Empirical son chp15 Sassnitz German
Past, present, submissive?
At 07:05 o'clock our train rolls out of Zagreb to Villach, Austria: We'll transfer to a German train for the run to Munich. About nine hours of relaxing mostly scenic views from the train car. We've taken over the six front rows. Jason has two local CPO with us; switching locals CPO at Villach.
Sitting side by side, watching the countryside float by. I love train travel, Jason not so much as security is harder. But he keeps a distance, as does Samuel. Giving us the illusion of just us here and now.
Between ogling the landscape and each other: We snacked on the cheese platter, cold cuts, and a bottle of Nigl Freiheit Grüner Veltliner (white wine), Vesna laid on us at the last minute. Teasing that she stole it from Papa cellar.
The scenic climb into the mountains was worth the time. Giving us time to relax and talk about present and future. For the first time in our relationship; it's just us for the day. No business, family, or even friends. Just being in those magical, wordless, tactile moments of love.
Samuel smirking hands us a packed a lunch from Sara: The train lunch fare is not very filling or healthy. The Croatian version of sliced beef sandwich with slaw hot enough to have me chugging my water. Was delicious. The crowded car and attentive staff, spoils any steel wheel certificate as Christian purrs his frustration. We will have to wait till the hotel.
We are staying at the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost. Enjoying a late dinner and very late sleep. The alarms on the cell phones are annoying, must not let the sex god keep me awake with these very early trains departure.
The 05:53 from Munich; The train's 1st class cars, have the traditional 6-seat compartments. We have two for the trip north to the Baltic Sea. The hotel packed us a very nice European breakfast. I curl up on MY Guy's lap with a very comfy pillow, napping most of the way to Berlin. Christian worked on his laptop, cell phone and completed two video conference with Roz in Malaysia and Andrea in Seattle.
It is not fair we had the same number on minutes sleeping last night and he look fresh as a daisy. I only feel better after the nap this morning. Stretching and twisting to wear off the cobwebs thru the Berlin suburbia. Turning some complicated yoga twist I remember from Madison's classes. Chris is slack jawed, drooling, and glassed eyed. His main brain in painfully tenting his slacks. "OMG! You pervert." I whisper teasing him, as a smile creases his face. "OMG! You pervert, teasing me here and now when I can't do anything to you. Tease! Wait till tonight! I'll show you, my OMG perverted mind." He whispers back, as we slide into the main station for the transfer. Laughing, we gather are gear and leave the train.
During the short transfer in Berlin. Christian preorder a lunch from Restaurant Buschbeck's, Fancy waiters delivered to us on the Platform. Seems traffic was a little snarled, as they hand us the food as the conductor scream 'get on board.'
We've again, taken over the front six rows of 1st class car. Sitting side by side again, Enjoying the meal on the Stralsund to Bergen auf Rügen. Teasing Christian to pay attention to me and not work. We fight over the last tomato in his salad. I win! Laughing at his pouting, teasing, sexy, smile. sucking the little cherry bomb in my mouth, rolling around my cheek. He curls my toes and wets the nether regions with is whispers perversions.
"OH baby, you know what I like" in the fake bass of the Big Bopper, I taunts him. We watched the movie on the way to Croatia.
"Chantilly lace and a pretty face. And a pony tail to be hanging on to" He sing a little prose. Kissing and laughing; we enjoy the scenic farmland and towns. He will be very relaxed when he starts the next video conference.
After the meal and our post lunch meander; Christian works on his laptop, as I widow gaze and read a fascinating e-book; Fairy tales from the Isle of Rügen from 1896. Train ride reminds me of the train from Portland to Seattle. Farmlands and small towns. Forcing a break from the stuff business stuff; Reading aloud to my man from the e-book fairy tales 'The Burning Money' has him scowling at me. I laugh and kiss him happy.
Bergen auf Rügen arrives in no time. There Christian's lawyers meet us with Mercedes-Benz GL550 tanks for our drive to coastal Sassnitz. We cruise along as lawyers and manger brief Christian. The tires will have to be changed, the road is rough and the thin tire make my ass feel every one of the damn potholes and ridges. I text Samual to see about smoother tread.
Topping the hills into the Sassnitz is like stepping back in time, with rude intrusions of modern life and buildings. The town reminds me of Gray Harbor back home. I can feel the German foreboding very intense here.
We are in the lovely Fürstenhof Sassnitz Ferienwohnungen on the beach. The top apartment is well stocked and ready for us. But before we can test the bed or the sofa. Christian's local group (lawyers and mangers), with their wives take us to dinner at the Neptun's Restaurant. I feel out of place and ignored. This is the thing I most feared. They act like I am an airhead adornment.
There is a disconnect, between the documents and what the lawyers briefed in the car. With their speeches now. Christian face tells me he knows something is amiss. Waiting for the right moment, over dessert: laying waste to the wives and mangers. Their misconceptions about me, US! Will see if they last the week. From several wives faces, I suspect they know they are headed south soon, very soon.
Tracing my hand under the tablecloth along his inseam. Smiling in the that, I've got a secret. He relaxes, time tomorrow for business and my ogre to stomp. I'm more than his fiancée and pretty face. I'm his queen, and they will learn, I protect my man at all cost. They are cowering as we say are good-nights and make our way back the hotel.
We relax, walking back under the spaced light poles along the shore path. The train ride has been relaxing and nice. But travel so far, so fast is still stiffing. The walk is nice and stretching and relaxing after the powder keg dinner. Will need to get with Gwen and Andrea; a prep better for these things. Once back at the third-floor suite. Christian does some work on his laptop, business in the states for an hour. I work on the assignment Andrea layout for me.
Scheduling things to do that make Christian happy and more well-rounded. Museums, hikes, thing we can both enjoy. Forcing my Ogre be human and learn to woo and relate to humanity better. Moving him and thus us forward. Also making sure the staff here is tuned to what he said today and tonight at the dinner. Their shocked that I'm more than a kept woman. "Cross me at your peril people." As I lay waste to bullshit, they were lathering up earlier.
After the work come the playful relaxation and more, mostly wordless nude massaging each other. And making love till the stars fade. Or we do in exhaustion.
We skip breakfast in the hotel. Sitting over coffee and tea across the road at Die Kleine Konditorei Sassnitz: snacking on the local pastry offerings. We are enjoying the view; the weather is turning with a summer storm on the horizon. We are just teasing each other as the first meeting is not till 10am.
We think a walk south along the shore to Erlebniswelt U-Boot Museum. It opens at nine Christian is interest touring the World War Two relic. Ancient Nautical things remind him of Sam, his chosen father figure. Jason can have the cars cruise us to the engineering firm's building. It's walking distance from our hotel, only about 8 minutes.
Christian tenses, I turn toward the hotel. A dozen women and children carrying signs demanding we leave come streaming down the street. Shit! They are really pushing their luck. Demeaning me as some kind of extreme BDSM submissive or sex slave. I don't understand why this is happening and why to me. But I'm boiling over in the best tradition of a Steele. Cold, methodical, and lethal.
Standing and pushing Chris back down. "SIT! STAY! JASON, I MEAN IT." I stomp out with my CPO Samual following me. "Sam, stay back" I hiss. Looking at the rabble and spotting the leader.
A woman not much older than Roz. From the brief most of the engineers are in their thirties to early forties. I walk up to her and get nose to nose and just keep crowding her. Till she hits a wall. "You speak English?"
"yes"
"You have health insurance?"
"Yes, who are you?"
"You're going to need it, since that my name on your sign."
"You are the submissive?"
"NO! I am the fiancée. (sticking my new ring in her face; Christian asked before we left Rijeka) Never been a submissive or into BDSM."
"We were told you are slave?"
"Who told you lies and how much longer do you hold that sign in my face: I really want to break your face." I sneer at her; she breaks, dropping the sign and looking for an escape.
"Anna are you ok?" Say another sign carrying blond woman with two small boys. We both turn to her.
Pointing at the German bitch "No, This Anna is going to the hospital. Call an Uber or ambulance for her." I take the sign from blonde hands and toss it away. Several other crowd me. "Good! The more the merry!"
"HALT! SSTOP! HÖR SOFORT DAMIT AUF!" From the city side of lane. We all turn, to a Sergeant Schultz looking police man. He wades in and separates us. "Put those signs down, Bringen Sie diese Schilder an. Du gehst mit den Kindern ins Café und besorgst ihnen Getränke. Der Rest von euch. Das ist nicht erlaubt (You take the children to the café and get them drinks. The rest of you. This is not allowed)."
"We have the right to prevent them from taking our company" the blond short one barks. Like that is a reason for this bullsh #.
"So personal attack on me. Tit-for F #$king-tat" I steam and ready to throw down. I am nearing the rage monster in my heart.
"Nein. NO! this stops here. You will not be making any movies here." he gets in my face. What is he talking about?
"Movies! What are you talking about! My boyfriend company is buying their engineer firm!" I scream the beach down. He turns to the tall brunette leader and barks till she is trying to crawl under the street pavers. The other wives and girlfriends have fled to the café. Leaving brunette, short blond and me under the Sergeant Schultz glare.
"They said your company is immoral and they don't want to sell." He asks, more to them than me. But I know they have lied their asses off.
"MY fiancée company; I'm just his girlfriend. I didn't know they existed till about two weeks ago. A why is Christian's company immoral?" I demand. As several of our lawyers wander up with more local CPO. They talk a bunch of 'capitalist bullshit and generalization about Americans.' The cop is losing patience with this bullshit. From the painful look on his face. Several more cops arrive. He has them herd the other wives' home and the children to school. Has the two ring leaders taken to police headquarters. The two deflated faces tell me they gambled and lost.
"I am sorry that happened. I don't know why they are that stupid. They told us this morning that you were going to film an BDSM film on the beach. That was false and they will visit the magistrate for that." he says as Christian walks up and hugs me.
Christian in rapid German, deals with everything. My hot man speaks German. Quickly the company lawyers start earning their pay, realizing he speaks German. They have some groveling to do. He takes my hand and we walk south to the U-boat Museum. Chris is a little bummed; it's a British submarine HMS Otus. A not a German submarine. But like it anyway.
We spend the day wandering the town, shops, and cafes. Purposely avoiding the book store, they are for later. As the company deals with the engineering firm over this morning and all the other attempts to defeat us. We may have to stand witness. But nothing comes by dinner. We eat in the hotel and just relax looking at the stars and ships cruise east of us. Wearing the bed out. I wonder if we will be charged for it?
Next day:
We walk about 10 minutes to the old house on the Weddingstraße near Waldstraße. Most of the senior engineers and their family live across the street in apartments. The tired and wore building, looks built during the East German years. Tells me more about the firm than the briefs the company and lawyers gave.
Arriving at the engineer firm; they are subdued. The meeting is hostile and final. As Christian finish buying the company and fires all five senior partners causing all the problems. The five senior partners are angry. Christian is selling the building. And states the headquarters is moving across town.
The fired engineers will have to move away as they don't have the money and can't compete with us now; to stay here. I don't feel bad about them at all. I can't believe they were that stupid and insulting. Like a personal attack could have worked at all. These are suppose to be the smart ones.
The new headquarters building on Merkelstraße about 3kilometers away from the old house. Is closer to where most of the junior staff live anyway. Setting one of his people as the new boss. They hammer out the move and how the technological advance will be distributed within the company.
They are a surly bunch, with jobs. "YOU COULD BE WITH THE SENIOR ASSHATS ON THE CURB!" I bark. They quickly calm and start to be civil. The two women engineers seem the best adjusting. Will make an effort to connect with them.
The accountants start tearing apart the ledgers before we leave. I take my man for a short trip to Schwanenstein off Lohme.
Wander a bit before the sunset. We eat during sunsets light show of orange, reds, and yellows at the Panorama Restaurant Lohme; enjoying my man and the Scholle still "Finkenwerder Art" while Christian nibbles on Fried cod sweat with pointed cabbage, sea buckthorn sauce and potato mash.
We fight over the last bite of Amarenabecher; the Stracciatella and chocolate ice cream with sour cherries, liqueur, and cream is dreamy in the candle light. A slow ride back to the hotel, enjoyed every second, saw only green gray eyes and very hot needy lips.
Lounging in bed, I watch my man strip slowly and sensually, strolling to the bed. He crawls up my body, licking and gorging on me. I bite a pillow to not wake the town. He after the fifth or sixth decided to mount and take me to heaven and sleep.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Waking with the dawn. I leave my man to sleep. I dress and wander down stair to the hotel restaurant. Lounging over tea and pastry. Seeing the guy's head out on a run. Most likely thru the nearby Jasmund National Park; They'll run thru the beech forest in the park to one of four loops. The local CPO's have loops laid out on a map. A little bird in London told them Chris is a runner, near marathon levels and easily bored looping the same circuit.
An hour to read, sip tea and munch on the European idea of breakfast for the rich and lazy ala chilly Baltic coast. MMMM! Quiet, peace and my sore body needs a reprise, at least till nightfall.
He promised before we leave to escort me into wonders of nearby Jasmund National Park and chalk cliffs. Something about a quiet glen within the beech grove. Kinky extrovert sex is hinted at, strongly hinted at. MMM!
For now, I just relax and read a bit on my tablet. Letting the day meander by me. I know he must work till after one o'clock today. But tomorrow is ours. I plan to visit the Bücher Logbuch and Antiquariat, Das Wort; If I have time before dinner maybe wander out on the breakwater to the Leuchtturm Sassnitz, trying out my cell phone camera. Maybe call and talk to Ray. I'm trying to thinking of a Christmas present for the rich guy in my bed, who has everything. Something special, meaningful.
Noon 1200: Leuchtturm Sassnitz:
The worries at the start of the trip are faded; I have work, and things to do. Earning my keep and making a difference. Things my mother won't or couldn't do. Even bouncing around the shops; is making sure Christian has presents for everyone come Christmas. Correction: We have present for everyone come the holidays. Plan on some parties for friends; hopefully family as well. I want to move Christian off this war footing. I want to get some shots of the city from the Leuchtturm Sassnitz at the end of the jetty.
My phone rings, its Ray. OK. What does dad want or need and too afraid to ask for fear of spoiling my relationship. "Dad?"
"Everything is good: Headed back home tomorrow. Ah. Jose 'senior' called?"
"An?"
"His contract is up in two weeks; his house is rented out till January 1."
"I thought the contract was till December 10?"
"They finished the project early and didn't renew thru December. He's crashing here in August, till the house is open. Junior is still on his exchange program in Perth till July. They're cruise the surf beaches till August. Junior restarts his senior year in August."
"OK?"
"Junior found out about your relationship with Grey."
"An he went bonkers again. Does he not remember he is gay?"
"Yes, he does and still thinks you're his soulmate. Thinks Grey has dazzled you with possessions and wealth. The Videos from Croatia didn't help. Grey carrying you after the attack; the boat off the coast with Grey's people using hi-beam lights to hide behind. Or the desolate bench scene, what was that about?"
"That was fakery edited video. YOU CLIMB FIVE HUNDRED PLUS STEPS up a frigging steep mountainside; See how fresh you look; and: My local PA went to get us water bottle. Because we drank both the ones we had. An another thing; I wasn't the one attacked, Sara and Vesna were the victims. An another thing; I was the one attacking the kidnappers. As to the boat. Vesna boyfriend and Christian ignores us ladies telling them we preferred to ram and sink the asshole tabloid press boat. Scream insults about some orgy fantasy. We ladies, we're simply, properly attired for sunning. While the boys tried to impress us with fresh fish. We had chicken tender and pomme fritz. HUFFFF!"
"Ok! Ok! I'll deal with them. Anything else?"
"I sent a couple of boxes to the house, Mrs. Baxter across the street has them. Hide them in the attic. If a certain boy finds out about his Christmas presents. A certain father is going bald and waxed for the winter. CAPSICA?"
"YES! I'll deal with the Joses. And get started on the suitcase. Anything else?"
"Carla?"
"Last information, last week. She's on husband five, still banging four. An no one has queued her in to your boyfriend. So, Savannah is still forbid territory. I did find out that her mother, grandma is not dead, but seem to be the archetype for Carla. She's in prison, Alabama till 2030. She sent me a letter. Demanding money and a lawyer to spring from the bogus charges of attempted murder and mayhem on her ninth husband; Five thru eight died is strange accidents, OD's and sudden illness. Did I mention she stole, embezzled four-million dollars from a Mega-church and its member in Mobile. So, I had a talk with the prison warden. Don't expect Christmas or birthday cards. That it for the evil shits sitrep."
"Ok, notify Welch if anything pops up, particularly Georgia locales. No lone wolf shit; pass the info on to Welch. Now I have to wander about the town till Christian business is over for the day."
"I love you. Bye!"
"I love you to, Bye, bye" I say walking off the jetty. Ah! A pastry shop. Sergeant Schultz police man is smiling at me munching a pastry. Nodding, he heads out on his rounds I suppose. Pastry looking good. Didn't see Shop on the way out to sea-light. Well! I must try their wares. I am a bit peckish.
Same time and place: Samuel Pov.
"Madsion; this is Samuel from the Fair. Anna's CPO?"
"Yes, I remember. What up?"
"Does Anna have a gambling problem?"
"Why?"
"Christian ordered a card dealing machine. They were only playing UNO; A he now says she can't deal any cards. Period."
"Ok, While Anna was trapped in Vegas. Her neighbors at one of the places, were former card table dealers in the casino; one a widow was married to a professional magician who specialized in card tricks. My girl can cold stack, under deal and hide cards like a pro. Count cards up to five decks. Ray and I both have card dealing machines. Shit I had one. Will have to get another before we play anything. The bridge club refuse to let her deal cards during the game. We are the only table with a machine. We are tournament qualified bridge players."
"Gambling issues?'
"Anna hates to gamble, thinks it's a terrible waste of time and money. I suspect since Carla is an addict; She fears being mommy. While I followed my mother's slutty and petty ways like a bible. I've learned since our freshman year; that Anna's way is better and safer.
She only ever gambles or bets when she needs money quickly. Or if she needs to geld an asshole in a bar or pool hall. Andrea texted me about the dart game?"
"Partially; She gave the money to Museum around the corner from the London penthouse: She looking to get a part-time internship there. More I interact with her the more the contradictions come out. The bookworm with serious fighting skills. She seems to have caught the shopping bug?"
"OK, Steele 101; Ray and Anna start Christmas shopping in July, usually. They will find unique and meaningful gifts. Don't expect Anna or Ray to do Christmas Eve, or Black Friday things. Crowds scare her and make Ray edgy. Anna will find gifts for everyone on her list; Its big as hell with all her new pals at Grey House. You'll get a gift, something suited to you, small, not expensive but something that you will use and cherish. Last year she got me a handcrafted pocket scarf, With a zippered pocket for cell phone, ID, and money. Doubles as a hood. Ray got a refurbished 1935 molding plane. She worked on cleaning, a restoring it for days. She got my brother a hand-woven lanyard with his name in different languages woven in it for his head-shrinker residency. She is uncanny at finding things that are useful and meaningful and unique to that person."
"After 3; Ray trained her as a weapon. Senior, Jose senior taught her survival urban and wilderness. She can hot-wire a car and pick a lock. Disappear in woods and city streets. My girl has mad skills, fearless. It gets her into trouble sometimes because she wants to protect others. She will go toe to toe and then feel guilty about hospitalizing some asshole."
"OK good to know." I say to her. That explains a lot. Will work to craft the security more to these traits.
"Lastly; Anna? She is the ultimate bipolar introvert; Self-contained loner who excels at group activities. More comfortable in small groups. Common interest; That why she meshes so well with the Trekkie's and her Flintstones. She is most comfortable in support of others; that's why the publishing editor career was perfect for her." Madsion takes a deep breath. "Carla like my mother must be the center of attention. I realized in rehab that was the worst thing for me. Feed all my insecurities and fears. With Anna; it even worse."
"Talking to Andrea last week; You guys screwed up in Rijeka, big time. Anna is not a trophy wife! She needs a job, a mission. Even if it's just tour guide. She will not allow Moneybags to make her: Her mother! She'll leave before he can complete that; No matter how much she loves him. So, don't let him start. She needs her space, feeling crowed or overwhelmed. What is she doing today?"
"Book stores, Trinket shopping. Right now, out on harbor breakwater playing with her phone, I think talking to her father. The staff here and company we took over has really pulled her chain; I think?"
Book stores are good, Andrea talked about her finding things around there for afterwork, the two could do. Simple things like walking in the woods or a beach. My girl's uncanny superpower; meaningful and unique things to calm and soothe Christian; strengthen their love."
"OK! That's make more sense. Got to go Anna coming in from the end of the jetty. Thank you and bye"
1500(3pm)
Waiting in the Gaststätte Kartoffelstube for my man. He was later then we though, video conference with Seattle and London. Two-hour long phone call to Roz in Maylasia. The company there is a bust, she is headed to Vietnam tomorrow. Gwen updated me a text. Seems the company there lied about everything. Hoping we would not notice till after the sale. Stupid idiots.
Looking from my English German dictionary to my English language history of the area by an American out of Harvard. Carrick will love he was a Harvard Yardbird (alumna). His journal from 1820 is amazing at the detail, really a collection of local short stories told to him.
I feel him, looking up as my sexy man strolls thru the crowded room to me. Little Plain Jane me! Even the blonde 'pushy L-cup deep cleavage' barmaid slash tramp is invisible to him.
He sits and takes my hand and licks the knuckle. Kissing my hand and palm. "I have missed you, how was your day?"
"I hit the two bookstores in town, I fear the lawyers must get the restraining orders lifted as soon as they are served, possible with breakfast. As I still need half a day in each to finish."
"So, I had the easier day then being with you. The horror! The horror!"
"I am not that bad! Book stores are meant to be browsed and wandered, owner quiz." I smirk, and wink at him, watching his face heat with indecent thoughts; Ooh La La, tonight will be fun!
"Maybe try another town?"
"HUMMF! I plan on it. But fear they have already informed the others in the province about the craze America coed; prowling their wares."
"Well tomorrow I am all yours. I think exploring the Cape Arkona Lighthouse Complex with a museum and observation platforms. Try out the new digital 35mm camera, hike down to the Steinstrand Kap Arkona, maybe swim a little. Hike along the beach to the Ruine des alten Pegelturms maybe to the north tip of the island."
"Sounds good, what time?"
"I was thinking ten or eleven?"
"Try again, sunrise photoshoot under the Holzskulptur, breakfast at Gaststätte Arcun; I already booked us. Several art studios out there. Beach wandering and possible dip. And a leisurely dinner at Fisch Ahoi in Putgarten. Then and only then an early to bed, late to sleep. Debauchery ala Anatasia." I smirk at his wide eye stare.
"I've been had!"
"Yes, I have had you; and had you, and still want you."
"Let's order and eat."
"Ahem, I ordered and you're eating what I ordered. For a change of pace."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
3days later:
Märchenwald auf Rügens Nordwest-Halbinsel Wittow is a balm to us. Fairytale forest loop trail, a nice moderate 6.8-kilometer hike. I must have shot forty or fifty, tree framed Baltic Ocean, beach, rocks and passing ships. Love the camera. Especial love Christian framed in the trees, Ocean at his back. Looking smoky hot and sensual siren to lure me into the rocks and shoal about the coast.
The small gorge, Müllerrinne, draining into the Baltic Sea, was fun and picturesque. We hike the east forest looped around the beach and up the gorge; met the local CPO with our picnic lunch for the hike down the gorge to the return westward beach loop, back to where we started above the gorge.
A wide sandy beach, perfect for lounging and lunching. Watching the gulls drift on mysterious air currents. Children down the beach laugh and throw pails of water about.
"Christian tells me about Madam confusing you with her husband's friend?"
"It started when I first met her. She would talk about her husband; then talk about me being there." He looks off into the sea. "When I called her on it; she played it off as me reminding her of a friend of her husbands."
"Did you believe her?"
"No, it was to pat. Then later she showed scrapbooks of their travels and life. There are two books on her shelf, wrapped in fabric dipped in wax, same size, and thickness. Lowel, her great-grandson, the CEO; told me they were the last three years of Friedrich's life. Friedrich died around 1954 at near eighty."
"The World Fair in Seattle was 1962"
"The message?"
"Yes, she referenced going there."
"Yea, but with Friedrich; so, it's a jumbled memory"
"I asked Welch to check on that. He found out that Madam attended with her second son, Friedrich jr."
"You think she knew my birth father?"
"Long shot? Maybe your father's family or clan?"
"Welch turn up anything else?"
"Yes. Did Sam ever say he was there with Madam?"
"No? Was he?"
"Yes, in May of 1962, a picture at a private reception on the Space Needle Deck; by then deputy director of the CIA, and deputy director of the NSA. Shows Madam escorted by long copper haired, salt and pepper mountain man bearded guy only identified as cocodrilo de agua salada."
"Saltwater crocodile." Chris looks lost. Like a memory is on the tip of his tongue. But the thought is gone, unfulfilled.
"Miss Son, long blonde, was escorted by long black hair, long black bearded man identified as 'American Caracal.' Welch said that was your Sam. All three had big glasses, that could have been a mask at your mother gala."
"There is no record of my birth father; or even if I was born in Detroit. If he was near Sam's age then; he was early twenties then; Sam was spending a lot of time in the sixties in Europe and India. He spent nearly no time in Asia. Miss Son worked almost entirely in Asia specifically North Korea and China."
"There must have been some overlap. Did Sam ever say how he met Madam or the granddaughter?"
"He said his boss was with the Maria grandfather, the oldest son. When the Chinese killed him during the retreat to Pusan. He was just thirteen; Maria grandmother gave birth the next night; She'd just crossed over the line into the Pusan perimeter, twins." Chris leans into me, cuddle to my body.
"He refused air evacuation out of Seoul. Which how his twin brother got out of Korea. Fought and worked his way to his girlfriend's house outside Andong about 120 miles southeast as the crow flies from Seoul on the Nakdong River." Christian drifts off in some memory, "He led thirty South Korea soldiers, equal number of Korea civilian, four CIA officers and thirty America and European civilian; they stage a delaying action near Jeongja-ri near present day highway 30 and 79. So the refugee column had a chance to get to safety. Sam's boss told him when they layout the defense, every man, woman, knew they were dead. Not one person step back or ran. They delayed the North Korea's 24 hour. After the battle one CIA officer, Sam's boss in the late fifties, and eight non-Asia civilian, four Korea civilians barely walked away wounded. Only Sam's boss and nine of the civilians crossed into the perimeter. After they retook the area during the breakout. Sam's boss recovered the boy's body. And all the ones they could find. A small memorial hidden by the road side tells their sacrifice. Every five years, Madam would go; weed it, plant new flowers and pray."
"He got a girl pregnant at thirteen?"
"Yes, the old adage that once is enough to get pregnant. Is true. Seems they were expelled from the top academy in Seoul. Madam's son stood up to his father and father-in-law; demanding marriage and college. Madam tells that bit with pride and love. The family separated them. Which is why she was sent to maternal Grandmother's house in Andong. While the family was sorting everything out, North Korea invade."
"Madam had some wild children."
"Madam was a wild child till the day she died. She sent me a challenge to sail Tran-Pacific race last year; Her verse me. Mano-a-Mano. Maria refused to allow her."
"We will think and forget for the rest of the day. My lips are cold and lonely" I say. Kissing the pain away. The puzzle of madam words and Christian's past. Will have to wait another day.
Wading in the Baltic, as Christian swam a bit to cool off; a little chilly for me. I watch as the demons of his birth, wage war for possession of his soul. But the battle is in vain. I have his soul to protect and keep; Demons be dammed, if I lose him to the past. When the present and future are much more inviting and worthy of our love. The crowds, light but enough to chill, our outdoor extrovert sex impulses. At least mine; Before climbing back up among the mystic trees to finish the outing.
Near sunset:
We cruised west to the Restaurant Boddenblick in Dranske: Christian gorged on Gebratenes Duett vom Zander und Dorsch (Fried duet of zander and cod) Kroketten (Croquettes). While I had the Geschmorter Hirschbraten(Braised venison) Salatbeilage(side salad). The rest of the crew had the 3in1 Menü: Suppe des Tages, Schnitzel or Zander, Bratkartoffeln und Salat, Dessert des Tages all served together on a wooden board.
Watching them stuff food and yell for more: you'd think we starved them. When I know they had a nice continental breakfast and large picnic lunch of bratwurst. "Hey, quiet down! We fed you all day!"
"European bird food!" Samual laughs and the local CPO talk smack about us in German.
Christian laughs "Oger bin ich! Fee-fi-fo-fum! Morgen ist heute zweimal, wenn Sie sich nicht melden! (Ogre am I! Fee-fi-fo-fum! tomorrow is twice today if you don't pipe down!)" That quieted them. Tomorrow is Anna's shopping; Guy's fishing or Dinosaur Land. They are fearfully getting detailed to guard Little Anna Steele, with bookstore expedition in the forecast. They drew straws, losers had to accompanying me.
Next day:
Christian laughs as I refused to fish with him and Jason. I spend the day alone; with four local CPOs. They bitched too much last night at Dranske. Wandering downtown Bergen auf Rügen. Terrorizing the merchants, and yes, the Sassnitz bookstores had every town crier, in the state. Heralding my arrival. Like the coming of the Norseman into southern Europe. Never seen so many weak-kneed Antiquarian in my life; Or maybe, I'm forgetting the terrors I inflicted in Portland, Madsion's traumatic event.
But I still found four excellent condition, hardbound, first editions of Mark Twain's fantasy book, The Prince and the Pauper, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Joan of Arc, and The Mysterious Stranger. All three signed and dedicated to a Countess von Wylich und Lottum Marie Luise von Putbus. The bookseller said she was the 3rd princess 1858–1930 of the nobility ruling the area. I got it cheap and will have the lawyers arrange tax and shipping home to Seattle.
The Chef at our hotel cooks the fish they did bring back. I tease Christian he bought the fish after not catching anything. Earns a spanking. I owe the hotel a pillow, as I bit thru the current one in the trash. I may tomorrows tease another one. The Local CPO say the maze is fun at Dinosaur Land. We will, see?
After a couple of hours of work, helping Chris speed thru the requirements of his billionaire daily responsibilities. The Maze awaits and simple afternoon loafing about the coast.
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Late afternoon; quiet beech grove. Jasmund National Park
We missed the Maze as rains pour the morning into afternoon. They just broke: We wander out and down the trails. Trotting the mud aisles between the trees and rocks. The CPOs are far behind us. I can image just being here alone with my man. We wander in silence and calm. A perfect forest interlude, for two people, that crave connection and love.
We hold hands and just relax as gloomy day bleeds into evening. Jason is waiting at the trail end with one of the German tanks, at least the new tires don't rattle my inners anymore. I watch the filter light of the beech grove tint Christians hair in erotic and stimulating ways. Pulling him into my arms, against a tree trunk. Melting our mouths to one, feeling his hair in my finger.
Lighting sparks my craving. Craving for just him. Releasing the world, letting our mortal souls fly into the ether. We are just here and now. And everything I thought, knew, is just dust under the beech trees where the rain did not reach.
Laying down on his back, I release the monster and straddle it into submission. Mouths never leaving, arms hold me as mine rampage his hair, body. We are all that exists and will exists. I arch; breaking his tongues hold; shutter as the world spins and darkness takes me.
Waking dressed in his lap, against the beech tree trunk, watching the rain invade the dusk. We mellow. "Anna?"
"HMMM?"
"We need to move; my ass is wet and the rain is dripping down my back."
"HMM! HMM?" I purr, to no avail. He gets me up. We head down the darkening trail. "Feeling good?"
"HMM! HMM?"
"Well, that's that. coffee?"
"NOOOOoooo."
"Tea?"
"NOOOOoooo."
"Me"
"NOOOOoooo."
"What?"
"Soaking, sleeping, dawn" I purr into his ear.
"HMM! HMM?" he teases me as we arrive at the cars.
"Exactlyyyyyyyyyy." I drift to sleep in his arms before the car moves down the road. The beech grove was as magical as I knew it would be.
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Last day in German:
We spend the last full day at Binz, south of us. After a brunch in the palatial Kurhaus, a lovely 1908 luxury hotel. Strolling like the other summer tourist along the 4km long Strandpromenade. Enjoying the lazy meandered wandering of lovers. Broken by snack carts, boardwalk entertainment, and many wonderful, many really-wonderful, make-out moments. Will have to check soon with a dentist, I am positive a filling or two is missing. Hope they don't cause Christian stomach problems?
After walking the elegant seaside walkway, spend some cooling off time on the sandy beach. We head back to the Hotel; Christian spends an hour signing papers and approving thing. Tomorrow, very early, the FRS Baltic & Fähre Deutschland Swedish ferry to Trelleborg, Sweden. I watch the moonlight play on the waves, the soft breeze and mellow music. Despite the asshat and company sycophant; this has been a great week.
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Baltic & Fähre Deutschland Swedish ferry:
Christian takes a phone call, stomping out on the deck, the waves and weather make that a lonely, uncomfortable place to be right now. Even from here forty feet away, separated by bulwarks and glass. I can hear the rage. Shit! he smashed the cell phone on the handrail! And jumps up and down in a full-blown nuclear meltdown! He turns to Jason. Who says something and the rage is gone. He looks at me. An I know Jason said something about me, to calm the beast. They walk away.
The enter from the other side of the passenger salon about fifteen minutes later; They looped the deck. Christian looks tense, but back to a normal keel.
"Christian? Tell me?" I ask sweetly, something has been bothering him since we woke this morning.
"The guy I thought we were partnering with, has proven me a fool."
"How?"
"I don't know where to begin"
"The reason for the trip?'
"OK; The biggest problem with fish farming; in particular, is the uneaten food and fish waste. Once I discovered the fabric weave that would allow water, including sea water to pass one direction. With Fred, we created a fish farming net with a bottom third, funnel shaped and made with the fabric."
"So, you collect the food and waste; You still have it there?"
"Some guys in north California developed a marina trash collector using a whirlpool to suck and collect the trash on the water. The same equipment could be adapted to collect the waste from the bottom of our net design." He looks happy and gleeful; like a kid who discovers how to build a tree-house.
"That gives you what?"
"Removal of the uneaten food and waste lower the disease and other issues fish farming generates. Right now, what they do is constantly moving the cages or expensively vacuuming the bottom. My system is cheap, and a total system; using special purpose boats, my San Diego shipyard designed and builds, to collect and transport the waste to recycling barge. We use solar furnace tech and a sea adapted biomass system. The by product is a slurry, rich in nutrients for krill and other organism at the base of the food cycle. We remove all the heavy metals and harmful components. An it all self-sustaining; base parts are all stock, common, the whole system minus the fabric is all available in most hardware stores."
"That is so cool. You mention in Rijeka, greenhouses?"
"The fabric reversed, becomes one holding the water while allowing air and heat to escape. Making desert greenhouse more efficient, lower water requirements in regular greenhouse. With a second UV resistant layer with adjustable ventilation sections added; the warmth retention is equal to triple glass panel. We have test greenhouses next to Death Valley, Tunisia, and Dawson in the Klondike."
"Scaled up testing of the fish farm?"
"We have two locations; one off San Nicolas Island in the California Channel Islands and the other off Isla Cerralvo in the Gulf of California, near La Paz. Both have proven the tech over the last four months."
"The partner?"
"Anil Tendulkar: Tech billionaire from the cleanest city in India, Indore. He was very concerned with ending hunger and improving third world education. We met at the Paris World Hunger Conference five years ago. He's about three years older than me, with his brother Devika, my age. Their sister Shikha, Amelia age; Can be, is a social media whore."
"That not a nice term?"
"I can think of no better description. She blogs, insta everything, sixty to hundred times a day. She routinely max's out her black Amex card during the month. She's all about parties, clubs, and orgies. Anil tried to get me to hook up with here for years. One meeting was all it took, to run like hell from her."
"That bad?"
"If you ever have the misfortune to meet her. You will see I'm being very conservative in my views. Ask Gwen. She threw the girl in a pool in the Hampton's two years ago. When she live-v-blogged a very racial attack because I refused to date her. 'Told Everyone! I preferred dark meat to beat and whip'."
"What! She didn't! I can see Gwen being nuclear over something like that. You still do business with the family?"
"I didn't blame Anil for his sister, or his brother Devika."
"His brother Devika?"
"Devika Tendulkar is a sadist and Dom in the culture; I met him at a club in London before Anil. He made me sick with his sadism. Me like I was then, that says a lot. He is Anil's CFO, money man. Since this partnership was on the non-profit charity side, we would not be using him."
"What went wrong?"
"Roz and Welch found out Anil and family are going to selling this tech to North Korea, China and possible Iran."
"Fish and greenhouse tech?"
"The small solar powered mesh satellite transceivers, with a powerful small configurable operating system easily translates to missiles and warfare. The fabric would even work enhancing thermal camouflage. It a nightmare of advanced technology; being used to harm people rather than the intended helping people."
"How much information have you given them?"
"The boats were in route to an India west coast city, Kochi in coastal Kerala state. Where the India fish farms would be a full-scale test-bed. Other than general parameters, nothing has got out."
"Damage control?'
"The news hits in four hours. The Secretaries of the Navy and Army are blowing the deal public. Roz is in the air to D.C… London's Defense Minster is calling for Company and personal sanction of the Tendulkars. The sister is in Paris for the big Fashion Fair/conference; Amelia is there chairing a seminar of sustainability and improving work conditions in the fashion and garment industries. The French Defense minister is calling for her expulsion, partially because of unpaid debts. Roz told me the girl owes this month two million US dollar in Paris alone."
"What can we do?"
"Nothing right now. But ride out the storm."
"Go get a coffee and try to relax."
"OK, baby. I'm glad you're with me. You make all this"
"Water off a ducks back?"
"Yes. Tea?"
"Later. Now go." I shoo him away to do something and not brood on a blown friendship. Will call Gwen later and get a sitrep. Samual followed him. Jason stayed seated.
"Jason?"
"The Sister, this morning, accused him of rape at a club last year."
"Bullshit! Sitrep!" I bark, drawing attention to myself. Leaning forward to a smiling Jason.
"It is! An I'm damn happy you see it from the start. Any way the club in question in Amsterdam; is one Christian visit often. The Sister was there last year, but Christian wasn't; he was suppose to be there. But one of our freighters had issues in Liverpool. We turned the car around at the club door. Everyone thought he was there. Police, Club staff and owner know he wasn't." He looks at coffee bar, turning; Christian and Samual are drinking, chatting with two guys, from the hands and feet, a soccer fan-fest.
"Welch believe it was to stall or delay Christian response to the betrayal. Roz is fire balling, our response, and the governments. She was very bent about the deal after the Hampton incident."
"The club in Amsterdam?" I ask; wondering if I know the owner.
"It a Music place not a sex club."
"Which one? I might know it?"
"Ah What!"
"Which one!" I demand
"Lefty Maestros"
"OH! John Con jazz fusion place."
"You know it?"
"Dad and his friends spent a lot of TDY's in NATO. They blew off a lot of money and steam in the red-light districts, including Amsterdam. Because Me and Maria-Ann Rodriguez were the emergency contact number. I know maybe five or six club owners, several in the red light districts, several senior policemen, eight coffee-pot bars mangers and four librarians. Mostly bar bills and bail money. Oh, I know two Bail Bondsman in Amsterdam, two in Germany and one in Naples Italy."
"John Con, how well do you know him?"
"His first wife who died in childbirth, was Maria-Ann Rodriguez's second cousin. After her death, he lived with them for close to a year at Bragg. He would babysit me and Jose. When he visits the states now: He would always visit Maria-Ann. Last time he came by Montesano to see Senior; then Junior and me at college. His last gold record was the 'Ladies that Lift Me Up' read the dedication. His last ex-wife still emails me recipe."
"Ok. Thoughts?"
"Welch and Gwen can handle this shit; we need to focus on Christian; on the matters at hand and not let this shit drive him down. Ruin our vacation."
Jason-pov
Vacation? "OK, here they come." She smiles digging out her teabag as Chris hands her a cut of hot water. Samuel hands me a coffee. Sitting away in tactical position.
Christian sits and they whisper. He seems to relax more. The girl is good for him. I text Welch Miss Anna orders. Since she showed up; she surprises us all with calm and experiences. What did Madam say in the video. 'Innocent of man, worldly in the gray. A fitting 'skjaldmær,' Shield Maiden' this is proving the point. Despite her insecurities, she is sure of their love.
Christian lay his head on her lap, curling on the bench. She begins softly reading to him. I think a Gothenburg travel guide. They spent more time being tourist than his old business hermitage; hotel, office, restaurant, hotel. He saw more of London with Anna in one week; then the years he lived there.
Checking John Con last hit song, from three years ago; 'Ladies that Lift Me Up.' A Sweet Melody, remember dancing Gail to it at our dance club in New York.
The dedication shocks me; 'in the darkest days and nightmarish nights; I knew I was alone in the world, no kin, or friends. Maria-Ann held me, Anna-Rose teased me to laugh, Jose Jr. pulled me outside into the light. They proved me wrong. Pain of my loss lessened as they lifted me when I could not stand, sing, hear or make music. They never let Marianne and my daughter Paulina love; wane or ever leave me.' His first number one on the pop charts, was 'Please, Marianne dance with me' a remarkable feat for a four-minute jazz fusion song with four lines of lyrics repeated twice.
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Footnote:
TDY = U.S. Army and Air Force use TDY, the U.S. Navy and Marines use TAD, Temporary Duties Deployment or Temporary Duties Assignments in Military usually 30 to 60 days.
Caracal 'desert lynx', = A medium-sized wild cat, nocturnal, highly secretive and difficult to observe; know for stealth and ambush attacks. Guarded the tombs of pharaohs
The animals defined in the story tell you things about the characters: Doria's goshawk or Doria's hawk does not draw attention to itself. a patient hunter that spends hours perched under the forest canopies waiting for prey to run by to ambush it.