Atalia hesitated a moment unsure if she should accept or leave them alone. "I don't want to intrude. You seem like you two wanted to be alone, which I understand. I'm sorry I just barged in the way I did," she said as she swallowed and looked everywhere else.

Ezra made his way over to her slowly and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, you're not intruding. If she didn't want your company she wouldn't have asked. Plus you look like you haven't eaten in days. How's your mom taking everything?"

"She's sad about father still. We don't really eat anymore unless it's a special occasion. He's the one who brought the money, without him moms scrapping by. I don't like her to know how hungry I get. I eat some at school though. Joshua and Isiah give me food sometimes. The girls split their lunches also if they have extra. I'll get through it though. I started looking for a job," Atalia said quietly so that Marta couldn't hear. She didn't want the other girl feeling sorry for her, "on the plus side Isiah and his family have been talking with my mom. Since Beth moved away a couple months back he's been looking for a bride. You know I've always had a small crush on him. They think we could have the marriage soon."

Ezra grinned and walked to the table for a seat. Standing was starting to cause him some pain and he could feel himself getting tired. The news of Atalia and Isiah made him happy though. Isiah had been one of his closest friends growing up. Isiah and Atalia always had a special bond that Ezra used to be jealous of when they were kids, so to hear he would marry the girl he had to let down made him feel a little better. "That's great. Isiah is a good replacement for me. He's smarter and stronger. I would trust him with my life, so I trust him with yours. When would you two tie the knot?"

She glanced up at Marta and shrugged, "When school is over. They want it to happen fast so that him and I can have kids before it's too late. I know it's crazy to want to bring a child into this world with Hitler and the designated areas for Jews, but it's what our parents want and it could provide some normality. Maybe we could have a double wedding. You and Marta, me and Isiah. I trust she'll be converted by then."

Ezra looked over at Marta who was finishing up the breakfast and his smile dropped a little. They would never be able to marry with friends or family around if she didn't convert. They would have to do it in secret with only God to bare witness. He switched his gaze back to his friend who had taken the seat across from him rather than next to, which felt a little odd to him. He could sense the shift Atalia was making to ensure that she didn't make Marta uncomfortable. Her comfortable demeanor had changed to almost timid and she spoke much quieter. He felt guilt wash over him, but he refused to let it rest.