Big bear in Rotterdam - part three
Big bear in Rotterdam - part three
Date: May 10, 2007
Author: Welpje
welpje29@hotmail.com, please let me know what you think of it.
Fred's business meeting was a success, he said. He did not elaborate too much on it, but it seemed they were planning some European outlets and looked for trade partners in various countries. Rotterdam was one of the places they considered. Still he could not say anything for sure. We had drinks in a bar and I was going to cook him dinner at my place. This would be Fred's last night in Rotterdam and I would bring him to Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. Main course would be some Dutch dish I thought he might like. I had all the time to shop for Dutch treats when he was out to his business meeting.
Of course he helped me out in the kitchen. He turned out to be a great cook, giving my Dutch twist a creative twist. He knew food, cooking was one of his hobbies. What struck me was the harmony in our collaboration, but since we had so much fun hanging out together, it was no surprise really. But still, working together could bring some flaws in his character to light. I found none whatsoever.
After dinner we had coffee and relaxed on the couch. I rested my head on Fred's belly and stroked the hairs of his forearm. He caressed my chest and belly. I was a bit sleepy from dinner and
felt warm and comfortable in his presence. He looked down at me with a very serious face. "You know that we will not see each other for a long time after tomorrow. I guess you will meet some other men."
I could not imagine anyone being a match for Fred. "I don't know, we'll see." Fred said he understood when I was not going to wait for him. Who knew when we could ever see each other again. The distance between two continents is a real issue in relationships.
We showered together and played with the soap. We went to bed early. No earth quaking sex this time. He and I had done it quite a few times in the past few days. We just held each other and fell asleep after some kissing and caressing.
My alarm clock makes the most annoying sound in the world. Even more this time, because it announced Fred's departure. Fred and I hardly spoke during breakfast. I could not say a word. He got his luggage together and placed it in the trunk of my car and we were on our way. All the way to the airport he had his hand stretched out and petted the back of my head. I did not say much but sighed from time to time. At the airport lobby we had some coffee and then it was time for him to board the plane. He gave me a hug of several minutes and kissed me. "Don't worry, John. We will meet again, probably sooner than you think." "Bye Fred, I will miss you." I stumbled. I saw Fred going through customs and turn around, waving a final time. I fell tears come to my eyes. I would miss him. In fact, I already did.
Monday after that was bad. I had felt like a mess for a couple of days and had not slept very well. It was time to get back to work. When my co-workers asked about my vacation, I answered it had been fine and way too short. I still had not been able to rest very well, I told them. I could not bring me to tell them about losing what could be the love of my life. Looking back, I feel bad for the pupils. I must have been a very moody man for several weeks. We were working our way to summer vacation and gradually I came to peace with being alone and missing Fred. Whenever we had the opportunity, we called on the phone and he sent me long e-mails.
I spent summer visiting the beach again. I had some encounters with other men. It was fun. I had made peace with being single. Until I came home one day and I found a message on my voice mail. Fred was coming to Rotterdam for a shop opening. They had worked hard at the preparations starting last May and they were opening shops in Munich, London and Paris and of course Rotterdam. He asked if he could stay at my place and was excited to see me again.
It took seconds before I regained myself. My heart was pumping and my blood boiled. Fred was coming back to see me. Even if it were for only a week, that would mean so much to me. I picked up the phone and dialled long distance. "Hello", his voice sounded tired. "Hi Fred it is me. I just got your message. When will you be here?" Fred's voice changed and he was talking very quickly and vivid. "I will be arriving next week. We are opening late August. Can you give me a hand with some paperwork then? I am so excited to see you. Gosh I missed you, John. I don't want to be a burden to you, but can I stay with you?" "Of course, silly man. I would love to have you stay with me." I counted the days till he arrived.
Waiting at the airport the hours seemed to take ages. I had my nose almost pressed against the glass wall, waiting for Fred to come out. There he was, looking even better than I remembered him. I waved at him and he waved back. He got his luggage and walked through the glass door. He couldn't say anything, because my tongue was buried in his mouth. I could not care less of what anyone was thinking. Fred was here!! He laughed and talked to me all the way home.
When we got home, I helped Fred unpack. He took the ticket out of his bag and showed it to me. It was a one-way ticket. I asked him what that meant. Fred smiled in a very naughty way. "That means I never intend to leave you again, John. When I was back in the States, I could think of only you. I love you." I stood motionless for a second. I could not believe what I was hearing. "I love you too."
Fred and I got ourselves a bigger home and lived together ever since. He got back to Chicago every now and then. I always miss him like I did the first time. But one thing I know for sure, he always comes back!
The End.