some time before he went to take a shower, a very cold one. She was putting out energy and he could not deal with his frustration. A tear fell out of Rissy’s eye knowing why he left and knowing that he would rather be there with her than leave but feeling that he had no choice without compromising her morals. She loved him even more for that, but she hated seeing him so frustrated. She couldn’t understand why she couldn’t let go and give in to her desires. Memories came back to her from a time when she would sneak into a tavern and up to his room wanting him, but then not being able to follow through and then to a house that she seemed to know so well and doing what she had just done a little more than an hour ago, though knowing that she was not a virgin at that time. He had still been patient with her and she wondered when she could just allow herself to give as much back to him. She wasn’t sure how she knew his feelings and responses but she was not about to question them.
She climbed out of bed dressed and went to him. “Johann, may a girl speak privately with you?” There it was again; speech that just seemed to roll off her tongue and yet foreign to her. He asked her to sit and offered her some wine which she accepted. “I just want you to know that I love you. I don’t know what to do. I feel so conflicted.” Johann rose and picked her up. Sitting down again he placed her gently in his lap. “I love you Rissy; you love me, and that’s all that matters.” He just held her close because that was more important than anything else at this time. He would have loved the physical, but to have her love was more important and he would wait a lifetime if need be. Somehow she knew this as well. If the urge hit him she would allow and not because of feeling that she had been coaxing him, but because she was ready. She hoped that they would wait, but was willing now. She did not tease but just curled up against him and whispered. “You have no idea how much I love and respect you.” She heard a whisper, “Nor do you understand how deep my love and respect for you is.” She was not going to debate him but knew it was a very deep love and respect.
Change of Scenery
Rissy was up very early and had had three cups of coffee before Johann made it downstairs. He wondered how she would be on the flight. He had debated canceling the flight and taking her himself, but then thought it better to go by plane. He was worried that she would not be able deal with flying without a plane or that he would be able to control her excitement. Randolf had placed their baggage in the trunk of the Mercedes and was ready to drive them to the airport until he saw Rissy fluttering around like a butterfly barely landing somewhere and taking off again. He mumbled something about needing a drink but Svelta swatted him and told him that he was not going to drink and drive and that if he drank she would take Johann and Rissy and leave him there with Charlotte who was excited but crying as well. “Rissy, I’m going to miss you.” Charlotte sobbed. “Charlotte we will see each other soon.” Rissy replied. “I know.” Charlotte said through her tears.
Johann kissed Charlotte’s face and she said. “See Rissy he still wants me too.” Rissy laughed. “Maybe I’ll let him have you one last time when you get home.” Charlotte liked hearing Rissy say home. Maybe Rissy knew more than they thought. Rissy was wondering why she said home and so was everyone else. Svelta whispered in Johann’s ear as he kissed her goodbye. “I think you were right to go now. She does seem ready.” Rissy kissed Charlotte and Svelta and then they were on their way with Randolf still grumbling something about butterflies. Rissy’s excitement did not abate and Johann was thinking of finding some sleeping pills or something to give her to calm her down a bit. She was acting like a little schoolgirl. Finally they arrived at the Savannah airport. Randolf assisted them with getting a skycap and loading their baggage while Johann and Rissy checked in. When he came to tell them that all had been taken care of Rissy kissed him. Johann laughed at Randolf’s startled expression. Johann shook Randolf’s hand and they went their separate ways, Johann and Rissy to the gate area and Randolf back to the car. Rissy always loved watching the planes land and take off. “I’d like to be able to fly.” She said while watching the planes. Johann responded, “Perhaps soon.” “What is that supposed to mean? I meant not inside a plane, silly.” “I understood that perfectly well Meine Liebe.” “Johann, you know I’ve never been able to do anything but float for short distances no matter how hard I’ve tried.” “Never think you cannot do something just because it hasn’t happened, if you say you can’t then you cut yourself short. Who knows; one day you may find what has been missing to obtain your goal.” “That’s getting deep, Mister.” “You mean a deep mental exercise?” “What else did you think? Oh I forgot you are not knowledgeable about some of our idioms. Perhaps you may need to teach me some of yours sometime so that I don’t make a faux pas.” With a laugh he replied. “I guess they would confuse you as much as yours do me.” They both smiled. It was finally time to board the plane. Rissy had never been in first class before and remained excited for about the first hour and then she settled down seeing nothing but ocean for that long. She finally fell asleep now that her energy had decreased and Johann was glad because he could get some rest now or at least he thought he could. A little boy came trouncing up the aisle and then back again for at least another hour. Johann had half a mind to frighten the little brat, but instead he watched the child and found out where his parents were. He was glad to see that the child had two parents but something needed to be done. He got up and walked to where they were sitting and encouraged them to please control their child. They became upset and said that their child had their permission to run up and down the aisle. Johann tried to explain that he was trying to get some rest to no avail. This is one of the main reasons he hates to fly. He went back to his seat and sat still unable to rest because of the child and he was not the only one. Other passengers were complaining but the attendants were not able to get the parents to make the child stay seated and due to recent issues with airlines and passengers, there was not much that could be done. The demon ran by Johann once more and he had had it with this kid. When he came back by Johann stopped him and smiled. That’s all it took; the child ran to his parents and cried and would not move out of his mother’s lap. The father came up to Johann and asked him what he did to frighten his little angel of a son. Johann just smiled again and the father went back to his seat and remained quiet for the rest of the flight. The attendant asked Johann what he had done and as pleasant as he could be he responded. “I only smiled at them.” He smiled but the attendant did not see anything that would have scared the two passengers and no one else cared what he had done; they were just glad that they could now enjoy the rest of the flight. Rissy awoke about the time they touched down in Frankfort. She was excited but not to the extent that she had been at the beginning of the trip. Hans picked them up in the estate car and drove them through Weilmünster and they stopped at the marketplace while Hans went to find petrol for the old Audi. Rissy found some clothes and enjoyed talking to some of the local people who spoke English or who would at least bother to speak to her. She was able to catch two old women point and say something about “Der Todesengel und sein Hexe” and thought she understood that. “The angel and his witch, what is that about?” she asked. “It’s just two old women Rissy, forget about it.” “No I won’t forget about it. They say I’m a witch; how could they know?” “They know nothing, Rissy. They think I’m a Todesengel.” “What’s that?” “We’ll talk about it later. I promise. Let’s get home; we still have a long drive ahead of us.” Rissy reluctantly let go of the conversation.
They drove high up where they could overlook Möttauer Teich and there up ahead was a magnificent home. He helped Rissy out of the car and then he took a key out of his pocket and opened the door, before turning to her and saying, “Open your eyes and look around, Rissy. Welcome home.” Looking in the place was clean and immaculate the staff was there waiting to greet them. The walls were lined with portraits. Some with a woman, separate ones of a man, and others of them together. There was a large ornate painting on the ceiling of the entry. To the right was a large elegantly curved stairway. To the left of the entrance was a room that was closed off. “Enter Rissy and tell me what you see. Look with open heart, mind, and eyes.” Rissy forgot about the conversation in the town as she looked around. Johann watched Rissy move through the foyer. He was afraid that perhaps he should not have brought her here just yet, but it was too late to reconsider. He wondered if she could see how she was touching the marble and looking at the staircase. When she quickly removed her hand as though lightning had captured her, he knew that the memories would come soon. He