I wake up to a beautiful, crisp, sunny Saturday morning, with Lewis laying by my side. I can hear the faint crackle of bacon sizzling on the stove and the sweet smell of freshly squeezed orange juice. Mother must be cooking Lewis a birthday breakfast. He’s turning seventeen today. He can finally get a job and stop bugging me to go poaching up at Mayor Albert’s private property. We usually catch eels, wild bunnies and ducks. But I have to admit, I do love the dangerousness of trying not to get caught. We never have, but I am scared to see the wrath of Mayor Albert.
Lewis and I rock up to the dining room table to see a humongous spread of eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast, jam and freshly squeezed orange juice. Right there in front of our now, bulging eyes. We dig right into this wonderful spread. I can’t remember the last time I had raspberry jam. Mother only gets it for very special occasions. I have to admit, it is sad to see my big brother growing up. I never thought the day would come where he would find a job, get a girlfriend, find happiness. I’ve always dreamed of the day when I get to do those things.
Later that afternoon, when the sun is shining bright at the top of the sky, Mother turns on the radio as she always does at this time. “Crackle, click, crackle” “This morning the British Ambassador produced a final letter to the German Government stating that unless they were heard from by 11 o'clock this evening, a state of war will have been officially been declared.” Lewis and I stare at each other with a with a look of sorrow and despair. We knew this day would come, but we didn’t know it was this close.
