Page 83 of Now and Forever

Two days later, when Flyn and Eric go to school and work in the morning, I start redecorating Eric’s office. I spend a lot of time on it because I need to give it a different look. I’m in charge of making the changes myself. Norbert is horrified to see me on the ladder. He says if the Lord saw me, he’d scold me. But I’m used to these things, and I pick up and hang curtains and love my life. I replace the dark leather cushions with pistachio-colored ones, and the armchair now looks modern and contemporary, not dull and boring.

On the beautiful round table, I place a green glass vase with wonderful red calla lilies. I remove the dark figures Eric has over the fireplace and replace them with framed photographs. There are as many from my family as from Eric’s, and I feel tender emotions when I see my niece, Luz, smiling.

She is so pretty! I miss her so much.

I replace several paintings, each one uglier than the last, and put up the ones I bought. On one side of the room, I hang a trio of paintings with green tulips. They look so attractive!

When Eric comes home later that afternoon, my changes leave him speechless. His sober and dark office has been transformed into a room full of joy and light. He likes it.

The next day, Eric decides to take Flyn to school. As a rule, Norbert does it, but the boy is happy his uncle is going to take him today. I go along in the car. I don’t know where the school is, but I’m wanting to take a walk on my own in the city.

Eric doesn’t like that I want to walk around Munich alone, but I’m more stubborn than he is and he finally gives in. On the way, we pick up two other kids, Robert and Timothy. They look at me with curiosity. I notice both of them have colored skateboards in their hands, just the toy Eric has forbidden Flyn. When we get to the school, he stops the car, and the kids open the door and fly out. Flyn is last. He closes the door.

“Well, he didn’t give me a kiss,” I say, playing offended.

Eric smiles.

“Give him more time.”

I sigh, roll my eyes, and laugh.

“Will you give me a little kiss?” I ask as I’m about to get out of the car.

Eric draws me to him.

“However many you want, sweetheart.” Then he asks, “Are you sure you know how to get back home by yourself?”

Amused, I nod. I have no idea, but I know the address and I’m sure I won’t get lost. I wink at him.

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

He’s not so sure about leaving me here.

“You have your cell phone, right?”

I take it out of my pocket to show him.

“Fully charged, in case I have to ask for help!” I say, teasing.

My crazy love finally smiles. I give him another kiss and get out of the car. As I walk away, I know he’s looking at me in the rearview mirror. I wave goodbye like a fool. I’m so in love!

I lose sight of the car when it turns left; then I look over at the school. There are groups of children at the front door, and I can see Flyn standing to the side. He’s alone. Where are Robert and Timothy? I stand behind a tree and watch as he pretends he’s not checking out a beautiful blonde girl.

Oh, my grumpy little shorty has a crush!

He leans on the school fence and doesn’t take his eyes off her while she plays and talks with other kids.

A bell rings, and the children gather to go inside. Flyn doesn’t move. He waits until the girl and her friends go in, and then he follows. Curious, I keep an eye on him and suddenly see Robert, Timothy, and two other boys approaching Flyn, skateboards in hand. They talk. One of the boys grabs Flyn’s cap and throws it on the ground. When Flyn reaches down to pick it up, Robert kicks him in the ass, and Flyn falls flat on the ground. My blood is boiling. What are they doing?

Dying of laughter, the kids abandon him, and I watch Flyn get up and look at his hand. There’s blood on it. He cleans it with a tissue he pulls from his coat, picks up the cap and, without looking up from the ground, goes inside.

Feeling terrible for him, I think about what just happened and how I might talk about it with Flyn.

Once he vanishes from sight, I begin to walk, and soon I’m in the vortex of Munich’s streets. Eric calls. I tell him I’m fine and hang up. Shops ... many stores. I stop to look at all the windows. I find a motocross store and buy everything I need. I’m happy as a lark as I leave and watch the passersby. Everyone has such a serious face.

I walk by a bridge, the Kabelsteg. I’m surprised to see the number of colorful locks attached to it. I touch those small tokens of love and read the names at random: Iona and Peter, Benni and Marie. There are even padlocks that have added smaller padlocks with other names that I imagine must be their children. It’s super-romantic, and I’d love to do that with Eric. I’ll have to propose it. Then I laugh. He’ll surely think I’ve lost my mind this time.

After visiting another beautiful part of the city, I stop at an erotic shop. My cell rings. Eric, my crazy love, is worried about me. I assure him no bandits have kidnapped me, and after making him laugh, I say goodbye again. Amused, I go into the erotic shop.

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