Page 60 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

The place is jammed.

“Can you believe this? It reminds me of the April festival in Seville,” I say. “I almost feel like shouting ‘olé!’”

Eric is in a great mood and kisses me on the forehead as hundreds of Germans and tourists dressed in all sorts of ways continue with their fun, listening to music and drinking beer after beer.

Eric grips my hand firmly and holds on to Flyn with his other hand. He doesn’t want to lose us in the tumult.

“Follow me,” he says to Dexter and Graciela.

As we walk, I notice all the stands are named after beer brands. At one of the larger tents, the bouncer at the door lets us in when he sees Eric. There’s music. People sing, dance, and drink. Everyone’s having a good time. Eric pauses, looks around, and finally locates what he’s looking for.

“This place is about to overflow,” I shout.

Eric nods. “Don’t worry,” he says, “we have a reserved spot every year.”

In the back, amid all the partying, I see Frida and Sonia with little Glen in her arms as Marta and Andrés dance.

“Look who’s here!” says Sonia once she sees her grandson.

Flyn gives her a hug and goes immediately to make faces at Glen, who laughs.

“Girl, you look good no matter what you have on,” says Frida when she sees me in my Bavarian drag.

“Thank you; just make sure and tell my husband,” I say slyly. “Have you seen how handsome he looks?”

“Yes, it’s true; your husband looks very good,” she says as she scans Eric up and down. “But my Andrés is also very handsome today and, well, well, look at how handsome his friend is!”

My eyes follow the direction of her pointing finger, and I see Björn in all his splendor, accompanied by Fosqui the poodle and yet another blonde. People stare at them. Agneta is well known because of her TV work, and she’s soon surrounded by fans asking for her autograph. As they get closer, I realize the other blonde is Diana. Björn manages to get his girlfriend away from the claws of her fans, and, after I give him a kiss, I try to be friendly to her.

“Hi, Agneta.”

She looks at me and blinks.

“I’m sorry. I don’t remember your name.”

“Judith.”

“Oh yes, that’s right.” And then she turns to her friend and introduces us. “This is Judith.”

Diana nods. We already know each other. “Wonderful to see you again, Judith.”

I get butterflies in my stomach remembering what this woman did to me that night at the swingers’ party.

“It’s wonderful to see you too,” I say and blush.

And then I hear the screech of the poodle. “Eric! What a delight to see you again. Let me introduce you to Diana.”

Mother of God, she remembers his name but not mine?

I didn’t like her much before, and now I like her even less.

But my handsome husband knows exactly what I’m thinking. He says hello to them and immediately comes to be by my side. He takes me in his arms and lifts me up.

“My friends, this is my beautiful wife’s first Oktoberfest in Germany, and I would like us all to toast to her.”

And then all these Germans around us, friends and strangers, lift their giant beer mugs and, shouting their war cry, toast to me. I grin and Eric kisses me.

No more bad mood!

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