After the German occupation of the Netherlands, Benjamin leaves the
Christian family with whom he had been living and reunites with his
real parents who returned from hiding.
Henk closed his eyes and tried to forget about everything that he
had
just heard. But questions kept lighting up inside his head like
fireflies in a dark summer night. Why had Papa said that he had other
parents? When had Papa tried to tell him this? Why was everyone
crying? Even Papa? Who was Benjamin?
It was quiet and warm in the kitchen in front of the fireplace.
Kootie lay very still in Kenk's arms. The only sounds were the
kitten's purring and crackling of the fire.
Time passed. Henk started to shiver. The fire had gone out, and
Kootje's fur was cold and wet where Henk's face had been buried. Papa
was sitting next to him in front of the fireplace. He took Henk's
hand in his. "It's time for you to leave us, Henk," Papa whispered.
