Voyage 2002

"What do you want to tell me, Agge?" November 2001 / Björn

He closed his MacBook and smiled. This really was an exciting plan! He had kept it to himself for a while, but now that everything seemed to indicate that his counter-proposal was possible, it was time for him to discuss it with Benny. Before putting his computer away, he stretched his legs. The laptop almost fell off his lap, he grabbed it just in time and put it on the coffee table. He was craving coffee and got up. On his way to the kitchen, he passed his study. Automatically he walked in. This was by far his favorite room in his new apartment. It was a large, bright room and he had decorated it with a number of pieces of designer furniture and had hung up photos of some of the highlights of his career. Winning the Song Contest in 1974, almost thirty years ago now. He sat on the stage with Benny, Frida and Agnetha. The couples kissed each other. Celebrating Dancing Queen at #1 in America at Stig and Gudrun's home. Australia 1977, on stage. The ladies, absolutely gorgeous. Agnetha, pregnant... She was radiant and in one word perfect. It wouldn't last long, two years later he had lost her....

For the millionth time in the past seven months, he thought back of their conversation on her fifty-first birthday. He knew she wouldn't celebrate it, but because he wanted to see her, he had driven to Ekerö anyway with a slightly exaggerated bouquet of flowers. He tapped in the code to the gate and drove up the driveway. Accidentally, he automatically walked towards her old house, where Jens and Linda now lived with their baby. It was a habit and every time he came to her place, he had a kind of dreamy feeling that made him slightly fuzzy. He walked on to her new house and rang the doorbell. He had already spotted her Volvo, so most likely she was in the neighborhood. As he approached the front door, he heard Tilda crying. He hesitated for a moment, but rang the bell anyway. A few seconds later she appeared in the doorway. Her hair in disarray, a dark blue jogging suit and Tilda in a baby carrier on her stomach, roaring.

"Is it appropriate to congratulate you on your birthday?" he asked, chuckling at her appearance.

"In terms of date, yes, in terms of state, perhaps a little less so," she joked back.

"What's going on?" he asked, referring to Tilda.

"The same old story; a baby whines and cries, but God knows why," she replied, opening the door so he could enter. Although I suspect she's just overtired. They all didn't sleep a wink last night and eventually it became war."

"And then Grandma was flown in?"

Agnetha smiled. He saw the pride in her eyes. When Linda unexpectedly got pregnant, she was over the moon. She was thrilled to have her grandchild so close to her. It was - especially after the turbulent ABBA period when their children were small - a huge gift. Finally some time and peace. And then a baby for whom she would most likely become one of the most important people on the planet. He, too, was awed by the news and saw it - although he was somewhat embarrassed by that thought - as a kind of crown on the family he had once formed with Agnetha.

"Would you like coffee? Shall I make it for you?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes, please. I haven't even gotten any cake in the house yet. When I wanted to go grocery shopping this morning, I was suddenly bombarded with this crisis service."

"And she's been crying ever since?"

"More or less, yes. About two and a half hours, by now. Off and on."

"Jesus," he said, walking into the kitchen.

"Would you put the flowers in a vase for me, please?" she asked, before putting her hand over her mouth. "I didn't even thank you! Oh my God!"

"It doesn't matter, Agge. I understand!"

He grabbed a vase for the flowers, started to make coffee, rummaged in kitchen cabinets looking for chocolate, and was delighted to have a moment alone with her - despite his roaring granddaughter.