Chapter 78 – The Student Prince

 

Ein zwei drei vier
Lift your stein and drink your beer

Drink! Drink! Drink!
To eyes that are bright as stars when they’re shining on me!
Drink! Drink! Drink!
To lips that are red and sweet as the fruit on the tree!

Here’s a hope that those bright eyes will shine
Lovingly, longingly soon into mine!
May those lips that are red and sweet,
Tonight with joy my own lips meet!

Tuesday, 23 February 2016.

 

She visits her sister Sarah, for a late lunch with her niece and nephews, mom Riitta, and her teens Kristiina and Joey.

“Anna mamma, you are glowing,” says Kristiina, laughing and giving her a hug, “How did your date go? Was that Christian nice?”

“Oh, yes. Very!”  — Anna smiles — “In fact, I’m having my third dinner with him tonight. I’ll tell you a little more during the weekend, OK darling? What about you and Joey? How are your holidays going?”

 

Yes, Anna mamma, you are glowing, girl! — She agrees as passes the entry hall mirror. —So good to feel happy!

 

In the evening, Christian and Anna’s arms twine. They are cooling off, looking at the panoramic view from the sauna terraces on the eigth floor of her building, before going back in for more löyly.

“I missed you, Anna!”

“Oh, did you now? Already!??” — their lips meet — “I did too, Christian, but just a little bit.”

“Ouch,” he says slapping her bottom, “Is that so?”

“Ouch! Christian!!!”

 

It’s movie night now.

“Here are the Fiesta Salads you’ve ordered, Madame!” he says and then inquires, “What are we watching, Annita?”

“Thank you, sweet guy! Let’s eat as we watch The Student Prince? It’s another classic my dad taught me to love.” Oh! Dad, the pastor… Very genuine and strong in his faith. He’d have a heart attack if he knew I’m sleeping with the Englishman… Sigh. But I’m an adult now. I’ve gotta figure this out for myself.

“OK. What is the movie about?”

“Oh! It’s so beautiful, Christian. Such great music! You’ll like it.

“It’s about this prince called Karl, who is sent off to the university in Heidelberg to learn how to socialize. He makes friends there and falls for Kathie, the barmaid. The two are soul mates, but when the king is at his deathbed, he…”

“Don’t tell me the whole movie, Anna!”

“No. No spoilers. You’re right.” — she smiles heartily, poking his nose.

 

“I still can’t believe you had me go to MacDonald’s!! That’s it. Tomorrow I’m taking you on a proper date. Somewhere nicer. Gosh!”

“But the salad is delicious. You’ll see!”

 

 

The movie starts. They eat, laugh and 🎶 drink the rest of the champagne. She sings along a little. They pause the movie to take the food away.

They chat, smile, laugh, hug, cuddle. It feels sooooo warm and nice. They play the movie again. They look at each other and start kissing passionately. Things heat up. They pause the movie for some loving. Then, he envelops her to chat a little more, while stroking and kissing her hair and her cheeks.

“I’m still hungry, Anna! Do you have anything light for dessert? Where are those grapes you keep promising, huh?”

“Oh, yes. We still haven’t had the grapes!”

 

They sit up on her bed and he mouthfeeds her, teasingly. Touching the cold fruit first against different parts of her hot skin. Mmmm. Looking at her adoringly.

Drink! Drink! Drink! To lips that are red and sweet as the fruit on the tree?! — She smiles at the thought.

 

After a while, he is asleep – the poor guy is still fighting his terrible cold – but Anna wants to finish watching the movie. She presses play.

She cries – alone – during the most emotional scenes. During the song I’ll Walk with God.

So beautiful!

A prince has a beautiful romance before he must choose between his country and his own happiness…? Noooo! So sad! I need to cry some more…

The next day Anna is looking thoughtful again and Christian asks her why.

“Oh, Christian. It’s the movie.”

 

“Oh? I fell asleep. Did you finish it? Naughty! I wanted to finish it with you.”

Giving up personal happiness for duty?

“Maybe it’s better that you didn’t. It’s so beautiful, and yet so sad!”

“It’s just a movie, Annita. Don’t be sad.” — He hugs her.

© 2017 rf

 

 

Obs. Premonition? Please, no!

 

DRINKING SONG (aka DRINK, DRINK, DRINK)
From the Broadway Operetta "The Student Prince" (1924)
(Sigmund Romberg / Dorothy Donnelly)