"I'm tired of listening to them."

“Fiona,” My mother called from downstairs. I was too busy playing with my rag doll that had horse hair attached to her head which made her hair feel real and soft. I continued brushing her hair, ignoring my mother, until I heard loud footsteps going up the stairs. “Fiona,” my mother lightly knocked on my closed door and repeated my name two or three more times. “Fiona Baconshnitzel, you are acting like a brat. You need to understand the situation. I'm sorry your father couldn't make it home last week but look, he has written you a letter!” I slowly opened the door. I found it funny how my mother thought I was always upset about my father. My Dad, Albert, is a soldier for the German Army.

I do miss him and I get disappointed when he says he'll come home on certain weeks and ends up not being able to, but I understand. Father always told me I was very understanding for just a nine year old girl. “Thank you mama, do you need help getting dinner started?” My mother nodded yes then scurried away with tears in her eyes. She misses Albert, so does my older brother Eckhart, but me... I don't miss him because he's gone; I miss him because now I have to take care of the family. All mother does is cry all day and cleans. She says it helps her cope. When she is sad or feels lonely, I always feel obliged to spend time with her and make her happy. She tells me all about her wedding day and other memories her and papa shared. I think I know every single story those two have created together. I'm tired of listening to them.

I went down stairs to help mother start dinner. “Actually Fiona, I don’t need help with dinner tonight. Why don’t you go read the letter father sent you?” I ran back up the stairs, grabbed the letter, ran back downstairs, and ripped the envelope open. “Mother, would you like me to read it aloud?” I am very impressed with myself and my reading skills. I am only nine years old but I have read “My Führer” about six times and understood all the hard words. I can also speak English, fluently! Father taught me how! He said I was the quickest learner he’s ever seen. Mother asked me politely to read it aloud and I could see tears beginning to grow inside her eyes. I took a deep breath and started to read.

“Dear Fiona, I miss you so much. I’m so sorry I couldn’t come home last month and I’m afraid I won’t be able to come home this month. I haven’t seen you for over 9 months but I think about you, your mother, and your brother everyday. Your mother writes me about how fast you’re growing up. She says you’re much taller than I probably remember and that you help her feel better. I bet that gets pretty stressful at times, yes? Fiona, I believe you’re old enough to understand what I’m about to tell you. I also know you’re a very understanding person. I have a feeling Germany will not be a good place to raise you and your brother anymore. We just invaded Poland and people are talking that this is going to be the start of WWII. I know Hitler is our chancellor but he is a mean man Fiona and I do not want you looking up to him in anyway. We also have received information that Japan has launched their first attack on Changsha. Hitler’s generals said they’d like to attack Denmark and Norway. I’m scared for Grandma if they actually do attack Norway. I cannot say or write anymore, just in case someone gets ahold of this letter. I can get in a lot of trouble for this, so please do not share this with your friends, only Eckhart and mama. I miss you and love you so much Fiona.’ Bis bald Liebling, see you soon darling.“

Mother began to cry franticly just as I thought she would. I even began crying. I’m so scared for father right now. What if he doesn’t make it alive? Mother grabbed the letter out of my hands and re-read it. “ We must leave Germany, we must go.“ Mother said in almost a whisper. I’m scared, I’m confused, and I don’t understand what’s going on. Father, I’m sorry but maybe I’m not as understanding as you think. I don’t know why Hitler is a mean man but I’m going to listen to father. I’m going to throw away the dumb‘Führer’ book. I don’t know when I’ll see father next but I do know that Germany will have changed a lot, for the better or for the worst by then.