Rat

"Jochen?" Marie said in surprise. Werner had no idea who Jochen was, but he smiled at him anyway. "You came?" Her next words made him realize that this attractive but nervous German lad was her brother. 

"Hallo, Jochen! Komm ruhig rein! (Hey Jochen, come in please!" He said, reaching out to shake Jochens hand. Marie was surprised at Werner's hospitality. Jochen smiled at Werner even though he didn't have the slightest idea who the young man was. 

Jochen stepped inside and immeditally shrugged his coat off his shoulders. Marie grabbed it and hung it up. "And who are you?" Jochen asked Werner with a guilty smile. There was something a bit off about him, Werner realized later what it was. Jochen resembled a rat in character, he was figety, nervous and socially awkward. He was greedy and selfish and he didn't care much about Marie or Hans, he only came when he had a problem. He was an oppertunist, only a supporter of Nazism because he felt that was the best for him. He would die in the year 1944 after being captured and taken to Gulag. He ratted out everything he knew about the German Army before being lined up and shot in the back of the head. Marie wouldn't find out how her older brother had died until 1946. 

"I'm a friend of Marie's." Werner said. 

"Nice to meet you." He said with a giggle. "Is Hans here?" 

"Yes, of course. He'll be happy to see you Jochen." Marie said. Jochen nodded and pushed his way past the two too get to the dining room. "I really didn't think he'd show up." Marie said, still a bit shook. "I'm glad he did..." 

"I'm glad I'll get to meet him." Werner answered. "He seems alright."

"He's a good man, but he doesn't stay true to his word..." Marie replied. She led Werner back to the dining room. They took a seat again. Jochen was seated to Hans' left, right where Werner had been sitting previously. Werner was about to take a seat next to Marie when Hans stopped him. 

"Jochen, you sit over there. Werner come here." So Jochen was forced to leave his seat and Werner returned to Hans' right. It made Werner realize that Hans respected and liked him, but he felt bad for Jochen. It wasn't surprising though, given Jochens history of not showing up. "Let's have a drink, Marie, pour the vodka." She obliged. Werner thought about refusing the glass but he didn't. He enjoyed alcohol. "To you Jochen!" Hans toasted. 

"Do you mind if I get myself a plate of food?" 

"Of course not, have some!" So Marie gave him a fully-loaded plate. He thanked her and dug in. He ate with as much fever as Werner had, but he didn't even try to remain polite. It didn't bother Hans, but it bothered Marie. She wasn't embarrased, but it told her that he wasn't doing well. He looked thinner too, even though he was still very attractive. The brother who'd died of sickness, Ernst, he'd been the best-looking of them all. A few weeks before his death he'd gotten a part in a movie from a famous producer, but he'd died before he could realize his dream of becoming an actor. 

"How did you meet?" Jochen asked. 

"We met in a train, he was on his way to Auschwitz, and I was on my way here." Marie explained. Hans had already heard the story. Jochen snorted. 

"How's Auschwitz?"

"Different than I'd imagined." Werner answered. Jochen looked at him, expecting more of an answer. "I work as a doctors assistant, it's definitely a place where medecine can take big steps in the right direction."

"I believe you." Jochen answered with a mouthfull of food. "How are the women there?" 

"There aren't too many." Werner replied. 

"Then you all must be homosexualls." He said with a nasty grin.

"I should report you for saying that." Werner said with a breezy laugh. He knew he'd scare Jochen by saying it. Jochen did seem more nervous to him afterwards. "I have the number of the high-ranking officials in my pocket." Hans laughed. He was a bit of a sadist. "Could I have another glass of vodka, I'd like to toast to your health Hans." So Werner received another glass, Marie poured herself one as well, and the soon to be couple toasted to Hans. Jochen watched them with his beady eyes. He didn't like Werner because of his Gestapo-comment. Jochen was scared silly by the Gestapo. If only the three knew that Werner was the one who had the most reason to be afraid. 

After Jochen was done eating, Marie served desert. Jochen wolfed that down too, as though he hadn't had anything to eat before. It was pumpkin pie with raisins and vanilla ice-cream. Hans and Marie both only had one slice, Werner had three. He hoped he wasn't being rude, but it all tasted to delicious. Jochen asked Hans if he could stay the night but Hans shook his head. The old man winked at Werner and added; if the Gestapo comes by we can't have you here. Jochen left soon after, it was the last time any of them saw him. Marie and Werner returned to the table after seeing him off. 

"You two gentlemen can go onto the veranda and smoke. Do you want some wine or vodka as well?" She asked. Werner shook his head. He didn't think it would be a good idea to accept that offer. Hans didn't refuse help this time, he was a bit drunk as Werner was. When they'd finally reached the veranda and sat down Werner realized that Marie was going to clean up alone. Hans held him back.

"You're very liberal in some ways. Almost american." He noticed.

"I'm not," Werner reassured the old man, "but I am in love with your granddaughter. And I want her to have a nice evening too, may I help her clean up?" 

"Of couse you can." Hans replied with a warm smile after a second of silence. He was mighty surprised at Werners goodness, but although he was conservative, he realized that the way Werner thought and acted would make him a much better man for Marie. It was almost unheard of that a man would help his wife clean up out of free will. Werner thanked him, told him to call if he needed anything and sprung off his chair to go and help Marie do the dishes. 

Hans smoked the cigar alone, but he didn't feel lonely. He was content for himself and for Marie.