by N. Schwalbe
Luca put down his bag in front of the house.
»Well, that’s what I call a welcome!« He winked at Tom and started to carry out the moving boxes. »I’m sorry, but I couldn’t stand my place any longer.«
»What are you doing?«
»I’m making room!«
The next moment, a van turned around the corner and parked in front of the house.
Zoe came roaring up with a Porsche which obviously belongs to her new friend.
Tom had already heard that she had fished one of the most coveted colleagues - a policeman of all people!
Zoe strolled towards the house hand in hand with a dark-haired, very handsome man.
Her sight really hurt.
The fact that he fell in love with Luca did not mean that he did not feel anything for his wife anymore. There was a strange feeling in his chest seeing her with another man.
Luca put down one of the moving boxes next to the van and shook hands with both of them.
Tom sighed and walked towards them. He has hardly shook hands with Emiliano as they heard the children scream. »Mom, Mom!«
»They’ve missed you,« Tom said pointedly. He felt stupid next to Emiliano and tried to cheapen her. The only problem was that he did not feel much better though.
Zoe laid her hand on his arm. »I’ll take the kids more often now, promised.«
»That’s good,« Tom said.
Zoe’s and Anton’s stuff was removed in not time and so Luca was able to dispel his bags and boxes.
After Zoe has played with the children for a while and promised to pick them up the next day, she drove away with Emiliano.
Tom knew she would live at Emiliano’s house at the outskirts of Hamburg now.
Tom went inside and got some ice-cream for the kids to help to alleviate the pain of separation.
Anyway, they sat on the terrace in silence.
»Tomorrow, Mom will pick you up,« Tom said, trying to soothe his guilty conscience.
»And today, we’re going to have a TV-eve,« Luca promised. »What do you think about it?«
The kids’ faces brightened at once. »What do we watch?«
»I’d say, we all agree on it,« Tom proposed.
Satisfied, they finished their ice-cream to take advantage of the nice weather.
While Maja and Luca played table tennis, Tom sat down with Benno and Penny in the sandbox.
Suddenly, a familiar voice shouted over to them. »Hello, my dears!« Sandra waved over to them from the neighboring property.
Astonished, Tom jumped up and ran to the fence. »Sandra! What are you doing there? It’s Mrs Meyer’s property.«
»It was. Mrs Meyer is not living here anymore!« She grinned like a Cheshire cat.
»I don’t understand.«
»I’ve bought the old house!« Sandra beamed at him proudly.
Tom’s brows slid up. »Nope!«
»But yes!«
»That’s really cool! Why?«
»I wanted to be with you and help you. I would love to lend you a hand with the kids as your neighboring aunt.«
»That flabbergasts the strongest man,« Tom laughed and waved Luca to come over. »Luca! We’re having a babysitter. What do you say?«
Luca stopped in surprise. »That’s great, Sandra. I’m really happy and the kids certainly, too.« He turned. »Kids! Sandra is our new neighbor!«
Excited, the children came running and hugged their aunt through the fence. »Do you watch my new bird book with me?« Benno asked and Sandra nodded. »Sure. Let me tell the mover where to put my things first.«
»May we help?« Luca asked but Sandra shook her head. »It’s all settled. But I’d like to snitch some dinner. I haven’t bought anything as yet.«
Tom rolled his eyes jokingly. »Well, that’ll be fun!«
»Why?« Luca asked softly in his direction.
»If there’s someone who never goes shopping, it’s Sandra,« Tom laughed.
»Well, nice prospects!«
***
»Have you really closed the gun cabinets?« Tom asked for the umpteenth time.
Luca hugged him lovingly and nodded. »Yes, I have! The glasses and plates are bought, the drinks delivered, the trainer and educators in their places and the balloons are blown up. We can start.«
»God, I’m so nervous. I could go to the toilet again.«
»No way!« Luca held him back. »You’re coming to the front door now. We’re opening!«
They unlocked the door and let the waiting guests enter the club. Though, they had avoided to announce in the press that Luca was the owner of the club, the information must have leaked, since there were a lot of curious press photographers and reporters.
Luca took a step outside and silenced the reporters with a gesture. »Dear pressman! I thank you for coming today. Apparently, we were not discrete enough; otherwise you wouldn’t be here today.« He smiled charmingly. »I’m still pleased though about the unplanned advertising and I’d like to invite you to view our sword fight club. I hope that as many of you as possible will positively report about my newest project. Thank you!« He stepped aside and held the door open to the surprised reporters who stormed into the house to take their photos.
Penny stood next to her brother between her aunt and grandpa and distributed balloons in rainbow colors to the kids.
After assessment of the house, the guests flocked to the porch where Tom and Luca had set up a buffet. Students entertained the guests while Tom and Luca took care of the member’s contracts.
In a quiet moment, Tom went to Luca and hugged him from behind. Playfully, he bit into his shoulder.
»Good heavens, what have I done to deserve this?«
»This was a love bite. It means thank you.«
Luca turned and kissed Tom full on the mouth.
Flash lights blazed, but that did not bother Luca anymore. »I thank you! You and the kids, you enrich my life!«
»You do, too. One should permanently evolve,« Tom smirked.
»Which does not necessarily mean that one has to turn to the opposite sex,« a sarcastic voice came from behind.
Tom spun around.
»Zoe!«
Unsure, he stopped but Zoe opened her arms for an embrace. Then, Tom showed her and Emiliano the club rooms.
»I think, I might try fencing,« Emiliano said and earned a skeptical eye. He smiled and laid his arm around Zoe’s shoulders. »Don’t worry! I’m not going to get queer.«
»I hope so,« Zoe said disgruntled, »Otherwise I have to wonder whether it’s up to me.«
»Emiliano can also go to my old sword club. It is not allowing gays,« Tom said to reassure his estranged wife.
Zoe, only calmed moderately, went to the bar and stunned her paranoia with a glass of champagne on ice.
In the meantime, a woman approached Tom. »Do you only take men or also women?«
Tom smiled. »We take men and women, gays, lesbians and rainbow-families.«
»Great,« the woman laughed, »Then, my wife and I want to become a member in your club.«
Tom got a contract form and filled it out together with both women.
As soon as Zoe had finished, she left again. »Don’t be angry, Tom but I can’t bear this collection of homosexuals as yet. We’re going now! Shall I take Penny?«
»I don’t think you get her off here today. Sandra is going to bring her home later. Have a nice evening!«
Zoe nodded to him and left the club together with Emiliano.
Tom felt relieved, even though he had been glad that she had come. But every time he saw her, this annoying bad conscience crawled up inside him like heartburn.
»What are you thinking of?« Sandra asked.
»Have I destroyed my family?« Seriously, Tom looked out of the window.
Sandra shrugged. »Well, good question. I think you’re still a great family, only expanded by a few family members.«
Tom’s mouth twitched. »Family expansion? Sounds better than a bomb attack, doesn’
t it?«
Sandra nodded and hooked him.
***
»Whew, that’s it then.« Sad, Tom looked at Zoe, who looked no less distressed. »Now, we’re divorced. Strange feeling, isn’t it?«
»Yes. I do better not ask whether we’ll have something to drink. Honestly, I don’t feel like celebrating.«
Zoe laughed. »Me neither. But we’ve had a great time together though, right?«
Tom took her in his arms and held her tight. »We had a very nice time. And if I had to choose among all the women who walk around on this planet, you would be my chosen one.«
Zoe leaned her head against his chest. »That doesn’t make me any happier.« She sniffed and wiped away a teardrop.
At the same time, two cars stopped in front of the courthouse.
Luca jumped out of his black BMW and came up to them. He carried a pink bouquet he gave to Zoe. »I know, your divorce is no reason to celebrate but I’d like to give you a little consolation.«
»Thank you, Luca!« Zoe kissed his cheek and smiled. Only then, she noticed the note between the rose heads. »What’s that?« Curious, she pulled it out. »An invitation to your premiere party?«
»Yes, followed by an after-party. George Clooney will be there, too.«
»I don’t like to hear about that,« Emiliano growled behind them.
Zoe turned and let him embrace her. »Don’t worry! George is too old for me. I rather fancy young, taut policemen.«
Emiliano wiggled his brows and led Zoe to the car. »This weekend I’ll pick up the children,« Zoe called over to them, waved and disappeared into the van.
»Emiliano has a new car? Where is his Porsche?« Luca asked surprised.
Emiliano, who has not yet entered, put his head out again. »Well, when you want to catch a lady with extended family, you must have the appropriate bait. I’ve swapped the Porsche.«
Luca laughed.
Then, he turned to Tom. »Tom, your wife could have made it worse.«
»Ex-wife,« Tom corrected him quietly.
»Humph, by the way, I’ve got a lure, too.«
»Oh,« Tom looked at the BMW, »But that’s not it, isn’t it?«
Luca shook his head and handed him a rose along with an envelope.
»Thanks.«
»Open it!«
Sighing, Tom tucked the rose between his teeth and peered into the envelope. »Airline tickets?«
»Yes. And now come on, otherwise we miss the plane!« Luca ran around the car and jumped behind the wheel.
Tom followed reluctantly. »What about the kids? I haven’t packed anything! Anyway, where do we fly?«
»Sandra takes the kids until tomorrow. I’ve already packed. Go! Get in!« Luca started the motor and sped off as soon as Tom sat.
»We’re going to Venice, the city of love,« Luca gushed.
»Wasn’t that Paris?«
Luca wrinkled his nose. »Yes, that’s what they say. But I think Paris isn’t as romantic as Venice. Paris is crowded, loud and grey. Venice, however, is…well, you’re gonna see.«
»Straightaway?«
»We’ll be there in two hours.«
***
By water taxi, they drove to the Old Town of Venice.
Luca had already booked a double room in the five-star hotel Danieli which was more like a castle and gave his guests an excellent view of the lagoon. The entrance hall with its high ceilings and the many staircases looked like Hogwarts, School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.
»Watch out, that I won’t enchant you!« Tom smirked.
Luca grinned. »You’ve already done this.«
They brought their luggage to their room and sauntered afterwards, free as birds, to the Piazza San Marco. »Do you want to have an ice-cream?«
Tom nodded.
They bought two huge sundaes and observed the many pigeons which wagged over the place looking for something to eat.
»I thought to myself, we look at the St. Mark’s Church, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs…«
Tom raised his arms, laughing. »Stop! First, we eat the ice-cream, then, we visit the sights.«
»Okay, and tonight I’m taking you out to dinner quite chic.«
»I’d prefer an original Italian pizza.«
»Honestly, me either,« Luca said mischievously.
***
After they had strolled through the city for hours, they were really hungry. In a small side street a large sign emblazoned ›Pizzeria‹.
Luca pulled Tom to the tables and sat down on a metal chair, groaning. »Man, I’m knocked out! Now I need something to eat.«
»Me, too. I’m going to order an extra-large pizza with thin crust,« Tom said. »Thanks for this wonderful day!«
»You’re welcome!« Luca smirked and took one of the menus, a young Italian had handed over to them. »I wanted to take some of your pain after your divorce. At first, I thought to challenge you for a fight in our club, but then I thought you might have no power for that.« Luca ordered a bottle of wine. »Sandra let out that you’ve always wanted to go to Venice.«
»Sneak,« Tom smirked but thanked her secretly for the tip. He felt like a prince in exile. And he felt as if there lay light-years between now and the divorce date.
After dinner, the sun had already said goodnight, they strolled through the narrow streets hand in hand, until Luca pulled him to a gondola. »Let’s take the gondola through the Grand Canal.«
»Man, that’s pure romantic,« Tom laughed but agreed.
They took seat in one of the gondolas and enjoyed the ride through the brightly lit Venice.
»I wish we could stay here forever and the time would just stand still,« Tom said with a sigh. »However, I would eventually miss the children and desperately look for a way to leave this rickety boat again,« he added quickly.
Luca hugged him tight and kissed him.
»Over there is the Rialto Bridge,« said the gondolier in English.
Luca raised his hand, smiling, then, he turned back to Tom. As they passed under the bridge, he looked deeply into his eyes. »I fear it’s too early to ask you that, but I can’t imagine a better place and moment than this.«
Tom swallowed.
He had no idea what Luca had in mind.
»Tom, I love you with all my heart.«
»I know,« Tom laughed softly and was about to go on but Luca just put a finger on his lips. »Wait!« He knelt down and took his hand.
Now, Tom guessed what Luca was up to!
Surprised, he opened his mouth but Luca would not be put off. »Tom! I’ve said to you once that I don’t belong to those guys who have to screw around everywhere…«
»Luca!«
»Well, that’s true!« Luca cleared his throat. »I like to live in a partnership; I’d like to live with you. Honestly, I can’t imagine a life without you and the kids. Inside, I would feel a gaping void which cannot be filled by anyone else.« He gently knocked against his chest and breathed in. »I know, I take you by surprise and you needn’t answer immediately. But please think about it!«
»About what?«
»I like to marry you and your kids!«
Though, Tom had expected this question, he gasped. A marriage with a man?
»How high is the divorce rate with gays?«
Luca looked at him in surprise. »Not higher than with heterosexuals. I also think it is lower because the understanding of roles and the distribution of partnership duties is better regulated than with heterosexuals.« Luca still knelt in front of Tom, looking at him hopefully.
Slowly, Tom led Luca’s hand to his mouth and kissed his fingertips. »Please don’t think I’m old-fashioned but a marriage has always meant to me to tie the knot between a man and a woman. A marriage between two men sounds so absurd.«
»Well, it’s not called marriage, but same-sex civil partnership,« Luca said softly. He stood up and sat back on the bench. »I’m sorry, Tom! I should have given you more time. It was a stupid idea to ask for your hand at the day of your
divorce.«
Tom shook his head, smiling. »No, it wasn’t. It’s quite cute. It just came out of the blue.« His gaze wandered off into the distance. »But the more I’m thinking about it, the better I like this thought. I, Tom Weidemeyer, would be married to the lady-killer as such, to the superstar of the Nation.«
Luca punched him to keep him from speaking, but Tom just laughed impudently.
He also could not imagine a life without Luca.
Wouldn’t be a ›marriage‹ the right thing?
Suddenly, he held Luca’s hands. »Yes, Luca Steffen, I want. Or do I better say ›we want‹?«
»Really?«
»Yes, I wanna be together with you, trying out many, many interesting, exciting sex toys…«
»You’re a lecher!«
»…wanna have your cock all to myself…«
Luca poked him again, so that the gondola wobbled considerably.
Frightened, the gondolier looked back at them.
Tom sat back again and kissed Luca’s hand. »I was serious about the last aspect.«
»What a pity that you are so afraid of me having an affair! But I’m going to convince you of the contrary.«
»May be I’ m too prejudiced. But thinking of gay people you don’t think of a faithful pair of swans.«
Luca grinned. »A strange picture society has of homosexuals! Don’t you think so?«
»Yes.«
»Well, we’ll show everyone that we’re a normal faithful couple. And I’m really looking forward to it.« Satisfied, Luca laid his arm around Tom’s shoulder and looked into the night sky.
»Me, too.«
The universe would certainly hold one or two surprises for them.
But at Luca’s side he had the feeling to be able to master everything.
Smiling, he thought of the kids.
A marriage would probably help to get over the divorce.
»United we stand!«, Tom said thoughtfully.
Luca smiled. »Exactly.«
END
Also available as paperback and ebook
ISBN-13: 978-1514219843
ISBN-10: 1514219840
(Comedy)