Free Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura E. Williams

should stop at your house and then go to the meeting.”
    â€œI don’t blame you, after what happened yesterday,” Rita said.
    Korinna almost thought she saw a smirk on her best friend’s face. But she must have imagined it, she told herself quickly.
    â€œThat’s not why,” Korinna said defensively. “I’m just feeling a bit tired. You go on. Tomorrow you can tell me what happened.” She started to turn down a side street toward her house.

    â€œI don’t think I’ll go today, either,” Rita said unexpectedly, turning the corner with her friend. “I’ll come home with you. It’s been so long since you’ve had me over after school, Korinna. And remember, your mother did invite me over this week.”
    â€œBut that was before—” Korinna abruptly cut herself off.
    â€œBefore what?” Rita asked.
    Korinna shook her head, “Never mind. But you can’t come over anyway.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI ... my mother isn’t expecting you,” Korinna stammered. “She won’t have enough food prepared.”
    â€œThat’s fine. I won’t stay for dinner. Your mother won’t mind if I just stop by, will she?”
    At one time, Korinna knew her mother wouldn’t have minded. But now that the Jews had moved in.... She wondered what the Krugmanns were doing at that moment.
    â€œYou know I’m always welcome at your house,” Rita persisted. “What’s gotten into you?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThere you go again!” Rita exclaimed. “You’re impossible!”
    Korinna shook her head as though to clear it. “I’m sorry, Rita, I really must still be sick. Maybe it’s better if you don’t come over,” she said, forcing herself to sound calm.
    â€œI’ll only come for a little while. Unless, of course,
you really don’t want me to,” Rita said in a casual voice.
    Korinna sighed. They were almost to her house. “No, it’s alright. You can come over, but not for too long. I think I should lie down for a bit before dinner.”
    â€œFine. I won’t stay long,” Rita said as she preceded her friend to the front door and walked in without waiting for Korinna.
    Korinna followed on her friend’s heels. “Hello, Mother,” she called as soon as she was in the house.
    â€œDid you have to yell right in my ear?” Rita demanded, lifting a hand to her right ear. “This house isn’t that big.”
    Korinna smiled wanly at her friend, then turned her attention to her mother who’d just stepped into the small front hall.
    â€œWhy, hello, Rita,” Frau Rehme said politely. “I haven’t seen you here lately. You should stop by more often.”
    Rita turned her head slightly and grinned at Korinna. Korinna didn’t bother smiling back.
    â€œThank you, Frau Rehme. Korinna and I decided to skip our meeting this afternoon. We thought it was best after what happened at yesterday’s meeting.”
    â€œOh? What happened?” asked Korinna’s mother with a raised eyebrow.
    Rita’s eyes flew wide. “You mean Korinna didn’t tell you the awful thing that happened?”

    â€œNo, she didn’t,” Frau Rehme said. “But I’m sure you will,” she added wryly.
    Korinna poked her finger into her friend’s back. “It was nothing. Come on, let’s go upstairs.”
    â€œBut, Korinna, you really should tell your mother what happened yesterday. I’m sure she wants to know.” Rita turned to Frau Rehme. “Korinna was slapped by one of our leaders for not saluting the flag properly!”
    â€œOh, is that all?” Korinna’s mother turned to her daughter. “You really should do things properly, dear, or you’ll be punished. It’s only right that your leader slapped you. You must learn to be more respectful.”
    Korinna lowered her gaze.