The Fruit Picker

by Bea Eschen

  Sebastian walked on, smiling. Then I am in the right place.

  From a distance he spotted the round fountain that looked like an oversized dandelion. The sculpture was made of bronze with brass pipes. The small nozzles on the spray heads made the sphere-shaped spray very fine and sensitive to

  air movement. The fountain sat on a hexagonal base, where the water cascaded down three levels. At this hour the El Alamein Fountain was illuminated and a meeting point for many people.

  Ferdinand Breuer was easy to spot as he was wearing his white baker’s apron. He was a short man with a respectable potbelly. He looks like a typical German baker and probably coming straight from the bakery to meet me, Sebastian thought. All that’s missing now is patches of white flour in his face. Sebastian waved at him and crossed the road to greet him.

  “Welcome to Sydney,” he said with a smile. After a few niceties he showed Sebastian the way to his rented studio apartment, which was located on Macleay Street above a fashion boutique.

  “Very nice!” Sebastian liked his new place instantly. The big long room had a polished wooden floor and huge windows towards the street, overlooking Fitzroy Gardens, a small park with trees and seating next to the fountain. The

  room was partly furnished with a double bed and a wardrobe, and a table and two chairs. Ferdinand’s wife Annabella had put fresh linen on the bed and it looked inviting, as Sebastian was tired from travelling. The kitchen was small and unsuitable for cooking big meals – a kind of kitchenette as found in motels. Nevertheless the bathroom had recently been renovated and was modern and clean.

  Sebastian spent the next days with getting to know Sydney. The city offered much on culture and art. He visited the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which he could reach by walking through the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens. The gallery offered a variety of Australian, Aboriginal, European, Asian and modern art. Time went by without him noticing as the archaeological section that showed vases, jewellery and statues consumed him.

  He was keen to learn about the Sydney historical buildings and districts from colonial times. The areas featured original buildings made of local sandstone with hidden alleyways and tucked away pubs and cafes. The Sydney Opera House, landmark of the city with majestic architecture, was the center of attraction. The waterfront nearby was lined with nicely laid out tables and comfortable seats providing views over Circular Quay, the port for passenger ferries and cruise ships. There were bars and bistros with delicious menus and drinks. The Sydney Harbour Bridge offered another highlight over the blue water next to the skyline of the city and the bustle of people and ships.

  Sebastian integrated quickly into the city life. After months of isolation on the mango tree plantation and in the bush Sebastian enjoyed the people and everything that came along with them. In Kings Cross, Potts Point and Darlinghurst he loved the open culture of the homosexuals, transvestites and transsexuals. Gay and lesbian couples walked hand in hand and the transvestites exhibited their fancy outfits with pride. They were an integrated part of local society and no one took offence.

  Sebastian was aware that many men noticed him, and they showed their interest openly by smiling at him and greeting with a nod or saying hi. He became conscious about his looks. Comparing himself to the other young men with short hair and extravagant hairstyles, he preferred to wear his curly hair longer and lose. A light tan made his face look fresh and healthy, and his admirers hung on his full lips that stretched into a shy smile. Shining and sparkling eyes, accentuated by long black eyelashes, were beaming with a burning passion about to explode. Sebastian knew that he was beautiful, but avoided showing it – something that made him even more desirable.

  German Bakers Generation was located in a cul-du-sac in Potts Point. Their products consisted of bread and rolls, cakes, sandwiches, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and organic fruit drinks. A queue usually started in the morning of every day lasting until the shop closed at five o’clock. The counter needed to be refilled regularly. An old warehouse next door had been turned into a modern bakery with up-to-date equipment. Sebastian thought it was a pleasant working place. His work colleagues accepted him cordially and without reservation. There were at least two men who were enthusiastic about him.

  As if they knew he was gay, they winked at him. They told him that he had a very special flair from which no one could save himself. However, Sebastian was looking for more than just sex – he wanted a soul mate, like Magda.

  It took less than a week and Sebastian’s employers knew that he was more than just a baker’s hand. They were impressed by his knowledge and experience. It was of high value that Sebastian knew how to bake according to the traditional German bakers recipe − a quality German Bakers Generation could only profit from. To top it all off, Sebastian decided to bake Magda’s father’s secret bread, but before he did so he first called to ask for his permission.

  “It would be stupid to insist on keeping my bread a limited edition,” Magda’s father shouted into the telephone. “Of course you can introduce it to the Sydney market. I would be proud if my recipe would help you to make a name for yourself!”

  In a short time Magda’s father’s bread became a great success. It was sold as MF-Sourdough – MF standing for Magda’s father!

  For years German Bakers Generation had been renting a stall selling bread and rolls on the weekend market in Fitzroy Gardens, next to the El Alamein Fountain. Sebastian was happy to take over the shift on the market on Saturdays. The MF-Sourdough sold extremely well and Sebastian served his customers with pride and joy.

  The market accommodated stalls with a variety of products. Old books, fashion, cheese, jewelry, salami, fish, vegetable and fruit, international take away foods … and an abundance of fresh cut flowers. I should sell flowers, Sebastian thought as he watched many attractive young men buy bunches of flowers for their partners.

  “One MF-Sourdough, please.” Someone ordered in perfect German.

  Sebastian was startled as he looked at his next customer.

  “Hello,” the young man said, smiling.

  “Hel Hello.” Sebastian stuttered, feeling timid as a wave of affinity flooded over him.

  “So you are the new baker,” the man said. “I have heard of you.”

  “What did you hear about me?” Sebastian was astonished.

  “Well, about your secret bread, the MF-Sourdough. I love German bread!”

  Sebastian took a loaf of bread off the shelf, taking time to wrap it so he could gather himself.

  “That’s five Dollars, please.” He would have loved to give it to this beautiful man as a gift.

  “My name is Naveen.” Naveen gave Sebastian the money.

  “Sebastian.” Sebastian introduced himself with a friendly nod. He had calmed down from his previous confusion about so much attraction.

  There was a moment of tingling stillness as the two men looked at each other.

  “I look forward to seeing you again next Saturday!” Naveen turned around and walked away, smiling brightly.

  Sebastian stood there with his mouth open over so much frankness. Wow, he is looking forward to seeing me again? It almost sounds like a date!

  He looked after him. Naveen looked kind of Indian, tall, slim and beautiful, but according to his light-coloured skin he was also part European. He had spoken in German – something that made him even more interesting. He walked as if on feathers and moved like a dancer. As if Naveen had taken over his heart, Sebastian could not stop thinking about him during the days that followed.

  A tingling sensation overcame Naveen when he saw Sebastian standing at his bread stall. He admired Sebastian’s nonchalant way when serving his customers. He has no idea what impact he has on men. Charming and very attractive, introverted and intelligent. Naveen hurried to see Sebastian before his appointment at the Peru Fieldwork Experience Office. He wanted to invite Sebastian for a ten-dollar-steak and drink in the Sugar Mill, a modern Kings Cross bistro with live music and a good atmosphere. Sin
ce his father had gone back to Delhi, he felt lonely and didn’t like cooking at home for himself. His German mother died of cancer a year ago, which hit his father deeply and drew him back to his home in India. An attractive offer from the Delhi University gave his father the final push to leave. As an archaeological professor he got well paid and lived a comfortable life in India. Naveen mourned deeply for his mother, who had always been there for him. Although the family had always lived in Sydney, she had taught him about German values and customs – so much in fact that sometimes he felt more like a German than an Indian. Because he grew up in Sydney, he also felt a deep connection with the Australian culture. During his adolescence he went through several identity crises, which he overcame with the tender and loving support of his late mother. The turnaround came after his twenty-first birthday, when he found himself feeling strong and seeing his existence in its own right.

  The queue in front of the German Generation Bakery stall became longer. With every served customer Naveen moved a bit closer to Sebastian. A new delivery of MF Sourdough just arrived. Just in time for me. I am lucky. Naveen thought. Finally, their eyes locked above the heads of the others. Sebastian stopped moving for a second with a wonderful warm feeling going through his heart. In anticipation of this moment he had been nervous all morning. Naveen winked and threw him a kiss. Considering they had met only once briefly, Sebastian laughed off his embarrassment as Naveen’s gesture implied intimateness.

  “One MF Sourdough, please.” Naveen ordered, not taking his eyes off Sebastian, who tried in vain to hide his shaking hands as he took the loaf from the shelf.

  “Can you meet me tonight at seven in the Sugar Mill? There will be jazz, beer and good food.”

  “Of course I will come!” Sebastian said without hesitation.

  The next customer was getting annoyed about the chatting.

  “Here is my number.” Naveen paid with a five-dollar-note and a piece of paper with his mobile number neatly written on it.

  “Thank you, and see you later.” Sebastian put the paper in his pocket and served his next annoyed customer.

  The Sugar Mill was crowded on Saturday nights. They were sitting at a small round table and had to scream at each other to hear what they were saying. Naveen focused on reading Sebastian’s fascinating lips from which he couldn’t take his eyes. Finally the singer took a break, thanked his audience and walked to the bar.

  Naveen was in his third archaeology semester at the Sydney University. Exactly in his father’s tracks, as he put it. His plan was to spend a few weeks on a fieldwork experience in Cusco, Peru, over the long holidays at the end of the year. He was to assist with unearthing antique artifacts from the Inca period. Both men had the same interests and Sebastian was enthused over the idea of joining him. Sebastian recently enrolled in an anthropology course. His parents agreed to provide the funds for the entire course. Because Sebastian wasn’t Australian he was charged international fees, which were exorbitant. His parents had offered the money to make up for their missed chance of being good parents.

  After they had eaten, Naveen invited Sebastian over to his home. Since his father had left for Delhi, he lived alone in an ultra-modern apartment on the twenty-eighth floor of a high-rise building in Macleay Street. The huge window fronts provided a mesmerising view over the ocean and the city’s night-lights. Sebastian knew his long journey had come to an end. In intimacy and trustfulness they widened their knowledge of each other before giving in to their desires. Together they indulged in the fire of their passion, fusing their bodies and souls to a tight embrace in mutual understanding.

  List of Characters

  Sebastian Anton Wegener (German fruit picker)

  Magda (Sebastian’s childhood friend)

  Aaron Roshal (Israeli fruit picker in Australia, Sebastian’s room mate and friend)

  Grant (South-African fruit picker in Australia, Sebastian’s room mate)

  Jessica (Orchard’s supervisor)

  Garuda Megawati (fruit dealer in Australia), alias Eagle (drug lord in Jakarta), alias Wahir Dur Gus

  Wolf (competitor drug lord in Jakarta)

  Arief Lee (fruit dealer in Australia), alias Heryanto Sukarnoputri

  Farah (Arief Lee’s late wife)

  Glenn Moore (Sebastian’s Australian lawyer)

  Dural (Ranger, servicing the Outstation)

  Tjandamurra, alias Janda (Aboriginal man living the Outstation Movement in Arnhem Land. Facilitator of a rehabilitation program. Sebastian’s protector)

  Aroonah (Tjandamurra’s mother)

  Hunter Chase (ex-prisoner on rehabilitation in Tjandamurra’s camp)

  Wundurra (Janda’s half-brother, ex-prisoner on rehab, lives in the camp)

  Xie and Ling (professional killers from China)

  Auntie Fa (friend of Aroonah)

  Mama Pippa (friend of Aroonah)

  Wang Yong (defence counsel for Arief Lee)

  Ferdinand and Annabella Breuer (Sebastian’s employers in German Bakers Generation, Sydney)

  Naveen (Sebastian’s lover)

  Author’s Note

  I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book. If you wish to write a comment, or if you have an idea as to Sebastian’s further life, I will be happy to hear from you.

  Bea Eschen