As no one objected, Mr. Schlegel said, “I’ll have everything taken care of right away. This is going to require some time, but I should have the house valued and contracts for the company and the house drawn up as soon as the inheritance is final and publicly notarized. That will take a couple of months. You know how slow public administration works. In the meantime, if there is anything else, please feel free to contact me.” He stood up and handed Helene and Dan each one of his cards, then excused himself.
After he had left, Dan said, “That was easy,” and gathered their little family into a group hug.
* * * * *
A Walk
“Would you like to take a walk with me?” Dan asked Sascha once their official family business had been completed. He had the strong feeling that Helene needed to be alone with Mike for a while. Given everything that had happened between them, it was to be expected. It wasn’t just the planning for their family’s move. They also needed to take the first steps to overcome Mike’s infidelity and Helene’s silent siding with her father rather than supporting her husband. Plenty to talk about and work through, Dan thought, and so do we.
He gently squeezed Sascha’s hand. “Let’s take the boys and get some fresh air.”
“Sure.” Sascha met his gaze as if to say he understood.
“Boys, come on. Let’s put some clothes on you and go for a walk.”
From the space in front of the TV, came sighs. “Do we have to, Daddy? Please, we’re in the middle of something here. Thomas and Friends is up soon. Pleeeeeease.”
Dan walked over to them. He really wasn’t in the mood for their whining. Besides, he knew that someone really needed to be alone.
“Come on, you can watch it later on Netflix, I promise. Please do as your father tells you.” He picked up Pascal and tapped Shane on the shoulder. “Let’s get you dressed.”
Sascha was amazed. With him, they boys would always try, try, try, and nag until he relented. That’s probably why they keep doing it. Note to self, change! At that last thought, Sascha had to chuckle. Wasn’t it amazing how well your own children knew you? Sometimes better than you knew yourself.
They took the boys to the bedroom and helped them get dressed, brush their teeth, and comb their hair before they put on their coats and shoes and left the house.
“We’ll be back in an hour or so,” Sascha told Mike and Helene as they walked by the living room on their way out.
She’s definitely wearing the pants in that relationship, no doubt, Sascha thought. I never thought my brother would be the type. Oh well, you learn new things every day.
Outside the house, the sun was shining, a typical March day, the air crisp and pleasant. Hand in hand, they walked down the road, the boys running in circles and playing with each other.
My family, Sascha thought with pride.
* * * * *
Back at the House
Mike felt good yet nervous. So much had happened in such a short time that he was confused, and many questions went through his mind. What about our marriage? What will the kids say? I need to quit my job.
Helene broke the silence. “We’ll need to talk to the kids sooner rather than later.”
“Yeah, and I need to talk to Walter,” Mike said, thinking about his CEO. “He won’t be happy.”
The company wouldn’t appreciate him leaving in the middle of the Bhopal project. Then again, he didn’t really care anymore. Helene had briefly told him about her father’s hold over Walter and the dirty dealings. Mike was happy to get out of there, the sooner the better.
“What about us?” Mike asked, somehow still not quite at peace, still wondering when the bomb would drop.
“We’re good, baby,” Helene said. “Just promise me never to pull a stunt like that again. If you ever feel that lonely again, talk to me first. I’m sorry if I made you feel like you couldn’t bring this to me, and I’m sorry that I wasn’t always there for you. These past few months with my parents have really shown me that I was wrong. I love my father, but he only cares about himself, and he’ll do everything in his power to hurt those who do not do his bidding. I won’t let that affect us again, ever.”
Mike was amazed at the strength his wife displayed, the love radiating from her, and he felt like a complete idiot for not having seen this aspect of her before. “I’ve been married to you for more than a dozen years, and I’ve never seen this side of you.”
“I love you so much, Mike, and I am so lucky to be with you,” she said. “Finally, we have the opportunity to build something of our own, a foundation for our family and for the future. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the challenge.”
Sitting opposite each other, love radiating between them, Mike and Helene planned the return trip to Darmstadt. They discussed how to tell the kids and her parents. They talked about the move to Switzerland and how to fill this big house with children and life. It wasn’t lost on Mike that this amazing gift was thanks to the late Anna Meyer.
Thanks, Mom, Mike thought, and wondered about the timing of his mother’s passing and the consequences for him and his family.
Thank you, Mom. I love you, and I miss you.
* * * * *
The Cemetery
Sascha caught sight of the cemetery from afar. He hadn’t even realized that their walk had taken them back to where they had laid his mother to rest the day before. The boys were still running circles around their fathers’ legs, dashing ahead, playing a version of hide-and-seek in plain sight. As they approached the gates to the cemetery, they met an old woman, and Sascha greeted her.
“Good morning, Mrs. Kuhn. Nice to see you.”
The old woman passed them and gave Sascha a nod.
“Who was that?” Dan asked.
“Oh, Mrs. Kuhn? She’s the wife of one of the Protestant ministers. She played the organ yesterday at Mom’s service. Didn’t you see her? She used to be my piano teacher. I was never much into it, so I quit after a couple of years.” Sascha laughed at the memory of how he would frustrate his poor teacher, never doing his homework, never practicing. “She probably didn’t even remember me. Must be what, thirty years ago?” Sascha was never very good with numbers.
It took him a second or so to realize that Dan was clutching his hand tightly. Sascha was about to protest when he noticed that Dan had turned pale. Next thing he knew, Dan’s knees faltered, and Sascha had to hold him up. He was barely able to lead him to a bench nearby where Dan dropped.
“What’s wrong? Did I say something?” Sascha was worried. He’d never seen Dan like this. “Are you okay? Talk to me, babe.”
Dan had begun to cry, a sound that immediately attracted the attention of both boys. Sascha needed to think on his feet.
“Boys, listen, Daddy and I need to talk for a little bit. There is a playground just outside the cemetery. Why don’t you go there and play? Just promise you’ll stay there, okay? We’ll be out shortly”
This time, the boys complied, probably slightly in shock at their father’s unexpected tears.
“Dan, what’s wrong?” Sascha tried again, looking at his husband while at the same time following the boys with his eyes as they exited the cemetery.
At least I can see them from here, he thought.
Dan’s tears were now flowing freely. Sascha held his arm around the big man’s shoulders, a mixture of love, worry, and fear. “It’s okay, you can tell me. It’s okay, I’m here.”
Dan’s whole body was shivering. His hands seemed cold to Sascha’s touch, his gaze wavering.
Finally, in barely a whisper, Dan began, “There is something I need to tell you.”
“Go ahead, it’s okay.” Sascha squeezed Dan’s hand and held him tightly with his other arm. “No secrets, remember? You can tell me anything.”
I wonder what this is all about, he thought.
“It’s hard. This is so hard. I’ve never, ever told anyone about this. I don’t even know where to begin, don’t even know if I have the words to.”
“Just try, Dan, just try. I’m not going anywhere.” He looked over to the playground to make sure the boys were still there, playing. “Has this to do with Mrs. Kuhn? That’s when you started to act strangely.”
“It happened a long time ago.” Dan slowly gathered the strength and will to put into words his experiences as a boy, the metronome, tic tac, tic tac, the touches, the touches, the touch from his own piano teacher.
Sascha sat utterly still as Dan told him the story of child molestation, of the predator who had abused his husband so many years ago. How did he survive this? Sascha was stunned. How did one survive such treatment? Then his thoughts went back to Adelaide.
“Wow.” Sascha exhaled the word more than spoke it. Next to him, Dan sat quietly, tears still flowing freely down his cheeks. “Wow!” Sascha said again, this time with more emphasis. Then he paused, trying to figure out what to say next.
“I’m so sorry, Babe. I’m so sorry to hear that. But I don’t blame you, and you certainly shouldn’t blame yourself, do you understand? This has nothing to do with you. And it certainly isn’t your fault. This person was very sick.” Sascha’s professionalism started to kick into gear. “She was very sick, and she used you, abused you, abused the trust that you and Joanne placed in her. You were only a child, a small boy! You can’t let this bring you down. But I’m glad you finally found the strength to tell me.”
“Are you angry with me?” Dan whispered.
“Angry? Why would I be angry with you? Babe, I love you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You and the boys are my life, a life I would gladly give if needed to save yours. Don’t be silly.” He kissed Dan’s forehead, and fondled his hair. “You big oaf. I love you so much.”
“So, you’re not going to leave me?”
“Leave you? Where do you get that idea? Why would I leave the one person who has always been at my side? The one man who has made me whole? No, you’ll never get rid of me. I just want to be with you, from now on and forever, you, me and the boys, okay?”
Dan hugged Sascha and held him tightly. They remained in that embrace for a while, and Shane and Pascal reappeared by their side.
“Daddy,” Shane said, “Are you sad?” He looked up at Dan.
“No Shane, Daddy is fine. Daddy is okay.” He grabbed his little boy and gave him a hug.
“Come on, boys,” Sascha said. “Let’s go and have a quick look at the grave site.”
The small family walked the short distance over to the Meyer family grave site. Where there had been a hole in the ground the day before, there was now a small mound, a tiny heap of dirt that was left over from the space now occupied by the urn.
They stood silently, looking at the grave. Sascha still held Dan’s hand, and on either man’s side stood one of the twins. Pascal held onto Sascha, and Shane leaned on Dan.
It’s been an interesting day, Sascha thought, looking back on the past twenty-four hours. He thought of his brother and the new lease on happiness offered to him and Helene, and he thought of the secrets that had finally been shattered. While there would be tender spots for a while, ultimately, the honesty and trust between them would grow stronger, and their relationship stand on even firmer foundations.
We’ll be okay, Sascha thought. We’re going to be just fine.
Sascha looked at Dan and then at his boys. “What do you say? Are you ready to go home?” I certainly am. He smiled and felt perfectly at ease, at peace.
“Yes, let’s go home,” Dan replied, his voice gentle.
* * * * *
Epilogue
The phone rang, and Sascha answered.
“Hey, Sascha,” a giddy female voice said. Helene sounded happy. Life in Switzerland must have been treating her well.
“Hey, how are you doing? Is everything all right?”
“We’re fine, just fine. The past few weeks have been crazy, with the move, getting settled, new schools. You know what it’s like, been there, done that, eh?” Her laughter sounded genuine, and that pleased Sascha.
“How did your father take the news?” Might as well take the bull by the horns. Sascha hadn’t heard anything about how Paul and Lotti had reacted to their daughter’s plans to move to Switzerland.
“They’re coming down here for the weekend. Is it okay if we put them in your room?” she asked.
“Sure,” Sascha agreed, stunned to hear Helene’s parents would be visiting her and Mike.
Helene must have picked up on his confusion because she explained, “I’ve no clue what had transpired while I was in Switzerland, but when we got home, Dad was like a lamb, almost eerie, you know. He’s been so nice and kind. Ha, maybe he was just happy to get Mike out of his sight. We’ll see how the weekend progresses. I’ll keep you guys posted. Gotta run now. Just wanted to say hi and check in on you. Give Dan and the boys a kiss and a big hug, will you? Oh, and Sascha, thanks again for that text message. You do have an amazing sense of timing.”
“Don’t mention it,” Sascha replied, pleased by her compliment, “and don’t worry about the house. It’s yours now, remember?”
Just as they hung up, Dan walked into the apartment, coming back from his evening run. “Who was that?” he asked.
“Helene. She says hi and asked me to kiss you on the lips.” Sascha crossed the few steps over to his husband.
“I seriously doubt that, but thanks.” Dan was dripping with sweat. “Is everything okay with her and Mike? I gotta shower.”
He walked toward the bathroom, and Sascha followed him.
“Yeah, all’s well, it seems.”
“Boys asleep?” Dan undressed and tossed the wet clothes into a heap in the corner of their bathroom. Sascha marveled at the sight before him, his crotch stirring as he beheld his husband climbing into the shower.
“Yeah, they were out like lights the moment their heads hit the pillow. I guess school’s taking its toll.” He watched his man lather himself up with soap, not missing a spot, right there in front of his eyes.
Sascha thought back to the events of the past few weeks and months, to Mitch, to his mother’s funeral, Dan’s confession, and how all of that had brought them closer than ever before. He loved this man. He loved him so much, and he wanted nothing more than to be fully his for the rest of his life.
A strange feeling washed over him. It was an extraordinary sensation of reaching a crossroads in his life, when all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly fall into place. Warm energy pulsated through Sascha’s body. His heartbeat quickened, and his throat felt slightly dry, full of anticipation.
He started to undress, slowly. Then he walked toward the shower, treading carefully, savoring the moment.
Dan noticed his approach, noticed the look in his eyes, and his crotch responded immediately.
That night, the two of them finally tore down the final wall that stood between them, and when they reached their climax, Dan deep inside Sascha, the sensation was unlike anything either of them had ever experienced. They were one. Finally, they were whole.
End
* * * * *
About the Author
Photo: John O’Leary
Hans M Hirschi has been writing stories since childhood. As an adult, the demands of corporate life put an end to his fiction for more than twenty years. A global executive in training, he has traveled the world and published several non-fiction titles as well as four well-received novels. The birth of his son provided him with the opportunity to rekindle his love of creative writing, where he expresses his deep passion for a better world through love and tolerance. Hans lives with his husband and son on a small island off the west coast of Sweden.
Visit Hans online at: www.hirschi.se
* * * * *
By the Author
Fiction
Family Ties
The Opera House
Living the Rainbow – A Gay Family Triptych
(includes Family Ties, The Opera House and Jonathan’s Hope)
The Fallen Angels of Karnataka
Willem of the Tafel
Spanish Bay
Ross Deere – Handy Man
Shorts – Stories from Beneath the Rainbow
The Jonathan Trilogy
Jonathan’s Hope
Jonathan’s Promise
Jonathan’s Legacy
Non-Fiction
Dads – A Gay Couple’s Surrogacy Journey in India
Common Sense – In Business & Life
* * * * *
Afterword
I had no idea that I had this story within me. In less than a month, it literally poured out of my unconscious. The process was chaotic at times. My brain was not always certain about the chain of events.
None of the characters exist in real life. Of course, like any author, I had to work with what I know, and so there are bits and pieces of family and friends in every character, and there are pieces of me in each of the characters as well. That includes the twins, who represent different aspects of my personality.
Yet the combination of these aspects makes Sascha, Dan, Helene, Mike, Clara, and the others unique individuals. It has been a blessing giving birth to them, being allowed a glimpse into their lives, crying when they were in pain, smiling at their happy moments.
I’m also glad my unconscious granted them a happy ending, restoring my faith in hope and love. There’s enough misery out there. My goal was to provide an escape, provide hope, and show that love really can overcome everything—if we only allow ourselves to trust it, trust ourselves, and trust the people we love.
Feel free to contact me with any comments, thoughts or questions you might have.
Family Ties Page 14
