We Are Wolves chapter sampler

Mama stops. ‘Liesl, Papa is a soldier now. You know that. He can’t come home any time he likes.’ ‘But it’s Christmas, Mama, and the soldiers are sometimes given leave to be with their families. Ruth’s papa was home last Christmas for a whole week.’ I smile at her. ‘So why not our papa? Wouldn’t it be wonderful!’ I dance around Mama and slip on the ice. Mama helps me to my feet. ‘Yes,’ she agrees, ‘it would be wonderful. Just … just don’t get your hopes up, Liesl.’ The air that was so full of joy and hope moments ago becomes cold and heavy. But Mama’s smile returns, and she says, ‘There’s one more thing to do before we go home.’ She strides ahead and I must run to catch up. We walk briskly and silently until we arrive at the Kruger farm. Frau Kruger meets us at the gate, a dead goose in her hand, hanging upside down by the legs. Its eyes are closed and it looks perfect, like it is simply sleeping. ‘Greetings and merry Christmas for tomorrow,’ Mama says kindly. Frau Kruger nods but says nothing. She stares at Mama, her eyes wide, her mouth open. Mama reaches into her pocket and pulls out a white handkerchief tied into a bundle. She picks open the knot. Inside sits her beautiful pearl necklace and I wonder why she has brought it to this farm.

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