“I insist,” he said, retrieving a tarnished copper coffeepot.
“Okay,” Anna said.There’s no changing Norbie’s mind when it comes to hospitality for visitors, even ones who will only be staying a minute.
A knock came from the front door. Anna descended the stairs to Norbie’s workshop. A few minutes later, Anna, Emmi, and Norbie sat at the kitchen table with cups of steaming brew. A roasted, wood-like scent permeated the air.
“Thank you, Norbie,” Emmi said, clasping her cup.
“It’s made from tree bark,” Norbie said. “Save your gratitude until after you tasted it.”
Emmi chuckled.
“To Anna and Emmi,” Norbie said, raising his cup as if it was filled with wine. “May your work mend the lives of those who cannot see.”
Anna’s heart swelled. “Prost,” she said, clinking their cups. She sipped. The hot, bitter brew warmed her belly.
Emmi drank. “It’s quite good, Norbie.”
Norbie grinned. “How’s Ewald?”
“That’s kind of you to ask,” Emmi said. “His spirts are good. I wrote him last night to inform him of the guide dog school.”
“He’ll be impressed,” Norbie said.
I hope Bruno is as excited about the school as I am.Anna shifted in her seat and pointed to her letter on the table. “Vater, do you have time to mail my letter to Bruno?”
“Of course,” Norbie said.
A grandfather clock sounded in the workshop. Seconds later, a barrage of rings, dongs, clangs, chimes, and bells erupted, signaling 6:00 a.m.
Norbie, who prided himself with creating accurate timepieces, shook his head and sighed. “No matter how many adjustments I make to the pendulum disk, that confounded grandfather clock always strikes early or late.”
“I’m sure you’ll find a way to fix it,” Anna said. She finished her coffee and turned to Emmi. “We should get to work.”
Emmi swigged her drink. “Dankefor the coffee, Norbie.”
“After the war,” he said, “I’ll make you and Anna a breakfast of real coffee and cake.”
“Sounds delightful,” Emmi said.
Norbie hugged Anna. “You’ll do great,” he whispered.
Anna smiled and released him.
As Anna and Emmi descended the steps, a ticktock chorus rose to a crescendo. They maneuvered through the workshop, cluttered with clocks, and exited through the front door. As they walked over the uneven, cobblestone street, an anxiousness filled Anna’s stomach. She wondered if Nia’s feeble paws would improve, and if Fleck would accept Emmi as her recruit.There’s nothing I can do about it until I get to work.For the duration of their walk, Anna told Emmi about Nia’s condition, all the while hoping that they could save her.
They arrived at the guide dog school twenty minutes early. Anna had expected that they’d might be the first to arrive, but the door to the building was open. Inside, she found Fleck, walking along the stalls, as if he were inspecting the dogs.
“Hallo,” Anna said.
Fleck turned and placed his clipboard under an armpit. “You’re early. I thought I told you to be here at seven.”
“I . . .” Anna swallowed. “I didn’t want to be late.”
“Tomorrow, arrive at seven,” he said. “It’s important for the dogs to have a precise schedule.”
“Ja, sir,” Anna said.
Emmi nudged her.
