fall, Siegland had spent weeks canning so they would be ready for winter. Before the temperatures dropped, Klaus had slaughtered and smoked a hog to provide meat. Warm blankets hung from hooks scattered about the house in various colors, examples of Siegland’s knitting skills.
Now things had changed. Instead of making Klaus another pair of gloves to add to the ten she’d already made for him, Siegland spent her evenings knitting baby blankets and booties. Before Petra awakened one morning, Siegland spent several hours in her sewing room. An experienced seamstress who had made her own clothing since her mother had taught her at nine years old, she had no trouble assessing Petra’s size. She carefully cut from a bolt of wool that she had kept for years with plans to someday design a special dress. It was a gift from Klaus that she’d never found an occasion to use until now. The wool was a rich gray color which reflected like silver in the sunlight as it seeped through the sewing room window. Siegland hummed softly as she expertly ran the material through the needle of the machine. When Petra awakened, Siegland presented her with a pair of trousers and a heavy tunic-style shirt.
“This is good for the winter. I will make you a sweater too. You’ve got no warm clothes. I can’t let you catch cold.”
Petra ran to Siegland and put her arms around her. She kissed the older woman’s cheek, “Oh, you are so good to me, like a mother.”
“I don’t do much, really. Here try it on. Make sure it will fit. After the baby is born, I will take it in for you, so you will be able to use it still. Come on. Try it on. Try it on.”
A perfect fit, the warm clothing felt comfortable and allowed enough room for movement. “How did you ever know my size?”
“I’m guessing it just worked out good, eh?” Siegland winked at her and laughed. Petra laughed too.
“It’s very beautiful. I will never be able to thank you enough.” A single tear of joy and appreciation trickled from her eye.
“No crying. Come on, we will eat now, eh?”
Petra nodded her head as she followed Siegland to the kitchen.
Although, Klaus had eaten much earlier and left to work in the barn, Siegland did not mind preparing a second meal for Petra and herself. In fact, she enjoyed it.
That night as they sat by the fire, Siegland knitted, Klaus smoked his pipe and Petra read. After an hour, the women brought dessert out to the table. The satisfying fragrance of freshly-brewed coffee wafted through the room. White, doughy cookies sprinkled with sugar and an apple strudel beckoned enticingly.
“You know how to read?” Siegland smiled, struck with wonder at Petra’s unexpected talent.
“Oh, yes , ma’am.”
“What kind of book is that?”
“It’s the only one that I have with me, a book of fairy tales. I brought it when I left my parents’ home. I thought it might be nice to have for the baby when it’s born.”
“Why did you leave?” Klaus asked. “Don’t you think it’s time that you told us?”
“Klaus be quiet. She will tell us when she is ready. Don’t push her like that,” Siegland said as she gave Klaus a reproachful stare.
“I’m sorry. But maybe we should know?”
“Yes, you should. You are like family to me now, and I trust you both, so I will tell you. I escaped from Heim Hockland the Lebensborn home. My parents did not approve of my illegitimate pregnancy. I am from Norway . My boyfriend, the baby’s father, whom I planned to marry, served as a German soldier. We met when Germany invaded Norway . My family and friends didn’t approve of him because everyone thought of the Germans as the enemy. When my family found out I was pregnant, they were very upset, so I left. That was when I signed myself into the home.”
“How did you ever get involved with a soldier, especially one who was invading your country?” Klaus asked.
“I know it seems strange, but when Hans introduced himself to me - the first time we
Now things had changed. Instead of making Klaus another pair of gloves to add to the ten she’d already made for him, Siegland spent her evenings knitting baby blankets and booties. Before Petra awakened one morning, Siegland spent several hours in her sewing room. An experienced seamstress who had made her own clothing since her mother had taught her at nine years old, she had no trouble assessing Petra’s size. She carefully cut from a bolt of wool that she had kept for years with plans to someday design a special dress. It was a gift from Klaus that she’d never found an occasion to use until now. The wool was a rich gray color which reflected like silver in the sunlight as it seeped through the sewing room window. Siegland hummed softly as she expertly ran the material through the needle of the machine. When Petra awakened, Siegland presented her with a pair of trousers and a heavy tunic-style shirt.
“This is good for the winter. I will make you a sweater too. You’ve got no warm clothes. I can’t let you catch cold.”
Petra ran to Siegland and put her arms around her. She kissed the older woman’s cheek, “Oh, you are so good to me, like a mother.”
“I don’t do much, really. Here try it on. Make sure it will fit. After the baby is born, I will take it in for you, so you will be able to use it still. Come on. Try it on. Try it on.”
A perfect fit, the warm clothing felt comfortable and allowed enough room for movement. “How did you ever know my size?”
“I’m guessing it just worked out good, eh?” Siegland winked at her and laughed. Petra laughed too.
“It’s very beautiful. I will never be able to thank you enough.” A single tear of joy and appreciation trickled from her eye.
“No crying. Come on, we will eat now, eh?”
Petra nodded her head as she followed Siegland to the kitchen.
Although, Klaus had eaten much earlier and left to work in the barn, Siegland did not mind preparing a second meal for Petra and herself. In fact, she enjoyed it.
That night as they sat by the fire, Siegland knitted, Klaus smoked his pipe and Petra read. After an hour, the women brought dessert out to the table. The satisfying fragrance of freshly-brewed coffee wafted through the room. White, doughy cookies sprinkled with sugar and an apple strudel beckoned enticingly.
“You know how to read?” Siegland smiled, struck with wonder at Petra’s unexpected talent.
“Oh, yes , ma’am.”
“What kind of book is that?”
“It’s the only one that I have with me, a book of fairy tales. I brought it when I left my parents’ home. I thought it might be nice to have for the baby when it’s born.”
“Why did you leave?” Klaus asked. “Don’t you think it’s time that you told us?”
“Klaus be quiet. She will tell us when she is ready. Don’t push her like that,” Siegland said as she gave Klaus a reproachful stare.
“I’m sorry. But maybe we should know?”
“Yes, you should. You are like family to me now, and I trust you both, so I will tell you. I escaped from Heim Hockland the Lebensborn home. My parents did not approve of my illegitimate pregnancy. I am from Norway . My boyfriend, the baby’s father, whom I planned to marry, served as a German soldier. We met when Germany invaded Norway . My family and friends didn’t approve of him because everyone thought of the Germans as the enemy. When my family found out I was pregnant, they were very upset, so I left. That was when I signed myself into the home.”
“How did you ever get involved with a soldier, especially one who was invading your country?” Klaus asked.
“I know it seems strange, but when Hans introduced himself to me - the first time we
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