Free A Flicker of Light by Roberta Kagan Page A

Klaus came in from the fields at noon and gawked at the tiny, vulnerable child. His thick fingers reached into the tiny wooden cradle he had built, and he touched the baby’s palm. With a strong and sure grip, the infant wrapped his pe rfect little hand around Klaus’ finger and Klaus melted.
                  Siegland left , and then came back into the room carrying a large tray filled with scrambled eggs, ham and toast. She sat on a chair beside Petra. Asleep in his cradle beside the bed, the little boy with his chubby cheeks and bald head looked like a cherub. After placing the tray on a pillow in front of Petra, Siegland looked into the crib in awe at the wonder of this beautiful child. In silence, so as not to wake him, she touched his cheek with a feather-like finger.
                  “So, what did you finally decide to call him?”
                  “Well, I thought Hans for his father and Eric for mine. So, maybe Hans Eric Jorgensen?   What do you think?”
                  “I think, yes, very good . Sounds like that man who is writing the book that you read to us.”
                  “Oh, you mean Hans Christian Anderse n. Yes, I suppose it does have that same ring. I think I like it. Do you?”
                  “Yeah, I do, but I am also thinking that maybe you should say that you’re Klaus’ brother’s daughter from Poland , and that your future husband is stationed at the Russian front. I mean that’s just in case the Nazis are coming and questioning; then you could use the name of Bruch mei e r .  We could say that you are planning to be married, but were separated by the war before you got a chance . These things happen. ”
                  “Does Klaus have a brother ?”
                  “He did, but Frederick died ten years ago .”
                  “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
                  “ It’s all right. It’s been a long time . Besides today we are happy. We have you here with us now . And we will have a good time with the new babe.”
                  “I could always use Hans’ last name, Kurman . We never got married, but I think it would take a lot t o look that up. But if Klaus had a brother , we could say that I am his niece , and I have come to wait for my future husband and ha ve the baby here in the country, ” Petra said weighing her options.
                  “Klaus’ brother lived somewhere in Poland, so this will be perfect. We will say that you came here to live with us while you are waiting for your future husband to come home. Only if we have to say anything - that’s what we will say, eh?”
                  Petra nodded, “Yes, good - I mean, if it’s all right with you.”
                  “Yes, of course, I think it’s very good. So maybe he will have the name of Bruchmeier , like he will be my real grandbaby?”
                  “Yes. Hans Eric Bruchmeier .”
                  “I like that very, very much,” Siegland beamed.
                  With trepidation in her every step, Daisy entered the room. She slowly ambled over to Petra’s bedside, unsure of how she would be received. Petra reached down and patted her head. The old dog nuzzled her hand then walked over to look into the cradle. Immediately Daisy loved the new member of the Bruchmeier family. She decided that the baby Hans would be hers and she would raise him like her very own puppy.
                  That night Petra felt strong enough to get up and walk around. Her bottom was still uncomfortable from the tear and stitches, but otherwise she’d recovered well. Siegland made sure that she sat on a pillow when she came to the living room, where she stayed for a little over an hour. The family watched as Petra covered her breast with a towel and nursed little Hans until he’d gone off