April 1635
Louis Garrison shot up in bed, his eyes wide in terror and his breath coming in rapid gasps. He looked around the dark room in confusion. “Where am I? This isn’t my room.”
There was no one in the bed next to him and he searched the darkness in a panic. “Where’s Tina?”
Slowly, his conscious mind began to make sense of his surroundings. It had been a bad dream. This was his room. He recognized the shapes in the darkness.
He hung his head. Tina was gone now, four centuries away, ripped from him by the Ring of Fire, along with his children, job, and everything but what he had in his car when he was trapped in Grantville that day.
His bladder reminded him he was awake and he stumbled into the bathroom to empty it, without bothering to turn on the light, and then returned to his bed to sit down.
The nightmares had stopped after the first few months. The struggles of keeping Grantville and its people alive had kept him, and everyone else, too busy. Then, the task of opening the restaurant had taken all his time and attention. But the town had made it and the restaurant was doing fine, so the dreams had returned. This was the sixth one this month.
He found a match and lit the candle beside the bed. Noticing the time on the simple clock, he saw there were still a few hours before the sun rose. But, there was no way he could sleep again now, with his heart still racing from the dream.
Reaching down, he picked up his jeans, pulled out his wallet, and found the photo of Tina. He sat for over an hour just staring at the picture, tears running down his cheeks.
****
Anna Schmidt stared open-mouthed as the aircraft circled through the sky over Grantville. She had heard tales of the flying machines, but seeing one was amazing. The aircraft was noisy, yet it seemed to float above her.
“It’s almost beautiful, isn’t it?” came a voice from behind her.
Anna jumped at the sudden interruption of her thoughts and spun around to see a teenage girl, probably half her own age.
The girl seemed very apologetic. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. Is this the first time you’ve seen an airplane?”
Anna looked up at the aircraft and watched as it flew away from town. “Yes, I have heard of them, but that is the first one I have seen.”
The girl also watched wistfully as the aircraft flew away. “Well, if this is the first time you’ve seen an airplane, then you must be new to Grantville. We see them quite a bit since the pilots are trained nearby.” She extended her hand in greeting. “I’m Veronika Heyder.”
Anna took the girl’s hand. “I am Anna Schmidt. Yes, this is my first time in Grantville. I came to find my aunt.”
“Maybe I can help, what’s your aunt’s name?”
“Her name is Magdalena Bacher.”
The girl’s face lit up. “You’re Magda’s niece! She told us you were coming.”
“You know my aunt?”
“Know her? I used to work with her. She’s probably at the restaurant now. Come on, I’m going there to get something to eat. I’ll take you right to her.”
****
When Veronika led the woman into his restaurant, Louis Garrison couldn’t help but notice her. She was stunning. Even though she was showing the signs of aging that all German women of the time did and she had obviously just finished a trip from the condition of her plain clothes, she had a grace of movement that was unusual in the working women he knew.
Veronika called out. “Magda, there’s someone here to see you!”
The old woman looked up and her face beamed in recognition. “Anna, you are here!” She rushed over and embraced the newcomer in a fierce hug.
After chatting for several minutes, Magda led her over to him. “Herr Garrison, this is my niece, Anna Schmidt. I told you she was coming to stay with me.”
“Of course,” Louis answered. “Frau Schmidt, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to Grantville.” He extended his hand in greeting.
Anna was hesitant, but grasped his hand firmly. “Thank you, Herr Garrison. Tante Magda has told me of you in her letters.”
“Has she now? I hope I was described kindly.”
“She said you were very kind to give her work and that you were a fair employer.”
Louis looked at Magda. “That’s high praise from you, Magda.”
The old woman scowled. “Do not let it go to your head. You could not run this place without me.”
Louis couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t I know it! Frau Schmidt, you must have had a long trip. Would you like a drink or something to eat?”
“No thank you, I am fine.”
“Are you sure? It’s on me.”
Anna looked over at Magda in confusion.
“He means that you do not have to pay,” Magda explained. “Go ahead. Have a drink.”
Anna looked back at him. “Thank you, Herr Garrison. Perhaps I will have a small beer.”
Louis smiled. “One beer for the lady, coming right up.”
He quickly poured the beer and brought it back to the table. “Here you go, Frau Schmidt.”
“Thank you, Herr Garrison.”
“Please, you’re Magda’s niece. That means you’re almost family. Call me Louis. I’ve been trying to get Magda to call me that since she started here.”
“It would not be proper,” Magda protested.
Louis shook his head. “Yeah, yeah, I know, but I would still like you to call me Louis. Frau Schmidt, will you call me Louis?”
Anna nodded. “Of course, uh, Louis. You may call me Anna.”
“Great! Now Magda, I’m sure Anna needs to get settled. Why don’t you take the rest of the evening off? It’s a slow night and Andreas is here. We can handle things for one evening.”
Magda shook her head. “And I will have twice the work tomorrow because of it, but I would like some time with my niece.”
“Right, have a good time. Take her out and show her the sights.” He again extended his hand to Anna. “Anna, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
****
Anna shot up in bed, breathing heavily and her eyes wide in terror. “The flames! Johann!”
She looked around the dark room in confusion. “Where am I? This isn’t my room.”
Her sobbing caused her aunt to wake up. “Anna, what is it? What is wrong?”
“A dream, Tante Magda, the fire.”
Her aunt held her close. “Shhh, Anna, the fire was weeks ago. It cannot hurt you now. You are safe here with me.”
****
Louis smiled at the stubborn look on Carole Cunningham’s face. “Carole, she needs the work.”
Carole crossed her arms in defiance. “I will not have another woman cleaning my house like I was some pampered duchess.”
“She’s not cleaning your house, just my apartment. You know I don’t do much cleaning.”
“Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it a pig sty, but you could use a little help.”
“Right, plus you and Bonnie are having a harder time with the stairs every day. Let me hire Anna and you won’t have to worry about it anymore.”
Carole thought for a while. “She won’t be in the main house trying to change things?”
“Just my apartment.”
“Well, I guess it won’t hurt anything. Okay.”
****
Anna listened as her aunt lectured to her.
“The work will not be difficult,” said the older woman. “He only has a small place and spends most of his time at the restaurant. But that is no excuse to neglect your duties.”
“Yes, Tante Magda, but why are you worried? I have enjoyed this last week and you have shown me so many wonderful things, but I am ready to work now. Besides, he seems like a nice man.”
“He is, Anna, and that is exactly why he deserves your best effort. But he is also my employer and accepted you as his housekeeper because you are my niece. Do not embarrass me. The work will be easy, but you will do your best.”
“Tante Magda, I will not embarrass you. You were kind enough to take me in when Johann died. I will make you proud.”
Magda’s expression softened. “You are my niece, Anna. We are family. I could not let you live on the street, doing unthinkable things to survive. Just do as you should and you will make me proud.”
****
Louis jerked awake as his partner walked into the restaurant’s office.
Andreas shook his head and chuckled. “Louis, go home! You are no good to us like this. Magda and I will handle the restaurant.”
“I’m sorry, Andreas. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“You are still having the dreams about Tina?”
Louis nodded. “The third one this week.”
“You should not be having these dreams. It is not good for your health and it has been four years since you lost her.”
“I know, but I didn’t have them for so long, I thought I was okay.”
“If you were okay, you would not be having the dreams again.”
“I’ll deal with it, Andreas.”
The look on his friend’s face was doubtful. “Very well, but go home and get some rest.”
“Okay, I give up. I’ll go home.”
****
Anna put away the cleaning supplies. Her aunt had been right. Louis Garrison’s apartment was very easy to clean. It was only a bedroom with a sitting area and he didn’t have many possessions to put away. Cleaning the tiny bathroom and some light dusting was all she had to do.
Since she had some free time, she examined the apartment. Louis was renting the room from two older women, sisters who were spending their final days together. It was built over what they called a garage, a building used to store the up-timers’ vehicles. It was sparsely furnished and he obviously didn’t spend much time here.
On a shelf she found one of the machines the up-timers always had around. The other night a woman used a machine like this one to make music. It was called a CD player and a shiny silver disc was placed in the device to make the music play.
Sitting on the shelf was a small stack of cases. Anna picked one up. The woman had taken the disc from a case just like this. Looking at the cover, she saw the smiling face of a handsome man that wore one of the wide-brimmed hats the up-timers called a cowboy hat.
She opened the case and took out the shiny disc. Trying to remember how the woman had worked the device, she finally found the button that opened the tray. Carefully she fit the hole in the disc over the small knob.
She pushed the cover closed and pushed the button labeled ‘play’. Soon music began to come from the machine and she let herself sway to the tune.
****
Louis was startled when he opened the door and heard the music, but then remembered what day it was. Anna Schmidt had started her job as his part-time housekeeper today.
He closed the door as the sounds of George Strait’s “You Look So Good in Love” came from the apartment above him. He slowly walked up the stairs and peeked over the floor.
Anna was moving around in time to the music. When they first met he thought she was attractive, but now he saw her in a completely different light. Her arms and legs moved with a gentle fluidity and her skirt spun around as she twirled on her feet.
She suddenly stopped when she noticed him, her face flushed with embarrassment. “Oh, Herr Garrison, I did not know you were here. I saw your music machine when I was finished cleaning and I could not resist. I am so sorry.” She quickly moved to turn off the player.
“No, it’s okay. You dance wonderfully, and remember, it’s Louis.”
Her blush deepened. “Thank you, Louis. I remember the people dancing in the movie I saw. When I hear your music, I want to dance the same way.”
“It’s called a waltz. You were able to dance like that after seeing it in a movie?”
“Yes, the dance was beautiful but I do not remember all the steps.”
“Anna, you were doing fine. You move beautifully and kept time with the music very well. I haven’t seen anyone move that naturally since…” He realized he was about to say that she moved like his wife. Sorrow filled him and he turned away, rushing back down the stairs, leaving Anna in shocked silence.
****
Louis jumped when Magda stormed into his office the next morning.
“What did you do?” she demanded.
“What do you mean?”
“Do not play innocent with me. Anna feels that she has upset you for some reason. Whatever you did yesterday has her very upset.”
Louis hung his head in shame. “When I went home, she was still there. She was dancing.”
“She was dancing when she should have been working?”
“No, that’s not it at all. She was done working.”
“Then what was it?”
Louis could hardly say the words. “She reminded me of Tina.”
Magda stood and stared at him for a few moments. “Louis Garrison, your wife was taken from you four years ago. It is time to stop mourning and continue your life.”
“You’re right, Magda. Andreas said the same thing.”
“Well, good, sometimes he says something intelligent.” She started to leave the office but turned back to him. “And you will apologize to Anna!”
****
That afternoon, Louis sat at the desk, deep in thought.
“Are you feeling okay?” Andreas asked from the doorway.
Louis looked up to see his partner holding two mugs.
“I got us some beer,” Andreas said. “Well?”
Louis pulled up the second chair in the office and invited Andreas to sit. “I could be better. I know I’m having these dreams because I still haven’t come to terms with losing Tina.”
Andreas nodded sagely. “When I lost my Johanna, I did not feel better until I let myself mourn. We are men, Louis. Sometimes it is hard for us to grieve.” He took a sip of his beer. “Magda told me what happened last night.”
“Do you two always discuss my life?”
“We do when it affects your work. What are you going to do about it?”
“I’m going to apologize tonight.”
Andreas took another drink. “Was Tina a good dancer?”
Louis also took a drink. “She was the best, Andreas, so graceful. When I danced with her, it felt like we were floating on clouds.”
Andreas’s eyebrows rose. “You danced? You have not danced since I have known you.”
Louis felt the tears forming. “I just wouldn’t feel right without her, Andreas.”
****
Louis knocked on the door of Magda’s small apartment.
Magda opened the door. “Good, you are here. Go into the living room. Anna is waiting for you there.”
“Thank you, Magda.”
Louis found Anna sitting in the living room. When she looked up he could see the apprehension in her expression.
“Hello, Anna.”
Her words came blurting out. “Herr Garrison, I am so sorry, I will never listen to your music and dance in your home again. I did not know it would displease you.”
“Please, I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have acted that way. You can listen to my music anytime.” He paused. “You dance beautifully. Don’t ever stop.”
“But Louis, I do not want to upset you.”
“Anna, you’re a natural dancer. You have talent and should use it. Don’t ever let something I say or do stop you.”
She paused. “I like to dance, Louis. Before my husband died, we would dance at the village gatherings. But I have never seen dancing like in the movies. I try to remember it so I may do it too. I want to take the adult class in the evening, but I do not have enough money.”
Louis smiled wistfully. “I’d forgotten they have that. That would be the place to go to learn more. It’s a shame you can’t.”
“Do you dance?” she asked timidly.
“Not anymore, I haven’t danced since I lost my wife.”
Anna nodded. “Was she a good dancer?”
“She was the best, Anna. It was pure joy to dance with her.”
“You danced well?”
He chuckled. “I guess I’m okay.”
A faint glimmer of hope showed in her eyes. “Could you teach me?”
The glimmer was quickly doused when he answered abruptly. “No, I can’t do that.”
Magda entered the living room. “Herr Garrison, may I speak with you a moment in the kitchen. Anna, would you excuse us please?”
“Of course, Tante Magda.”
When they reached the kitchen, Magda turned angrily. “Louis Garrison, what is wrong with you? How could you behave like that? Anna wants to learn how to dance and you refused, why?”
“I can’t do it, Magda, not without Tina.”
“Why not? Did you never dance with anyone else?”
“Sure, when we went to dances.”
“Then why can you not dance with Anna?”
“I just can’t!”
Magda stared at him for a moment. “I know you miss your wife, but you are not being fair to Anna and she has had enough sadness recently.”
Louis nodded. “I know Magda. I’m sorry.”
“Very well, thank you for coming tonight. But this is not finished. We will talk more at another time.”
****
When Louis arrived at the restaurant in the morning, Magda and Andreas were waiting for him. “Why are you two here already?”
“We wish to speak with you,” Magda answered.
“About what?”
“We think you should teach Anna how to dance.”
“Magda, I told you I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” Andreas asked. “Do you not want to be alone with her? If that is the problem, Magda and I have decided you can teach us as well.”
Louis looked from one friend to the other. “Why is this so important?”
“Because,” Andreas answered, “We are your friends. We know this is hard for you, but you have to do it, for your own good.”
Magda nodded. “And Anna deserves it. I told you what happened, how she has suffered. She deserves some happiness. If dancing brings that happiness, then she should be taught.”
Louis knew he was losing the battle. “I’m not a dance teacher. I only learned enough to dance with Tina.”
Andreas smiled. “That is still more than any of us know, Louis. Teach what you can.”
Louis felt himself deflate. “I’m being unreasonable, right?”
“Yes, you are,” Magda quickly answered.
“Where should we do it? My apartment isn’t big enough.”
“We will do it here after we close. The tables can be pushed to the side. If any of the others wish to stay and learn, they may.”
Louis shook his head. “It sounds like you two have this all figured out. Okay, I give up. I’ll teach her what I know. But it’s been a while, I may not remember much.”
“Do not be silly,” Magda said with an encouraging smile. “You will do fine.”
****
It was only the first class and Louis was trying hard not to laugh at his students. Andreas could manage to put his feet in the right places, but he was far from graceful. Magda, befitting her personality, was a notorious back-leader.
But Anna proved to be just as good a dancer as he thought she would be. She was a natural and absorbed every bit of instruction as if she were a sponge. She made mistakes, but quickly adjusted when he corrected her.
“Okay,” he said. “That’s enough two-step for now. Let’s try something different.”
He went to the CD player and looked through his short stack of CDs. He found the one he wanted, placed it in the player, and selected a song. The upbeat sounds of “Baby Likes to Rock It” by The Tractors began to come from the speakers.
His students listened in bewilderment. “What kind of music is this?” Andreas asked. “It is nothing like the other.”
Louis laughed. “No, it’s not a two-step. You dance the swing to this music. Let me show you.”
He grabbed Magda and began to turn her around the floor. The older woman desperately tried to keep up and looked as though she couldn’t decide whether to be shocked or delighted.
After a minute, Anna was caught up in the dance. “Dance with me now!” she demanded happily.
Louis quickly pulled her in and began to dance. After only a few missteps, she quickly matched his steps and they twirled about the floor.
When the music ended, he twirled her out to arm’s length and posed. The two of them were laughing and he hugged her in delight.
He suddenly realized what he was doing and stepped away from her. “I think that’s enough for tonight. I need some air.” He turned and quickly went outside.
Sitting on the steps outside, he rested his forehead on his hands. He heard the door open and then Andreas sat beside him.
They sat in silence for a moment before Andreas spoke. “What is wrong, Louis?”
“I feel like I’m betraying her.”
“I understand.” He paused. “Louis, please consider something. When the Ring of Fire brought you from the future, you were left alone here, with no family.”
“Yeah?”
“Have you ever considered that wherever Tina is, she lost you as well?”
“I try not to think about it.”
“Well, do you want her to dwell on her loss? Do you want her to avoid the things she loves and keep herself from being happy, just because they remind her of you?”
Louis was surprised. “Of course not! I want her to be happy.”
“Don’t you think she would want the same for you? What would she say to you if she could?”
Louis smiled sadly. “She would tell me to get up off my ass and do some dancing.”
Andreas smiled back. “Then perhaps you should do that”
Louis sighed in acceptance. “You’re right, but it’s hard.”
“I know, my friend.”
****
Louis put down the CD he had borrowed. “Okay, everyone, tonight let’s try something different, a dance called the polka.”
“Is that another American dance?” Magda asked.
“Actually, I think it came from Bohemia, a peasant dance. The basic steps are simple. Do you all remember the triple step, from the swing?”
When everyone nodded, he continued. “Good, the basic step is just two triple steps put together. However, there is a small hop before each triple step, something like this.” He demonstrated as he counted. “And triple step, and triple step, and triple step, and triple step.”
He stopped. “You could dance it without the hop, of course, but that’s what gives it the distinctive polka character. And just like in other dances, the woman does the mirror of the man’s step, understand?”
More nods. “Good, now line up behind me and we’ll practice the basic rhythm.”
An hour later, Louis was quite pleased. “We’ll make a dancer out of you yet, Andreas.”
“Thank you, Louis. I am finding it easier and I like this polka.”
Louis turned to the ladies. “Magda, I’m proud of you. You’re actually letting the men lead.”
“It is not so hard when they do what they should.”
Louis laughed. “And you, Anna, you dance as well as I expected.”
Anna nodded sadly. “Thank you, Louis, you are a good teacher.” She turned and walked away.
“What’s wrong with her?” he asked Magda.
“She will not tell me. Perhaps you should ask her.”
He walked over and sat down next to Anna. “What’s wrong?”
“I do not wish to say,” she whispered.
“Please, Anna, I’m your friend. You can tell me.”
“If you are my friend, why do you not give me your best!” she snapped.
“What do you mean?”
“When you dance with me, you are stiff, like you are uncomfortable. You are not like that with Tante Magda. Do you not like dancing with me?”
Louis sat back. “I didn’t realize I was doing that. I’m sorry.”
She nodded and turned away. “So, you do not like dancing with me.”
“No, that’s not it at all!” he declared and took her hands. “Anna, you’re a wonderful dancer.”
“Then why do you not give me your best?”
“It’s not easy to explain.” He paused to gather his thoughts. “I’m not doing it intentionally. Anna, when I dance with you, it reminds me of dancing with my wife.”
“Tante Magda told me that, but I do not understand. I thought you liked to dance with your wife.”
“I did, Anna, it’s just,” he stopped as he remembered the past. “I met Tina at a dance. That’s the first thing we shared. And, to be honest, when I dance with you, I have the same feelings as when I danced with her.”
When he didn’t say anymore, Anna continued for him. “And you feel guilty for having those feelings.” She blushed. “I am honored you think of me that way.”
“Anna, I don’t want to mislead you. I’m not sure I want to think of you that way.”
She held his hands tightly. A brief look of sadness crossed her face before she spoke. “Louis, I understand. We will just be friends and dance.”
Louis looked to where she held his hands and then up at her face. “And I’ll do my best to be a better dancer for you.”
****
Louis led Anna through the waltz steps, repeating the choreographed sequence as they danced around the floor.
As the song finished, he spun her out and, with the final, fading music, he bowed. She responded with a curtsy.
Applause erupted and they looked up in surprise. All of his students had stopped their own dancing to watch him dance with Anna.
Louis made a big show of bowing to his audience. Anna was hesitant, but she bowed as well.
“Was it a good dance?” she asked.
Magda smiled with pride in her niece. “Anna, it was beautiful.”
Andreas was still clapping vigorously. “Marvelous!”
Anna blushed. “Thank you, Andreas, Tante Magda. It is because Louis is a good teacher.”
“Maybe so,” Louis said, “but you’re also a very good student, Anna.”
Her blush deepened. “Thank you, Louis.”
****
After class, Louis stopped Anna and Magda as they were leaving. “Ladies, before you go. Anna, I found something I would like to show you. Someone in town had a movie that has some dancing I’d like you to see.”
“I like movies very much, Louis. When can we see it?”
“How about tomorrow night? We’ll go over to the Johnson’s and watch it on their big screen.”
“I would like that very much. I will be finished cleaning houses before then.”
“Great, it’s a date then.”
****
Magda walked into his office the next morning with a frown on her face. “Herr Garrison, we must talk.”
“Of course, what is it?”
She sat in the offered chair. “When you asked Anna to watch the movie, is it just for her dancing or do you have other intentions?”
“What other intentions would I have?” He stopped in understanding. “Oh, you mean romantic intentions.”
Magda nodded. “I have no objections if you do. She is a grown woman and can make her own decisions. And you are a good man. But I want to make sure that you are honest with her and she is honest with you. Do you understand?”
“Magda, I want to show her other types of dancing. This movie has that.”
“But you said it was a date. Is that not what up-timers call it when you court one another?”
“Magda, it’s just an expression. When I said it was a date, I meant that we agreed we would meet to watch the movie, nothing more.”
“Very well, make sure she knows that.”
****
Louis couldn’t help but think of what Magda had asked him, as Anna sat with him on the couch watching the movie. It didn’t help that the movie, Dance with Me, was really a love story.
Walking her home, he steered the conversation to the dancing. “Well, what do you think of Latin dancing?”
“I like it, but it seemed so, the people doing the dance seemed to get so close to each other.”
Louis chuckled. “I think the word you may be looking for is intimate. Latin dancing can seem that way.”
She blushed. “Do you want me to dance like that, with you?”
“Would you be comfortable with it? It’s been a while since I’ve done it, but I think I remember the basics.”
Anna smiled shyly. “I would like to dance that way with you, Louis. It would be very nice dancing so close, so intimate.”
Louis felt the blood rush to his face. He had to admit he wanted to dance close to her as well. “Okay, but let’s talk about it later, okay?”
They reached her home and stopped at the door. He took her hand and patted it in a friendly manner. “I’m glad you enjoyed the movie, Anna.”
“I enjoyed it very much, Louis. I am glad you shared it with me. Perhaps we could watch another movie together sometime.”
Louis hesitated a moment. “Well, I’m sure there are more movies in town that feature dance. It would help with your own dancing.”
Anna lost part of her smile and pulled her hand away. “Yes, my dancing. Thank you, Louis.”
Anna went into her home and Louis watched her until the door closed.
****
Louis lay staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. Why couldn’t he stop thinking about Anna? Was he developing feelings for her? Did he even want to? She was certainly attractive enough and definitely a good dancer, but what about his commitment to Tina?
Or was he just being silly? He could never return to his wife, no matter how much he wanted to. Even the preachers had declared that people separated by the Ring of Fire could remarry. Many already had. Sometimes it seemed he was the only one still clinging to the past.
And Andreas was right. Tina would want him to be happy. She certainly wouldn’t want him to be alone. And he definitely wanted Tina to find someone to make her happy, wherever she still was.
When the sun rose, he was still awake, but he had made his decision.
****
Anna felt like her aunt’s eyes were burning holes right through her. “But Tante Magda, he only wants to be friends. He said so last night.”
Her aunt smiled knowingly. “Anna, were you married so long you no longer recognize a man in love. I have seen the way Herr Garrison looks at you, even if he does not admit it to himself.”
“But if he wishes to remain friends, why must I tell him? It will make no difference.”
“Because he will one day admit his feelings. You must tell him before then, so he is not misled.”
Anna hung her head. “But if I tell him, he will no longer want to be near me.”
Magda embraced her in a hug. “Anna, dear, I have worked with him for three years. I watched him give work to children while helping them stay in school. I saw how much it hurt him when his dog died. And I see the way he treats you. He is a good and kind man. You will never lose his friendship.”
“Tante Magda, I am afraid.”
Before her aunt could answer, the phone rang and Magda picked it up.
“Yes, Herr Garrison, she is here,” Magda held out the receiver to Anna. “He wants to speak with you.”
Anna took the receiver. “Yes, this is Anna.”
“Anna, this is Louis. I wanted to tell you I really enjoyed watching the movie with you.”
“I enjoyed it as well, Louis. Thank you for inviting me.”
“I want to do it again, Anna. But this time, I want it to be a real date, dinner and everything. Is tomorrow night too soon?”
Fear and excitement filled her as she quickly stammered out an answer. “Yes, Louis, tomorrow night will be fine.”
“Great, what time are you done working?”
“I should be finished by five o’clock.”
“Okay, how about I come get you at about six-thirty?”
“Yes, that will be fine.”
“Great, see you then. Bye.”
“Goodbye, Louis.” She hung up the phone. “He wants to go on a real date with me.”
Magda nodded wisely. “Then he has admitted his feelings and wishes to court you.”
“Tante Magda, what should I do?”
“You will go on the date. But, you must tell him.”
****
Anna was nervous, even though the evening went well. Louis took her to Castalanni Brothers, where they ordered pizza. He explained it was a very American meal, but had originated in Naples. He also explained that the sausage topping was traditional, but the sauerkraut was not.
She didn’t care. She liked sauerkraut.
She barely noticed the movie. Louis sat very close to her and even put his arm around her shoulders. The contact was wonderful, but she feared she would never feel it again after what she had to tell him.
Louis held her hand as they walked back to her home. She knew he was about to say something, but she interrupted. “Louis, I must tell you something.”
He stopped walking. “Of course, Anna, what is it?”
“Louis, I enjoy spending time with you and I care for you very much, but I must tell you something very important before we have any more dates.”
“What is it? You sound so serious.”
“It is and after hearing it you may not wish to court me.” She hesitated. “You know I have been married and that I lost my husband. What I have not told you is that we never had children, because I cannot. I am barren.”
“I see.”
She felt the tears running down her cheeks. “And if we continue our courtship and marry, I can never give you children.”
Louis took her into his arms as she cried. “Anna, is that it? That’s not a problem at all.”
“But Louis, a wife should be able to give her husband children. I cannot.”
Louis held her tighter. “Anna, it doesn’t matter.” Then he began to gently laugh.
She was surprised by his laughter. “Louis, what is funny?”
“Anna, I have something I need to tell you too.”
“What, Louis?”
“I can’t have kids either. After my son was born, I had a vasectomy.”
“A what?”
“A vasectomy, an operation men had up-time so they didn’t have any more kids. I was so worried how I was going to tell you.”
Anna began to snicker and they soon were laughing together as they hugged.
As their laughing subsided, she looked up at him and teased. “So, does this mean we can still dance together?”
“Anna, for as long as we have together, you’ll always have a dance partner.”