Marta and Atalia had both set up mattresses up in the loft. This was to be their new room for the unforeseeable future. Mrs. H filled them in on their back their. Marta and Atalia were her grand-nieces coming to spend a few months with her. Marta kept her name Kiva, but was now Kiva Hildreth and Atalia was now Olive Hildreth. Mrs. H told them they must start calling each other by those names so they got use to it, in case someone visited the house, their story had to seem legit and if they were calling the others by different names, it would blow their cover. It felt odd, hearing the name Kiva, but Marta eventually got use to it. Two days after being sent to Mrs. H, Jeremiah showed up. Marta was anxious and felt her heart beating in her chest as he spoke to Mrs. H first, completely ignoring Marta and Atalia for the first minute. Then he finally turned and nodded at the girls. "Everyone is safe." he said, not using any names or giving away any more information. He handed each of them an envelope. "You absolutely must burn those after you read them. I will be leaving at night fall, so you have until then to write a reply." Marta and Atalia glanced at each other, both of them bubbling with excitement, before racing up the ladder to their loft. Marta sat and read Ezra's letter, while Atalia did the same from the one Isiah wrote her. Marta felt her heart clench in sadness and happiness. Ezra was alive and in a safe place, where he would be able to heal properly. He spoke of the resistance, and how he would like to join when he was better. It made Marta nervous, but she knew it was for the best. He spoke of constantly wanting to be able to protect his people and his family, and this would be how he was going to be able to do it. And since he knew Marta was safe, she would not be there as a distraction. But how Marta wished she could be in Ezra's arms. When he spoke of the stars, tears rolled from her eyes. She made a promise to herself to look up at the stars every night until she was reunited with her love. She reread Ezra's letter about five times, making sure to absorb and memorize every word since she would have to burn it. She so wished she didn't have to, but she understood why. Heaven forbid the Nazis showed up at the cottage, if they found the letters, they would be doomed. Marta took a piece of parchment from her bag and began her reply. [i]My dearest Ezra, It feels like we have been parted for so long, yet it has only been a few days. I can't imagine not waking up without you by my side, but I know this is for the best. I am so proud of your wish to join the resistance, you will do so much good. Just promise me to be careful, I don't want to lose you. There has been too many close calls already. I know things with us have been on a constant flux, but at the end of the day, all that matters is we love each other. Atalia (her new code name is Olive, and mine is Kiva) is doing well. You will be happy to hear that the resistance was able to rescue her before the Nazis tortured her, so she got out completely unharmed, maybe just a little shaken. She wants you to forgive yourself, she knows that you feel guilty for letting her be taken, but if we went back in time, she would do it again. Atalia is truly wonderful and I am glad I am able to call her friend now. We are staying with a wonderful woman, Mrs. H. She is a non-Jewish person like me, and her husband was Jewish. They married in secret when they were both 18 and ran away to this cottage where they lived together until her husband died last year. Mrs. H is 78 years old. Ezra, she is my hope. My hope that everything between us will work out. I want to be old and married to you. You are my true soul mate. Just remember, I am always with you. I am the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, the rain and snow in your hair. You will always be on my mind and I count the days until we are together again. All of my love, Marta [/i] -------------- Over the course of the next few weeks, Marta and Atalia got into a routine with Mrs. H. Every morning the three woman would get up and have tea and biscuits for breakfast. Then Atalia and Marta would help Mrs. H with the chores, which included tending the garden, collecting the chicken eggs, cleaning the inside of the house, prepping meals, and laundry. It kept the two girls busy, but Atalia and Marta still found the time to have fun. They have bonded and started a special friendship. Atalia was secretly teaching Marta the Jewish traditions, though without books, Marta had to just memorize whatever Atalia taught her, thank goodness for her amazing memory. Mrs. H also had a tiny upright piano and Marta was hesitant to touch it, but after some encouragement from Atalia, she began to play again. Marta wished so deeply she had shared this part of her life with Ezra, but there would be time for that in the future. About once a week, Jeremiah would come and bring the girls letters from their men. It was the day Marta looked forward to most. Be able to learn what Ezra has been doing. His health was getting better each day and he had begun some training, but nothing strenuous. He would tell Marta about all the men who he trained with and how being in the resistance was giving his hope back. But both their letters always contained words of love, how deeply they missed one another. Even though Marta was having a good time with Mrs. H and Atalia, she ached to see her love so much, but all in good time.