Liesel and Rudy didn’t stick around to hear the laughter.
Rudy in particular had taken off down the riverbank, attempting to locate the book.
“Can you see it?” Liesel called out.
Rudy ran.
He continued down the water’s edge, showing her the book’s location. “Over there!” He stopped and pointed and ran farther down to overtake it. Soon, he peeled off his coat and jumped in, wading to the middle of the river.
Liesel, slowing to a walk, could see the ache of each step. The painful cold.
When she was close enough, she saw it move past him, but he soon caught up. His hand reached in and collared what was now a soggy block of cardboard and paper. “The Whistler!” the boy called out. It was the only book floating down the Amper River that day, but he still felt the need to announce it.
Another note of interest is that Rudy did not attempt to leave the devastatingly cold water as so
on as he held the book in his hand. For a good minute or so, he stayed. He never did explain it to Liesel, but I think she knew very well that the reasons were twofold.
THE FROZEN MOTIVES
OF RUDY STEINER
1. After months of failure, this moment was his only chance to revel in some victory.
2. Such a position of selflessness was a good place to ask Liesel for the usual favor.
How could she possibly turn him down?
“How about a kiss, Saumensch?”
He stood waist-deep in the water for a few moments longer before climbing out and handing her the book. His pants clung to him, and he did not stop walking. In truth, I think he was afraid. Rudy Steiner was scared of the book thief’s kiss. He must have longed for it so much. He must have loved her so incredibly hard. So hard that he would never ask for her lips again and would go to his grave without them.
PART SIX
the dream carrier
featuring:
death’s diary—the snowman—thirteen
presents—the next book—the nightmare of
a jewish corpse—a newspaper sky—a visitor—
a schmunzeler—and a final kiss on poisoned cheeks
DEATH’S DIARY: 1942
It was a year for the ages, like 79, like 1346, to name just a few. Forget the scythe, Goddamn it, I needed a broom or a mop. And I needed a vacation.
A SMALL PIECE OF TRUTH
I do not carry a sickle or scythe.
I only wear a hooded black robe when it’s cold.
And I don’t have those skull-like
facial features you seem to enjoy