[Schöneboom]

The La Spezia Centrale station teemed with Italian and German sailors departing on leave or returning to duty. While checking the schedule board, I spotted Rebholz, Dietrich, and Bischoff in a compartment of a southbound train. We waved goodbye to each other as their train pulled out. Off to Viareggio, most likely.

I once visited the seaside villa reserved for our personnel down in Viareggio. Much like the ones in France, it was an idyllic self-contained fantasyland, complete with an imitation Bavarian tavern. All the gourmet food you could eat. Huge luxurious rooms with sweeping views. Female visitors permitted, of course. I used to think these resorts were heaven on earth. But I couldn't go back now.

I worried about Rolf. After everything we had endured together... Somehow the perils of combat that were eroding my sanity had become his favorite stimulant. I'd met such men before, but I never understood them. "Things will turn around for us next year. You'll see." And this was an intelligent man!

Waiting in the bar for the train to Milano, I had a glass of vino rosso with some bread and cheese. I opened Eva's letters and started reading. Like her parents, Eva used custom stationery emblazoned with the von Kleist coat of arms. For a woman of her class, subtlety was a virtue; one often had to read between the lines.

Compared to her nearly poetic letters last summer, I saw a gradual but unmistakable shift to a more mundane, diplomatic tone. No overt declaration of breaking up, but I grasped her key points without an Enigma machine. From her most recent letter:

"Lately my father has been introducing me to his younger associates in the Danzig shipping industry, including, of course, our Kriegsmarine liaisons. They are not all crashing bores, Gott sei Dank.

"For example, Kapitän zur See Schröder, who, though not exactly young in my view, is certainly bright and entertaining company. For obvious reasons, I cannot describe here precisely what changes are forthcoming. But rest assured that if (I mean, when!) our Type VII boats are better next year, he will deserve much of the credit.

"You are sorely missed here, of course. My father has pointed out that the warmth and sensuality of Italy might delay your return. As I am reminded of that book you love so dearly, 'The Odyssey', I wonder now if Odysseus ever explained his long absence to Penelope -- and if she believed him.

"Well, I must go now -- the Women's Auxiliary has to collect and sort donated clothing for our brave soldiers on the Ostfront. Tschuss, meine Liebe."

Ach... Time for another glass of wine.