ALEXIS
When Alexis arrived in Canada, as soon as he got off the train, he immediately began to freeze. By train and on foot, he finally reached the place he had been assigned. A shared apartment, that is, a shared flat. He did not know who or what was waiting for him. He rang the doorbell. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen opened. He did not even notice the casual clothes. Instead of a greeting, she called to the back, the new guy is here, and off she went. Steve then came to the door, greeted him warmly, and invited him in. He apologized for his roommate’s behavior. Caterina was not well, her father was very ill. He also introduced Alexis to the other roommate, Stella. She seemed very nice. Steve took Alexis to his room, and showed him how to set up. Alexis liked it. It was also quiet in the house, something he needed more than anything. Early he went to sleep. Towards morning he woke up, well actually he was woken up. From an adjoining room he heard loud crying and sobbing. Half dressed, he met Steve and Stella in the corridor.Caterina’s father had died last night, she had just received the news.
Even though he didn’t really know anyone here yet, it hit Alexis like a slap in the face. The same thing had happened to him a little over a year ago, when his father passed away. At that time he himself plunged his family into even greater misfortune, but of that later. After several calls and knocks, Stella was then able to go in to Caterina. She seemed to gradually calm down. Alexis then spent the day getting ready, and to inquire about the surroundings.
Then, for dinner together, Caterina appeared with slightly reddened eyes. She apologized to Alexis for the unfriendly reception. Even though we don’t know each other yet, Caterina, I’m very sorry about what happened, Alexis really meant it. She looked at him and seemed to believe him. She hardly ate anything and went back to her room early. The next day, at the morning meal together, she felt a little better. My mother will come in the afternoon, we will go home together tomorrow, Caterina informed everyone. The funeral must be prepared. Embarrassed silence. Is there anything we can do, Steve asked, but she replied in the negative. You are good friends, that’s all I need. The mother turned out to be a good-looking woman in her early sixties, dressed in mourning clothes, with a somewhat tired gait. Caterina introduced everyone. When she got to Alexis, the mother looked at him puzzled, but then greeted him warmly. Later, the others ran errands for dinner together. He sat alone with the mother at the dining room table. How are you, she asked. Oh, good thanks, I have recovered well. Here in Canada, I’m sure I’ll get away from it all. I know your story, she said. My husband was a great admirer of yours. At that time we flew together to your concert at the London Philharmonic. For days afterwards he tried to sing your melodies. Of course he didn’t succeed. It was music not of this world. Until his last day he listened to your CD again and again, and looked happy. I am so sorry for what happened to you after the concert. After dinner together, everyone had retired. He sat alone with Caterina at the table. She began. I know who you are, father has told a lot about you. You are a world-famous pianist, and sometimes you sing along. I had never seen you before, only in pictures. When I opened the door this morning and saw you, I was so surprised. I thought some musician was coming, but then you were standing there. Alexis was surprised that she knew so much about him. He said. I almost never sing, unless I’m emotionally moved, then it just bubbles out of me. I can’t do anything about it. More than a year ago, my father left. He had supported me since my childhood, and had done everything that I had a happy youth, but also invested in my music lessons. I owe him everything, and will never forget it. At his farewell concert, which I had specially organized at the London Philharmonic, there were more than a thousand mourners. I started to play something on a grand piano, later I started to sing. I sang lyrics that I didn’t know before. I didn’t know where they came from. I was incredibly moved. I sang and sang, and then all my energy was used up. I fell down, and afterwards I was in a coma in the hospital for a week. Fortunately I was able to recover, which is one of the reasons I’m going to be here in Canada for a year. I’ll be teaching piano at the university here soon. Caterina asked, don’t you have any more problems then. No, that’s only when I’m emotionally on the edge. They talked for a long time, he comforted her. He liked her, or was it even more. “Thank you for coming with us tomorrow and playing something for my father in church. But is it good for you?” His answer. No problem, you know, I have never met your father, so nothing can happen. She seemed reassured. She yawned. Let’s go brush our teeth and then go to sleep, both in our rooms. With the thought of the gentle kiss she then gave him, he fell asleep happily. Now he knew he had found her. Once in the night he had to get up. She lay beside him, fast asleep. By the small lamplight he looked at her for minutes, and he knew he had won the love of his life. At some point, he fell asleep again. Wake up, someone called from the door. It was the mother. Soon there will be the morning meal, after that we leave. Caterina was no longer there.
During the morning meal, Alexis asked the mother about her bank account. He wanted to donate something, he knew about the costs of a funeral. She didn’t want to know anything about it. But Alexis insisted. Through his concerts and CD sales he had become wealthy. She then gave in and gave him the data. After dinner, he went to his room and transferred a handsome amount of money. The mother had organized a limousine with driver. Soon it started. The trip would take about 3 hours. After about 2 hours, Caterina leaned against his shoulder, and was soon asleep. The mother looked back once and smiled contentedly. In the church afterwards the usual farewell ceremonies. Towards the end Alexis got a sign. He went to the concert grand piano placed in the center. He began with parts of Mozart’s Requiem, significant since the composer had died during his work. He played carefully, with all his technique. Individual listeners had already stood up. Others cried. He then moved on to Handel’s Sarabande, actually a dance piece. He played with such fervor that it was hard to beat for drama. In the meantime, everyone present had stood up, crying even more than before. Caterina sat not far from him, tears streaming down her face. When Alexis saw that, it was all over for him. He stood up and began to sing. The mother waved her arms and gave him signs to stop immediately. He could not. He had a bright very strong tenor that filled the whole church with tones. He sang of the beauty of life, from birth to death. About nature, the beauty of women, and the transience of everything. Where he got the lyrics and melodies from he did not know. It poured out of him. His mother waved him off again, he didn’t even notice it in his world. Then the energy left him. He made it to the exit with a straight step. The mother and Caterina ran behind. The mother was horrified when she saw him, Caterina had both hands in front of her face. Alexis turned around to Caterina. He spoke the famous three words, only there was no sound. But Caterina read it from his lips. I love you too, she cried. Then Alexis slammed into the street. First with his shoulder, then he hit his head hard on the concrete. Immediately he bled profusely from a gaping head wound. The mother screamed, Caterina was paralyzed. Two random passers-by in military uniforms came running. The older one immediately took charge. An emergency doctor quickly, the younger one answered his cell phone. They need more than 15 minutes, the hospital is far away from here, he reported. The older one then, we have to stop the bleeding, he won’t survive otherwise. Do you have a big handkerchief or something, he asked the mother. She did not. Without further ado, she took off her thick blouse, made a big ball of it, and pressed as hard as she could on the wound. It worked to some extent. She didn’t care that she was only in her underwear on top. The older man then felt Alexis’ neck with three fingers. The pulse is very weak, he must immediately go to a hospital. He called the younger one, who saluted. Enter code red, that is a command. The younger took out another device of his jacket pocket, and pressed a red button three times. Within a very short time, sirens sounded from different directions. Special forces in protective clothing and strapped weapons immediately began to secure the whole area. Traffic on the busy road was stopped. Police forces and soldiers drove up everywhere. One with yellow stripes on his jacket came running. He saluted the older man, who returned the salute. What are your orders sir, he asked. Has the rescue helicopter taken off yet? A minute ago, sir, it still needs about two minutes to get here. In their standby policy, there were always helicopters prepared somewhere, with lightly running rotors ready. Then prepare everything for the departure. The officer saluted, ran away, and shouted orders. An emergency medical team approached them at a brisk pace. Never run, the danger of stumbling is too great. Moreover, they carried large bags. They recognized the situation, and immediately started Alexis with a strong pressure bandage to stabilize his head. The bleeding then quickly came to a complete stop. A female emergency physician brought a warmly lined jacket and put it around the mother, who accepted it gratefully. You could already hear the helicopter approaching. It landed. Soldiers came running with a stretcher, carrying Alexis towards the helicopter. Caterina cried out loudly, may I go with him please. The elder looked at the mother, who nodded. He called two female soldiers. He gave them instructions. They took Caterina between them and brought her to be taken away. He then came to the mother. I heard about her loss, I am very sorry. When you have gained distance, please call me. We could talk about everything over a cup of coffee. He pulled a card and a pen out of his jacket pocket, here’s my number. How do you get home, he asked. I have acquaintances, they will soon come out of the church, I can then go with them.Madam, said the elder, you have behaved in an exemplary manner today. My respect. Both saluted her, and then said goodbye. A large limousine had been waiting for them. The mother looked at the card, there was a cell phone number. She turned it over later. It said in bold print:
General W. Znal, Commander In Chief.
The helicopter landed on the roof of the hospital. Auxiliaries came running and immediately took Alexis to the emergency room. The two female soldiers took Caterina with them. She, of course, had to wait outside the door. A nurse brought her a drink and a warm blanket. For hours she sat there. After midnight, a doctor came to see her. You had better go home now. But Caterina didn’t want to know anything about that. How is he, she asked. The doctor was reluctant at first, but in view of the special situation he then explained. The head wound has been treated, he has suffered a slight concussion. But he is extremely weak, he seems to have no energy left. Let me to him, I give him energy. I am strong, begged Caterina. The doctor hesitated and then gave in. You can lie next to him, we’ll bring another big blanket. Caterina then lay next to Alexis, hugging him as tight as she could. She whispered in his ear, things like, come again, don’t go too. She told him stories from her childhood. She whispered and whispered almost the whole night and held him as tight as she could. Later in the morning she woke up. Alexis looked at her with a clear loving gaze. She knew then that everything would be fine. She had to go to the bathroom and wanted to get up, but didn’t have the strength. Her face was as white as a sheet. Alexis pressed the alarm button, immediately a nurse came in, recognized the situation, and then helped Caterina. Now it was up to Alexis to give her strength. He hugged her tightly, consoled her, everything will be fine. Just a little patience. Later the doctor came. He ordered a blood count on both of them, who soon fell asleep again. Around noon they woke up. She had a little color in her face and looked much better. They were served lunch, which they both ate with ravenous appetites. Later the doctor came. Your blood work is fine so far, but you both look totally exhausted. I will keep you both here today. They then slept closely together again until the evening. After a fine dinner they both felt better and regained their strength. Alexis was no longer wired, together they took a shower. He had to take care of his wound, of course. They washed and held each other and then went back to sleep. Only in the morning they woke up again. This time it was Caterina who looked lovingly at Alexis when he opened his eyes. Well, slept well, she asked. He, like a king, and you, he asked. She, like a queen. After the morning meal, the doctor came to make his rounds. They are both allowed to go home today. Turning to Alexis, you then get medication on the way, that it can not come to an inflammation. The mother had organized a transport that took them to Caterina’s parents’ house. A large, stately house. You can use our large guest room. Both again slept away almost the whole day. Towards evening, the mother called for dinner. She had cooked an invigorating vegetable chicken soup. That helped them both back on their feet. Later, Caterina and Alexis crawled under the covers together in her room.
My Kyushu 