Until Tomorrow

by Robin Jones Gunn

  Christy smiled at Katie. “We always were a couple of peculiar treasures, weren’t we?”

  Katie tilted back her head and let loose her carefree laughter. “I haven’t heard you use that term in such a long time! You’re right, Chris. We are a couple of peculiar treasures. And so is this little Havfrue statue, if she actually exists.”

  They walked a long distance before seeing the water, which appeared as flat and shallow as a pond. Then, suddenly, there she was. The Little Mermaid. A bronzed statue only about two feet high. She had taken on a weathered, green tinge, and she sat gracefully on a flat, reddish-colored boulder, gazing down at the water. Her back was turned toward Katie and Christy.

  “Look at that, will you? We come all this way, and she won’t even turn around.” Katie said.

  “She’s a lot smaller than I thought she would be,” Christy commented.

  “Now I know why the bus driver thought we were so funny,” Katie said. “Can you imagine this little statue being situated somewhere in that harbor? She would be run over in an instant by all the cargo ships and ferries.”

  “So,” Christy said flatly, “this is the famous Little Mermaid statue.”

  “Yep, that’s her.”

  They stood for a moment, staring at the statue. Then, turning to look at each other, Christy and Katie burst into the kind of laughter that could only come from two peculiar treasures caught in the midst of an adventure.

  16

  Christy wrote about their experience in her diary that night. She entitled her entry “In Search of the Lille Havfrue.” Her last paragraph read,

  I hope I never forget the lesson I learned today. Some of the things I set out to find in life aren’t as grand as I thought they would be. When those discoveries turn out to disappoint, may I always be blessed with what I had today: (1) a peculiar treasure of a friend to laugh wholeheartedly with me over the disillusionment and (2) enough money for bus fare to take me on to the next episode of the adventure.

  Christy closed her diary, turned off the flashlight she had borrowed from Katie, and fell asleep with a contented smile on her lips.

  The next morning both Christy and Katie found only cold water in the shower. They had slept until 7:30, which, in this circle of travelers, apparently was considered sleeping in.

  If everything went according to schedule, Todd was to arrive at the youth hostel at 9:00 that morning. Christy and Katie found a bakery down the street that was packed with young international travelers who had stayed at the hostel and were on their way. Backpacks bumped into one another as the travelers stood at the counter to place their orders.

  “Do you want to go someplace else?” Christy asked.

  “Just tell me what you want, and I’ll wait in line for both of us. Why don’t you see if any tables are free outside.”

  Christy tried not to appear obvious that she was watching the diners like a hawk, waiting for one of them to make even the slightest movement indicating that he was ready to leave. Two guys wearing hiking boots and shorts began to stand up, and Christy slid over to their table to grab it. As soon as they walked away, she pulled out one of the three chairs and plopped down.

  Almost immediately a tall, slender guy wearing a leather jacket and orange-tinted sunglasses pulled out the chair next to her and sat down. “Godmorgen,” he said.

  From Katie’s drills on the train, Christy knew that was Danish for “good morning.” She wished the tour book had listed how to say, “Get lost.”

  With a simple nod to acknowledge his greeting, Christy turned her head to see where Katie was in the line. The guy said something else, and Christy pulled out her well-used “Ich verstehe nicht.”

  Unfortunately, he answered her in German, but she didn’t understand what he said. She didn’t want to say anything in English because then he would know she was an American, and she couldn’t fake a British accent well enough to pull that off.

  Before Christy could decide what to do, Katie bustled out the door with her hands full. She was about to drop one of the pastries she had balanced on top of Christy’s cup of hot tea.

  “Hey, grab this quick, Christy,” Katie said before she reached their table. Then turning to see the guy in the orange-tinted glasses, she added a friendly, “Hi. Is it okay if we sit at your table with you? It’s really crowded here this morning, isn’t it? Must be a good place to eat.”

  Oh great, Katie! I was trying to get him to leave.

  Their table host graciously pulled out a chair for Katie and in perfect English said, “So where are you guys from?”

  “California,” Katie said.

  He looked disappointed. “Me too. Fresno.”

  “Really? That’s cool. We’re from Escondido,” Katie said.

  Christy was stunned that this guy had managed to convince her he was a local. She lowered her head, closed her eyes, and said a quick prayer before tearing off a corner of her pastry, which was covered with powdered sugar.

  “Your German is pretty convincing,” he said to Christy. “I wouldn’t have guessed you were an American.”

  Christy lifted her head. “Thanks.” She liked fitting in and not sticking out. After she had been at school in Basel for a few weeks, she had decided she didn’t want everyone to know she was from the U.S. She found it easier to slip in and out of everyday life if she wasn’t always known as the foreigner.

  “How long have you been here?” Katie asked. “I’m Katie, by the way. This is Christy.”

  Christy didn’t feel particularly comfortable letting this stranger know her name, even if he was from the U.S.

  “I’m Jade. I’ve been in Europe since May. This is only my second day in Copenhagen.”

  “It’s our second day, too,” Katie said. “Christy has been in Europe since last fall. She’s going to school in Switzerland.”

  “Oh really? Where?”

  Christy didn’t appreciate Katie telling Jade all the details of Christy’s life. She gave him basic information about the university she attended and concentrated all her attention back on her breakfast.

  “What have you seen here so far?” Katie asked.

  “Seen?” Jade asked.

  “Have you been to Tivoli Gardens?”

  “No, I’m just hanging out.”

  “We went to see the Little Mermaid statue yesterday,” Katie said. “Now, that was an adventure! Not necessarily one I would recommend, but it was an adventure.”

  Jade gave them a look as if to say he couldn’t believe they were running around looking at points of interest. Christy guessed he had a different agenda for his travels.

  “You know,” he said, “a good dance club is on Nysted. The band was pretty good last night.” He looked at Christy. “You want to go with me tonight?”

  Christy tried not to sound too shocked. “No, thanks.”

  “Would you come if I found a date for your friend here?” Christy shook her head.

  “Not very friendly, are you?”

  When Christy didn’t look up or answer, Jade said, “Yeah, well, maybe I’ll see you there.” He stood up and gave Christy a light punch on the arm, as if trying to get a reaction out of her. “Take it easy.”

  They watched him saunter over to some other girls who sat in the shade. They were smoking and offered Jade a cigarette.

  “Once again,” Katie said, “I, your ever faithful friend, stand by and watch guys drool over you while I mysteriously become invisible.”

  “Like you were really interested in that guy, Katie.” Christy tried to take a sip of her tea, but it was too hot.

  “I would have gone to the dance club with him,” Katie said.

  “Yeah, right,” Christy said.

  “I think guys like that are intrigued by you because you get all shy around them. And it’s not an act. I know that. You start blushing, pull back, and look away. It’s all very natural for you. I think they see it as a challenge and try to get you to open up. I, on the other hand, am an open book. And obviously not a bestseller
.”

  “Katie, you’re perfect just the way you are. One day a guy will come into your life who will be so stunned that you are you. He’ll also be glad that you didn’t go to dance clubs with guys in leather jackets named after cold green rocks.”

  Katie smiled. “You better keep reminding me of that, Chris. The longer I wait for my handsome prince, the better those green rock-heads look to me.”

  Christy shook her head. “You know, it always bothered me in Basel when I would see Americans like that. It’s as if they’re trying to figure out who they are.”

  “And we’re not?”

  “I guess we are. It just seems different to me. Almost like they are wearing a costume. You know, the leather jacket and orange glasses. Then they come all the way to Europe to try out their costume and to see if anybody believes that’s who they are.”

  “You sound like an old lady, Christy.”

  “I do not.”

  “I liked his glasses. I was about to ask him if I could try them on. I wanted to see if they clashed with my hair.”

  Christy decided to play along with Katie rather than make philosophical observations so early in the morning. She casually glanced over her shoulder. “You know, you could still ask him, Katie. He hasn’t left yet.”

  “Maybe if I keep looking over in that direction, Jade will get the hint that I want him to come back over here,” Katie said.

  “Please don’t. My arm still hurts from where he punched me.”

  “Do you miss Todd at times like this?” Katie asked.

  “Yes. Although I’m really glad you and I had a chance to be together for a couple days. It’s been fun.”

  “I know; it has. I kind of wish Todd were going to be away a few more days. I liked being the old Katie with the old Christy for a while. We haven’t been us for a long time. I’ve missed that. Being around you brings out the real me.”

  “Do you feel it’s hard to be that way when Todd is around?”

  “No. Well, sometimes. But it’s not because of anything you’ve done or haven’t done. I think it’s just the reality of where we are in our lives. You and Todd are getting closer, and that means there’s a little less room in your life for me.”

  Christy was about to protest when Katie cut her off. “That’s not a bad thing. It’s good. Isn’t this what you’ve wanted? I know I’ve put in a prayer or two over the years that you and Todd would reach this point. It’s nice to see a few of my prayers answered. Even if they are prayers for my friends and not for me.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re right. Todd and me still being together is a little miracle, isn’t it?”

  “I think the miracles have only just begun,” Katie said. “And I like watching you two as you’re getting more serious about each other. I’ll probably be even more excited than you on the day he finally proposes to you.”

  Christy looked into Katie’s mischievous green eyes.

  “What?” Katie leaned forward and grasped Christy’s hand. “What was that look? Has he already proposed, and you’ve kept it a secret from me? You wouldn’t do that, would you?”

  “No, of course not, Katie. Todd hasn’t proposed. We haven’t talked about it at all. I was just looking at you like that because it sounded so strange to hear you say it. I mean, I think about it sometimes, but I don’t say it aloud.”

  “Well, then I’ll say it. Todd is going to propose to you, Christy. It’s only a matter of time.”

  Christy felt her heart pounding.

  “You look so shocked!” Katie laughed. “Why would that shock you? I mean, strangers coming up and asking you to go dancing, that should shock you. But why would Todd’s proposing shock you?”

  “I don’t know. It just does.”

  Katie looked behind Christy, and with a widening grin on her face, she said between clenched teeth, “Don’t look now, but he’s back.”

  Christy didn’t turn around. She had thought Jade would be happy hanging out with the girls he had found at the other table. “Don’t say anything to him,” Christy said in a low voice, looking straight at Katie.

  Katie’s grin was obviously for the guy who now stood behind Christy. Katie gave the guy a chin-up gesture and said, “Go ahead and kiss her. She’s been hoping you would.”

  “Katie!” Before Christy could reprimand her friend further, the shadow of an unshaven, not-so-great-smelling man came over her. Dry, chapped lips suddenly were being pressed against hers.

  Christy pulled away, grabbed her cup of hot tea, and shot the steaming liquid into the face of her perpetrator.

  Todd screamed.

  Springing from her chair, Christy looked at Todd and then at Katie and yelled, “Why didn’t you tell me it was Todd?”

  Everyone was looking at them. Someone offered Todd a paper napkin. Both his hands were covering his face.

  “Todd, I’m so sorry,” Christy panted. “Are you okay? Let me see your face.” She gently touched his arm, and he pulled away.

  “I’m okay,” he said slowly.

  Christy could see big, red splotches on his forehead. He wiped his eyes with the napkin and lowered himself into the chair next to Christy’s with his backpack still on.

  “It’s okay,” Katie announced to the onlookers. “He’s all right.”

  “Does it still burn?” Christy asked, sitting down and trying to get a good look at him. “Should we find a doctor?”

  “I think some cold water might help,” Todd said.

  “The youth hostel is just around the corner.” Christy tried to help him up.

  Todd pulled his arm away from her, and she remembered more than a year ago, when he had been burned seriously. If she tried to help him do anything, he would get irritated with her. So now she reminded herself that, when he was hurt, she should do what he said, get what he wanted, and then back off.

  None of them spoke as they walked quickly to the youth hostel. Todd checked in and headed for the guy’s side of the dorm. Christy called out, “We’ll be in our room.”

  Like two naughty children who had been sent to their room, Katie and Christy shuffled off in the opposite direction.

  “It was my fault,” Katie said firmly. “I can totally see now how you thought I was talking about Jade. You had no way of knowing it was Todd.”

  “I should have looked before I threw the hot tea on him. I feel so awful.”

  “You were just reacting,” Katie said. “Don’t blame yourself. I was the one who set you up. I’m really sorry, Chris.”

  “That’s okay. I know you were just having fun. It was an accident.” Christy leaned against the side of one of the wooden bunk beds. “I feel so terrible.”

  Katie and Christy spent the next hour quietly reading on their beds while other youth hostel guests came and went. One girl came in, collapsed on a lower bunk, and appeared to fall into a deep sleep. Christy was reading from Psalms, which is where she usually went when she needed some comfort.

  The God-breathed words of Psalm 61 especially helped. “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

  Christy thought of the astounding, soaring-to-the-heavens rock formations they had seen on their boat ride a few days earlier. God, you are my rock. I rely on you. I may not have traveled to the end of the Earth with Todd, but I feel as if that’s where I am right now in my heart.

  The door to their dormitory room opened, and a young woman who worked at the registration desk said, “Is there a Christy in here?”

  “Yes?” Christy called out.

  “Someone wants to see you in the lobby.”

  “Thank you.” Christy hopped down from her top bunk and asked Katie if she wanted to come with her.

  Katie put down the tour book and said, “I think I better go with you. I want to tell him it was my fault.”

  They walked to the lobby close beside each other. Todd was sitting on the long, wooden bench that r
an along the left wall of the lobby entrance. He grinned at them as they approached.

  “I’m so sorry, Todd,” Katie began. “It was my fault. Christy thought it was Jade, and believe me, she didn’t want Jade to kiss her.”

  Todd raised his eyebrows. Christy could see a big red swollen splotch across his forehead. It looked bad but not awful.

  “Jade, huh?” Todd said.

  Katie quickly explained who Jade was.

  Christy sat down next to Todd. She gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry I reacted like that without seeing who it was.”

  Todd brushed a long strand of hair from her cheek. “I guess I don’t have to worry about you knowing how to take care of yourself. You have quick reactions, Christy. That’s good.”

  “Except it’s not good when you get hurt.”

  “It’ll heal. So what have you guys been doing, besides turning down invitations to dance clubs?”

  Christy could tell Todd was okay. He wasn’t mad, and he wasn’t seriously injured. Katie must have come to the same conclusion, too, because she sat down on the other side of Todd and plunged right in with a proposed itinerary of what they should do that day, as well as a long list of all the other sights they should see.

  Todd looked at Christy with surprise as Katie continued to spout her knowledge of all the hot tourist spots.

  “She’s been reading the book,” Christy told him.

  Todd laughed.

  Christy felt good hearing his laugh again. And good being close to him and knowing that everything was okay.

  “Before we go anywhere, I want to hear about your adventure,” Christy said.

  “Right,” Katie agreed. “And then we’ll tell you about our little adventure with the Lille Havfrue.”

  Todd leaned back, stretched out his legs, and folded his hands behind his neck. “I saw a polar bear,” he said proudly.

  “No!” Katie said. “Not really.”

  “Yep. Really. Not up close, but it was a real polar bear. Lots of reindeer. Met some cool people. It was great.”

  Christy had insisted that he take her camera with him since he didn’t have one. She asked, “And you did get a picture of you at the marker when the train stopped and let you off at the Arctic Circle, didn’t you?”