Chapter 11

Mateusz and his grandmother sat down on the couch, and the German in my armchair. I quickly turned back to the kitchen to bring biscuits to the living room and make some tea. I stood by the window, leaning against the kitchen counter, and looked outside. It was the beginning of March, but the snow was still unfazed outside. Black cars raced along the street from time to time, and passersby skidded along the sidewalk. Every few minutes, a laughing German patrol passed by the window. I didn't even hear the kettle squeal just above my ear until Alex appeared in the kitchen. Then I perked up and quickly went back to what I was about to do. The German only asked if I needed help in the kitchen or with the cookies, and when I convinced him that I don't need any help, he returned to his place in the living room and continued the conversation with my temporary family. I quickly poured boiling water over a few tea pots and carried them to the living room. Somehow I didn't feel like sitting there with them.

After I had done everything I had to do, I walked unnoticed to my room and lay down there on the bed. I stared at the ceiling and thought about my present life. I laid there until Mateusz knocked on my door.

"Are you okay?" He asked out of curiosity.

"I think so." I replied hesitantly.

"Grandma wants you to join us."

"And can I be alone for now?" I asked politely and with hope in my voice.

"We found you a job." He smiled suspiciously, his eyes twinkling.

"A job?" I got up slowly to a sitting position. Work was my only hope to pay for my living in this charming and cozy apartment.

"Come to the living room and find out." He spoke mysteriously.

"If it has something to do with the German army, then I won't even leave the room." I crossed my arms waiting for his reaction.

"No, it's not, come on." He convinced me, and I finally moved.

Alex was still in the living room, but he looked like he was slowly making his way out. Everyone looked at me expectantly, but after a while the German exchanged a knowing look with Grandma, and she spoke in Polish.

-Maria, we talked to Alex and he was so impressed how clean our flat is..." She started, and I already knew how this conversation would go on, but I let her continue ."So I thought that maybe you could clean up his flat from time to time. Of course, not for free, Alex promised to pay you ..." As she said that, the German looked friendly at me as if to convince me with this.

"I don't know ." I was a little confused with the received offer.

"Just wipe the dust and mop the floors ."Mateusz joined the conversation.

"Maybe even rinse the dishes." Grandma added.

"You get bored all day anyway, and he sleeps during the day.'' This last argument spoken by Mateusz finally convinced me, although I doubted Alex sleeping during my visits ...