Read Online The Watcher by Joan Hiatt Harlow - Free Book Online

don’t try to talk me out of my Christian decision. And don’t ever betray my trust.”
    â€œNever,” I promised.
    I spent the rest of the day working with Johanna. Little Hunfrid followed me around—grabbing my skirt, wanting to be bounced or just held. He carried the little teddy bear Dobry close to him wherever he went.
    By the time I was ready to leave in the late afternoon, Hunfrid had learned my name. “Wen-dee! Wen . . . dee!” he called after me whenever I went out of his sight. I gave him a hug, and a kiss on the cheek, when I saw Adrie’s car outside. Immediately he knew I was leaving and began to cry.
    I could hear his sobs as I ran out the door to the driveway. Johanna held Hunfrid up to the window to wave good-bye. However, Hunfrid cried and held his arms out as if calling me to come back.
    â€œI hate to leave him. I feel like I should go back and hold him,” I said to Adrie.
    â€œHe needs to know you won’t be here all the time. As I said, do not become too attached, or you will be the one to get hurt. You heard Frau Messner. She said he might be sent somewhere else.”
    â€œWhere? Tell me. Where is somewhere else?”
    â€œI don’t know. Perhaps he’ll be put up for adoption.”
    Even though adoption would be better than living in the Lebensborn, something about Adrie’s answer did notring true. Where would they send little Hunfrid, really?
    A sinking feeling surged over me as I remembered what the SS officer said about Watcher. He’s worthless and can’t be trained. We’ll have to put him down.
    What might happen to Hunfrid and Johanna if they “couldn’t be trained”? Were they considered worthless? Would they be put down?
    Of course not!
    Don’t be foolish, I told myself.

15
The Watcher from the Woods
    H aving Watcher jump up and lap my face when I got home from the Lebensborn helped me turn off the picture in my head of little Hunfrid with his arms outstretched to me.
    After supper Adrie went to her office and turned on the radio to hear the news. Frieda was busy tidying up and bringing in clothing from the closed-in yard on the other side of the house, where she hung the laundry.
    Out of curiosity, before the darkness of night set in, I went to the library and stood by the patio door. The leaves of the park were still. I wondered if I would ever see the watcher in the woods again. Then I remembered Barret! I had been so overwhelmed with Adrie, the new car, the puppy, and that awful tea party, I had forgotten all about Barret.
    It was just as well I hadn’t mentioned Barret to Adrie. IfI had, Adrie would probably have forbidden me to see him again. Look how concerned she was about Johanna.
    Don’t make friends with her, she had said. She even warned me not to get attached to little Hunfrid.
    I was sure now that if I ever did see Barret again, I would keep our friendship to myself.
    I decided to take a walk in the cool evening air. I knew I should ask permission, so Watcher and I went to the den where Adrie was sitting close to the radio, her face serious. She put her finger to her lips. “Sh! There’s an announcement.” I waited while the announcer spoke in a loud, excited voice.
    Adrie turned the volume down. “The sixth army is battling with the Russians. To win Stalingrad will be a tough battle. I hope they can take the city before winter comes.” Adrie looked worried. Then, turning to me she asked, “Did you want something?”
    â€œYes. I’m going for a walk with Watcher.”
    â€œGo for your walk, but be back here before dark.” Adrie fiddled with the radio. “I’m going to see if I can get England and hear what lies they’re telling now.” She turned the volume back up.
    â€œCome along with me, Watcher.”
    Watcher wiggled and hopped around, then ran to the hooks where his leash hung.
    â€œYou are such a smart puppy! You