Chapter 8
Follow me in.
The boy clearly felt queasy in company of the new stranger. I understood that the happenings of the day must be all a bit too much for him. So I did offer some herbal tea and some easy made canapés, and when the boy seemed satiated, what was soon enough, I gently asked him if he wanted to go to bed.
Erik assented readily and relieved. But he hesitated at the door and shyly turned around to bashfully bid us good night. I smiled at him warmly and announced: "I will come in when you are ready and see if everything is good."
That seemed to trouble him, but he did not protest and left quietly.
Mr. Mainbergk looked at me with worry and asked: "Now, you do not want to say that this is a normal visitor. How did you meet the boy and why does he stay here? He is in trouble, and he acts very strange. What do you plan to do with him?"
"You ask a lot of questions at one time, pastor." I sighed and closed my eyes. Then I inhaled deeply and confessed everything. In conclusion I looked at the man, who had become very serious and troubled through my story, and added: "Of course I know it is illegal what I am doing. Of course I know I have to tell my abbess, and of course I know I have to call on the youth welfare office.
"The boy run away from somewhere, and though he obviously does not want to go back, he perhaps has no choice! But I believe he could need a rest, a bit security, some time to pick up courage. And I am willing to provide him the place and time for it. You have not seen the state he was in when I met him! He has obviously been living not only on the streets, but in the woods! And you see he is afraid of men, and that does not come from living in a sound environment!
"I promised the boy I would not cheat him or turn him over to anybody, and you will not cheat me! Mr. Mainbergk, I do not have to remind you on your professional discretion, do I?"
I had enraged myself and looked at him pugnaciously.
He raised his hands in a depressant manner, but stated: "I do not think that indicating a case of kidnapping would be a breach of secrecy. But I agree with you that the boy is so deeply troubled that any betrayal, as he would see it, would cause great damage to his soul. But you must talk to your abbess soon, and you must contact the welfare office!"
"I know. And I will do it. But at the moment I have to look after the boy, he should long be ready by now, and if you don't mind, I am quite tired myself."
He rose at an instant. "Good night, Ms. Julia, I will not bother you any longer. But I will think about what we can do for the boy, if I may take the liberty. Sleep well." And he left.
When I knocked softly at Erik's door, I got no answer, but he was sitting upright in his bed when I peeked in. He wore one of my T-shirts, as I had forgotten to buy pyjamas.
He made a pitiable sight, the small boy sitting obviously afraid in the bed, nearly getting lost in that colossal shirt. It was clear he did not know what was due. He watched me with concern as I sat down on a chair next to the bed.
"Do you feel comfortable, Erik?" I questioned. "Do you need something? Is there anything I can do for you right now?"
Erik nodded at the first and shook his head at the second question, then murmured: "Thank you, Madam, you are too kind . . ." and when the child saw my sad smile, he hastily corrected himself with a hoarse whisper: "Ms. Lubov."
"Do you mind if I say a prayer for you now?" I asked, now myself feeling unconfident. Was it wise to bring out my being a canoness so much?
It seemed to surprise him, but after a second he said: "No, that is all right."
I spoke a short prayer, thanking God for the visitor he had brought to my house and begging him to protect my guest through the night; then I added the Lord's Prayer. Erik did watch me with guided curiosity, remaining completely still while I spoke.
When I finished, I rose immediately and started to go, but I stopped at the bottom of his bed. Lightly and shortly running my hand over the blanket, (and never even coming near the part of the bed where he sat!) I murmured: "Sleep well, Erik" and left.
It was yet early in the evening and as I was still restless, I went into the church to play on my harp for a while. As usual, I did not go there straight, but wandered through the beloved building - and saw: the tin box had been put at it's original place . . .
Normally, I was soon lost into my music, but today the image of the lonesome boy did always return to my mind and I found me ever again memorising the way he had been looking today - at first, that small, dirty bundle, and then, while exploring the church, the eager figure clad in tight black clothes. Erik was so small and thin - the height of a seven year old, and no more than bones, encased only by pale skin, the veins clearly accenting, as they were hardly surrounded by flesh. Though assuming that he might get the figure of a normal child if he gained weight, I had found his hands to be thinner and longer than normal, but oddly pleasant to watch. I had not found out yet, which colour the eyes were which glowed so distrustful behind the mask and were shaded by nearly black, shining hair that fell to his shoulders in light curls.
Everything was quiet when I came home, and I did not look into Erik's room, I feared to wake him.
The next morning came much too fast. It was a Sunday, and to attend to the ten o' clock service was one of our canoness' duties.
