The Good-Bye

“ Wow, this is amazing!” I whispered.

“Yeah, it is isn’t it?” Robert whispered back in a voice that sent chills down my back every time I heard it.

“And you’re in the middle of it.” I whispered back, almost jealous. Robert Moser, the brown haired, green eyed, engine mechanic.

“Thanks for this tour, Robert.” I said, since we were away from the other crew members.

“Let’s get started on the tour then.” He said, walking ahead. We first walked into the dinning room. He opened the door and motioned for me walk in. I first noticed the windows, as always. But as I walked around the room I noticed that there were figures on the wall. Robert noticed my interest and started to explain.

“This one is us, flying over a lake.” He said. And it was the Hindenburg. It still felt weird saying that I , Lili Clemens, was on board the Hindenburg. The tables were covered with the most beautiful table cloth I had seen in years. And the tables were what I believed to be crafted by a craftsmen that was fairly new at this game. We moved out of the dining room and went to the passenger lounge. This time, there was a map painted on the wall. This was a map of he travels of some of the most famous explorers. But, as I looked to my right I stopped. Sitting in the corner was a Bluthener baby grand piano. I had to try it. I sat down on the bench and played a few songs my teacher had taught me. After finishing, I looked around again. More windows covered the walls. It wasn’t that I was complaining, sunlight is great, but I was afraid of looking out. It was a little ridiculous to be afraid of heights but, yet be on a zeppelin.

“You must look out the window, Lili! The view is amazing!” Robert said, willing me to go. I nodded. As I slowly forced myself to move, he noticed my hesitation. “What Lili? Are You afraid of heights?” He chuckled. “Maybe a little bit.” I said, nervously laughing to myself. I peered out the window, using all my courage. And looked out at the scenery below. It was the most beautiful thing I‘d ever seen.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” He said from behind me.

“Wow, it’s like you read my mind.” I said, slightly wondering if he really had, but pushing the thought from my mind. I gathered up more courage and went to touch the window.

“Don’t do that Lili! You might fall out!” He yelled. I quickly pulled back and let out a small shriek.

“Just kidding, Lili!” He laughed. I glared at him and shook my head the way my mother had before she went missing. Then I heard a voice coming from the hallway. “Who’s screaming in there?” The man said. Immediately Robert shot under the table that was to his side. The man stepped in the room and I blushed.

“Sorry sir.” I said, apologetically.

“Well, see that you don’t do it again!” He said and left. Robert came out from under the table. I laughed at him, of course he couldn’t been seen but it was so silly to hide under a table.

“Okay, I think it’s time we moved on.” He said. “Would you like to see the crew quarters?” Robert asked.

“Just the sound of that makes me not want to see that.” I said, sounding as disgusted as possible.

“Ugh, You snobby rich people!” He said, trying to sound completely annoyed.

“Well, tall people annoy me!” I said, taunting. He actually wasn’t all that taller than me. Then he grabbed my hat an dangled it above my head.

“Ooo! A blonde one!” He taunted back. I guess he hadn’t know the color of my hair. So all this time, he could have thought I had red hair. I laughed at the thought. I grabbed my hat back, carefully placing it back on my head.

“Well, Lili, If you want to see the officers mess we better hurry!” Robert said taking off far ahead of me. And so, we were off to the officers mess. And from the officers mess to the passenger cabins. As he had told me before, mine was just like the rest. We had lunch in the dining room, but after everybody left, though, if Robert was caught he would be fired for sure. It saddened me to think my best ride on the Hindenburg was slowly coming to an end. And finally, my ride ended with looking out at all the people below, from the passenger lounge. They looked like ants on the pavement below, waving up in astonishment. As I quietly watched, Robert sitting behind me, two things quickly ran through my mind. How wonderful my ride with Robert had been and how much I couldn’t wait to see my family.

“Thank you, Robert Moser.” I said quietly. He nodded And for the first time I was with Robert, I felt something very wrong. Suddenly the zeppelin shook, for only a second. An then it caught on fire. In three seconds everybody was screaming , except me. I had lost sight of Robert, and yelled is name.

“Robert!” I yelled again. I ran through the crowd. And at the doorway I found Robert. As I quickly looked behind me, I saw the flames engulfing the zeppelin.

“I have to go help. Lili, you have to jump.” He told me. I started crying when he told me.

“I’ll be there Lili! Trust me.” He said, staring me straight in the eye. I nodded. He ran off into the crowd. I found a window that I could open. I had to do what Robert had said. I have to jump. I stood out at the edge and took a breath. I looked behind me one last time. To see the people and to hope that Robert was there. He wasn’t but there was a stream of people coming towards me. I quickly turned around and prepared myself for the jump. I slowly realized that the longer I waited the more lives that would be taken and one of those could be Robert’s. I loosened my knees and looked down.

“I love you, Robert.” I whispered and then, I jumped.