t like how this has made me feel. I’m worried.” Which, in all honesty, was too tame a word for her feelings right now. They were in a tempest.
The facade of peace she had crafted over the last few weeks lay shattered. It was one thing to try to figure out how to help people in need. But now that everyone knew Chaisley was blind ... what would happen?
It was a nightmare. And what did Chaisley’s grandmother think? Did she even know? Did Dr. Grafton? Was this a threat to the network in any way? Her friend said she felt the Lord’s prompting to share about her disability, but how was that helpful when she was about to perform before a man who hated anyone who was less than perfect? This didn’t feel brave.
It felt stupid.
Dangerous.
Melanie glanced at Chaisley. Her friend’s shoulders were rigid. Her chin tilted up. It would be no use to voice her concerns at the moment, but perhaps she should reach out to Dr. Grafton. Make sure he knew what Chaisley was up to.
“Mel...” Her friend leaned forward. “I’m worried too. I’m sorry I’ve put you in the middle of this, but I just found out this morning that any Jew with a Polish passport who has been living in Germany for more than five years has had their passport suspended. With this economy, Poland can’t support tens of thousands of people returning. Which means those in Germany are stuck in a country where they are despised and at risk.” Her friend’s hands were clenched tight in her lap, knuckles white. “I fear this is just the beginning of what is to come for them. And with the forced sterilizations and what the Nazis might do to disabled children in the future? I can’t stand by and do nothing.”
