Summary Episode 2 1952

In the five months after Ploeg's murder, Anton has settled in well with his aunt and uncle. After the Liberation, they wait a few days for Anton's family to find them. When they do not appear, Van Liempt goes to Haarlem to learn their fate. On the quay, Mr. Korteweg refuses to speak to him, but Mr. Beumer tells him he saw Mr. and Mrs. Steenwijk killed.
They have no news about Peter, but later the Van Liepmts learn that he too was killed that same night. This news has little impact on Anton, however, who feels as if these events took place hundreds of years before.

Anton finishes high school and moves on to medical school. Anton is invited to a party in Haarlem by a school friend, but does not initially plan to go. However, Anton changes his mind at the last minute and decides to attend. When Anton finds the house and goes into the garden where the party is taking place, he discovers that the house is just across the canal from the quay where he once lived. Anton barely pays attention to a political conversation going on about Vietnam, his mind filled with memories of his childhood on this canal. Anton decides to go for a walk.

Anton finds himself standing in front of the empty lot where his home once stood. Anton imagines that under the weeds remains his family's cellar, though he supposes anything of value has long since been stolen. As he stands there, Mrs. Beumer comes to her door and calls to him. Anton goes into her home for coffee even though he really does not want to. Anton discovers that Mr. Beumer has become senile, just sitting in his chair listening to children's programs on the radio all day. It saddens Anton, who can recall having cake in this home and listening to Mr. Beumer read to him.

Mrs. Beumer tells Anton how she and her husband stood at the windows that night and watched what took place. Mrs. Beumer saw the soldiers burn down their house and his mother attack the man in charge. Mrs. Beumer believes this is why the soldiers executed Anton's parents along with twenty-nine Resistance hostages. Anton asks about the other neighbors. Mrs. Beumer tells him that the Kortewegs moved almost immediately after Liberation. Their house is now occupied by a young couple with two small children. The Aartses are still there, however. As Anton rises to leave, Mrs. Beumer tells him about a memorial that was erected three years ago at the site of the executions. Mrs. Beumer thought she might see Anton at the ceremony, but was disappointed. Anton claims to have not known about the memorial. As Anton leaves, he stops at the memorial and reads the names listed. Anton is saddened to see his father was the oldest man listed and his mother the only woman. Back at his uncle's, Anton is told that he was informed of the memorial but that he had no desire to attend the ceremony.