Deeper Blue

IX

Mr. Gerard Richter, in his chic suit and bowler hat on his head, strolled impatiently through the living room of the lake house, awaiting the final decision of potential buyers. Every now and then the man glanced at his pocket watch, chewed another portion of apple pie and muttered something to himself under his breath. He was clearly excited by the prospect of making a quick buck, which was actually not surprising - after all, he was a real estate agent. In a completely different mood was Edgar.

The young man, like Gerard, strolled around making circles on the terrace in front of the house, but this was not a sign of excitement and impatience. Eddy was irritated, stressed and most simply sad. He knew the house had to be sold. He knew that day would come, but so soon? Not even a week had passed since moving into Deeper Blue, and those eager to buy the charming cottage had already arrived. For obvious reasons, he wanted to stay in the area longer, but if buyers were willing to purchase the property then what could young Wagner do?

"I could tell that the house is not yet renovated and cannot be bought earlier than next month." - Thought Eddy scratching behind his lynx ear.

He quickly grimaced, knowing that such a solution was not an option.

"Rupert and my mother would pull my legs out of my ass if they found out that I was sabotaging Mr. Gerard's activities. My stay here would end in a gigantic brawl upon my return to Berlin. Besides, how would I be able to look Rupert in the eye? A second such chance for a quick and profitable sale might not happen again. He trusted me." - He thought even more despondently.

Eddy stopped for a moment, leaning against the terrace railing. The wind gently swayed the nearby reeds, and the surface of the lake shone like liquid silver in the rays of the slowly setting sun. His lynx ears trembled from the gust, and his tail moved slightly in a nervous rhythm. Young Wagner closed his eyes for a moment, trying to catch the balance between his growing sense of responsibility and his desire to keep at least a little of this idyll to himself.

- You look depressed, Eddy. - Old Michael, whose face was also not brimming with enthusiasm, spoke up.

- I did not expect Gerard to find buyers so quickly. - Whispered the boy, discreetly turning his head towards the impatient real estate agent. - I don't want to leave yet.

Only then did the hitherto silent Tymon raise his tiger ears high and look straight at Edgar.

- You can stay at my house. - He announced while sitting next to old Michael. - I don't live in such conditions as you, but you will fit in. - He added with an encouraging smile on his lips.

Edgar's larynx immediately tightened upon hearing Tymon's tempting proposal. However, he quickly came to his senses, knowing that his suggestion was not right.

- I can't. - He replied with a loud sigh. - If mom or Rupert finds out I'm wandering around with money I'll be in trouble. I leave aside the fact that it's a bit irresponsible. - He added with sadness in his voice.

Tymon then averted his gaze and began staring at his own shoes. He cursed something quietly under his breath, but Eddy was unable to hear what.

- But don't you want to sell the house? - Asked the old painter in a concerned voice.

- Well I don't want to...

- Eddy! - Gerard's voice rang out from behind the door. - Come over here.

Edgar's heart beat harder. He felt the accelerated beating turn into a weight on his chest. He drew in a deep breath and moved slowly toward the living room, as if his legs were resisting every step.

Inside there was an atmosphere of tension, which was not dampened even by the warm smell of apple pie, or rather what was left of it. Sitting at the table were a pair of potential buyers. An elderly lady in an elegant but clearly worn dress, and a man in a tweed jacket who looked to be lacking any negotiating skills. Interestingly, they were both clad in wooden crosses typical of Protestantism. Eddy thought for a moment that probably, being the fanatical Protestants they looked like, they would not get along with Father Philip. That momentary, amusing dilemma in his mind, however, quickly faded from his mind when he looked at how engrossed they were in conversation with Gerard. The man gestured vigorously, trying to add even more conviction to his argument, which worried Eddy.