Read Catch Me When I Fall for Free Online Page B

jealousy when she took canned catfood and catnip out to the monument. Would she do as much for him if he were dead? He washed his hands in the mudroom sink. She kept singing. “‘In this world of dark-ness, we-e mu-ust shine. You in your small cor-ner, and I in mine.’”
    Her eyes hardened when he entered the kitchen. “Don’t say anything to set your dad off tonight.” Did she think he tried to irritate them on purpose? “I’m going to ask him about your great-grandpa.” She fingered the blank spot on the family tree.
    â€œOkay. But you’ll be the one to make him mad.”
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    Beatrice got up to check the potatoes. Eustace should be more interested in her project. She was doing it for him. Taking pride in the family. They were as good as anyone. And so many years had passed since the war. They should be able to move on. Forget the past.
    â€œAre you sure that’s not loaded?” He was cleaning the gun in the kitchen again, all knees and elbows as he bent his gangly frame over the task. “I told you to do that outside.”
    â€œOf course it’s not loaded! You don’t think I learned my lesson?”
    â€œWhy can’t you go out on the porch?”
    â€œIt’s raining.”
    She glanced out the window, surprised, then twisted back quickly. The .22 was pointed toward the floor, but she made a wide arc around him as she sidled back to the table. She pointed to the genealogy chart. “I put Tante Margot’s maiden name as VanderZee, but I’m pretty sure the records on her are false. If you ever investigate.” She tapped the word “adopted” that she had penned in after Margot’s name.
    â€œOkay.” Eustace kept his eyes on the gun barrel, wiping it carefully.
    â€œMy grandparents never officially adopted her,” she continued doggedly. “Her own parents hadn’t registered her, so when they were shipped to Westerbork, they gave her to my grandparents.”
    â€œWhat’s Westerbork again?”
    â€œA concentration camp. Where they sent the Dutch Jews.”
    â€œWhat happened to Auntie Margot’s real parents?”
    â€œI don’t know. I guess they never came back.”
    â€œSo your grandparents raised her as their own kid?”
    Beatrice was heartened by his interest. If only she knew more. “Yes.”
    â€œRaised her as a Christian?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œWouldn’t her real parents have wanted her raised as a Jew?”
    Her pleasure changed to irritation. He was so difficult. Judgmental. “Well, I think her parents would have been glad she stayed alive. And maybe God had other plans for her. Saved her body and soul.” The phrase pleased her. “Body and soul.”
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    When Eustace’s father strode in, the smell of the pig barn on him despite his scrubbing in the mudroom, Beatrice heaped a large portion of roast on his plate. “I made hutspot to go with it,” she said. She served him a lump of the steaming mashed carrots, onions, and potatoes.
    Willem made a grunting sound that could have been approval. He bowed his head and asked a blessing on the food. When he’d finished his first helping, Beatrice ventured, “I’m making progress on the family records, but there are a few blanks.”
    Eustace kept his head down. Conversations during meals usually ended badly, and this one was going to explode. He scooped food into his mouth, planning his exit.
    â€œYour grandfather on your father’s side. I don’t even know his name.” Her words came breathy and quick.
    Willem shoved his plate toward her. “I’ll have some more meat.”
    After a few minutes of silence, Beatrice said, “I made apple pie for dessert.” She sounded like a child showing off a drawing, Eustace thought. “Would you like ice cream with it, Willem?” She