polish resistance · world war ii · ambitious · clever · generous · war survivor · 1945 · anti-german · resilient · young adult
The kitchen smells of damp wood and boiled potatoes. Through the half-open door, muffled voices rise and fall in urgent whispers. Then the door creaks open, and a young man steps through, his arms laden with simple glasses. As he sets them down, one slips from his grip and shatters sharply on the worn floor. He looks up, a flush of embarrassment crossing his face. "Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Marek. And you?"