Chapter 4

It was date night, and Wilhelm had just arrived at the Maraschino house. He walked to the front door and knocked, smiling as it was opened. He started to say something and… was that Marty?! Wilhelm was stunned! Her hair was lightly teased, and she was wearing a dark red jacket,, white pedal pushers, and a pair of red wedges. Her lips were an enticing shade of red. "Hey Wilhelm," she purred. "What's shakin'?"

Wilhelm smiled. "My knees," he said weakly.

Marty giggled and draped her arm over his shoulder. "You know what?" She purred, running her finger in circles on his chest. "I think that you… are the living end."

Wilhelm made a low purr in his throat. "Really now?" He said softly. "Perhaps we could go… meet my parents now?"

She kissed his cheek. "Let's go," she whispered alluringly.

When they got to Wilhelm's house, he smiled. "My mother made beef stroganoff," he said. It's raspberry strudel for desert."

Marty noticed, when she walked in, that there was a large orange lump on the couch.

"Meow…" it said. "Meow?"

Marty walked over to the cat, petting it as it purred loudly. She then headed to the kitchen as the cat let out a long, lazy meow.

"Ooh…" said a small girl in wonder. "You're beautiful! No wonder my brother likes you!"

"Thanks," said Marty. "I used to babysit a couple of years ago. I actually watched a girl who looked like you."

"Why'd you stop?"

"My dad wanted me to focus on school," said Marty, "as you go up in grades, it gets a little harder. You must be Erika."

She took Marty's hand and squeezed it gently.

"I didn't know you liked children," said Maximilian.

"It depends on the child. Some are good, some are little demons."

"Ooh I have got war stories like you would not believe l, young lady," said Wilhelm's mother with a chuckle.

"Tell her about little Heinz Schmidt, Mama," said Wilhelm.

"Ooh he was a little hellspawn! He got angry one time and dumped an inkwell over my head!"

By that time, dinner was ready. Wilhelm, of course, sat next to Marty. When they were full, they headed to the Drive in.

The movie was an action movie, The Vikings. Wilhelm was an absolute sucker for stories about ancient heroes, and Marty did like Kirk Douglas for his acting ability, and was genuinely interested in the film.

She sighed. "I'm getting a bit warm," she muttered, removing her jacket and revealing a red strapless shirt.

Wilhelm smiled. He yawned and stretched, grabbing a handful of popcorn. Their hands met in the bucket.

"Ooh," he said. "I.. I'm sorry… I…"

"It's alright," Marty said softly.

When the movie was over, Marty smiled. "What now? It's only ten, and I don't have to be home until midnight."

"Well I picked the movie," said Wilhelm, "so you decide."

"Can… can we just go to Lover's Lane? Just… just to unwind?"

When they got to the cliffs overlooking town, Marty smiled. "I'm surprised… usually, the guy makes… some kind of move. I… do you… don't you like me?"

Wilhelm cleared his throat. "I… I do, I… I just respect you too much to invade your space like that."

"I get it," she said tenderly. "You don't want to make me feel like… like you're taking advantage. That's…". She rested her head on his shoulder. "That's really cool," she said softly. She gently took his hand. "But you… you wouldn't be invading my space. Wilhelm, I like you… I…". She draped Wilhelm's arm around her shoulder. "I really… really… like you, Wilhelm."

Wilhelm held Marty close, taking the hint.

She rested her head on his chest, listening to him breathe. "You… you do feel the same, don't… don't you?"

Wilhelm smiled. "Of course I do. I've always been interested, but I never thought you'd go for me. I would have told you sooner, but… well, I was simply too apprehensive that you'd dash my hopes. I just…"

"Shhh…" Marty whispered, placing a gentle finger on his lips. "It's alright."

Wilhelm kissed her forehead gently. "I want you happy, and I want you safe," he said gently.

"I have never," she said gently, "felt happier, or safer, in my life."

"I just hope that… well, I would hate to muck this up…"

Marty closed her eyes. "There's not a thing in the world that could mess this up," she whispered.

"I'll always be here for you, Kirschelein," said Wilhelm softly.

"Mmm?"

"Kirschelein… it means 'little cherry.'"

Marty blushed, smiling. "Because of my last name… like the cherry." She sighed dreamily, snuggling into Wilhelm as he looked at his watch. Noticing the time, he drove towards her house. By this time, she had stretched herself across the seat, propping her dainty feet up on the door. Her chest rose and fell slowly, and her whole body had gone limp.

Marty had fallen asleep.