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This week’s photo features a castle nestled in green rolling hills. There’s a bush of red flowers in the foreground.
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
A TWIST OF FATE
“Please help us abort,” begged the desperate father.
Irene refused. “If the baby dies, Hitler wins. He’s murdered enough Jewish children already”
The young Polish housekeeper had harbored twelve fugitives in the cellar of Major Rügemer’s grand home for two years.
One day he came home early and met his uninvited guests.
Despite his anger and fear, he agreed to keep Irene’s secret in exchange for certain favors.
When Rügemer’s family rejected him after the war for his part in saving Jews, the baby’s parents took him in. Little Roman Haller knew the former Wehrmacht officer only as Zaydeh—grandpa.
CLICK to know more about this valiant woman. (It’s worth the watch).
It’s hard not to have mixed feelings about Major Rügemer. Here’s more of his story.
Not quite a hero, but that doesn’t matter to history
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Dear Neil,
No, not exactly a hero, but not a total villain. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A mixed hero/villain. Many people have some good in them; it’s just a little harder to overlook the other side to them. An interesting piece.
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Dear Whoever You Are,
It is hard to know how to feel about this man. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow. Quite a story. The links were really informative. Especially with the price she paid and endured. Good story.
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Dear Jan
Irene was definitely made of sterner stuff. Thanks, m’luv.
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❤︎❤︎
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❤
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Thanks for sharing Rochelle- I did watch the video – Incredible bravery for such a young woman I’m afraid I don’t have great admiration for the major who took advantage of her and the situation.
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Dear Ange,
It’s hard to have much admiration for the major. As I said, I have very mixed feelings about him. I would love to know what his thoughts and feelings were in his later years, having been grandpa to a Jewish boy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes I wonder 🤔
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Mixed emotions. What an interesting story.
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Dear Keith,
Mixed emotions for sure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad that he helped them.
Thanks to all who show a bit of humanity during trying times.
Nice story, Rochelle.
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Dear Anonymous,
I wonder what the major would’ve done had Irene refused him? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Desperate times, desperate measures make fascinating stories. I’m glad she kept the baby. I wonder how many modern pregnant women under fascist regimes, genocide, etc. are weighing their options. Humans should never be forced to abort — or the opposite, keep — their unborn.
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Dear Lisa,
Desperate times indeed. Thank you for your comments. They give me pause.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are welcome, my friend.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Only one hero in this story, and it isn’t the scumbag father.
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Not sure I agree C.E. unless you’re talking about the major. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did indeed mean the major, m’lady. Mea culpa.
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Glad we got that clarified. 😉
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That was an interesting story – part good and part bad.
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Dear Chris
Just like people. Part good. Part bad. Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Wonderful story telling, my friend. He is a villain who had a moment of kindness… and was treated with kindness later. Proof that what you put out comes back to you.
Shalom and lotsa safe love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I can’t help but wonder what the major had to say in his latter days. Roman Haller did go out of his way to get Rügemer’s name added to the registry of Righteous Gentiles.
Glad you enjoyed my story. Thanks for taking the time to say so.
Shalom and lotsa hugs,
Rochelle
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i suppose the good things he did overweighed the bad things.
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Dear Plaridel,
That does seem to be up for debate. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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People have layers. It’s difficult to understand everyone.
I like Irene, history proves again and again that women have exceptional strength. War time stories amaze me.
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Dear Surabhi,
I think a person doesn’t know what she’s capable of until faced with such a decision. Irene was definitely a woman of exceptional strength and conviction. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Here’s mine https://isaiah46ministries.com/2026/10/02/take-nothing-for-granted-in-life-friday-fictioneers/
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Stories seldom get read when linked in my comment section. I’ve added your link to the inLinkz, Regina. https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/3878c17291c74c4d91351526882bb39e
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Echoing the mixed feelings about the general but it is so important that these stories be told without sugarcoating. Thanks for sharing.
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Dear Anne,
So true. Just when I think I’ve heard all the stories another crops up. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Certain favours can be justified at time. Great depth in the story.
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Thank you, Patrick.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i appreciate all the history I learn in your 100-word micro-stories. People contain multitudes, there are no absolutes in reality, but we like our heroes vs villains without any nuance. Rugemer was on the wrong side of history, but was that a matter if circumstance or conviction. Its hard to know. Irene however seems to be a selfless hero without question.
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Dear Michele,
I’d love to know what Rügemer had to say later in life. Did he regret forcing Irene? He obviously love that little Jewish boy. Lots of questions I’ll probably never know the answers to. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Irene’s strength and resilience is a mighty thing; enough has been said about the major. Excellent piece of history, Rochelle.
Shalom
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
Irene was an amazing young woman. Thank you for coming by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Remarkable story.
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Thank you, Chioma.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating look into the murkiness of a man. Poor Irene. No win situation for her.
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