LIQUID BALANCE

to be continued...

A chill came over us.

"Were you scared?" who had asked? Me? Her?

The answer was obvious, to both of us.

"A lot, yes."

I closed my eyes. Maybe I was still in time. If I closed my eyes and thought about yesterday, I would have found myself in another bed, hugging Elisabeth hand and leg.

He raised his head and stared at me.

With the fingers of his hand he grazed my scratches, very lightly.

The cheek, the forehead, the lip.

"I need to tell you something," was a whisper.

"Give me a kiss first Elizabeth. Please."

She leaned over and brushed her lips against mine. I loved her, like life.

A tear slipped down her left cheek. It was as swift as a small mountain stream, clear and clear it ran quickly down her cheekbone to fall between us.

I sighed at the sudden strength coming from her.

I felt better.

"I'm all ears."

"I'll be there for you, Hans."

"It may be that I don't want you." how could I force her to stay by my side. The money in the world wouldn't repay her sacrifice.

He paled more than before, two black furrows were beyond noticeable before his eyes.

"Now it will be night, or evening, I don't know. We're tried, both of us. This is not the time to decide." He had breathed, and wisely replied.

"We're going to rest now. Do you want to?"

"Stay with me. I'm afraid to sleep alone."

"Yes my love. I too am afraid to be alone here."

"I can't make room for you. You can't sleep sitting up.... "

"I'll sit like this, I'll be fine, cuddle up we'll rest and tomorrow will be better."

Could it be that we wanted to believe it?

She snuggled as best she could in the cramped space of the bed.

After a short while I heard little jerks from her body. She had fallen asleep.

I stayed and listened to the insistent beep of the monitor.

Sleep took me as the first light of dawn brightened the new day.

A whole new day.

to be continued...