Amber smiled. He valued Teunie's company. Three hours later Amber's father arrived.
The anchor posts driven into the riverbed were still strong and sturdy despite their age and the black barnacles clinging from the base of the trunk to the water level. The fisherman tied the canoe's rope to the post, so the current's attempt to carry the canoe was in vain. Small white bubbles appeared around the canoe. He looked at the hut that was very similar to the other fishermen's huts, they had the same construction standard. He entered through the door where there was a scarlet crest symbol of his family. He greeted the two boys with a smile. Amber hugged him while her father placed the bag full of fish on the floor.
– Will you stay with us tonight Teunie? – The fisherman wanted to know.
– Yes. – Teunie said with a wide smile.
– I'm going to make another bed. Meanwhile, the two of you are treating the fish you brought. In two days I will go out again to the fishing house to the south.
– I want to go with you, my father.
– You stay. I need you here. I'll take Teunie; I already spoke to your father. – She said lastly, looking at the guest.
Teunie was overjoyed. Amber was happy with the task her father gave her. The boys went out and started working with the fish. She had shrimp, lobster, sea bass and mullet. All alive and jumping around in the bag. This fish was only for household consumption. Teunie could already smell the cooking that would be prepared with the shrimp. Amber looked out into the night. She was worried. Would Andries have reached his mill safely?
When Andries and Marinus left the hut, the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon. They followed the trail towards the windmills.
– You are weird. – Andries said.
– Strange? Why?
– When he is in Gehucht he is always close to me. And when he is not near me he is never in Gehucht.
– And "when" I'm not in Gehucht?
– When you're not close to me.
– That's not what I asked, I mean, I'm always in Gehucht. Let's go! – Said Marinus, taking Andries' hand and running towards the first wooden bridge from which one could already smell its characteristic smell in the air.
Andries didn't like the interruption of the conversation, but he soon forgot about it. He enjoyed the rush. The fresh wind blowing, the shouting they made running, and the victorious arrival at the end of the bridge.
Marinus was full of mysteries. – Andries thought. – Sometimes his friend's arcane behavior scared him. Whenever he could, he preferred to stay away from him.
Andries felt safe crossing the bridge despite the violent current running underneath. It was made of strong wooden planks. As he went, he ran his hand over the rough wooden handrail. Whenever he walked across the bridge, he liked to slide his hand on the railing, but every now and then a splinter would get into his skin. He remembered this and was undecided whether to continue sliding his hand, to stop altogether or to do so by watching the wood that was coming in front of him to avoid any splinter or other that he saw. Finally he decided to take his hand off the railing.
– From here I go alone. – Andries said upon arriving on the other side of the first bridge.
– But we will pass through the same bridges! I will go with you.
– No, you won't. I know a secret path. But it's a secret. I can't show it to anyone. Go ahead. Then I will go.
Marinus didn't understand his friend, but he had his commitment; he couldn't prolong that conversation any longer.
– Okay, I'll see you the day after tomorrow. – He said, taking long steps.
– See! Tomorrow you disappear from Gehucht. – He said in a loud tone, as Marinus was already ahead.
When his friend was further away, he still shouted hoarsely in an unconscious hope that he wouldn't understand the words:
– I saw you the other day following the trail towards the forgotten forest. – But Marinus had already disappeared from sight, which he found with relief. He wasn't sure if he wanted his friend to know that he knew the fact. A fear rose in his stomach. Fear took the form of a white serpent that was trapped and writhing in its icy belly. Had he heard the words?
Life in Gehucht ran its course. More than ten years have passed. The children grew up. In the living room of the landlords' main residence, two friends were talking by the window and exchanging affection.
– Andries! My sweet Andries! - Amber said, passing her rough hand as gently as she could on the soft face covered by her friend's long blond hair.
– You know we can't do it here. – Andries said, refusing the affection. – At least not until my father agrees to our union. He takes great pleasure in my approach to Marinus. He already told me that. Derrick, Marinus's father, had saved my father's life many years ago. Since then they have been inseparable friends. My father owes a deep debt of gratitude to his savior and wants to unite our families. Marinus has great love for me, says my father. Uniting our families would please him. I explained to him that Marinus doesn't like me, but he occasionally brings up the subject again, trying to persuade me. When I talk about you, sparks come out of your eyes. He refuses to see the love I feel. The possibility of marrying you is as distant to my father as the sky is to the bottom of the river. My brothers are already married to girls from good families, it's only up to me to make the union with the other family he loves. It won't be easy to bend your will. We may never achieve it. Marinus likes me, he would be a good husband, says my father.
– We need to change this. I'll talk to your father. You were always mine.
– And you from me. But I don't know if there's much we can do. My father is authoritarian and very influential in this village. He is the patriarch of the landlord families. His will prevails here, but especially within my family. A simple look from him is already an unquestionable order. Sometimes I panic and think about going somewhere far away and getting married. Then we come back and he will have to accept the fait accompli. What do you think of that?