The story of Estelle

Normandy, France June 6, 19441

Estelle sat on her bed looking out the window no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't’t get to sleep, she was too excited, today was her 6th birthday, and just thinking about it made her squeal with delight.2

She looked out the window at the tree that grew there; “Soon,” she thought “that tree will be covered by  so many bright streamers that even the birds will be envious!” she laughed as she imagined birds sitting in the neighbors tree twittering in jealousy.  She got up and ran around the room with her arms outstretched twittering and laughing.3

“S'endormir Estelle*!” grunted her father from the next room.4

“Oui le papa, je suis désolé*” Estelle said feebly as she crawled into bed.5

People often said Estelle looked like her father they had the same big brown eyes that would put a deer to shame, the same dark brown hair and the same oval shaped face, but there was also some of her mother in her, she had her mother’s wavy hair, her petite feet and hands, and her long legs and waist.6

Estelle’s feet twitched under the covers, she glanced at the little clock that her grandma had given her before she died.7

2:00, 1 more hour until 3:00, Estelle yawned finally feeling tired, she twittered one more time before she fell asleep.8

“L'hâte, se réveiller*!”9

Estelle jumped out of bed10

“Quel est la mauvaise maman *?”11

Before her mother could answer Estelle knew, the air-raid sirens were wailing.12

“Prendre seulement quelque posessions*!”13

“Oui la maman*.”14

Estelle ran around the room grabbing the only toys she had and her grandmother’s clock.15

“Nous devons partir maintenant*!” came her father’s worried voice from the door way.16

Estelle bundled everything in her blanket and ran out her door her mother at her heels.  When they got outside it was chaos, people were running in every direction.17

“Me suivre*!” shouted her father18

Her mother and Estelle obeyed and wound their way through the crowd.  Estelle squeaked as a man pushed her to the ground.19

“La maman, pappa*!” screamed Estelle20

She got up and looked around, there they were!21

“La maman, pappa, m'attendre*!” cried Estelle as she chased after them22

Estelle stopped in her tracks as people started to turn around and run the other way as a bomb blew up, she scanned for her parents faces, she didn’t see them.23

Estelle cried, her parents were dead; she turned and ran ducking into an ally way sobbing.24

A bomb exploded causing the corner of the building that Estelle was leaning against to break off and fall.  Estelle screamed as it made contact with her head.25

/To be continued.....26