Free Anne Frank and Me by Cherie Bennett Page A

rummaged in her purse for her ration book, while the oversized hat teetered dangerously toward her nose. Watching her, Nicole and Mimi began to giggle uncontrollably.
    The more they tried to compose themselves, the more they laughed. “Stop, stop. She’ll know we’re laughing at her,” Nicole gasped. Just at that moment, a single potato fell from the woman’s mesh bag. She stooped to pick it up and her hat toppled to the pavement. Then, more potatoes fell, one of them directly onto the hat’s crown. The rest rolled into the street.
    This was too much for Nicole and Mimi. They were convulsed with laughter all over again. “We have to stop! Think about something awful,” Mimi instructed. “Pretend you just found out that Jacques is in love with another girl.”
    The thought sobered Nicole instantly. She would die if Jacques didn’t love her anymore. In the American dream he didn’t love her, and it was the worst thing in the world.
    The hat lady gathered up all her potatoes and hurried toward the bakery. Nicole and Mimi edged close to the street to allow her to pass.
    Only she didn’t. Instead, she glared at the yellow star on Nicole’s vest. Then she spit in Nicole’s face. “Filthy Jew,” she hissed, as the spit globule oozed down Nicole’s left cheek. “It’s because of Jew animals like you that sold us out that we’re in this mess.”
    The woman strode away. Mimi quickly used her handkerchief to wipe Nicole’s cheek. “She is a stupid collaborator cow.” Shock and humiliation rendered Nicole mute.
    â€œI cleaned it off, Nico. Forget the fat witch, eh? Come on. Let’s go to Alain’s cafe. Everyone will be waiting for us.”
    Nicole allowed Mimi to lead her down the street. They crossed the rue de la Tour, heading for the Cafe du Morvan. “Just think, Nicole,” Mimi said, chattering to distract Nicole from what had just happened. “No more homework, just a whole summer of romantic possibilities. I am determined to get François to like me this summer. If I can just keep myself from talking about politics, I have a chance. You’ll help me get him to notice me, won’t you, Nico?”
    â€œWait,” Nicole said, as they reached the cafe’s front door.
    â€œWhat?”
    Nicole pointed to a large, hand-lettered poster affixed to the front door. FORBIDDEN TO JEWS.
    A week before, the Nazis had issued another of their decrees against the Jews, barring Jews from going to cafes or restaurants. Nicole knew about the decree, but the Cafe du Morvan had been her family’s neighborhood cafe for years. In fact, a few days after the Nazi edict had gone into effect, M. Courot, the proprietor, had made a very public point of welcoming the Bernhardts in front of everyone, telling anyone who would listen that the Boche pigs were not going to decide who was welcome in his establishment.
    But the FORBIDDEN TO JEWS sign hadn’t been on the door then.
    â€œJust take off your vest,” Mimi suggested. Nicole still hung back. “I feel certain Alain would want you to. Come on, my idiot brother is in there.”
    Through the glass front of the cafe, Nicole saw Jacques sitting with Edouard, Suzanne, and Mimi’s secret crush, Francois. Jacques’s eyes caught Nicole’s and he waved at her. She would do anything for him. Quickly, Nicole removed her vest and folded it with the star on the inside. They walked into the cafe. All their friends greeted them. Jacques put his arm around her. Nicole cuddled against him, feeling safe and loved.
    Mimi slid into a seat next to handsome, dark-haired Francois, doing her best to look both casual and fetching.
    â€œWe were just talking about the Resistance,” Jacques told Nicole. “They’ve struck again—a German supply train. They are so foolish to—”
    â€œThey are not foolish,” Mimi interrupted sharply. “The