The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 30

Anna didn't have to be asked twice.

"Are you sure?" Glancing up at her husband, she continued, "we can join them on the next ship leaving here after we settle our affairs."

Herman waved his hand, "I can get my associate to look after our things. Come, we must hurry."

Hans couldn't help but smile watching George's parents' eagerness to join their only child. He knew the feeling well, Gretjen his pride and joy. His heart was still tormented that his wife, bless her memory, had chosen her faith over them. It was something he could never have done. Just maybe starting fresh would bring healing to his heart, yet he could never forget, no matter how many miles removed him from the place where she had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

George paid the ship's captain the fare, watching as his family boarded the ship. This was more than he had dreamed of when in battle. Now a reality, a grin tugged at the corners of his lips.

The ship captain eyed George's uniform. "Thank you for your service," he smiled, revealing cracked teeth.

"Are you a Believer?" George arched his brow.

"That I am," the captain nodded, gesturing to the boarding plank with his calloused hand, "We will speak more of this later. On the seas, we have nothing but time."

"Then I shall look forward to it," George smiled, turning to join his family.

Harm sulked, his scowl marring features that hinted he would turn heads when he was fully grown. His jaw was firm and his eyes as blue as the sky.

"This is your dream, Father, not mine."

"Son, if in two years you still wish to marry your Anna, I will pay your fare back home. Trust me, this will be good for our family and I need you to lead by example. I can see how your brother looks up to you. You have the power to influence him for good or evil. That is a great responsibility I wish you would think upon."

Harm didn't say a word, adding a frown to his scowl.

"All aboard!" The captain bellowed.

Within moments, the ship creaked, beginning to drift away from the docs.

Without warning, Harm leaped over the side of the boat, swimming the short distance to the pier.

"Harm!" Gretjen cried, leaning over the side of the boat, her arms outstretched to her eldest child.

"Anna's family will take me in," Harm shouted.

Great gasping sobs wracked Gretjen's body as she watched her son run back toward town without a backward glance. Eyes blurred with tears she felt her husband draw her against his chest, tenderly stroking her hair. There were no words to convey her sorrow.

"We have our other children to care for," George spoke at last although his words sounded emotionless even to his own ears. "They need you..."

Gretjen nodded, swiping at tears that refused to abate. A piece of her heart would be left behind in Germany.

****

"I fear Gretjen's sorrow is killing her," Anna lowered her voice so only her son was able to hear her concern as Gretjen wretched once again. She sighed, walking over to her daughter-in-law's side where she knelt, rubbing the younger woman's back.

Gretjen looked up with swollen, tear-reddened eyes, before burying her face within the pail once again.

"Come, come," Anna soothed, "We will send a letter to Harm as soon as we arrive. George will send him money for his passage..."

Gretjen shook her head, but couldn't speak as her body clenched once again.

"The children need you, Gretjen," Anna's voice grew firmer.

The voyage was precarious as it was. In Gretjen's distraught condition, she was leaving herself susceptible to all manner of diseases.

"I'm pregnant..." Gretjen finally gasped.

"What? I thought you were past your time..."

At forty-two years old, this baby was most unexpected.

"Are you certain?"

Gretjen nodded, clutching the wooden pail, her knuckles white.

"Oh, my dear..." Anna cooed, "Don't you worry about a thing. I'll care for your boys. You just take care of yourself and that miracle baby."

Anna groaned softly as she stood to her feet, "Does George know?"

Gretjen shook her head.

"I didn't want to say anything in case the babe doesn't make the voyage."

A look of sadness passed over Anna's features.

It was a very real possibility.

On the opposite side of the ship, George stood with Claus in his arms. For the first time, he wondered if he had made a colossal mistake in deciding to leave their homeland.

A rattling cough interrupted his thoughts. Hans reached out a thin hand, placing it on his son-in-law's arm.

"Never second doubt yourself, Son. Your family needs you to lead them, now more than ever."

George nodded. Of course, Hans was right.

****

Hans lay on a dilapidated wooden bunk, his countenance emaciated as the ship convulsed recklessly on the stormy sea.

The captain raked his fingers through his wind-tousled hair causing his gray-sprinkled hair to stand awry.

"We've been blown off course," he informed George, "we should have arrived weeks ago, but these storms..."

He needn't say more.

George shook his head. Of course, it was beyond the captain's control.

"My father-in-law won't make it at this rate. I had hoped we'd have arrived by now. Surely the settlers must have a doctor..."

A shadow passed over the captain's eyes.

"I can't make any promises. It seems as though Heaven itself is against this voyage. In all my years... Well, all I can say is Hans needs to prepare to meet his Maker. Unless a miracle arrives, there's no helping him."

"Of course," the captain sighed, moving on to comfort yet another family.

George nodded, "Thank you for your time."

The voyage lasted much longer than anticipated and already too many of his passengers had fallen ill. They'd put their trust in him to bring them safely to the "Promised Land." The only shores they were about to reach were Heaven's golden ones. Perhaps they might be the fortunate ones after all.