Tuesday, 23 February 2016.
Breakfast
The tea water is almost boiling in the traditional kettle Anna has over her stove. She decided against having an electric one in her new home. Time to switch it off. There.
Happy sigh. What a night!
Breakfast is on the table, and Anna discovers just how hard it is to wake Christian up.
“I’m not a morning person. Let me sleep five more minutes!” — He moans adoringly.
Little kiss on his head and she wakes him up with a warm hug and some teasing fifteen minutes later. Now, they are sitting at her long table for breakfast. She likes visitors, lots of friends at once at her place, so she bought herself a table for up to ten people.
“Tea with milk?”
“Yes, please. Thank you for letting me stay the night. Sorry I’m sick. I haven’t been at my best lately. Did you sleep well, Anna?”
“Oh, I slept very well. Happy!” — she smiles sweetly at him — “It’s amazing how perfectly we fit in that narrow bed. Who would have thought??”
“Yes, it was made for us. And I like your cold wall against my back to cool me down.”
“Ooohh, that’s your secret! Yeah, about the heat. Your hellish fever the first night!? You were burning and both of us were waking up to drink water all night long. Even I had a dry throat!
“I think I’ve figured it out now, Chris. It was that veggie soup of mine! I added sooo much garlic, ginger and celery that it must have caused all that thirst. I’m not a great cook, I’ll admit as much.”
“Yes, must have been that! The spices were hot. But the soup was delicious,” he reassures her.
Plo-plim!
Plo-plim!
“Oh Christian, I managed to get us a sauna slot for tonight. Here on the seventh floor. Would you like to join me?”
“Only if we can run naked outside!”
“Haha. Maybe someday.”
“Yes, I’d love the sauna. And the naked running…! This is Finland, after all, isnt’t it? So…….. you want to see me again after night two? You were so quiet and mysterious at the restaurant! Plotting Anna. Giving me that look.”
“Of course I want to see you.” — She laughs.
Then, feeling a little more vulnerable, where is this sweet voice coming from? I didn’t know I had it in me to be this feminine, “It’s nice to hang out with you, Christian. Especially when you’re less private. You are adorable and warm. And you’ve got the best hugs and touches… It feels as though I get a glimpse into your soul when you open up.”
He holds her hand over the breakfast table.
“Oh. I don’t mean to be private. You can ask me anything.”
“OK…?” — Anna wonders what she should ask at this point.
“Sometimes a guy needs prompting,” he adds.
“I like joking and laughing, but I love deep conversations. I want to know who Christian really is. Your hopes and dreams, vulnerabilities and fears. Innermost thoughts.”
“You sound like a shrink!” — both of them laugh — “I’ve got all those things. I’m human after all.”
“I’m sure. And I’ll feel honored if I can get a glimpse into that. Thanks for the pizza, the walk and your jacket. I got home safely without freezing!”
“You’re welcome… I find it easier to open up with soft lightning, good wine, music. I like to be relaxed. And you have made me very relaxed and at home here.” — he kisses her hand — “It’s good to talk in bed too, where it’s more intimate. Otherwise I feel like I’m in an interview. My problem, I know. Hahaha. Why don’t people have interviews in bed?? Defense down.”
“You’re impossible, Chris! Maybe you’re onto something there… But there would be a lot of lawsuits! Haha. Mmm. Now I know where to do all my investigations!”
She goes around the table and sits on his lap.
“And about those girlfriends and marriage again. Don’t get me wrong. I had fun. But it’s not for me,” he tells her.
“What is not for you?” Huh!?
“Being single.”
“Ah, OK. I’ll tell you… It does feel that you are at your best when hugging, kissing and being really sweet!” — She kisses his short-trimmed hair.
“I love that, Anna. I need that. I like to love. And to be close to someone.
“I realize you know so little about me. And google is not very helpful! It won’t show you my heart. Remember, that you’re not a mind reader, Anna!” — He looks inquisitively into her eyes.
“Well… I’m very intuitive, as you’ll see.”
“You can google some half-marathons of mine and you’ll find something. Those were the days – I miss South Africa! Want to go back to being at my health peak.”
Plo-plim!
“Look at this weak belly!”
She touches it — “Aww… I like it, Christian! Very cuddly to sleep against…”
Plo-plim! Plo-plim! Plo-plim!
“That will change! It will have to go!”
“Well, only if you want to and you think you’ll feel more energetic. I want to lose some weight, too. Summer is coming and we have to get into bikini shape!”
“Maybe for my villa in Spain? You’ll love it. It’s so chill!”
Plo-plim!
“Sorry for that. I’ll put my phone on silent mode. Wait.” — She reaches for her iPhone.
“Oh… Look at all those Tinder notifications. Popular, Anna!!”
“No…”
“Yes, they were popping up all night long while you were sleeping.” — He teases her some more.
“Seriously? Haha……. About Spain, let’s see if I’ll ever be invited again. We’ll talk about it later. Look, it’s almost 12. Are you going to your hotel to check out soon?”
“Yes, I’ve gotta rush. These were the two most expensive hotel nights I’ve ever paid for. A room just for storing my suitcase! Humpf.”
“Haha. What a waste! But I’m glad you stayed here with me.” Maybe he doesn’t realize it just yet – though she’s tried to show him what kind of person she is – but he is the first man ever to spend a night with her – two whole nights – with the exception of her husband. This is such a huge step for me. It takes a lot of trust!
“Me, too. Though you haven’t given me that tattoo you promised me yet, Annita.”
“Well…. You did lose the Ingenious game. Let’s see if you’ll earn your tattoo later!”
“See you at the sauna then?”
“We have ourselves a date, Christian!”
“Well, I got lucky! Come here, you.” — He kisses he fully on the mouth and she melts into his embrace.
© 2017 rf
Obs. Can life really, really, reeeaaally feel this sweet?? I’m probably just dreaming. Pinch me!
The Chronicles of a Happy Divorcée 