May 23 Tuesday, I lie in my bed this early morning writhing at thought that I won't be able to go to the flower festival with Irina. The early morning rays flood our barracks. Kurtz is still asleep and has been sleeping more ever since he left the hospital. Obrenski lies in his cot reading a letter, he looks at it longingly as though it saddens him. Suddenly Lieutenant Sprieg, in his crisp officers uniform, opens the door and peers his head inside. "Franz." he says, "Come with me." I, perplexed, rise and follow him to his shack on the cool sunny cloudless day.
He enters and grabs a stack of folded uniforms off the table beside the radio. "Franz I need these dry cleaned today." He says handing me a stack of gray uniforms, I am surprised at how clean they already look. He sits down in his chair. "But sir, the festival is today. How will I find a cleaner that is open?" I ask absolutely confused. He finishes scribbling on an order sheet and places the slip of paper on top of the folded laundry in my hands. He speaks again, "Your orders are to get these dry cleaned at an appropriate cleaners. What you do in the meantime is up to you." he looks up at me. "Here and take this as payment for the cleaners. I expect the change to be returned." He reaches under the table and pulls out several reichsmarks and hands them to me. I, still completely confused, reply, "Uh yes sir, but I don't understand. How will I get these cleaned?" "No buts, now get going." He rebuttals. I leave the shack while he follows behind me. Kurtz, now awakened, standing there and asks rubbing his eyes, "Where is Franz going?" "He is running an errand for me." the Lieutenant says. "Can I come?" Kurtz asks. Lieutenant Sprieg says," No Kurtz this is an errand solely for Franz." "Awwww." Kurtz sighs. Obrenski walks up to me and smiles and winks at me whispering, "Buy her something nice." I am incredibly puzzled. I look back and see the Lieutenant smiling. I just realized that this is an elaborate ploy to give me an excuse to go to the festival and see Irina. The Lieutenant whispers," It was Obrenski's idea." Obrenski grins. The Lieutenant continues," If you get in any trouble show them your orders. Now get going before I change my mind." Now I know the two definitely talk without my knowing. I excitedly dash to the kubelwagen. I overhear the Lieutenant talking with Obrenski," I hope he doesn't make me regret this." Obrenski replies reassuringly, "Don't worry Sprieg, he is a good little bastard." The Lieutenant responds,"I hope so, I hope he doesn't turn out like you."
I excitedly jump into the driver's seat and set down the uniforms in the passenger's seat. I start up the ignition and the vehicle roars to life. My heart flutters with excitement. I set the vehicle into gear and drive down the dirt road to the city. As I enter the city I see flower decorated streamers hung from roof top to rooftop and on street lights and street posts. The streamers consist of red and gold pendants with yellow flowers wraped between them. Dozens of people in their best attire walk along the busy sidewalk to the town square where the festivities will take place. Multitudes of people dressed in suits and bright dresses make their pilgrimage. The town is so beautiful to see in such a festive spirit.
As my travels continue in the lively city, I decide that I have enough reichsmarks to by something for Irina. I got it, I'll buy her flowers! Girls love flowers, I think. Only problem is that my search is for flowers on a day dedicated to flowers. Where am I doing to find a shop that still has any?
Suddenly as I drive, I pass a store that reads," Marie's Bouquet" on it. I slam the breaks and reverse into a parallel spot on the street. I exit the vehicle and white brick store that stands alone on this lonely street corner. Peering into the large display windows, I see wonderful assortments of multiple green plants and colorful varieties of flowers. The shop looks more like a jungle than a store.
I open the wooden door and a small bell rings announcing my presence. My boots clack on the hard white tiles, the walls are a rosey pink. There are several display shelves of a variety of plants that I am certain haven't been named yet. A wooden counter with a register on top is positioned to my right as I enter. There is a doorway twelve feet away and out from it, from the back rooms, comes an older portly black woman in a white dress with polka dots. A black woman, I don't think I have ever met a black person before. "How can I help you young man?" she asks confidently in a light african accent. I, not entirely certain of what I am doing, stammer, " I uh, am, uh looking for some flowers." " Well you came to the right place sweetie. What are you looking for?" She replies. "Uh roses, I think." "Well, are they for you or for someone else." she asks. " Uh, someone else," I answered awkwardly. "I see." she says slyly. She continues,"Is she pretty?" I am taken back, I stutter, " Wh… What?" " You know, your girlfriend." I am surprised at how she was able to figure out my motives so quickly. Am I that easy to read? I blush as I say," She is beautiful actually. How did you know?" "Aw cute, sweetie, you really think you are the only young man that has stumbled into my shop? I know you are not buying them for your mother and I have seen plenty of young boys try to whoo their sweethearts." I guess I am that easy to read. I hang my head low and confess," I wasn't even supposed to be here today and I wanted to surprise her." "I know you do sweetie. What's her favorite color?" Oh no. Color? I never asked what Irina's favorite color was! Oh I am doomed. What if I pick the wrong ones. I shamefully say,"I …I don't know." The elderly african woman replies,"Thats ok sweetie, we will get her a little bit of everything." I perk up a bit and ask, " So what do I do?" She sighs and says," Well sweetie I am all out of roses, I sold them all for the festival. But…..I do have these.''
She re-enters the back rooms and after a few moments returns with several tulips of red, blue, orange and yellow wrapped together with a single yellow bow at the mid stem. " Here sweetie." she says handing the delicate tulips to me with a smile, " She should like these." "Thank you mam, uh uh what do I have to pay.' I ask. "Don't worry they're on me." she replies winking. " Uh really, are you sure?" I ask uncertainly. "Yes of course, I am about to close shop. Say, are you going to watch the ceremony?" she says " What ceremony?" I ask. " You must be new, Its were a lucky couple gets selected to kiss in front of the whole town. Its a tradition that dates back long ago, It takes place every festival. Some say it is superstition but legend has it that one kiss on those cathedral steps has the power to determine the outcome of the harvest. But I wouldn't know, we haven't had a bad harvest yet." I look at her simply struck about this city's odd tradition of which I have never heard of. "Well uh, thank you mam." I say as I sharply turn to leave. Before I leave I ask the question that burns in my mind, "Uh mam ,where are you from?" She smiles and says,"Morocco, me and my husband moved here from Morocco." "Oh, well where is he?" I asks. She speaks in sad reminiscents," Me and him opened this store ten years ago. He died shortly after." "Oh I am sorry." "It's ok sweetie." She says with a smile,"You go have a great day with that girl of yours." I nod, step out and trip over the threshold and bumble out onto the street still holding the precious tulips. "Now you be careful young man." She shouts as I step into the driver's seat of the kubelwagen and drive off.
I had memorized Irina's address from our multiple correspondences. I travel through the festive streets to a residential neighborhood in which several houses of blues and yellows line the streets. I pull up to a yellow brick house of two stories a small chimney is positioned on the right side. I get out and grap the tulips. I make my way up the few stone steps and knock on the wooden door. I notice the tulips are beginning to wilt as they begin to sag. I desperately try to keep them erect. I fiddle with them for a while in an attempt to straighten them.
Suddenly the door opens and I was so startled, I jumped. Irina opens the door in a blue dress with sunflowers. The shocked look on her face tells me my surprise worked. "Franz." she whispers," What are you doing here?" "I respond," The let me come, I thought we would go to the festival." She whispers nervously," You can't be here. If my mother sees you…." Suddenly her mother stands behind her. "Irina, who is it?" Irina jumps up startled and quickly turns. "M..m.. mother, this is.. uh…uh my.." "Boyfriend." I finish her sentence. Oh why did I say that. I forgot our relationship was supose to be secret. Oh no, I have ruin us! Irina turns and stares at me with jaw dropped. Irina chuckles nervously and confronts her mother but all she could muster was, " Uh,Uh." "Boyfriend?" Her mother asks perplexed and obviously annoyed. "I..I can explain." Irina stammers. "I already know." the middle aged woman says calmly. "What do you mean you know?" Irina asks confused. "Do you think you were the only one to receive secret letters at your age?" Her mother says slyly. "Huh....MOTHER!" shouts an irritated Irina. The aged woman chuckles and then says "You, young man." I look around and then point to myself nervously, saying" Who me?" " Yes, you have better have her back by five." " Uh Uh yes mam." Irina looks to her mother surprised, I am too. Her mother says," I approve. But you better keep you hands to yourself or else I'll boil them." I swallow hard. Irina cheerfully hugs her mother before turning back to me. Irina then hugs me tightly around the neck. I look and see her mother giving me a glare that advises me that I should probably heed her warning. Irina realeses her grip and almosts snatches the tulips from my hands exclaiming,"These are so beautiful Franz."
I guess the lady at the flower shop was right. "Here, let me put these up." she says as she races past her mother to further inside the house. Her mother still glares at me. I stand nervously feeling as though I have a lump in my throat. She speaks softly," Young man, I know you are honest from the letters I have read, but do know that hell awaits you so much as put your hands on her, I will find you." I swallow hard. Luckily Irina returns and the woman's face turns from a glare to a smile. Irina locks her arms within mine and says excitedly," Goodbye mother! I'll see you at five!" as we walk to the kubelwagen.
We take our seats in the vehicle, Me in the driver's seat and Irina in the passenger's seat. As soon as her mother disappears behind the closed door, Irina lounges toward me with a kiss on the cheek. "Oh Franz!" she says," You don't know how happy this makes me!" I smile proudly. "You are just going to love the Festival. I use to go all the time as a little girl." I start the vehicle and we begin our trek to the town square. Curiously I ask," So what is the festival about?" She answers," The legend goes that a princess named Erisa lived in the castle and was set to marry a prince in the dark ages. But the prince was killed in a battle. She wept for an entire year in which nothing grew. Like her sorrow was so distraught that the land wasn't capable of life. It was all barren, no plants, no crops, and no animals. The town did not have enough food stored and many people died from starvation during the winter. The princess stayed in her castle and never left for the entire year. After the famine, in the springtime, a new prince came to marry the princess and she was so very happy. They got married on the top of the cathedral steps and it is said that during that wedding kiss that all the flowers and plants bloomed spontaneously. Not long after did they name the town Dead Garden to remember the famine. But the festival cherished that moment and it is said that a single kiss on those steps this very day will ensure another harvest." "Oh I didn't realize how very historic it was." I say.
"Franz, It is a wonderful day, they have games, food, competitions! It is great! I am so excited."
We approach the outskirts of the square and find the road to be impassable with men, women and children all dressed in their best attire. The road is so crammed full of people that we have to park several blocks away and go on foot. I parallel park on the road and me and Irina exit the vehicle. We join the pilgrimage and I notice that the small children wave small red flags with a golden rose in the center. Outside the square are several booths that sell a variety of nick nacks and other such items. Musicians from the school's band play a series of marches and upbeat musicals. They stand close together in white overall uniforms and play their golden brass horns proudly. The conductor keeps them in time with swishing waves of a small pointer.
As we step through the crowded wide alleyway, we have to push our way through the crowd. The scents of cologne and perfumes are strong here. I bump into a multitude of people. We enter the square and the pleasing aroma of fresh bread and cooked meat and sugary goods fill my senses. The chatter here is loud as people gayly talk among themselves. The crowd dispersed to a multitude of shops and booths. A trumpet player plays American jazz, which is forbidden, in front of the fountain where multiple couples dance and jive to. Banners with flowers of all variety hang from the lights that web above the square giving several colors of purples, oranges and reds. I watch a magician perform tricks in front of a seated audience of children near the bookstore. His upside down hat overflowed with money. Next to him is a juggler whose art is the practice of tossing and catching small knives that has captivated the eyes of a suspenseful audience. A booth has been placed next to the meat shop where teenagers try their hand at throwing stones at metal cans in an attempt to win a prize from the booth owner which is usually a small pocket knife. Small girls in dresses braid flowers into each others hair as though it were some form of tradition. A ballerina in a tute tute dances softly apon the steps of the cathedral. The bar patio is opened to guests where some obviously drunken fellows attempt to hit the dartboard outside. Many patrons cram the bar's open doors. An auctioneer begins his chants outside the bakery with an attempt to sell all forms of paintings and artwork.
Irina looks to me and says," The kissing festival starts at noon, we shouldn't miss it. Come on I want to show you something." She take my hand and we hold hands as see leads me to the bakery. We brush through a multitude of people to join the line forming outside the shop. As we stand there, I admire the individual paintings that display breath taking landscapes that must be of a far off distant places. As we enter the bakery, Irina states," Franz, you must try the eclairs! The only make them for special occasions." as she tugs me by the hand. The smell of baked goods is so very pleasing. There is about ten people inside the store standing on the hard woodfloors. the multiple bodies obstruct the blue and gold vertical wallpaper. In a glass display case under the register sit multiple loaves of bread, eclairs, cakes and pies that all look extremely appealing. Irina leaves me to order while I go about the store and observe the individual display cases portraying more delectable baked goods and sweets. Irina returns with two oversized chocolate eclairs that possess custard filling and powdered sugar sprinkled on top, they are about twice the size of a normal eclair. She hands me mine and looks at me with anxious excitement. She is so cute when she is excited. I take the first bite of many, and my senses are overjoyed with how sweet and delicious it is. I can't help but smile, something she takes pride in asking, "Isn't it great?" " Fantastic." I reply. We devour our eclairs and savor their sweetness.
She takes me by the hand and drags me yet again off to another adventure. We have made our way in front of the founain where the jazz musician plays boldly for the ensemble of dancers. She turns, taking both of my hand and dragging me to the group saying,'Come dance with me." I have never danced with a girl before. Wait, I can't dance! I don't know how to. What If I make a fool of myself? Irina starts by doing some small kicks and stamps her feet. I am worried she will break her heels. I kick my legs wildly in an attempt to make some kind of coordinated synchronized movement to no avail. Irina stops and laughs, "No silly, what are you doing?" I, a little embarrassed, confess," I don't know how to dance." The song finishes and a much slower somber tune takes its place. the couples begin to slow dance. "Here I'll show you." she says as she takes my hands and places them on her waist. I blush slightly and try not to reveal my nervousness. She wraps her arms around my neck and we sway to the music. Her dress gently sways back and forth. I am surprised about how slender her waist is. I have never really touched her before. I gaze into her beautiful blue eyes and my nervousness seems to leave me. I feel calm with her as though we are the only ones there. I just realized that she is blushing as well, her cheeks a slight red. It was at that moment I knew that we both felt the same thing.
Gong! Gong! Gong! The bells of the cathedral ring that announce only one thing, It is time for the ceremony. The music stops and a crowd begins to form around the cathedral steps. Irina drags me yet again through the crowd. The priest in his black robes stands atop the cathedral steps and announces," On this day, the princess of old married a prince and it was a wonderful day where all of the flowers bloomed and the crops were plentiful. In that tradition of old so many years ago in which the city's princess kissed the prince on this very cathedral steps. In order to ensure more plentiful flowers and a more bountiful harvest we ask for a couple to volunteer and kiss upon these steps before the almighty congregation."
Irina looks at me excited and jerks me by the hand, she drags me as she pushes through the crowd. I don't know what she is planning but I'm certain I'm not going to like it. We have pressed our way to the front of the crowd and Irina waves her hand shouting, "Us! We would like to volunteer!" "Wonderful! Come up here you two." he says joyiously. I swallow hard and grow nauseous, I am about to kiss my girlfriend in front of a town of hundreds if not thousands of people. She drags me by the hand while I keep tripping on the steps. We reach the top of the stairs and stand before the priest. He states," In the name of our tradition, the future of our town is secured in a kiss." Irina looks at me, I look at the crowd and can feel myself shaking. I am so nervous that I am frozen to where I can't move. I feel so nauseous. The crowd starts heckling, voices shout," Kiss her, kiss her!" A voice shouts above the crowd," What are you waiting for?!"
Irina suddenly grabs my collar and pulls me close, and kisses me passionately. The crowd erupts into cheers, claps, and whistles. We kiss and my nervousness leaves me. For a moment I feel a peaceful bliss. We remove our lips and the crowd cheers ever louder. The Priest shouts," Give it up for our young couple!" I smile awkwardly and suddenly the crowd rushes up the cobblestone steps toward me and Irina. I reach for Irina's hand but I am too late, the crowd surrounds us and lifts us off the ground. We are suspended in the air by the mob that separates us. I desperately reach for Irina to no avail. I can hardly tell what is happening from being tossed about by the many hands of the mob but I feel myself descending. I am carried off for a while, I can no longer spot Irina above the many hands that suspend us. Suddenly I am violently thrown to land on my back into the fountains cold water. I lie in the fountain's pool. I sit up to watch Irina also be dunked into the pool. She quickly sits up laughing and giggling. I chuckle a little at her. She suddenly splashes me with water, the crowd laughes in hysteria.
Our audience soon disperses to partake in further activities. I help Irina out of the fountain pool. "Wasn't that amazing?" she asks as water drips from her hair and dress. "It was definitely something." I reply, soaking wet. "Come on, let's go get something to eat." We walked past the festivities to Butendorf's restaurants that me, Obrenski and Kurtz ate at weeks before. We enter and water drips from us onto the hardwood floor. The restaurant is crowded but there is an open booth by the window. We sit down in the booth and our clothes stick to the hard leather. After a while the waiter emerges. He says,"Hello Irina, I haven't seen you in a while. How is your mother?" "She is fine, it's good to see you again Otto." "You two know each other?" I ask. " Oh Otto is a family friend, he used to help my father in the clinic." she says. "Oh hey kid, where is Obrenski?" "He didn't come with me, I am actually not really supposed to be here." I say. "Ah I see. Are you two on a date?" He asks. Me and Irina blush. "We are." she replies. "Irina, I am so happy for you. And you kid, you better hide her away from that brute." I'll try but you know how he is." I joke. "Any way what would you like?" He asks. I realize I never looked at the menu. "I'll have the potato soup." Irina says. "Good choice. And for you?" He says turning to me. I look at the menu and am overwhelmed with the options. "Roasted chicken with green beans sounds nice." "Alright, sounds good. I'll go get these put in. " He say scribbling on a notepad.
He leaves us and disappears into the kitchen to place our orders. "Irina suddenly asks," So Franz, what do you guys do all day at your post?" "Well nothing really. Mostly just clean the gun and restock supplies. We occasionally shoot at something, sometimes we will run drills at the orders of the Lieutenant." I reply. "What I'd the Lieutenant like?" She asks. I reply,b"He is kind of mysterious. He stays to himself and doesn't really talk about himself a lot. But I know he is a veteran of North Africa and received some kind of award. But he won't talk about it."
"He seems interesting. And Obrenski? He seems like a real pervert." she says. "That's because he is. It's all he talks about. He went to a brothel just the other day." "Really I thought they were outlawed?" she asks." That's because he doesn't care." I state. She asks," How is Kurtz holding up?" I reply," He is better now but I wonder if he really knows what is going on. He is a good kid." "Yeah I know. He is cute." she says. "And what about you, what do you do to pass the time?" "Uh well I like to read a lot, I'll sometimes cook if you consider cooking canned food gourmet." she chuckles," Oh yes, master chef Franz." I smile and say," Yeah we really don't do too much. "Well, I am glad you are here Franz. Are you enjoying the festival? She asks. "Yeah it's great but it's even better with you." I say slyly. She smiles, I know I did good with that one.
Suddenly the waiter returns with our lunch in hand and lays down a bowl of white soup with lumps in it and my plate of sizzling brown chicken breast with greens. It looks delicious. "Now enjoy you two." the waiter says as he leaves us. We eat quietly, I watch as she gingerly slurps her soup. I take my fork and prod into the brown textured meat. I cut myself a chunk of the brown and white steaming meat and take my first bite. It tastes amazing, with its fine texture and juicy flavor. I devour the plate before me and Irina looks at me surprised. I, now realizing that I have probably made a fool of myself. "We don't really have anything good to eat." I state. She makes a funny face and suddenly belches loudly. She put her hand to her mouth embarrassed and looks around for any witnesses. Her face is extremely red, I can't help but laugh at her. She smiles and laughs too as we both share a moment together.
We finish eating and I pay the waiter. As we leave the festival dies down as people begin to leave. There are still games and shows but people seem to be leaving. I think that I still haven't bought her anything nice yet. Ornaments from the glass shop catch my attention. This time I take her by the hand and drag her to the store. My boots still squelch, wet from being dunked. I notice Irina has taken off her heels and walks barefoot on the cobblestone walk.
The magician and juggler continue their shows outside. We pass them and enter into the glass store as we step onto teal tiled floor and observe the dark green wall. To the back is a wood counter with a register. Several shelves display a large variety of glass items. From colorful glass ornaments to blown glass animals and other such objects. Each display a stunning level of craftsmanship. "Franz, what are we doing here?" Irina asks. I reply," I wanted to buy you something." " Really?" she says delightfully surprised, "How sweet of you." She breaks off in search of a new collectable. I admire a blue glass dolphin sitting on a shelf. The little dolphin appears to be riding the little blue glass waves. I would pick something for her but I am not sure what she would like. "Franz? What do you think about this." She unveiled a small glass rose of an opaque red. "I like it." I say. We walk up to a skinny man behind the register. I set the glass rose on the counter and the clerk examines it. "That will be eighty reichsmarks." Eighty! I quickly look through my notes and pray I have enough. I don't! I glance nervously at the impatient cashier and then to an excited Irina. Oh no, I hate to disappoint her. I feel ashamed for not checking the price but what was I to do, put a limit on her. I confess," I don't have it." The cashier presents a rude look and Irina appears disappointed. I feel like a let down, I am so embarrassed. She speaks softly," It's ok Franz, you already got me some beautiful flowers." The cashier appears annoyed and says snobbishly," Maybe next time you should bring the appropriate funds, you will embarrass yourself less." "Hey!" snaps Irina,"At least he is not alone unlike you!" I am astonished at her and apparently so is the cashier. "Come on, we are leaving." She says taking me by the hand and stomping out angrily.
We exit the store and she exclaims," Can you believe that? The nerve of some people." "Yeah he was rude." I join. Suddenly a man on the other side of the square waves at me. I point to myself to confirm, the man nods. I take Irina by the hand and pull her along. " Where are we going?" she asks. "I don't know but let's see what he wants." We approach the man who appears to be the owner of the booth in which the teenagers earlier were attempting to knock down cans in effort to win a prize. He wears a black suit and a top hat and asks," Say lad, do you want to win a prize for your girl?" "Uh yeah, what do I got to do?" I ask. " "Simple." He says pointing down the alley to a wood table that has three sets of five cans stacked in a pyramid. "You get three shots. You knock them all down, I'll give you this." He says revealing in his hand a small oak box. He opens it to show that it is a music box. And inside a small figure of a ballerina twirls slowly to a tune. Irina looks as though it is the most magnificent item she has ever beheld. I decide to go along and say, "Ok I'll play." He quickly slams shut the box and extends his hand open palms. "Ah ah You have to pay first." I knew there was a catch. "How much?" I ask annoyed. "Twelve reichsmarks." Twelve?! I basically could buy that for her. And I'm going to spend it here on a prize I might not win. I want to back out but the look Irina gives me tells me she really wants the music box. I don't want to disappoint her like I did earlier and telling him no would make me look like a coward. I have no choice but to play and he knows it.
I reach into my pocket and hand over the currency. He snatches it up like the fox he is and in return I receive three small stones. I step forward, "Ah, ah, from here." He snaps. From here?! I got to be at least ten feet away. There is no way I would be able to hit them from here. This is such a scam, I feel duped but I don't want to disappoint Irina again so I'll give it a try.
The cans sit there motionless in their pyramid of five, three stacks all together evenly spaced. I feel so much pressure on me that my stomach is in knots. I take my aim and pray for luck, rear my arm back,with stone in hand, and let it fly. It shoots at quite some speed that I am even surprised at. I wait for the inevitable disappointment of a miss, but I am completely shocked. The stone hits the pyramid center left causing it to collapse. I look over to Irina and she looks to me as we are both surprised by my accuracy. "Impressive." the man says," You have two more shots, don't disappoint." I feel a mixture of pride and dread for I don't know if my luck will sustain another attempt. I have to try. I take another stone in hand and rear back before letting it loose. It is equally shocking to watch the projectile hit the center pyramid causing it to collapse. The tin cans klunk on the ground. All of us are too stunned for words. The booth owner, attempting to hide his surprise, utters'" One more shot." I feel confident in myself but also fear. Fear for missing this final throw and disappointing her. Can I really do this? I have been successful this far. I take the next stone in hand, rear back and send the projectile down range. Oh no! I threw it too hard and watch as its flight path led straight into the alley wall. Oh I am doomed, I failed, I'm a failure. But in an incredible stroke of luck, the stone ricochets off the wall and hits the pyramid bottom center causing it to collapse.
Irina jumps with excitement, shouting," You did it!" I did it. I don't believe it but I did it. I stand there stunned, apparently so does the booth owner with mouth agape. Irina goes to collect her prize while he relinquishes it still in disbelief like he can't simply fathom my success. " Oh, thank you so much Franz!" She says kissing me on the cheek. She does a little twirl like a excited child receiving a new present. I smile proudly, my confidence is high and I am glad to have made her so happy. She is so cute when she is excited.
I look at my watch, it's almost four. People have begun to leave and there is significantly less than earlier today though there are still a few festivities going on. I don't want to end my date but the fear of her mother's wrath is enough for me to call an end. "Irina, we should probably start heading back." Her face turns to one of disappointment. "I guess you are right." Both of us don't want it to end but we know that punishment awaits if we break curfew. I extend my hand and we walk hand in hand back to the Kubelwagen.
We travel back to her house and talk gayley of today's experience. I pull up and stop in front of the house. Irina hesitates to leave me, " I had a great time with you today." she states. "Me too." I reply. I lean forward for a kiss. She obviously notices my intentions and kisses me passionately. She retracts her lips and pulls out a small make up case. She takes a stick of lipstick and I applies it gingerly. She then grabs my collar and plants kisses all over my face. My face is now smudged with lipstick and I am thoroughly confused."There."she says,"Something to rile up Obrenski. Thank you Franz, I had a great time with you. I'm so glad you got to see the festival." With that she steps out of the vehicle and walks up the steps to her home. She stands in the doorway and shouts,"I'll write you!" As she waves me off as she enters her home. My day was amazing! I am a little saddened to see her go so soon but I had such a wonderful time. I silently thank Obrenski and Lieutenant Sprieg.
Though it is still daylight, I decided I should probably head back. As my travel through the city continues, I notice a pilgrimage of people leaving the city and it has me terribly confused. The further I go from the city center, the larger the mass of people heading to the outskirts of the city. Just what are these people doing? They crowd the side roads, men, women, and children all traveling to a destination unknown to me.
The sun sits on the western horizon and the day is still cool. As I leave the city I see the cause for the mass exodus, thousands of people all line in rows and go about with baskets and pick the many colors of flowers in the fields before depositing them in their baskets. So many flowers have been picked that a trail of green can be seen behind the massive line of people. They continue their slow harvest of picking the violet, yellow and white flowers. Small children run a head of the pack to pick their choice. Such an odd tradition for an even odder town.
I make it back to the gun pit, still lipstick smudges my face. I park the kubelwagen and see Obrenski reading some sort of magazine, probably a dirty one,in a chair that is leaned against the trench's earth works. The Lieutenant sits at his outdoor desk and listens to the radio through a headphone. Kurtz squats over a small wooden board and plays with what appears to be a top. He examines it curiously as though it were some kind of foreign object. My passage catches Obrenski's attention," Well would you look at that, lover boy is back. Did you do her yet?" asks Obrenski."What, no!" I reply. "Dammit Franz, do you know what I had to do to convince Sprieg to let you go? You had one job." I say sarcastically, "Well sor--ry." He replies" Try harder next time, it shouldn't be that hard to get in her pants."
"Hey, what are you trying to say?!" I demand. "Just look at your face, Its obvious she wants you. You keep holding her back." I guess Irina was right, it definitely riled Obrenski. My face also captures the attention of Kurtz who exclaims in disgust," Franz, ewwww." I jeer back at Kurtz and say, "Well one day you are going to like this." Obrenski chuckles. Kurtz replies," Nah uh, not me. I'll never kiss a girl. Don't you know they have cooties Franz?" Obrenski butts in," You know he is technically right. Better make sure your girl doesnt have any of those "cooties"." I just glare at him and ignore him.
I walk up behind the Lieutenant, who listens intently to the radio. I observe over his shoulder, a small map of continental Europe and watch as he positions little pieces of metal that represent bombers on the map. I assume he is tracking the Allied bomber formations in real time as they fly over Germany and Europe. He catches a glimpse of me and sets down the headphone. He looks at me and ⁶his face turns to surprise. "Well, I would ask how your day went but I think it's safe to say it went well." he says. " Yeah, I had a really good time." I say. He replies," I bet." I reach into my pocket to retrieve the remaining reichsmarks. I remove them and present them to the Lieutenant, stating, " Her sir, you wanted the change." He looks at my outstretched hand and then asks," Did you buy her anything nice?" "I won her a music box." I state proudly. "He replies," Good job Franz. Keep it and save it for the next time you see her." "Thank you Lieutenant. I got her flowers and bought our lunch." I say. "Well that's good. I am proud that you are becoming quite the gentleman." he replies fatherly. "Now what did you do with my uniforms?" he asks. " Uh, still in the car sir." I say." Well go get them." he replies.
I nod and walk back to the parked Kubelwagen. Obrenski mocks me by making kissing faces as I ascend the earthen ramp. I retrive the Lieutenants uniforms and return them to him. I then go to our kitchen sink inside the barracks and try to scrub the lipstick from my face.
I spend the remainder of the evening reminiscing about my day with Irina and how happy I was to be a part of the town's culture. It's definitely a day I won't forget