Berlin blood

They stood and looked at each other for about five minutes. They needed time to comprehend the emotions, to catch up with them and catch them by the tail, because both were so looking forward to this meeting, they imagined it so often that they were now convincing themselves of the reality of what had happened. Charlotte was the first to come to her senses, her frozen wide smile was replaced by a much more sincere one, hidden in the corners of her eyes. “August,” she put her hand on his shoulder. He lowered his eyelids for a second, throwing off the joyful numbness, and with tenderness returned his gaze to the features of her face, which time had managed to slightly erase from his memory. — What’s happened? “Today is Christmas,” she answered simply. August was clearly thinking a little differently. — Sorry… I didn’t prepare for the holiday, I didn’t even clean up. And I don’t have a gift. The girl laughed. No, that’s not what she came for. “I didn’t think you’d be ready.” Let’s celebrate with me? August thought that he was terribly tired and it would be nice to go home to at least change his clothes, but Charlotte picked up her suitcase and pulled him down the stairs by the sleeve. The man, noting with pleasure how easy it was for him, succumbed to her desire. — Do you think Agnet and Franz won’t mind? — No, of course not. “Okay then,” he took the suitcase from her, and they walked along the snowy streets of the city, illuminated by a thousand lights. Charlotte plunged into this atmosphere again: winter was her favorite time of year, she always looked forward to it, she loved light fluffy snow and little children’s pleasures like snowballs. And she liked the cold more than the summer heat and scorching sun. The streets were deserted, as on the eve of the holiday many townspeople had already gone to their cozy homes. A fresh tent creaked under their feet, and they enjoyed this quiet sound until Augustus decided to ask: — What is there in France? It seemed to him that now she had lived her whole life without him, and no words could help undo the time she spent alone without him. In another country, everything should be different, she has probably changed… So, she uses a new lipstick — some other shade, it’s very noticeable and suits her. On the other hand — he noticed this first of all — his gift is on her, which means there is still something left, which means she came for a reason? — Very warm. The climate is softer, French everywhere — to me it seems chirping and at the same time round. The French women all have such funny little grimaces,” she turned to him and made a “grime” face. — No, I won’t succeed on purpose… Have you been to France? — I? — August was taken by surprise by the question. In truth, his parents often went somewhere, but never took him with them, leaving him in the care of their tutors. And yet he visited some countries, since he was allowed several almost independent trips. — I was in Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria. There is nothing special to tell, only that in Austria we had another estate, and it also had to be sold to pay off debts. But in France — never. Mia was there, but for some reason they didn’t let me. “France corrupts,” Charlotte said thoughtfully. Augustus wanted to ask for confirmation that the girl had not verified from her own experience the extent to which this country corrupts, but restrained himself. Charlotte, not noticing her companion’s doubts, continued: “And everyone wears light.” It was only after leaving Germany that I realized how much we love dark shades. It’s no wonder that we appear cold and distant to others. — Are you glad to be back? — Yes of course. At least it doesn’t dazzle your eyes so much,” she grinned. August realized that she was joking, and now was simply not the time for loud words about how much she loved him, or how happy she was to finally see him after separation. He sighed peacefully, lightly pressing her warm hand to him. *** Agnet was running around the house. She was torn between Franz, who could not put up the Christmas tree, and the kitchen. Agnet was very worried. Charlotte didn’t warn her about anything, but it was worth assuming that she wouldn’t come alone. — Franz! If you don’t put up the Christmas tree right now, I’ll make a blanket out of you! “I understand you, sister, I’m trying, but tell me, since when did decorating the Christmas tree in our family become the responsibility of men?” — Since we officially moved away from our parents, but if something doesn’t suit you, then I ask you to return to your native land! — No no no, no need, just not there. Better go straight to hell! — Franz denied half-jokingly. “Then don’t ask stupid questions,” Agnet waved it off, unusually nervous for herself. She took the pie out of the oven and flew over to the frying pan in which the meat was being fried. — By the way, do you think she will come with him? — Franz unexpectedly asked this question. He really was interested. — What?! “I can’t hear,” Agnet shouted from the kitchen. “I say,” Franz walked into the kitchen. — Do you think she will come with him? “I think that without him she would not have come at all,” the girl answered with a certainty that arose from somewhere. — Why? — Because I would have stayed to celebrate with him. Franz,” Agnet sighed. “I understand that you want to believe that she came for us.” But this is unlikely. We didn’t ask her to leave, you understand. “I don’t really understand why it was necessary to run so far.” — I think it was hard for her. Maybe she wasn’t running away from him or us, but from herself. Remember that incident with Mark? She has always been like this — it’s easier to pull away than to look straight into the eyes of not only your love, but also your fears and your doubts… Agnet spoke so confidently that if Franz had been more empathic, he would have realized long ago that Agnet was in love, that she was going through similar things herself. But he only agreed: — You’re right. However, the real battle is yet to come. — What are you talking about? — I’m talking about parents. You didn’t think that we would hide this from them forever? What if she marries him? Agnet sighed heavily. It would be much easier to silence the situation, but Franz sees to the root. “I think it’s not for us to decide,” she answered. — OK. Ooh, she’s here, do you hear? “Franz raised his finger up and Agnet actually heard the call. Only Charlotte pressed the bell so carefully, without pushing it all the way, which made it rattle unpleasantly. Both ran into the corridor to meet her. Agnet, throwing off her apron, immediately began to hug her sister as soon as she entered the threshold of the house. Her scent changed a little, and when she pulled away, Agnet noticed her younger sister’s refreshed appearance and good mood. — How are you? How did you get there? “Agnet immediately bombarded her with questions. It was hard for her to perceive Charlotte as an adult girl, although she had long been able to live independently. The men shook hands, August handed Franz his sister’s suitcase, while the girls felt and looked at each other. — Okay, Agnet, I’m fine. And she arrived without incident, everything is fine,” she turned around and looked at August, who still stood as if he was not at home. He, looking at the warm embrace of his sisters, at the joyful face of Franz, suddenly felt longing for his family, in which it was not customary to show such emotions, just as it was not customary to celebrate Christmas and other family days together. It went without saying that Augustus was fine if he showed up occasionally in the living room or sent letters once a month. “August,” Agnet also sensed that the guest was not at ease. — Would you like to celebrate Christmas with us? “To be honest, I don’t know what I would do if you refused me hospitality,” Augustus said without irony. “I would go back and wait for your younger sister in my dark apartment.” The sisters laughed. — Please come in, today we will have fun. Charlotte, please put on something festive,” Agnet turned her back to her sister and went to the kitchen. “Of course,” Charlotte shouted towards the kitchen and beckoned Augustus to follow her. “Look what I have,” Charlotte put down her suitcase and took out a red dress with a deep neckline and a sun skirt; in addition to it, she took out shoes that she also brought from France and rather massive pearl earrings that perfectly complemented the look. “You will look simply gorgeous,” August noted to himself that Charlotte had finally recovered and was no longer so thin. The girl, smiling flattered, began to take off her traveling clothes. Yes, her beautiful body no longer resembles a skeleton. In the neckline of the new dress, her graceful collarbones became clearly visible, the bodice lifted her breasts, and her slender legs, which drove him crazy, disappeared under the skirt just below the knees. Charlotte put new jewelry in her ears, pinned up her hair that barely touched her shoulders, and straightened the chain of his pendant. “Tell me, August,” she walked up to August, who was sitting on the bed, and lifted his chin. — Why did you say in the letter that you are an evil person, but you are my person? Of the entire letter, I could not understand only these lines. “It didn’t even bother you that I called you Charlotte Scholz?” — he clearly understood what she meant and what game she decided to play. — No, it didn’t bother me, it was clear from the very beginning. She managed to surprise him. Yet he forgot what it meant to be with her. — But… — Are you surprised? I tell fortunes with cards. Don’t underestimate their power. At this moment, Augustus would not have been able to laugh, despite all his skepticism. Charlotte looked like a real fortune teller, a fortune teller, mysterious and even a little frightening in her insight. The girl herself destroyed the veil of mystery, laughing lightly and burying herself in his shoulder. Augustus thought about the power of women to convince men in love with them of anything. He kissed the girl’s ear, shaking with laughter, pulled her away and asked: — I could also use a refreshment after a day of work, can I use your bathroom? “Yes, of course,” she immediately became serious. Having washed and tidied up his hair, August went out into the living room and sat down at the table. The kitchen was filled with the sounds of pleasant festive bustle, and the cheerful voices of Charlotte and Agnet were heard. Sometimes they came out to bring something to the table and smiled, and August watched what was happening around. Watching how Agnet continues to place food on the table, how Franz quarrels with Charlotte, who has cleaned herself up and left the room, and tries to convince Franz that one bottle of champagne for everyone is not enough, and they need to go get one more. Time seems to have frozen outside the boundaries of this room, and August is trying not to spill this feeling of ringing peace within himself. Perhaps he remembered at that moment his distant childhood, when he sat in the same way and waited for a miracle. He was waiting for his mother to come in her beautiful dress and say that he was doing well, when his sister would pinch his cheek and say that he was small and would never become big, and he would stand on a chair and proudly say that he was a boy, and this means that no matter how adult his sister is, he will always protect her. She will say that a miracle does not exist, and he will say that it exists and their relatives will watch their disputes. August woke up when she appeared before his eyes. —August, are you okay? “Charlotte, like Franz and Agnet, looked at him with concern; apparently, he again did not respond immediately. — Yes, I’m fine, no need to worry. — Well, then let’s have a drink! — Charlotte raised her glass. — So that in the new year everything will turn out much better than we could have expected. The glasses clinked over the table and everyone drank. “And now I want everyone to go dance, today everyone should have fun,” with these words she climbed onto the table that stood nearby — they never used it — and began to dance something dynamic to the beat of the music. Franz, who watched all this, just laughed. Yes, it’s still so good to look at her tear-free face like this and understand that she is happy. Closer to two or three o’clock in the morning, he went out to smoke on the balcony in his coat, following August, who had left a little earlier. — Why are you looking at me like that? — August turned to him. “I didn’t want to impose on you, I just wanted to make her happy.” — Yes, I’m not telling you anything, you just know what I understood this evening? If she eats better and sleeps better next to you, you can become a member of our family. “I think we’ll make this official soon,” he winked at Franz. — By the way, what is your relationship with your parents? — Well… very bad, armed neutrality, I won’t say too much, I’ll just say that we are not a very prosperous family, unlike yours, we certainly didn’t pretend to love each other, however… — he paused — our mother was mentally unstable. they were admitted to the clinic, and the father was even worse — he put out the cigarette and they both left the balcony, the girls sat and talked in the kitchen. *** Agnet, having cleared what was left from the table, sat down to talk with Charlotte, she was worried about the future fate of her sister. — Charlotte, tell me, you brought Augustus here for a reason? “He’s going to marry me,” Charlotte said, not without satisfaction, and enjoyed the look of her surprised sister. — Immediately after your return? It seemed to me that you had something to discuss. — Agnet, please don’t lecture me. Yes, right away, so what? Besides, you must understand me. — What are you talking about? “I noticed you looking into your wallet, there was some kind of photograph there.” Fell in love? — I’ll tell you about this later. You better tell me what you are going to tell your parents? — Absolutely nothing. They have no right to… — Charlotte! — the sister interrupted her by jumping up, which attracted the attention of the men coming out from the balcony. — What are you discussing? — August sat down and kissed Charlotte on the cheek. He no longer hid his feelings, he felt good. “I asked Charlotte what she would do, because now she is not your personal secretary,” Agnet did not tell the truth. “Yes, I care about this too,” Franz turned to his sister. — I was thinking about working in one of the photo studios. In France I mastered the art of photography, now I can apply my skills. — Wonderful. Photography is now quite a profitable business, you don’t have to worry about you,” Agnet summed up, while looking at her sister suggestively. Both understood that she would not forget about the unfinished conversation. *** Charlotte closed the doors and finally collapsed on the bed with August, taking off her shoes. She stretched her feet, tense from a whole evening of dancing, and sometimes squinted with pleasure. She had a wonderful evening, singing and dancing, giving gifts. She especially liked the scent she had brought for August—the warm, cinnamon scent she had long associated with him. August, having pulled off his shirt, lay on the floor and, having gotten rid of her dress, she rolled into his arms. “You asked why I called you that in the letter…” he kissed the top of her head. — Because only with you I am ready to be weak and defenseless, only you can see me broken. I love you Charlotte Brown. This is how their year began. And they will spend it inseparably.