Beginning of a New Life

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The car ride seemed to take forever. There seemed like endless amounts of skyscrapers to get to the neighborhood where I would be living with Major Lawrence Klemm. The streets were bustling with daily New York City traffic of pedestrians. Not only were people dressed very formally compared to what I was used to, but there were significantly more military, specifically SS, officers milling about. Suddenly, a huge imposing skyscraper came into view. On the very top of the building you could see a huge swastika enclosed in a circle and held by an eagle's talons on the top. The SS headquarters of New York. There were Honorguard troops standing at the doors and marching along the sidewalks in front of the building. This is where everything functioned in regards to keeping order and generic government enforcement over the Greater Nazi Reich. The most powerful and dangerous people worked in the headquarters. They were also the people that I would never be able to get away from.

After about 30 more minutes of driving through downtown New York City we finally made it into the suburbs. There were very nice houses in this neighborhood. Ones that you would have to have a lot of money in your bank to call one your own. The car stopped in front of a fairly large two story modernized colonial house. We were on Long Island where the houses seemed to hide secrets. At least to me. The driver came my door and let me out of the car. I proceeded to approach where Lawrence was standing and waiting for me. As much as I loved historical architecture this 'mansion' seemed more like a prison to me with its pristine white base and red accents. 

Placing his right hand on my lower back, Lawrence gently pushed me towards the building. He opened the door and I was hit an unfamiliar scent. Slowly, I walked into the house and glanced around. The house looked bigger on the inside than the outside. It was open concept with a large living room in the entryway. There was a bright red couch and the sunlight shone in from a large window that lightened the mahogany space. To the right was a kitchen area with a dining table. Beyond that was lightly lit sunroom with a glass door. I assumed that was Lawrence's office. Beyond the living room was a slightly closed door. From what I could see was a large fancily carved king sized bed. That would be mine and Lawrence's bedroom. 

"The bathrooms and extra bedrooms are upstairs," Lawrence said nonchalantly as he took his cap off and hung it on a hat tree by the front door. 

Slowly I walked towards a collection of photos on the mantel of a fireplace in the living room. One held a tall, proud Aryan man in a Hauptsturmfuhrer uniform standing with a prideful grin on his face and hands resting behind his back. His blue eyes looked into the camera as his chin was lifted ever-so-slightly. To his left was a normal height woman with shorter curled blonde hair. She had a deep red dress with a black belt around her waist and her blue eyes looked kindly with a slight sense of pride in the camera. In her arms was a child of maybe about 3 years old looking mildly dazed with his mouth was agape and his bright blue eyes were wide-eyed. His wheat-blonde hair was mildly rustled, but still looked well-kept.

A photo to the right of this photo held a boy of about 13 or 14 standing at attention in a Hitler Youth uniform as he was presented an armband and the Hitler Youth knife. Next to that was an 18 year old Lawrence Klemm receiving the Hitler Youth Award as a Hitler Youth leader. Beyond that was what I assumed was an enlistment of Lawrence when he joined the SS and then an image of Lawrence being promoted to Sturmbannfuhrer by Obergruppenfuhrer Smith. There were miscellaneous other photos amongst those in the front, but they didn't seem to have as much of a place of importance on the mantel.

I felt Lawrence's hands on my shoulders as he began to describe the photos to me,"Those are my parents Franz and Henrietta Klemm. They immigrated to the Greater Nazi Reich shortly after I was born."

Of course, not only was he an Aryan Sturmbannfuhrer, but he was also a German by birth. All of this information kept making me grow more to hating deep down, but also question why on earth I was matched with him.

"Are they still in the Greater Nazi Reich?"

"They move back and forth between New York City and Berlin," Lawrence answered sighing slightly.

"And is that you that your mother is holding?"

"Yes," Lawrence replied.

I chuckled slightly saying,"I have to say. You look rather dazed in that photo."

I looked up to where he stood next to me, his hands still on my shoulders. He looked down at me with a restrained chuckle and smirk.

"And I assume all of these are you as well?"

"Yes."

"You definitely seem to be the perfect man for the Reich. You joined the Hitler Youth and clearly excelled enough to be awarded the Hitler Youth Badge. And of course you grew to the rank of Sturmbannfuhrer fairly quickly," I commented. "And of course you're the practically the definition of a proper Aryan man."

"That's true," Lawrence responded growing slightly stern.

"How old were you when you joined the SS?" I asked curiously.

"I was 18. Obergruppenfuhrer Smith noticed me as well as the other leaders of the Reich at a demonstration."

"So you're basically a prodigy for the SS," I said turning to him.

"That's one way to put it,"Lawrence responded looking down into my eyes. 

I noticed him raise his eyes to the bedroom. Slowly I turned around and started going in the direction of the room. This was the last room I wanted to visit, but I felt it was better to get it done and over with as soon as possible. I sighed as I pushed the door open the rest of the way. There was a fancy red formal dress that was slightly form fitting at the top, but it flared out at the hips.

"There are clothes for you in the closet," Lawrence said as he followed me into the bedroom. I looked over at the closet he was referencing on the right wall from the door.

"The dress is for tonight," Lawrence finished.

"What's tonight?" I asked turning to face him.

"There's a small party to fit you into high society. The goal is that you'll make connections."

"Of course. That makes sense," I said nervously. 

First I was taken from my friends and family and everything I knew. Now I was to be surrounded by the new life and be forced to replace them.

I went to sit on the bed after taking my shoes off as Lawrence said,"My parents will also be at the party."

Slowly I looked him in his intent eyes,"What do they think of me? Or I should be saying do they know about me?"

Lawrence moved the dress so it was draped over a chair by the window to the left of the bed. He took his shoes off and sat with his back against the headboard. I joined him as he said,"They know of you. In regards to what they heard about you, they're not quite sure."

"Is it because I'm not Aryan?" I asked looking up at him.

"Yes," Lawrence replied.

Of course it was because I wasn't Aryan. They were Aryan Germans and so was Lawrence for that record. The Klemms were a family that was on the very top of the hierarchy. I was as far down as you could go without being a Jew, Slav, or any other group of people that were considered subhuman. To say the least I would have to prove my self to any and every German and Aryan I came in contact with.

Lawrence placed his hand on mine,"I'll be there with you. Even if they don't like you right away, that changes nothing. Besides you have plenty of time to integrate yourself."

I simply looked at his hand saying,"I guess."

With a final pat of his hand on mine he grabbed his boots and said,"I have some work to do in my office for a while before we go. Is there anything you wish to do?"

"I guess I could walk around and get to know the neighborhood better," I responded hopefully. I really wanted to have at least a moment's peace where I could get away from this place.

Before Lawrence could respond there was a knock at the door. Lawrence got up and opened the door. There was a boy about my age who had brown hair and brown eyes. He wore a tan Hitler Youth uniform and stood smiling up at Lawrence.

"Can I help you, Thomas?" Lawrence asked.

"My father informed me that Alexandra Harren arrived today. I was thinking that being that we'll be attending school together it would be nice to have a familiar face," the boy named Thomas responded smiling warmly.

"What do you wish to do with her?" Lawrence inquired. I knew for a fact that he wouldn't let me leave this easily.

"Well, I was just thinking walking around the neighborhood to help her get familiar with her surroundings. We could possibly stop at my house to meet my family as well," Thomas was still smiling as he noticed me looking at him intrigued. He waved smiling and I waved back returning the smile.

Lawrence turned to look at me and I met his gaze as he turned back to Thomas saying,"Alright, she was planning on going out anyway."

I released a sigh of relief. Even though I wasn't going to be alone, this was still better than nothing. I quickly put my shoes and jacket on as I left the house. Lawrence walked to his office as I closed the door.

"I should probably introduce myself. I'm Thomas Smith," the boy said holding his hand out for me to shake.

I took his hand saying,"I'm Alexandra Harren, but you can call me Alex. That's what all my friends call me."

"Nice to meet you Alex," Thomas responded.

We started to walk down the steps of mine and Lawrence's house and to the sidewalk. 

"Are you Smith as in the Obergruppenfuhrer's son?" I asked.

"That's the exact Smith. Obergruppenfuhrer John Smith is my father," he responded smiling.

I had to say, as uncomfortable as I had been the past couple of days around everyone he had this warm feeling about him.

"So, I see you answered the call and joined the Hitler Youth," I said chuckling slightly.

"Ya. Have been since I was 13. This is my last year of membership though," he said slightly sadly.

"You're 18?"

"Yep."

"We might have classes together then?"

"We might. You're 18 too?"

"And counting."

We both laughed a bit as we walked and talked. I chatted a bit about my previous life when he asked questions. He answered my questions about New York and school. Eventually, we made to the Smith household. Their house was a cozy white colonial. 

Thomas took my hand and eagerly led me up the steps,"This is my house. My family has been eagerly waiting to meet you."

"Really? I'm not that exciting," I said nervously trying to joke around a bit for my own sake.

"You're definitely more exciting than my younger sisters," he responded.

"Wow, you seem like a loving older brother," I laughed calming down a bit.

Thomas opened the door and I came in after him. As he shut the door he called to his mom in the kitchen,"Mom, I'm home. I also have Alexandra with me."

He turned to me and said," You can just leave your shoes on."

"Okay," I said quietly as I looked around his house.

I turned to see an average height, middle-aged woman who had a kind face. Her blonde hair was done up in a casual up-do and her blue eyes had a caring glow. She quickly wiped her hands on a blue apron she had tied around her waist before taking it off and setting on the kitchen counter. She had a bright red dress with a black neck-line and a pin with the swastika on the red part of her neckline.

Holding her hand out and smiling sweetly she said,"My name's Helen Smith. It's a pleasure to meet you Alexandra."

I smiled softly taking her hand in mine,"The pleasure is mine Mrs.Smith."

"Oh call me Helen," she responded quickly. "Also please take a seat. Make yourself at home. Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

"Some water sounds nice,"I responded.

Thomas led me to their living room which held a couch and two chairs facing a television set and a fireplace.

"Your place is really nice, Thomas."

"Thanks."

Suddenly two brunette girls who looked to be in about 6th or 7th grade came bursting down the stairs and into the living room where me and Thomas were sitting on the couch. 

"Is it true that you came from practically the middle nowhere?"the youngest girl exclaimed.

"And that you're basically the perfect citizen of the Reich?"the older girl added.

"Uh-," I sat trying to get my words together.

"Amy, Jennifer you're being rude," Thomas sternly scolded.

"You're not our parent. You're just our brother," the older girl remarked with sass.

"And your brother has a point girls. Now politely introduce yourselves to our guest,"Helen said as she handed me my glass of water.

"Thank you, Helen," I said smiling.

She smiled back at me. The older girl then proceeded to obey their mother and introduced herself as Jennifer. The younger girl's name was Amy. 

"So, are you from the middle of nowhere," Jennifer asked.

"Jennifer!" Thomas exclaimed.

I placed my hand reassuringly on Thomas's arm as I said,"It's fine. She's just asking a simple question."

Thomas relaxed a little as I continued,"Well, Wisconsin isn't necessarily in the middle of nowhere. Compared to New York City I guess you could say it is, but there are actually quite a few people that live there."

"Oo, and-" Jennifer attempted to ask before Amy interrupted.

"My turn! So, you're basically the perfect citizen?" Amy asked eagerly.

I softly smiled answering,"That's what your father says. As well as other officers."

"What makes you the perfect citizen? You're not Aryan," Jennifer remarked.

I tensed up a little bit at that remark that I still wasn't used to.

"Jennifer," Thomas grumbled before I replaced my hand on his arm to calm him.

"That's true that I'm not Aryan unlike your beautiful mother," I said gesturing to Helen who smiled from her chair. "But," I continued,"I listen to orders and I fulfill my duties to the Reich and the Fuhrer to the best of my abilities."

We chatted a bit more and I answered some of the other burning questions of Jennifer and Amy. I could tell Thomas was getting a bit jealous at the attention I was giving his sisters over him, but I would most likely seem him at school tomorrow so I continued answering the questions while attempting to include him to the best of my ability. Helen had left for a little bit to finish up last minute chores. When she came back she said," It's about 5:45. The party starts at 7:00."

"Then I should probably get going," I said getting up. "Thanks for the hospitality you've offered me."

"Why don't you and Lawrence have some dinner here, tonight?" Helen offered. "There will be food there, but I'll have some dinner for the girls and snacks for John, Thomas, and myself."

"Thank you for the offer, but I'm sure Lawrence has a plan for snacks if we want any. Maybe some other time, though?" 

"Absolutely. You're welcome here whenever you like, Alexandra."

"Thank you, Helen," I replied smiling.

I began to get my coat on as Helen said,"Thomas, why don't you walk her home."

"Yes, mom," Thomas responded getting his jacket.

We walked out of the door and noticed it was starting to get a little bit dark. It was autumn after all. I began to remember all the maple trees back home that would change to bright reds, oranges, and yellows. On the way back to mine and Lawrence's house me and Thomas chatted a bit about how the family meeting went.

"Well, we're back," I concluded sighing slightly. "You should probably head back before it gets too much darker. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you because of me."

"Ya, that sounds like a good idea," Thomas said. "I'll see you tonight at the party!"

Thomas waved and started heading back to his house as I turned around, took a deep breath, and started walking towards the front door. Slowly I opened the door and shut it. As I took my jacket off and placed it on the coat rack I debated calling out to alert my presence to Lawrence. But before I could say any words Lawrence appeared finishing tying his tie around his collar. He must have taken a shower a little bit before because his hair looked like a darker shade of blonde than it usually was.

"How was your time with Thomas?" Lawrence asked tensely.

"It was good. He seems really nice and the Smith family were very welcoming as well," I responded. 

"I'm going to go change," I said as I walked past him.

"Let me know if you need any help," Lawrence said.

I just simply went into the bedroom and shut the door. The dress had been placed on the bed once again, but I noticed that the covers and sheets on the bed looked a bit more rustled than they were when I had left. They were still in an organized matter, but nonetheless they still looked messed up. Ultimately, I just brushed it off. Maybe I just didn't notice it before.

Slowly, I began removing my clothing. There was also a strapless bra in the closet which was somehow the exact right size. I decided not to question it being that the doctors in the Reich take precise measurements for practically every limb on your body. Even though I wasn't used to wearing one I managed to get it on fairly well. I carefully put the skin-colored pantyhose on so as to not tear any holes in them. Then came the dress. It was a bright red dress with thick straps on either shoulder and it fit fairly close to my torso before it flowed into a skirt at the hip. As I reached behind to attempt to zip up the back I realized that my arms weren't long enough. If I wanted to leave the dress in good condition I would have to get Lawrence's help. I walked over to the door and I opened it. Lawrence looked in my direction and I asked,"Can you help me zip my dress?"

"Of course," he responded with a slight spring in his step that I hadn't notice him have before. He also was wearing his uniform once again.

I stood in front of the full body mirror and held my long brown hair off to the side with left hand while I held the dress up by the chest with my right hand. He appeared behind me in the mirror and I watched as he reached his hands up to pull the straps farther up my shoulders. Then I felt his hands as they reached down, grabbed the zipper by lower back, and pull it up.

"Thanks," I said turning around as I let my hair drop down my back. 

"You're very beautiful," Lawrence said as his eyes trailed down my dress. "Also I have this for you. Let's just say it's a welcome gift from Obergruppenfuhrer Smith and myself."

Lawrence held a small pin practically identical to Helen Smith's pin. He gently pinned it to my left shoulder strap.

"There," he said looking at his handiwork.

His large, rough hands rested on both of my shoulders as we looked into each other's eyes. Then I noticed his tie was slightly off center. I reached up with both of my hands to center it and I noticed him with a slight smirk on his face. I gently bit my lip as I took a deep breath before saying,"We should probably start heading out."

"We should. We wouldn't want to be late for your welcome party," Lawrence said as he offered my jacket to me.

I slipped my jacket on the rest of the way and zipped it while slipping on black formal shoes. "We wouldn't want that."

Lawrence opened the door for me and I walked out to see another black car. There was an officer awaiting us. I turned back to see Lawrence put his hat

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