Page 48 of Library of Forbidden Books

Helene broke the peaceful silence. “How’s marriage treating you?”

Lena held out her ring finger. “I always thought my life would be one hundred percent books, but now it’s split between books and a snoring, stinky-footed hunk who always tries to solve my problems before hearing what I’m actually saying,” Lena said, and they both started laughing. Just then Alexander started to cry.

Lena clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, I’m so sorry. It’s my fault he woke up.”

“No, it’s fine. He’s already slept a long time.”

Helene went to the bedroom and returned with Alexander in her arms. Her face notably lit up next to his. Lena got to her feet and stroked his plump cheeks.

“Helene, wow, he’s gorgeous. He looks just like you!”

“Oh, you can’t still be against Derek after all this time!” Helene joked.

“At least the Prussian knows how to do one thing right. Can I hold him?”

“Of course! Come on, Alexander, it’s time to go to Auntie Lena.”

Helene held out the child, and Lena nestled him against her bosom. She was silent in rapt awe as she studied him.

“He’s happy with you,” said Helene. “You and Gabor ought to have one of your own.”

Lena rolled her eyes. “In this crazy world? No way. Plus, I’ve got no time left after the two libraries.”

Helene did not keep that thread of the conversation going.

After a while, they moved back to their mugs by the window, Lena learning how to balance both a baby and a beverage.

“So you don’t want to be part of the action anymore?” Lena asked gently.

Helene shook her head. She thought back to one of her first conversations with Derek after they drove away from Saarland. It had pained him, but Derek had explained Heydrich’s conditions for her release. She could never work with books again. It was the price to be paid for the sin of her Jewish blood.

“I . . . I’m a mother now.”

Lena looked around. She had never seen Helene’s apartment so tidy.

“Of course. But, eventually, you know, he’ll grow up.”

“It’s a long time from now.”

Lena leaned back and looked down at Alexander again.

“I can only imagine what it must be like for you. Just hear me out. We’ve got to keep fighting. The books need you. The Secret Library has grown a lot since you’ve been gone. They watch me pretty closely now, but who would suspect an ideal Aryan mother like you?”

“I’ll think it over, but I’m not making any promises.”

In tacit agreement, they changed the subject. They loved each other too much to let their differences come between them.

Lena understood that Helene’s world had been turned upside down. But once books become part of people’s lives, the words seep into their flesh and blood and do not leave.

Chapter 27

The Threat

Berlin

July 19, 1936

Time does not heal wounds, but it does mitigate the pain.