Summary

They both lives alone and are not affluent, but they meet daily and help each other out. Maria's family sheltered Janina and her mother, but unfortunately, Janina's mother died of tuberculosis. The young Janina clung desperately to her new family, to avoid being detected and killed by the Nazis. Janina gave up the chance to live in United States. During the war, the girls have to fend themselves, because Maria's father was sick and her mother was demonstrating against the Nazis. During the escape, Maria was like a mother to the younger Janina, as Janina has lost her both parents, and her only sibling committed suicide after surviving in the war. Maria now is a widow.