“Tomorrow.”
“May I see Aline?”
“I’ll arrange for her to meet you in the garden,” Mrs. Webb said. “It’ll give you some privacy.”
Mrs. Webb led Ruth down a hall, through a rear door, and gestured to a stone bench in the garden. Ruth sat and the woman disappeared into the building. A few minutes later, the rear door swung open.
“You’re here!” Aline said, running to her.
Ruth hugged her. “I am.”
Aline slipped away and pointed to rows of green vegetable tops. “Do you like our victory garden?”
Ruth smiled. “It’s lovely. Did you plant the vegetables?”
“Oui. The children get to help the workers in the garden.” Aline scanned the rows. “We have potatoes—beets—radishes—turnips—and winter cabbage.”
“It’s wonderful, and I’m proud of you.”
Aline beamed.
Ruth patted the space next to her on the bench. “Have a seat.”
Aline sat. “Where’s Lucette?”
“She’s working at the airfield and will be coming to see you after her shift.”
“Why aren’t you at work?”
Tension spread through Ruth’s chest. “I came to tell you good news.”
Aline sat up straight.
“I wrote to a special organization called USCOM that brings refugee children—many who are Jewish—to America. You were accepted into the program.”
Aline’s eyes widened. “That’s so far away. How will I see you and Lucette?”
“The bombings have gotten worse. It’s important that you’re someplace out of range of the German planes.”
Aline’s bottom lip quivered. “I don’t want to leave you.”
“I don’t want to be away from you either, but Lucette and I need to do our duty to aid the fight.” Ruth placed a hand on her shoulder. “Someday, this war will be over, France will be free, and we’ll see each other again. I believe that with all my heart.”
Aline blinked her eyes, as if fending off tears. “Do I have a choice in this?”
Ruth slipped her hand away. “Non.”
Aline lowered her head. “Where are they sending me?”
“Maine.” Ruth kneeled on the ground in front of Aline. “I’ve been in contact with my maman and dad. They’ve been accepted as a foster family for USCOM. My parents know all about you, and they want you to stay with them.”
Tears welled up in Aline’s eyes. “On their apple orchard?”
Ruth nodded. “You’ll love staying with my parents—they’re sweet and kind. There will be loads of trees to climb and apples to pick. Many people in Lewiston speak French, and you’ll go to the same school that I did. You’ll make lots of friends.”
Tears fell down Aline’s cheeks.
“Do you remember me telling you about our family dog?”
“Moxie,” Aline said, her voice cracking.
She nodded. “I’m hoping that you’ll help take care of her while I’m away. She’ll need to be fed twice each day, have lots of walks around the orchard, and plenty of belly rubs.”
“I will.”
Ruth smiled.
Aline sniffed back tears. “What will happen to me if my papa doesn’t come home from the war?”
“He will.”
“But what if he doesn’t?”
Ruth looked into the girl’s eyes, filled with fear and uncertainty. “My parents said that you are welcome to stay with them for as long as you want.”
Aline threw her arms around Ruth and hugged her. “Merci,” she cried.
Ruth’s eyes blurred with tears and she squeezed her tight.
