The Wall Crossers

Prenuptials with Éléonore

Olivia's perspective

The Morning – Clarence

I wake up thinking: today is Friday the fourteenth of January. Next, as I lie in my bunk, I think of Clarence.

His idea—it is insane! I would never do it! Also there is this: when I mentioned Magic, that is when Clarence said he knows about Leida... about Lizet! Why would Maren tell Clarence about them? It doesn't make sense!

I get up and put my feet into my flipflops. Wearing nothing but panties and a cami, I take a towel and soap and other things and walk down to the girls' room. The halls and rooms are deathly quiet. The logistics people must have left again! Good!

As I shower, alone, I think about Maren. Maren wants me to stay in Berlin—that much I know for sure. And she knows that, after my hearing, either tomorrow or Sunday with the PM, I will go home. So... is this her last-ditch effort to keep me here?

I dry off... still alone. I walk back to my room, still thinking. Maren may be planning that, if I agree to the Clarence idea—marry Éléonore and re-enlist in the Army for another year—then I will stay in Berlin. This would give Leida more time to work things out.

But why would she want that? I told her on the street on Wednesday that I do not love her. Which, well... isn't totally true. But I did say that. And if I stay and marry Éléonore, how does that help Leida? Unless Maren knows the full plan and that the marriage would not last but weeks at most.

So, it is an act of desperation, assuming Maren wants me to stay for some reason! And they are all thinking, assuming, that I will not take my chances with the hearing... with the likely outcome being a dishonorable! Clarence heard that clearly from the JAG yesterday!

Now I am in my shirt dress and leggings again. I do have a mini-dress in my duffle bag, but it is cold in the halls and so I will not wear it now.

I sit in my chair, staring out the window. Weather has been cold, but moderate and—no snow! I continue to think about Maren. Why did she tell Clarence about Lizet? A person who doesn't exist! Was it to help Clarence convince me to stay? And why did Clarence say Éléonore could help, in the future, with Lizet in Belgium? It doesn't make any sense! Maybe Clarence thinks I know more than I do!

I go to the mess hall for lunch. I do not see Clarence. I go back to my room—Clarence does not come by. I am surprised!

Finally, after reading for a while, I go downstairs to the orderly room. I see him there working! He is wearing fatigues and boots, as usual. He notices me, quirks his mouth to the side, and raises both eyebrows, and walks over to me. I see he has some blue eyeliner on and nails painted light blue. Girly on a boy! Oh well. He says, "Well?"

On the spur of the moment I ask, "How did you meet her... Éléonore?"

He says, "We are both artists—watercolors. We met in a class!" He smiles broadly and I look at his lips.

I say, "Really?"

Clarence chuckles, "Yeah."

"Far out!"

We are quiet for a moment. Clarence asks again, "Well?"

"No," I say. He crosses his arms, briefly narrows his eyes, but then shrugs and says, "The call is arranged. 1800 hours (6pm)."

"Thanks!"

"I'll come and get you. Have to get back to work here." He waves his hand around, abruptly turns without saying more or disclosing his feelings about my declining his offer.