Stephen - 19. Chapter 19

After 6 years, I had my degree in engineering and Nohr had his degree in teaching. We got married in Holland and spent our honeymoon in the States. I did show Nohr where my father lived, where I went to school and the hospital I was in when I was hurt. Then we went and spent the rest of the time on the southern shores of California. It was this time when I took Nohr's virginity. The feeling of being one with him was extraordinary for me. Our sex life was pretty one sided, not because of Nohr, but because I wanted it to be a special time and it was.

"Stephan, now I feel as one. As you carried me inside of your body, I now carry you inside of my body. It feels like we are one in every sense of the word." And we were.

When we returned to Denmark, I started working for an engineering firm, located on the skirts of Copenhagen. Nohr secured a teaching assignment in a Secondary School. We rented an apartment and we were quite happy.

Sadness comes into everyone's lives and so it came into ours. Nohr's grandfather became very ill and soon he left us. Nohr was very sad and so we spent a week at his grandparents home. I suggested that maybe we should bring his grandmother home with us for a little while. He thought it was a good idea but when we approached her she said no. This was her home and here she would find the memories of her husband. I understood that and knew if something happened to Nohr I would want to be around the things that would keep him alive in my heart.

“Thinking over what Gram said, makes sense to me. If something ever happened to you then I would want to be around where I could feel your presence. Your grandmother is right, here she can feel you grandfather."

While there we did spend some time with aunty and John. John had retired and was doing the milking although I noticed a few of the boys still there helping. One of the boys came up to me and gave me a hug. "You don't remember me do you?"

"Yes, I remember a little boy who caught the biggest fish this village ever saw". There were tears in my eyes as I hugged Jeppe. I put my arm around his shoulders and led him to the kitchen where aunty had made tea. I'm glad to see you. Do you still fish?"

"Yes, and I still have the title of catching the biggest fish. Can we go fishing for old time sake?"

"Of course, but not for old time sake, but for today and seeing a friend."

We did go fishing, Jeppe knew about the worms to feed the small fishes and how to bait his hooks. I was happy to be back on that piece of wood, fishing in the ocean. As soon as a bunch of boys saw us, they headed over and got the pot ready for crabs. Nothing changes as time moves on, different faces but everything is the same. Nohr came and sat beside me, but not fishing, watching with a far away look.

"I remember the first time we fished from this spot. You tried worms but they didn't work and then that old man told you about the small fish. From then on you caught your fish and so did every one else that you baited their hooks. I also remember the crabs. You have left not only your imprint on my heart but also on this village."