Читать книгу The Twins - Sheldon Cohen - Страница 17

Werner had two remaining problems. First, Pastor Braun would assume Werner and Helene would take the twins. Werner decided that he would tell the pastor that Alfred had taken one of the boys. By then Alfred would be across an ocean and the pastor would have no options to do anything about it. After all, a man can do whatever he wants with his children, including sending one of them to a relative across the ocean. As far as Ludwig was concerned, he would tell him the story. He knew he could rely on his father.

The day arrived to pick up their children. Both Brigid and Helene wanted to make the trip, but Werner and Alfred insisted they stay home and await the surprise of their lives. It was a cloudy and cold May morning when Werner and Alfred took the train to Munich. Werner had spoken to Pastor Braun who gave him all the details. The children would be ready for their arrival, and Werner would get a list of instructions regarding the care of the babies.

The brothers took the trip in silence and deep in thought. The cold dreary day reflected their feelings. They both understood that their impending separation would be permanent. Although there was tension between them before they boarded the train, Alfred asked, “Have you got the money?” Saying nothing, Werner opened a small suitcase and let Alfred look in. There it was.

“What did you think about changing your name and making a new start in America?”

“I talked to Helene. She has no problem with it.”

“Did you pick one out yet?”

“Not yet. We’re going to talk it over on the boat. Anyhow, why would you want to know? You made it sound like we’ll never see each other again because of our little secret.”

“You’re right. It’s none of my business. But you’re my brother you know and I wish you the best of luck in America. I hope you have a lot of success.”

“Sure, Werner. I hope you can keep the farm going, too.”

They were quiet the rest of the way. Alfred looked out the window as the flatlands gave way to low rolling hills, forests, and small shimmering lakes. Then the train turned south, and Alfred could see the hazy, blue-grey mountains looming in the distance. It was an impressive sight. He was glad that he would be in Virginia where he had heard the mountains would surround him, although not as high and majestic as the Alps.

They arrived at Angel Sentinel and went to the administrator’s office where Werner signed some papers. The administrator told him how his act of charity today is God directed, and God will bless him and his sons as soon as the babies were in his grasp. After receiving full written instructions, Werner and Alfred went into another room where two nurses in white nun’s habits were sitting on rocking chairs holding two sleeping babies.

They were so tiny that Werner and Alfred stopped walking and looked at each other. But they soon regained their composure. They each were given one of the twins and stared into their faces. They looked back and forth at both of the children and were amazed at the extreme likeness. The baby’s heads were almost bald except for sparse light hair. At times their lips moved as if they were sucking. Looking first at one and then the other was no different from looking at one baby and then looking at the same baby’s image in the mirror. It was as if one had double vision. Even their movements were alike, and at times, their sucking would occur in unison.

“They both have similar birth marks,” said one of the nurses.

“Where?” asked Werner.

The nurse opened the blankets and lifted up their tiny undershirts and their right arms and showed Werner and Alfred a tan, pigmented area about two centimeters in length located on the back lateral chest wall just under the right shoulder blade.

“I don’t know how you’ll ever be able to tell them apart. They are the most identical twins I’ve ever seen,” said the other nurse.

“Do we have to do anything about this birthmark?” asked Werner.

“No. They can keep it for one-hundred years,” said the first nurse.

“Are they healthy?”

“The doctor says they’re perfect.”

They left with their children, and as soon as they got on the train, Werner opened his suitcase, took out the money, and handed it to Alfred. “This is yours. You kept your part of the bargain. Look at the instructions the administrator gave me and copy them down. You will need them. We will both need them. We are starting a new chapter in our lives. Let’s hope we’re up to it.”