The World Is Not Enough

6: Berlin

SOOKIE

"Hi, Gran," I said when she picked up the phone. It was just after dinnertime in Louisiana. Eric and I were on the train to Berlin.

"Oh, hi, sweetie. How's your trip so far?"

"It's good. I'm on a train so I hope I don't lose you," I said.

"I hope not too. I talked to your brother," she told me. "He mentioned something about a traveling companion? A young man you found?"

"His name is Eric and yes, he's traveling with me. We met in Ireland," I told her.

"I would have liked to hear that from you, young lady," she gently scolded. "Is he on a similar journey, or is he from Ireland?"

"Well if Jason didn't have such a big mouth I would have told you," I said. "Eric's from Sweden but he lives in Ireland. He owns a pub on the outskirts of Dublin in an old, converted pub."

"That sounds lovely," she replied. "I just worry about you; I assume you trust this fella?"

"I do. He's been very good to me so far, Gran," I assured her. "He's a little bit older so he's not trying to get me to go bar hopping with him."

"That's good. I trust your judgement. How was Amsterdam? I hear pot smoking is legal there. Did you try any?"

Damnit, Jason...

"It is under certain conditions and yes, I did," I admitted.

"You know I'm not upset with you, right? You're young and I know you're not going to do anything dumb," Gran chuckled. "I'm glad you get to experience all of this."

"Me too, Gran. I'm having a good time. You'd like Eric a lot. He's teachin' me a little Swedish and I'm teachin' him redneck," I laughed.

Gran laughed with me and said, "Heaven help us all. It's a scary thought to make European rednecks."

"There are rednecks in Ireland," I told her. "I talked to a lady who said Irish rednecks live further north instead of south."

"I see," she chuckled. "It's fascinating to learn these things. I wish I could have come with you."

"Me too. I promise I've taken tons of pictures and I've got a few videos too. I got one of the changing of the guard in London."

"Oh, I can't wait to see that!" she exclaimed. "I expect to see some pictures of this gentleman you're traveling with too."

"You will," I promised. "He's tall, got blonde hair and the prettiest, most expressive blue eyes I've ever seen."

"I think you should send me an email with a picture," Gran chuckled. "I can show him to the girls at church and tell them he's your European lover," she joked.

"You wouldn't be lyin'," I mumbled.

"I heard that," she said. "I would like to see him, if you have any pictures. He sounds delightful. And who doesn't like a tall Swedish man?"

"I can email you a picture as soon as we get off the phone," I offered. "He's taking a nap or I'd let you talk to him. He's heard a lot about you."

"That will be wonderful. I hope its all good things," she said.

"Of course. I miss you," I told her.

"I miss you too, sweetie," she replied.

"I don't want to wake Eric up, so I'm gonna be going, but I'll call you once we're settled in at the hotel," I said.

"Alright. Enjoy the rest of your train ride. I love you."

"I love you too. Goodnight." I hung up and searched for a good picture of Eric. I found one of him on a canal tour in Amsterdam and attached it to an email. So Gran could see the height difference between Eric and me, I also included a picture from a castle in Aberdeen, Scotland.