"Benches (1940)" Summary

Friedrich approaches the narrator to get off his chest something his father cannot understand. He has been in love with a German girl, named Helga, for a month. One day, he notices her in the park. The net of apples she is carrying splits, and he helps her pick them up, after having wished he could steal one and run away. A soldier's daughter, beautiful Helga teaches kindergarten, but this is her day off. At her door, she thanks Friedrich and gives him an apple, which he keeps as a memento rather than consuming. Learning when kindergarten lets out, Friedrich watches Helga every day and hopes she will see and greet him. He dreams of Helga and is overjoyed when she lets him walk her home or looks at him. She tells her his name but nothing more. Friedrich's father grows...