Inside her tiny pale boxlike house with the iron gate and brown door Ester bolted up right her heart palpating quickly from last night's dream and not knowing for a moment where she was. Gradually as the haze lifted and her pulse slowed she rolled over propping herself up on an elbow, "Momma I saw giant red hot flames rising out of smokestacks and soaring in the sky." she yawned she wiped the sleep out her eyes and glanced at her fragile mother who was bent over placing items in a satchel. "What are you doing momma?" She inquired. "I'm packing some of your things darling. For your trip you're going to visit Miss Muller and you'll stay with her for a little while." She whispered, looking over her shoulder and straightened her light blue cotton dress. "Come here," her mother requested as she wandered over and sat down on a wooden bench with an ornate embroidered cushion that was positioned under a window. "Sit next to me Ester." Her mother said and patted the seat. Ester got up and …show more content…
With a bewildered gaze Ester inquired, "I don't understand momma?" Her mother inhaled deeply several times attempting to collect her composure. And then she steadied herself and said ambiguously, "I know but you may someday." "Will you come with me?" Ester pleaded. "I can't dearest. Someone must stay and care for Rachel she only a baby. Your brother will go with you. You can take care of each other." Her mother cried. They sat together in silence for a while until her mother reached over and wrapped her arms around Ester's tiny shoulders and gazed into her large blue eyes and begged earnestly, "Remember one thing. You are no longer Ester. Your name is Anna, Anna Braun. Say it Anna." Then her mother gazed out of the window into the frosty winter garden and began to