The Wall Crossers

Two Final Tests

Leida's perspective

We decide to move on from our talk of the baby, continuing our exchange of loving thoughts. But there's still the test—it's almost time. A shiver of excitement runs through me, tinged with a hint of alarm.

But Olivia doesn't see this coming yet. She's again light-hearted, recovering from one shock—not ready for the next!

"Ich werde immer für dich da sein (I'll always be there for you), my darling Olivia. I give my life to you forever."

We look at each other. We shift even closer on the bench, lean to each other, and put our heads together.

"My mother was against you. She was. But I told her I love O-li..via, Mother. I want your blessing in this. Now, she wants to meet you!

Olivia's perspective

"She was... against me? Umm, how did you convince her?"

Leida's perspective

"I told her you will take her gambling in Las Vegas for her birthday!" Olivia pulls back and gives me a look like What??!! I grin and now we are both laughing so hard!

"O-li..via, I told her... This is for real."

We hold hands. Olivia brings my right hand to her lips and kisses my fingers.

"Vati bought us rail tickets. He wants me to bring you home with me. He is sure... you are the one the stars told me to bring home. Maybe... he was teasing me? About the stars? That part? But, I told him, Vati, I don't care about stars anymore. Just O-li..via."

I think to myself, It is strange he gave in so easily. Hmm.

Olivia's perspective

I stop kissing Leida's fingers and say, "You will bring me home... we will go together, as wife and wife." We are smiling.

Leida's perspective

"He will love seeing you in this uniform!" I put my hands on her jacket. Then I slip them inside the jacket and feel her warmth once more. Then I put a hand to her thigh and move it up touching her gently.

I say, "I'm sorry for the bad start we had, O-li..via." She closes her eyes. "I love you."

Olivia's perspective

I open my eyes, say, "I'm sorry for a nearly bad end I caused—to our relationship." She slow blinks at me. "I love you, Leida."

Leida's perspective

"O-li..via, I have one more test for us." I take my bag and open it, looking for what I wrote. Olivia pulls back with a question on her face.

Olivia's perspective

"Another test for us, Leida? Why do we need another test? After all we have just said to each other? Are you kidding? Like, really?"

Leida's perspective

I nod to answer her Yes, and find the small, folded piece of paper I had placed in my bag at home this morning, just before I left. I hand it to her. "Don't open it yet!" Olivia holds it to her nose and closes her eyes and breathes in the Marks & Spencer honeysuckle and musk smell of me that I had touched the paper with.

Olivia's perspective

I smell Leida on the paper and it makes me feel dreamy. "I love this Leida. It is you... I love. Umm. I pass the test!"

Leida's perspective

I mock scold her, "That is not the test, du albern Gans (you silly goose)! Here is the test, my darling: make up one line of a poem—about us. Just one line. I have done this too—you have it in your hand. Think of this now, for me, Okay? And tell me—when you are ready."