The Silver Ring

An Unexpected Visitor

I felt a cool breeze and once again I was aware that there was someone in the room besides me. I looked up and there was Curt.

Curt, I thought you would be at peace. Katrin knows what happened to you. She has a place to come to mourn. She has the support of her family.

You are right Mattias, I am at peace because my family is at peace. I have a friend, who is not at peace, and I cannot really be fully at peace until this situation is resolved. A friend, I said, who? You, he replied. What do you mean? I said half heartedly. Out with it, Curt said, with military authority.

O.K., Curt, I am in love with Monika. But you just met her, he grinned when saying this. I know, Curt, but I love her. I want to have babies with her. I want her to be my wife, my lover, the mother of my kids. All I can think about is Monika. I have never wanted anything like this before!

Curt gave me a knowing look. You sound like a typical soldat, in the field for a few days and now, you see a pretty girl. You are now in love! Is it  love or just lust?, he laughed. Look Curt, I am serious, just thinking about Monika drives me crazy. I'll be back in the States, Monika will be here in school. I won't have a chance to get to know her. Would she like me. It is driving me crazy.

Calm down, calm down, Mattias. Remember you are talking about my great grandniece. You tell me you want to have babies with her. I guess you will have to do a few other things to get to the babies. Curt, if I could spend a week with Monika, believe me, most likely the result would be a baby or I would die  trying.

Do you think she likes me, I said. Yes, Curt replied, she likes you. She has to get to know you, fool. You have her telephone number, call her. Take her out to dinner, a movie, take a walk, but get to know her. She will see your charm, he said, rolling his eyes. That's not funny, I snorted. Yes  it is, Curt said. Look, you want this girl, you have to take some action.

Once I take the action, than what? Curt said, don't be too anxious. Take Monika out, get to know her. She will give you an indication if she likes you or not. Go from there, but if you appear too anxious, it might scare her off.

Curt pointed to the telephone in the room. There it is, he said, call her!!! But they said we will have to work twice as hard to make up for the time lost. Yes, that's true but you will have time off. Make a date for that time. Go to her house in Berlin. I am sure the rest of the family would like to see you again too.

Do you think that she will like me? She won't like you unless you make a telephone call to her, will she. Raus, go....

I marched to the phone. Looking in my pocket, I found Monika's telephone number. I dialed the number, my hands were trembling. I was in luck, Monika answered the phone. I said, Monika, this is Matt from the cemetery. I really enjoyed meeting you. Would you like to have dinner with me next Saturday night. I am not that familiar with Berlin, and I thought you might show me around. I paused, it seemed like the longest moment in my life. Yes, she said, that would be fine. Why don't you come to our home. I will give you the address. We can go from  here. I am looking forward to seeing you again. Monika gave me the address. I was writing, but my hands were shaking. I was glad she couldn't see me at this point. I will see you Saturday, Mattias. I am looking forward to it.

Did you hear that Curt, she is looking forward to it. "I heard, I heard," he laughed. Now get some sleep. You have work to do on site and getting ready for Monika. I will help you, so don't worry.