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15

Sofie

Berlin,Germany

1933

We were eating dinner when a knock came at the front door. The children had been fussing, and Mayim and Jürgen had taken turns tending to them, but I’d just finished my meal, so I motioned toward my plate as I rose.

“I’ll get it.”

“Are we expecting anyone?” Jürgen asked. I shook my head and pulled the front door open. I was startled to find Karl on the doorstep, carrying a small model rocket mounted on a stand. A few days had passed since Jürgen told Karl he would not take the job. We’d both been surprised at how easily Karl accepted the refusal—but my heart sank now, realizing he hadn’t accepted it at all. Karl flashed me a charming smile.

“Mrs. von Meyer Rhodes,” he said playfully. “How are you this evening?”

It had been reasonably easy to keep Lydia and Karl out of our house since we’d laid off the staff. The park between our homes was usually a better option anyway, given our house had only the small courtyard, and Hans and Georg both loved to run. When that approach failed, I always suggested their house. It was easily twice the size of ours, set on acres of gardens, and Lydia was always happy to host.

I knew that Karl and Lydia would find out about our financial problems sooner or later, but I was determined to put it off as long as possible. With Karl arriving unannounced for the first time ever, I feared the moment had finally come.

“Karl, we weren’t expecting you,” I said. His charming smile did not shift one bit.

“I know. And I am sorry to just drop in unannounced like this. I was hoping you and Jürgen might give me a few moments of your time.”

“The house is a bit of a mess, Karl...”

That much, at least, was true.

“Sofie, please understand that I’m here as a friend first and foremost, even though I am also here on official business. I wasn’t permitted to offer Jürgen the job until he was thoroughly investigated. I was as surprised as anyone to learn of your financial problems.” At my look of alarm, he raised a hand as if to pacify me, and his gaze softened. “I’m here to help, my friend. We both know you cannot afford for him to refuse this position.”

“Why don’t you go wait in Jürgen’s study?” I said heavily, motioning toward the doorway off the hall.

“Hello, Karl,” Jürgen said as he appeared behind me.

“I’ll go make some tea—” I started to say, but Karl stopped me.

“Actually, Sofie, I was hoping you’d join us.”

I frowned, glancing between him and Jürgen, who gave me a bewildered shrug.

“I’ll just ask Mayim to watch the children.”

By the time I returned to the study, Karl and Jürgen were seated opposite one another by the window. That little model rocket was now sitting atop Jürgen’s bookshelf. I glanced at it as I pushed the door closed.

Karl followed my gaze. “This was one of our earliest prototypes at the space society,” he said. “It misfired, remember?” Jürgen nodded slowly. “I kept it, thinking that once we perfected the technology, you and I could look back at that model and marvel at how far we’d come. When you called me a few days ago, it occurred to me it might make a nice gift, so I had it mounted.” His gaze shifted to Jürgen. “I wanted to remind you of the dream we’ve shared for all of these years.”

I forced a smile, but Jürgen still looked somber. I took the seat beside him and he immediately reached for my hand.

“I told you on the phone,” Jürgen said quietly. “This job isn’t for me. I’m happy at the university. We are getting by—”

“That’s simply not true and we all know it, so can we just drop the pretense?” Karl said impatiently. “Let’s focus on the bigger picture—bigger than your finances. Can you imagine the way the world would react if we were to achieve the first space flight? If you won’t take this job to solve your family’s financial woes, then do it for your country. Jürgen, you could be instrumental in restoring our reputation on the international stage.”

“Could you guarantee that any potential rockets this program created would never be weaponized?” Jürgen asked bluntly. I held my breath as I turned my gaze to Karl, who answered calmly.

“We are prohibited from rearming by the Treaty of Versailles.”

“I’m not a fool, Karl.”

It was rare for my mild-mannered husband to raise his voice, and I jumped. Karl stared back at him impassively.