Read Online A Flicker of Light by Roberta Kagan - Free Book Online

worry, child, I think maybe he goes to play cards with his men friends. I never worry myself with these things. I have you , and soon we will have the baby too, eh?”
    “Yes, soon,” Petra said, and she shivered, pulling her sweater tighter. Siegland saw the look of concern on Petra’s face and thought she might be anxious about giving birth.
    “Are you afraid to have a baby? Don’t be scared. I will be there with you the whole time, and I will help you. You will see. It will be just fine.”

 
    Chapter 8
     
    S
    till, Petra could not help but wonder where Klaus went on his nighttime trips. Most times he would arrive back at the farm well into the wee hours, but once in a while he did not return until the following morning. Surely it could not be another woman. Petra could not imagine Klaus taking a lover. And since Siegland seemed unconcerned, Petra tried not to worry. Although, on th e occasions when Klaus returned late the following morning , Petra could see that Siegland was nervous and uneasy.
    One day, Siegland presented Petra with a box that contained an entire wardrobe for the baby. “I made everything yellow because we don’t know if it will be a boy or a girl,” she said shyly. “I hope that is all right.”
    “I feel like I can never say it enough, but once again , I thank you and Klaus. You have been like family to me, even more than my own family. Never before has anyone treated me so kindly. I will always be indebted to you for everything.” Petra hugged Siegland and planted a kiss on her cheek.
    Then one evening as they sat by the fire enjoying cheese strudel and tea, Klaus turned to the women and smiled. “I have a surprise for you both,” he said. With a wink of his eye and a quick step, he left the room and went down to the barn. For several minutes the two looked at each other, wondering what the surprise might be. Finally, Klaus returned carrying a lovely hand-carved blond wooden cradle, “I made this for the baby.”
    Klaus had expertly carved the crib, inlaying the shapes of little ducklings walking with a mother duck, each wearing small bows around their necks. There could be no doubt this project could only be the result of long hours of tedious labor. Built as a rocker, the bed would be a great help when the little one did not want to sleep.
    “I am so touched, Klaus. It is so beautiful! Th ank you! I hardly expected this. ” Petra walked over and kissed the older man’s forehead. Moisture gathered in her eyes. “You are both so kind. I am so fortunate to have found you both.”
    “Oh, don’t even mention it. Please, you embarrass us,” Siegland protested.
    Nighttime tormented Petra with yearning for Hans. After she had retired to her room , she found herself thinking of him. Sometimes she allowed herself to become lost in a depressing cloud of loneliness. It was true, finding Siegland and Klaus had been a blessing, and she adored Daisy too, but even so, Petra missed her lover. Most of the time, she could push the painful thoughts away. Instead, she would think about the baby.  But on one dismal night she could not. Unable to sleep, she went into the living room to sit in the rocking chair and look out the window at the farm. As she sat alone in the darkness with a heavy blanket around her shoulders, she allowed herself the indulgence of tears. Petra had fought her sorrow bravely, but in her heart she felt sure that Hans’ passing meant the end of love for her forever. Siegland heard the quiet rocking of the chair on the wooden floor and came out to see if Petra was all right.
    “What is this? You are crying?”
    “I’m sorry. Forgive me. I…  Siegland , I miss Hans. I thought that things would be different. I believed that we would be married with a child, and now he’s gone, dead.”
    “Oh sweet child, come here.” Taking Petra into her arms, the older woman held her, brushing the hair out of her eyes.
    “I’m so sorry to wake you up,” Petra said.
    “No need to