Chapter Seven

"So," he thought as he drifted awake. "This is how it's supposed to be."

Bobby looked down at Marlene; she lay with the upper half of her body curled on his chest. Her head was turned, and her soft hair lightly tickled his chest as it rose and fell with his breaths.

"I've never actually slept with someone in the same bed," Bobby wondered. "I like it. I like it a lot."

He tried not to move; he didn't want to wake Marlene and lose the warm, soft feeling of her body against his.

"Why?" he thought. "Why am I here?" His hand moved, almost of its own will, to barely brush her hair. She stirred slightly and smiled; Bobby's heart soared.

"Stop it," Bobby thought. "Don't analyze…just…just go with it."

His body expressed a basic need. Bobby carefully slid from Marlene's grasp and from beneath the covers. He shivered slightly as the cold air touched his naked body. He stood and gently pulled the covers over Marlene. "Ok," he thought running his hand through his hair, "where's the bathroom."

Bobby returned from the bathroom; Marlene, the same contented smile on her face, still slept. "Did I," he wondered as he slipped on his boxers and T-shirt, "put that there?" He remembered reading that women liked to have men make breakfast for them. "I don't know about her," Bobby thought. "But I'd like it if she did it for me…and I can do that if she's got anything in her kitchen."

"What's that?" Marlene thought groggily. Her half-awake mind couldn't quite identify the rich, warm smell. "Coffee…someone is making coffee…Bobby?" She sat up slowly and stretched. Other scents—of bacon, eggs, and warm bread—reached her. She stood, pulled on her robe, and slid her feet into her slippers. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she padded into the kitchen and paused in the doorway. She smiled. Bobby filled the tiny room, but in spite of his large size he was gracefully moving around the stove. He caught sight of her and smiled at her, and Marlene felt her heart melt.

"Good morning," he said cheerfully and in German. "I was going to hmpf!"

She strode to him and kissed him deeply. After a few moments, he reluctantly pulled away from her. "Hey." Flustered, he switched to English. "The eggs will burn."

"Do you mean to tell me," Marlene said as she untangled from Bobby. "That in addition to everything else, you can cook?"

Bobby smiled as he stirred the eggs. "I have a limited repertoire." He pointed toward a pot with the spoon. "There's coffee."

"I hope," Marlene said as she poured a cup, "that it's not that brown water Americans call coffee." She took a sip. "Wow…it's real coffee!"

Bobby grinned at her reaction.

"I keep forgetting that you're not the typical American," Marlene said.

"I'm not sure there is such a creature," Bobby answered. "There," he said, setting a plate before her.

The eggs, filled with all sorts of things Bobby had salvaged from her refrigerator, were wonderful; it helped that Marlene was ravenously hungry.

"I'm glad you like them," Bobby said.

"Well, I'm glad you knew how to feed me after last night," Marlene replied.

Bobby turned a not unattractive shade of red as he started to clear the table.

"And you clean up after yourself!" Marlene wondered.

"I have many talents," Bobby laughed.

As she moved to help him with the dishes, Bobby took Marlene by the waist and kissed her hungrily. "Some of them I just learned about," he said in a suddenly husky voice. "And I'd like to practice them…"

Marlene was glad that she'd told her mother she wouldn't be able to visit her this day and that she'd recently visited the grocery. They spent the day in bed, leaving only for food and drink (occasionally employing some items such as chocolate sauce in creative ways) and joint forays into the showers. They made love, taught each other the obscene slang of their respective languages, made love, wrestled, made love, talked, and made love. Bobby's energy and curiosity were unending; Marlene had never been so exhilarated and so exhausted. It was dusk, with shadows creeping up the bedroom walls, before they both lay quietly in the bed. Marlene lay curled on Bobby's chest; one of his hands tenderly twisted through her hair. He was big and warm and strong, and Marlene listened to his heartbeat soothe her.

"I'm sorry," his voice rumbled in her ear. "I need to get back…"

She rose reluctantly from his grasp and looked at him. "Already?"

He smiled at her. "It's been two days…I think it's time." He hesitated for a moment; his hand began making soft circles on her back. "I…this…this was good for you, Marlene? I didn't hurt you…or take up your time…"

She folded her arms and rested again on his chest. "It…it was wonderful, you big, beautiful boy…it's the best use of my time I've had in a long time."

He swallowed. "I…I promise…next time…we'll get out of your apartment…that is…" His voice became soft and uncertain. "If there is a next time…"

"Of course there'll be a next time," Marlene said with a gentle laugh.

"Thank you," he whispered. His voice trembled. He kissed her deeply and slipped out of the bed.

"I should be able to get leave next weekend…I'll call you tomorrow…if that's all right…"

She lay back against the pillows and watched as he put on his clothes; she liked to watch the muscles in his back move as he stretched and leaned. "It's more than all right…and if you don't call me, I'll call you until you answer." She moved to rise from the bed, but he stopped her.

"No…please…don't get up…it's cold…and if you come with me, I'm not sure I'll be able to get on the bus."

She smiled at him.

He pulled his sweater over his head and looked down at her. "Marlene…thank you…so much…these two days…" He struggled to speak. "This has meant so much…thank you…."

His gratitude broke her heart. "You're welcome…and thank you as well."

He leaned over her and kissed her gently on the forehead. "Goodbye, you beautiful, gold, angel."

She couldn't think; he was at the door before she could voice her thoughts. "Bobby?"

He turned, and she thrilled to the site of him framed in the doorway. "Please, Marlene," he said in a husky voice. "If you argue with me, I won't be able to go."

Holding the blankets to her, she sat up. "I won't," she said gently. "It's just…considering where we work…I think it would be a good idea…if we're quiet about this."

He cocked his head for a brief moment as he considered her words. "Of course…it would be difficult…especially for you…" He glanced at his watch. "I'm sorry…I have to go…"

"Goodbye, you beautiful boy."

He smiled at her, turned and left; she heard the door click shut. Marlene rose and wrapped her robe around her body. She moved to the bedroom window and peered through the curtains. She saw Bobby standing at the bus stop beneath the street light; he leaned against the small shelter and gazed up at her window. His breath created small, wispy clouds in the light. She smiled at the sight, and then her breath caught in her throat as he stepped away from the shelter and spun gracefully and joyously around the light.

End Chapter Seven