War Stories

Jacob wakes in the root cellar of a farmhouse owned by French Resistance fighter René Lafleur, where he spends the next eight days recovering from his motorcycle accident. Madame Lafleur is a terrible cook, but Jacob appreciates her food and keeps company with the family’s five children. Jacob must remain in hiding because German soldiers are patrolling the area, and the Lafleur family would be executed if he were discovered there.

The Lafleur home is the center of a network of Resistance operatives. René makes inquiries as to the location of Bravo Company. When Jacob is strong enough, a few members of the Resistance escort him back to his unit. Once he returns, Beau is overjoyed because everyone thought Jacob died in the bridge explosion. Jacob, in response, reflects on the passage of time in the midst of war: “It had been barely three months since D-Day. It felt like centuries” (165).

As the Firestones enter Sainte-Régine, Jacob’s gloomy mood only seems to deepen. Unbeknownst to the Firestones, Philippe and Juliette are surveilling the fancy hotel at the center of town where the visitors will be staying. Philippe is furious that the entire village is giving them the VIP treatment, and he picks up a large rock.