Read Online Anne Frank and Me by Cherie Bennett - Free Book Online Page B

Maman. She’d promised Jacques.
    They walked downstairs and out into the sunshine to wait for Jacques and Mimi. So what if she was still stuck in the dream? It was a glorious morning. The boy she loved was on his way over to meet her. How bad could things be, really?
    â€œNow, Nicole, remember. I have written your name and address on a scrap of paper and put it in your left shoe,” Mme. Bernhardt said. “If you forget where you live—”
    â€œI won‘t,” Nicole interrupted gently, touched by the obvious depth of concern for her welfare. “I remember yesterday and the day before just fine. It’s only before that...”
    Mme. Bernhardt sighed. “Yes. Before that.”
    â€œNicolel”
    David Berg, clad in truly geeky knickers, was coming toward her. He had the same handsome face she remembered, and the same serious look in his eyes.
    â€œDavid Berg!” she said happily. “Or is your name different here like everyone else’s?”
    â€œDavid Ginsburg,” he corrected, removing his cap. “You know that.”
    â€œHello, David,” Mme. Bernhardt said. “Are you well?”
    David nodded respectfully. “I heard you hit your head, Nicole.”
    Nicole shrugged. “So they tell me.”
    â€œAre you all right now?”
    â€œSure,” Nicole said breezily.
    David turned to Mme. Bernhardt. “May I talk to Nicole for a moment? Privately?”
    â€œOf course. I will be just inside until you are finished.” She went into the front hall of the building.
    David edged toward the stone staircase a few feet away and motioned for Nicole to follow. She did. He looked very nervous. “I have to talk to you, Nicole.”
    â€œYeah, sure. What’s up?”
    He gave her a sharp look. “How can you even ask me that? I came to say good-bye.”
    â€œBut Mimi and Jacques are on their way over. You can walk to school with us.”
    â€œI’m not going to school, Nicole.”
    â€œWhy? Where are you going?”
    â€œI have word that soon—I don’t know when, exactly—there is going to be a big roundup of foreign-born Jews.”
    He looked so sad. “Don’t worry. None of this is real, David,” she assured him. “I’m dreaming it all up.”
    â€œThe whole world is in on it, then. And the whole world has gone insane.” The intensity with which he spoke raised the hairs on her arms. “My family is going into hiding.”
    â€œAmazing. Like Anne Frank.”
    â€œWho is Anne Frank?”
    â€œShe lived in Amsterdam during—it’s not important. Is there anything I can do to help you?”
    He looked down at his worn shoes. “At first I told myself not to come tell you ... what I’m about to tell you, because I would look so stupid. But then I thought, What difference could it possibly make anymore?”
    â€œTo tell me what?”
    He wouldn’t look at her. “Jacques always says that he has loved you since the third grade. And I ... share his feelings.”
    She was touched. “You do?”
    â€œI only want to say this to you, Nicole.” He raised his eyes to hers. “Wherever I go, whatever happens to me ... when I close my eyes, I will still see your face.” He reached up and ripped the yellow star from his vest, stuffed it into Nicole’s hand, and bolted down the stone staircase.

eleven
    July 15, 1942
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    Mimi ran ahead down the rue de Passy “I’m free-eee!” she cried, whirling around in a circle. “I think if I had to take even one more exam, I would scream.”
    Nicole caught up and linked arms with her. “You’re already screaming,” she pointed out nervously. “Everyone is staring at you.”
    â€œLet them stare, I don’t care. I’m free-e-e!” As Mimi began whirling again, a passing older couple regarded her with