She wasn't around in the morning. Inge wasn't around in the afternoon. I almost went to check whether she was sick again. But had a hunch she'll come in the evening. I even shaved.
And she really came. We were all waiting for her before we went anywhere, but she just came to me, in the restaurant, and cuddled up to me, and we kissed (a lot, eagerly). I simply couldn't believe she's here again and wanted to enjoy every moment while the magic lasts.
Then the company got going and she said we stay. For that I kissed her something six times longer than usual. She didn't care now that there are so many people around. Nije to ništa.
Sat on the dock and she said she's leaving on 2nd. That's two evenings left.
- Nope, just one. We're leaving early so have to be in bed early. This is the last evening. Why are looking at me so?
- To remember. Who knows when we'll see each other again.
- I'm here tomorrow.
- But you are so beautiful in the moonlight.
- And I'm not in the day?
- Oh yes you are always but moonlight makes you special. Come next year.
- Impossible. I won't come.
- why not?
- dad is afraid of driving over the Alps, mom is afraid of airplanes
And so we considered some plans for the future meetings, all impossible schemes. Just daydreaming. And we realized it's only tomorrow and never again, this is it. Then overcame the sadness and decided to have some fun instead. I explained the phrase "sour smile". To escape the cloudy mood, went for a walk. She pretended to be blind and I led her. I went to take a leak and she hid meanwhile, sort of. I suggested the hotel beach.
- how long do we have tonight?
- what do you think?
Ahem... if I say 22 it will be 23 and the other way around...
- 22:30
- how did you know?
- wild guess... and I began reading your mind.
Finding a place to sit was a problem, it's all salty, or there's sand. Eventually she emptied her bag on a heap and then we sat on the bag. The moon was over the water, somewhere.
Then walked her home. At some point we remembered how we met, at a tea party in hat club. I was with Evi the evening before
- what!
- I was with Evi
- and did you kiss her
- yes
- with...
- ...the tongue? yes.
She got mad and turned her back. Looked like she'd cry. Wouldn't look at me.
- well I thought you knew... what does it matter now, it's all over... hey you fool do you know she wouldn't even talk to me the next day... really sometimes lies are better, shouldn't have told you. Remember when you said you liked how sincere I was? Well, this is what I get for being sincere.
She slowly turned, having come up with a solution:
- may I slap you for this?
- go ahead
I thought she'd hit me much harder, and then without removing the hand from my cheek she kissed me quietly and then we didn't move for a whole minute, just to let this episode pass.
Then we continued remembering the unforgettable tea party. She said she just likes to talk, and her looking for a theme for conversation was actually a false lead, didn't have to mean anything. But it happened to work.
By that time we were at our spot in front of her place. And then we celebrated, and then were sad for parting tomorrow. Life put us together, now it throws us asunder.
- and when we get home, you'll find a girl
- not at least two, three weeks
- so fast?
- who knows. and you'll find a boyfriend
- hey if you find a girl you'll love more than me, write to me. and if you sleep with a girl.
- I will. I love you.
- Volim te. And don't be sad, we meet once more tomorrow.
The next day she came in the morning. I just wanted to try the feel of it under water, but wasn't allowed too far... not in the water. Then again she washed my hair, and then went into a shower cabin to change, but wouldn't let me in. Eh, really wanted just to see her, whole. Escorted her home, met her parents as they were taking her to lunch. Now I'll have to introduce her to mine. Which she had some fear of. Well you saw them once, and they saw you. Still... I don't know them. And, you know, my parents find you good.
In the afternoon on the dock, today's rite of getting wet: I jump first, come out, we kiss and jump together. Then we finally went to my folks - dad was doing barbecue. Mom gave me a few things to do, so I could show off as an organizer (good guess, mom). The first round of ražnjići went to Milivoje and theirs, as they had guests (those two girls from nearby). While we waited, we just sat next to each other, kissed only once, being mocked just a little by the neighbors' girls. Still, Milivoje got fed up and demonstratively stood and left, couldn't look at us. Well, boy, it isn't any of your daughters, so what's the problem? Perhaps we are a bad influence, or he doesn't feel so young, looking at us?
She finally ate onions too. Taught her to dip bread into the gravy, as we do. Mom made a picture of us eating.
On the way out she changed again (once in our tent, once in the shower cabin - and didn't let me in). I once bragged how I'm friends with one of the crazymen, and when he passed without noticing me she called me a braggart. This time the guy noticed me and we stood a few minutes and talked with the guy, in three languages. Eventually, after sitting in my lap in the restaurant (didn't matter that there were three empty chairs and too many people around) she said she wanted to be with me alone for the last two hours. Okay, where? That's your problem.
Okay... but it was a problem. Where? It's still daylight. While she was changing (again) and I went off to get my jeans on, I kept thinking of it, and as we were leaving the camp... By the reception met Nisla, his shift was just over.
- umm... know the road up... where we made the fire?
- I do
- what does he say? - she jumps in
- a seadog appeared - he replies without a wink
- go on
- third forest on the left you'll see tall grass, there's a path in it but can't see it from the road. Beware there's a garbage heap a little further, ignore that, just saying spot is a godsend
- what does he say?
- no danger from seadog, it was seen some thirty kilometers south from here
- okay, Nisla, I have to say goodbye to you, I'm leaving tomorrow
- bye, then, and you, got it?
- got it, thanks, no worries
And we did find the place exactly as he described it. I had a penknife (always, habit inherited from dad) so I cut off a few thorny twigs. She got ready for this, lacy underwear... well, a proper parting. My zipper was still off limits, didn't expect any change there. All this for me, who couldn't get a girl for a year and a half?
I had to promise to write her, and to have no other girls until I get home - well that's easy, can't think of any other while everything here reminds me of you - and to go to our spot every evening and watch the stars - no please, can't sit there without you, that's too much. Left me a hickie on my neck. Those heal in a couple of days. It was some guarantee for the second promise, though. I was branded for the while.
When we came to her gate, she just said "we must part fast", kissed me and slowly pulled out from the last embrace.
And off she went.