The Lilac People

by Milo Todd

Bertie looked closer at those eyes, the recognition stronger now. He did not want to remember. He would not remember. The difference of one minute, the neglect that sprang from his own selfishness and fear. He would finally start to make amends. He would not let the young man know, but he would make amends. “It’s alright,” Bertie said with a calm voice. He thought a moment of his next words, for they were the kind of words that could never be taken back. But he was sure he knew him. “I’m a transvestite. I am Berthold Durchdenwald. And this is Sofie Hönig, my lover. We’re called Goss and Ina Baumann here in Ulm.” The grip of their guest had loosened upon Bertie’s wrist as soon as the word transvestite was uttered. “Me, too,” came the worn and dusty voice. And then he took a moment, as if he could not remember. “Karl Fuchs.”