und selbts?” (Fine and you) Replied Cameron, looking at her oddly and wondering why after all these years, she spoke German to him again.
“I guess we should start practicing German again, what do you think?” Answered back Ingrid in English this time.
The rest of the evening was spent discussing their travel plans, their daughter’s attitude and how best to lease their home. Inge had a very strong opinion about the Germans, and how they were treated after the war. She felt the Allies were unduly harsh with the German population. Whenever Cameron brought up the subject, there was a price to pay, and he was not up for it tonight.
Cameron wondered, “whether or not she had already notified her parents of their upcoming trip?”
“Ingrid? Have you spoken to your parents yet?” He asked Ingrid.
“Do you think this is the kind of news that one withholds from ones parent?” Replied Ingrid, her eyes smiling at Cameron.
“No, I guess not. I hoped to talk to your dad first and sort of feel him out about us staying with him, until we found a place.” Replied Cameron.
“Cameron was surprised by the fact that his wife had not inquired as to his exact duties in Germany. Normally she would have asked numerous questions, but her short notice left her occupied with a million things to do, and it probably slipped her mind,” he thought to himself. Maybe it was better this way, just ignore the whole thing and she might not get angry with him?
Cameron was successful in dodging the bullets, and actually managed to maintain a truce with both of the females in his life. His daughter was quieter now, but still prone to outbursts of hysterics, and his wife was actually looking forward to returning to her Vaterland (Homeland).
Cameron went about his business and within seventy-two hours he was all set to fly to Germany. His trip over was very uneventful, and the fact that he was flying first-class made it even more pleasurable. Lufthansa airlines had a sterling reputation and this trip was no exception. He arrived almost exactly eleven hours after leaving San Francisco International. Cologne (Köln) airport was one of the smaller airports in that part of Germany, but could on occasion be very convenient for the savvy traveler. Cameron had not wanted to disturb his father-in-law and rented a large BMW 740i sedan from the local Hertz counter. Traffic at that time of the day was very light and he managed to get on the northbound Autobahn 3 towards Aachen and the Dutch border. It took Cameron a few minutes to re-acquaint himself again with German driving style.
Drive as fast as you car will take you! No speed limit on the autobahn was something Cameron would have to master again. It was rather unnerving to be driving at one hundred-twenty mile an hour and have someone pass you at one hundred-fifty!
By the time he pulled alongside the city of Kerpen, he was doing just fine, and his BMW was humming along with the best of them. The distance from the airport to his father-in-laws house was around eighty miles, and he pulled in the driveway in less than fifty-minutes! Cameron found himself enjoying the excitement of the autobahn, however he always maintained a safe distance and did not drive too fast in inclement weather. Unlike most Germans who drove fast in any weather!
Cameron pulled up to the driveway and admired Dieter’s house. It was exactly as he had remembered it. Large, spacious and meticulously maintained.
“Hello.” Shouted Dieter Johannes from the upstairs window.
Cameron got out of his car and walked the three steps towards the front door. He waved to Dieter as he did so. Dieter’s home was built on a large corner lot near the woods. It was obvious that a rich man lived there. Compared to some the older homes in the neighborhood, it stood out and was in show room condition. His father-in-laws house was a beautiful modern two-story stone house. Dieter was a well-known architect and he had built his home to include a nice size office on the first floor. Dieter Johannes was a successful and well-respected architect in that part of northern Germany. Over the years he had come to specialize in restoring, building, remodeling old castles, churches, convents and hospitals for the Catholic church of Germany. His youngest son Peter and daughter Lizbet also worked in his office. They had both recently graduated from the university and hoped someday to take over the business.
Dieter opened the door and hugged Cameron so violently that he nearly passed out from the embrace. Dieter was by no means a large man, he stood five-foot ten and weighed a solid two hundred and ten pounds. However, even though he was in his late-seventies, he had the physique of a much younger man. He was built more like a fullback than an architect. Dieter had played soccer his whole life and had the legs of a weight lifter.
Cameron exhaled and stated, “Wow, Dieter! Please don’t kill me, I just got here.”
“I am sorry Cameron, I was so happy to see you again!” Exclaimed a joyous Dieter.
“How are my daughter and grandchild?” Stated Dieter without missing a beat.
“Just fine and they will be here in a few weeks. Ingrid and Jennifer will be flying out as soon as we lease our home in Dixon. Meanwhile, if you don’t mind, I will be your guest until they arrive and we get ourselves situated here.” Replied Cameron.
“Ja naturlich.” (Yes, of course) Replied Dieter in German.
“I am sorry Cameron, do you still speak German?” Asked an inquisitive Dieter.
“Klar! Dieter.” (Of course! Dieter) Replied Cameron in a matter of what tone.
“It’s like riding a bicycle, once you get the hang of it, you will never forget how to pedal.” Continued Cameron, trying to use the occasion to regain his composure and breath.
Just then an ebullient and lovely Kate walked in. Kate was a statuesque six-foot tall brunette. Although in her late-seventies, she still was a beautiful if introverted woman. Kate was a few years older than her husband, and never let him forget it. Dieter had married her during WWII and they had produced five beautiful children. Kate was a very talented chemist and worked for a giant German industrial concern in the field of toxic research. Although way past retirement age, she loved her work and still worked two days a week. Kate greeted Cameron in a friendly manner, but did not seem to be as happy as Dieter to see him. Cameron had always wondered why Kate was not as forthcoming as the rest of the family. He assumed that it was merely a reflection of her personality and left it at that.
Dieter showed him his guest room and made him at ease. Cameron unpacked and lay down on the bed. It did not take long for him to pass out on his extremely comfortable bed. His long trip and strenuous drive had exhausted him. He quickly fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, fourteen hours later, Cameron woke up to the smell of good German coffee and freshly baked bread. Cameron quickly showered and walked downstairs to the warm and friendly kitchen.
“Guten Tag.” (Good morning) said Cameron. He was almost immediately answered with a chorus of “Guten Tag, Cameron.”
“Well, I slept like a dead person. I was so tired, I did not even have a dream last night.” replied Cameron, as he sat down to the table.
Kate had made several loaves of fresh bread, and everyone was greedily wolfing down the delicious bread and coffee. Cameron stared across the table and saw that only two of the kids were still there. Both Peter and Lizbet were eagerly eating their breakfast. They greeted Cameron, but seemed more interested in finishing their meal. Cameron enthusiastically joined them and quickly finished his meal. After breakfast, Dieter invited Cameron into his office and happily exclaimed, “I hope you don’t mind if I get involved in your business, but I knew that Ingrid would feel more comfortable in her own house, and I started