01-01-2022, 05:24 AM
First Christmas Day - In Marilyn's flat ...
Marilyn couldn't get the man she had met the day before out of her mind. She had felt drawn to this man in a way she had not experienced for a long time. Yet she had only known him for a short time.
And then she had even kissed him! Why had she done that? Something like that had never happened to her before, but somehow it had come over her and afterwards she was quite embarrassed. And yet: even when she had come home, she thought she could still feel the warmth of his lips on hers, even though it had only been a brief kiss.
Maybe it was just because she had been able to talk to a man again for a long time. Not about work or the household, that was still possible with Robert, her husband. No, it was as if she could talk about her feelings, just about everything, in his presence. And it had done her so much good to be able to talk so openly and honestly with someone again and to be taken seriously, even if it was a stranger! But why had she only kissed him? Maybe they could have talked some more? But everything seemed so familiar, so close. She closed her eyes and brought the moment of the kiss back into her thoughts once more. She felt the tingling in her body and knew: she had fallen in love!
But that was not allowed to be! She was married and had no intention of cheating on her husband. Even though she had already thought about separation several times in the last few months. Actually, she was alone, alone with her household, her worries and her feelings. Robert didn't care much about that any more. For him, it was important to have his hearty meal on the table in the evening and to spend a lot of time with his football buddies. But maybe she could meet this man again? I wonder if he was at the church again today? Maybe she should just go to that pew again? But wasn't that playing with fire?
Robert would certainly not suspect anything if she went for another walk. He didn't care anyway. She looked at her watch. It was half past nine. If she hurried, she could make it in 15 minutes. It would be the same time as yesterday.
She felt nervousness rising inside her. She knew, no, she felt more, that she was beginning to play with fire. And even though she tried to tell herself now that she just wanted to talk to this man, she secretly knew that she didn't just want to meet this man, she wanted to be near him.
She looked over at her husband who was sitting next to her on the couch, staring at the TV picture without paying any attention to her.
"I'm going to get some fresh air," she said to her husband, who only managed an inarticulate "mmh" without taking his eyes off the screen.
Finally she stood in front of the bench. She had regained control of her emotional life and the tears she had finally wiped away with her sleeve were no longer there. Lost in thought, she used her foot to push apart small piles of snow that had left footprints in the fresh snow.
"Would have been too good," she whispered to herself.
When she had levelled all the footsteps around the bench, she traced the prints in the snow with her gaze. They led over to the shops. But what struck her now was that they must still be new. When she had left the house, it had still been snowing. But these prints were still barely covered with fresh snow! Wasn't he supposed to...?
She began to tremble slightly again from excitement and without thinking further she decided to follow the footsteps. The footsteps kept piling up in front of one shop window or another. Obviously, this person had not been in a hurry, but had always stayed just outside one shop or another. Perhaps she would catch up with this stranger after all and then she could see if her wish was still fulfilled. And with that thought, her steps quickened again.
Further ahead, however, the path would lead into the arcades. There, however, the tracks would probably be lost. But it was still worth a try. She almost hurried the last few metres along the pavement, then turned right around the corner of the building and entered the arcades. Then she stopped...
Her heart began to race when she saw him. HE was standing in front of a jewellery shop, looking at the goods on display. So HE was at the bank and she would soon have missed him. But now...
Slowly she walked towards him. Though her footsteps crunched softly on the pavement and echoed between the walls, he seemed to take no notice. Only when she stood directly behind him did he seem to notice her. He lifted his head and Marilyn could see his face in the reflection of the shop window. Almost jerkily he turned and looked at her with a surprised, then smiling face.
"Merry Christmas!" whispered Marilyn, partly because she couldn't think of anything better to say now, while not taking her eyes off him.
Even though she knew him only slightly, there was no denying his joy in his face. As he smiled at her, little wrinkles formed at the corners of his eyes and she could see little dimples in his cheeks.
"Merry Christmas!"
She didn't know how long they stood there like that, just looking at each other and enjoying the happiness inside them. Maybe it was just a minute, maybe it was 10, neither of them could have told later. In any case, he seemed to feel exactly the same as they did!
Finally, Martin slowly pushed his hand forward until he felt the warmth of her fingers. Still Marilyn hesitated to give him his hand. The situation was too new, too confusing. But as his hand tightened around hers, she gave in to his request and soon their hands were clasped.
"Thank you for the kiss last night," Norman finally said, "even though it came as a surprise, but I enjoyed it very much. I hadn't had a kiss in a long time, at least not from a woman. And especially not one as soulful."
Then he grinned mischievously: "Little children's kisses are sometimes a bit wet!"
They both laughed.
"No, I want to thank you," Marilyn returned, "it was a wonderful evening!"
Then they said nothing for a while, just held hands and looked into each other's eyes. It was clear to both of them what had happened: they had fallen in love on that bench. In love like two teenagers who were now also aware that another person, Marilyn's husband, was also involved - at least that would not be left out.
At some point Norman offered his arm to Marilyn, who hooked it as a matter of course, and so they strolled through the arcades together. Since it was already late and hardly anyone was still in the streets, it was also very unlikely that they would be observed at their first meeting.
They talked about their lives, their deeds and misdeeds, about everything that people talk about when they have just met and want to get to know each other. Time flew by and slowly the cold crept through their jackets and especially Marilyn's feet felt like icicles.
"Warming up a bit wouldn't be bad now," Norman finally suggested when he noticed that his new acquaintance was freezing.
"I don't think," Marilyn said with a sly smile, "that we're going to get anything anywhere this time of night!"
Norman wondered if he should ask her that, but then decided, "If you want, I'll buy you another coffee at my place. And really just a coffee. Afterwards I can take you home."
He knew that this game was often just an attempt to get the lady of the heart into one's own den, but he hoped that Marilyn would believe that he really only wanted to offer her a coffee to warm up. But he simply had a great desire to have this woman near him for longer.
Accordingly, Marilyn thought long and hard about whether she should really accept the offer. Besides, she didn't want to show up at a man's flat right at the beginning. But somehow she had found trust in this man and besides, she was actually terribly cold, but at home she didn't want to make herself any tea or coffee either. If Robert had woken up, she would have had a problem explaining her long evening walk to him. This way he would surely be asleep by now and wouldn't know tomorrow what time she had got home.
"All right I'll come with you, but just for a coffee!"
"Promise!" Norman felt like he was in seventh heaven.
A short time later he unlocked the front door to his flat and let Marilyn enter. He took her jacket from her and escorted her into the living room.
"Make yourself comfortable, I'll make some coffee quickly, or would you prefer some tea?"
"Coffee would be good!" and soon the gurgle of the coffee machine could be heard in the flat and the smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the
flat.
As the two feasted on the warm drink, they continued to chat and after the many months, laughter could now be heard again in Norman's flat. Norman was a little afraid that his son might wake up, but he was already sleeping too soundly.
Around 2.00 a.m. Marilyn then said that she slowly had to go home. She still needed a few hours sleep and asked Norman if he could take her home, which he gladly agreed to. Shortly afterwards, the two of them were in Norman's car and on their way to Marilyn's house. As a precaution, he parked a few metres in front of her garden and when Marilyn wanted to get out, he held her back for a moment.
"Here, I've got something for you!"
As he looked at Marilyn questioningly, he handed her a piece of paper with a landline and a mobile phone number on it. Marilyn looked at the note for a short time while she considered whether she should really take it, but then she put it in her jacket pocket.
"Thanks again for a lovely evening" she whispered to him, "and thanks for really just staying for coffee!"
She looked around for a moment, as if to make sure that there was indeed no one to be seen, then leaned over to Norman and gave him another tender kiss.
Then she got out and a short time later had disappeared into her house...
Marilyn couldn't get the man she had met the day before out of her mind. She had felt drawn to this man in a way she had not experienced for a long time. Yet she had only known him for a short time.
And then she had even kissed him! Why had she done that? Something like that had never happened to her before, but somehow it had come over her and afterwards she was quite embarrassed. And yet: even when she had come home, she thought she could still feel the warmth of his lips on hers, even though it had only been a brief kiss.
Maybe it was just because she had been able to talk to a man again for a long time. Not about work or the household, that was still possible with Robert, her husband. No, it was as if she could talk about her feelings, just about everything, in his presence. And it had done her so much good to be able to talk so openly and honestly with someone again and to be taken seriously, even if it was a stranger! But why had she only kissed him? Maybe they could have talked some more? But everything seemed so familiar, so close. She closed her eyes and brought the moment of the kiss back into her thoughts once more. She felt the tingling in her body and knew: she had fallen in love!
But that was not allowed to be! She was married and had no intention of cheating on her husband. Even though she had already thought about separation several times in the last few months. Actually, she was alone, alone with her household, her worries and her feelings. Robert didn't care much about that any more. For him, it was important to have his hearty meal on the table in the evening and to spend a lot of time with his football buddies. But maybe she could meet this man again? I wonder if he was at the church again today? Maybe she should just go to that pew again? But wasn't that playing with fire?
Robert would certainly not suspect anything if she went for another walk. He didn't care anyway. She looked at her watch. It was half past nine. If she hurried, she could make it in 15 minutes. It would be the same time as yesterday.
She felt nervousness rising inside her. She knew, no, she felt more, that she was beginning to play with fire. And even though she tried to tell herself now that she just wanted to talk to this man, she secretly knew that she didn't just want to meet this man, she wanted to be near him.
She looked over at her husband who was sitting next to her on the couch, staring at the TV picture without paying any attention to her.
"I'm going to get some fresh air," she said to her husband, who only managed an inarticulate "mmh" without taking his eyes off the screen.
"I'm going to get some fresh air," she said to her husband, who only managed an inarticulate "mmh" without taking his eyes off the screen...
Shortly before 11.00 p.m. in the church square ...
Slowly but surely the cold crept under Martin's jacket. He felt the cold against his body and it made him uncomfortable. He looked at the church clock: 10:45 pm. Another 15 minutes he would wait. And all at once disappointment spread. How could he be so naïve as to believe that he could meet this woman here again today? Why should she get involved with him? Just because he had happened to sit here and talk to her last night.
Martin wondered if he shouldn't go straight home and have some hot tea. It would certainly do him good. Besides, it would certainly be more sensible than catching a cold here on the cold bench. And yet, what are 5 minutes, he weighed and decided to wait those few minutes.
But when the clock tower struck 11 p.m., it was silent. No one was to be seen or heard. Once again Martin looked around, stood up and looked in the direction from which the woman had come the night before, as if expecting another miracle.
But why should there be two miracles this Christmas. He had already seen it as a miracle that he was allowed to meet this woman who was so similar to his Ashley. He didn't want to hope for a second miracle.
When Martin could see no one, he took another deep breath and blew the air hissing through his mouth into the cold night. Instantly, a mist of steam formed right in front of his face, as if a steam engine was blowing its vapour into the air. Then he turned and walked across to the footpath alongside the shops, where the displays were all still brightly lit.
He looked almost wistfully at the various stars and angels, turkeys and Santas decorating the displays as he slowly strolled along the path alone in the night. He wished once again that he had this woman with him now. Almost wistfully, he imagined them hooked together, strolling past the shops together, looking at the things on display. And most of all, he would enjoy feeling her warmth beside him.
As quickly as she could, Marilyn pulled on her warm boots, threw on her coat and left the house. Almost frantically, she looked at her wristwatch. She had to hold her hand at a slight angle so that the lantern light could illuminate the dial.
Ten minutes to go, she had to hurry! As quickly as she could, she walked up the path to the town. Again and again, walking turned into a short run until she finally reached the town square, already completely out of breath. Just as she turned into the square, she heard the bells chime. It was only a few more minutes, then she would know if this man was waiting for her or if it would only remain a pipe dream for her.
Finally, she could already make out the church entrance and she would only have to walk a few more steps before she could see the pew. She felt herself getting nervous and unsure. Although it was deep frost, her hands were sweating. When was the last time she had felt like this about a man? She didn't know, it had been too long.
Then finally she could see the bench and stopped abruptly: the bench was empty. She didn't know which feelings were predominant at that moment: Anger at herself for having been so naïve as to believe that this man was waiting for her again, or disappointment that he really wasn't here.
She felt that annoying lump in her throat and she couldn't stop her eyes from filling with tears. Hopefully, no acquaintance would meet her now. What was she going to tell him about why she was crying?
Without thinking any further, however, she continued walking. She didn't know why, but at least she wanted to get to that bench. Maybe she could at least dream a little bit about this man?
* * * * *
Shortly before 11.00 p.m. in the church square ...
Slowly but surely the cold crept under Martin's jacket. He felt the cold against his body and it made him uncomfortable. He looked at the church clock: 10:45 pm. Another 15 minutes he would wait. And all at once disappointment spread. How could he be so naïve as to believe that he could meet this woman here again today? Why should she get involved with him? Just because he had happened to sit here and talk to her last night.
Martin wondered if he shouldn't go straight home and have some hot tea. It would certainly do him good. Besides, it would certainly be more sensible than catching a cold here on the cold bench. And yet, what are 5 minutes, he weighed and decided to wait those few minutes.
But when the clock tower struck 11 p.m., it was silent. No one was to be seen or heard. Once again Martin looked around, stood up and looked in the direction from which the woman had come the night before, as if expecting another miracle.
But why should there be two miracles this Christmas. He had already seen it as a miracle that he was allowed to meet this woman who was so similar to his Ashley. He didn't want to hope for a second miracle.
When Martin could see no one, he took another deep breath and blew the air hissing through his mouth into the cold night. Instantly, a mist of steam formed right in front of his face, as if a steam engine was blowing its vapour into the air. Then he turned and walked across to the footpath alongside the shops, where the displays were all still brightly lit.
He looked almost wistfully at the various stars and angels, turkeys and Santas decorating the displays as he slowly strolled along the path alone in the night. He wished once again that he had this woman with him now. Almost wistfully, he imagined them hooked together, strolling past the shops together, looking at the things on display. And most of all, he would enjoy feeling her warmth beside him.
As quickly as she could, Marilyn pulled on her warm boots, threw on her coat and left the house. Almost frantically, she looked at her wristwatch. She had to hold her hand at a slight angle so that the lantern light could illuminate the dial.
Ten minutes to go, she had to hurry! As quickly as she could, she walked up the path to the town. Again and again, walking turned into a short run until she finally reached the town square, already completely out of breath. Just as she turned into the square, she heard the bells chime. It was only a few more minutes, then she would know if this man was waiting for her or if it would only remain a pipe dream for her.
Finally, she could already make out the church entrance and she would only have to walk a few more steps before she could see the pew. She felt herself getting nervous and unsure. Although it was deep frost, her hands were sweating. When was the last time she had felt like this about a man? She didn't know, it had been too long.
Then finally she could see the bench and stopped abruptly: the bench was empty. She didn't know which feelings were predominant at that moment: Anger at herself for having been so naïve as to believe that this man was waiting for her again, or disappointment that he really wasn't here.
She felt that annoying lump in her throat and she couldn't stop her eyes from filling with tears. Hopefully, no acquaintance would meet her now. What was she going to tell him about why she was crying?
Without thinking any further, however, she continued walking. She didn't know why, but at least she wanted to get to that bench. Maybe she could at least dream a little bit about this man?
Finally she stood in front of the bench. She had regained control of her emotional life and the tears she had finally wiped away with her sleeve were no longer there. Lost in thought, she used her foot to push apart small piles of snow that had left footprints in the fresh snow.
"Would have been too good," she whispered to herself.
When she had levelled all the footsteps around the bench, she traced the prints in the snow with her gaze. They led over to the shops. But what struck her now was that they must still be new. When she had left the house, it had still been snowing. But these prints were still barely covered with fresh snow! Wasn't he supposed to...?
She began to tremble slightly again from excitement and without thinking further she decided to follow the footsteps. The footsteps kept piling up in front of one shop window or another. Obviously, this person had not been in a hurry, but had always stayed just outside one shop or another. Perhaps she would catch up with this stranger after all and then she could see if her wish was still fulfilled. And with that thought, her steps quickened again.
Further ahead, however, the path would lead into the arcades. There, however, the tracks would probably be lost. But it was still worth a try. She almost hurried the last few metres along the pavement, then turned right around the corner of the building and entered the arcades. Then she stopped...
Her heart began to race when she saw him. HE was standing in front of a jewellery shop, looking at the goods on display. So HE was at the bank and she would soon have missed him. But now...
Slowly she walked towards him. Though her footsteps crunched softly on the pavement and echoed between the walls, he seemed to take no notice. Only when she stood directly behind him did he seem to notice her. He lifted his head and Marilyn could see his face in the reflection of the shop window. Almost jerkily he turned and looked at her with a surprised, then smiling face.
"Merry Christmas!" whispered Marilyn, partly because she couldn't think of anything better to say now, while not taking her eyes off him.
Even though she knew him only slightly, there was no denying his joy in his face. As he smiled at her, little wrinkles formed at the corners of his eyes and she could see little dimples in his cheeks.
"Merry Christmas!"
She didn't know how long they stood there like that, just looking at each other and enjoying the happiness inside them. Maybe it was just a minute, maybe it was 10, neither of them could have told later. In any case, he seemed to feel exactly the same as they did!
Finally, Martin slowly pushed his hand forward until he felt the warmth of her fingers. Still Marilyn hesitated to give him his hand. The situation was too new, too confusing. But as his hand tightened around hers, she gave in to his request and soon their hands were clasped.
"Thank you for the kiss last night," Norman finally said, "even though it came as a surprise, but I enjoyed it very much. I hadn't had a kiss in a long time, at least not from a woman. And especially not one as soulful."
Then he grinned mischievously: "Little children's kisses are sometimes a bit wet!"
They both laughed.
"No, I want to thank you," Marilyn returned, "it was a wonderful evening!"
Then they said nothing for a while, just held hands and looked into each other's eyes. It was clear to both of them what had happened: they had fallen in love on that bench. In love like two teenagers who were now also aware that another person, Marilyn's husband, was also involved - at least that would not be left out.
At some point Norman offered his arm to Marilyn, who hooked it as a matter of course, and so they strolled through the arcades together. Since it was already late and hardly anyone was still in the streets, it was also very unlikely that they would be observed at their first meeting.
They talked about their lives, their deeds and misdeeds, about everything that people talk about when they have just met and want to get to know each other. Time flew by and slowly the cold crept through their jackets and especially Marilyn's feet felt like icicles.
"Warming up a bit wouldn't be bad now," Norman finally suggested when he noticed that his new acquaintance was freezing.
"I don't think," Marilyn said with a sly smile, "that we're going to get anything anywhere this time of night!"
Norman wondered if he should ask her that, but then decided, "If you want, I'll buy you another coffee at my place. And really just a coffee. Afterwards I can take you home."
He knew that this game was often just an attempt to get the lady of the heart into one's own den, but he hoped that Marilyn would believe that he really only wanted to offer her a coffee to warm up. But he simply had a great desire to have this woman near him for longer.
Accordingly, Marilyn thought long and hard about whether she should really accept the offer. Besides, she didn't want to show up at a man's flat right at the beginning. But somehow she had found trust in this man and besides, she was actually terribly cold, but at home she didn't want to make herself any tea or coffee either. If Robert had woken up, she would have had a problem explaining her long evening walk to him. This way he would surely be asleep by now and wouldn't know tomorrow what time she had got home.
"All right I'll come with you, but just for a coffee!"
"Promise!" Norman felt like he was in seventh heaven.
A short time later he unlocked the front door to his flat and let Marilyn enter. He took her jacket from her and escorted her into the living room.
"Make yourself comfortable, I'll make some coffee quickly, or would you prefer some tea?"
"Coffee would be good!" and soon the gurgle of the coffee machine could be heard in the flat and the smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the
flat.
As the two feasted on the warm drink, they continued to chat and after the many months, laughter could now be heard again in Norman's flat. Norman was a little afraid that his son might wake up, but he was already sleeping too soundly.
Around 2.00 a.m. Marilyn then said that she slowly had to go home. She still needed a few hours sleep and asked Norman if he could take her home, which he gladly agreed to. Shortly afterwards, the two of them were in Norman's car and on their way to Marilyn's house. As a precaution, he parked a few metres in front of her garden and when Marilyn wanted to get out, he held her back for a moment.
"Here, I've got something for you!"
As he looked at Marilyn questioningly, he handed her a piece of paper with a landline and a mobile phone number on it. Marilyn looked at the note for a short time while she considered whether she should really take it, but then she put it in her jacket pocket.
"Thanks again for a lovely evening" she whispered to him, "and thanks for really just staying for coffee!"
She looked around for a moment, as if to make sure that there was indeed no one to be seen, then leaned over to Norman and gave him another tender kiss.
Then she got out and a short time later had disappeared into her house...
* * * * *
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