Chapter 8

When I awoke Sunday, she was gone, so I got up, showered and dressed for a run. A security guard was similarly dressed so we headed from the hotel east to the river, crossing it, and running north along it. I didn’t need the exercise, but I needed to test and experience the freedom of movement, so as to best use it.

It was about 45 and breezy as we ran along the foot path that lined the east side of the Limmat River. We passed a sandy area that my guard and guide Guido said was used by people in the summer to sun, and play in the water as if they were on the beach, and just past that was the official beach volleyball courts.

Both areas were empty this time of year. When we reached the hydroelectric power plant we had to cross to the otherside of the river along a bridge dedicated to foot traffic. We continued up river until we neared a major road, then we cut to the left, zigzagging thru streets, until we entered a narrow corridor that suddenly opened on a plaza. Guido called it Röntgenplaza, we were quickly thru it, then running along busier streets.

I recognized where we were when we got to the north side of the train station, instead of running thru the mall and station, we circled around it and ended back at the hotel. My phone’s running app clocked us at 4.83 km, or 3 miles.

Guido and I went thru a side entrance, and up to the suite, I thanked him, and he said, “Sure, any time.” I stripped and headed into the shower, after getting dressed I fixed a big breakfast plate, and wondered where the girls were.

Just as I finished eating Nora and Rebecca came in, carrying bags of pastries, and chocolate. Rebecca gave me a warm smile, Nora a knowing smirk.

Right after they had eaten Rebecca got a phone call, and stepped onto the balcony. I could hear her just slightly as she said after a bit, “It’s the holidays, I’ll be back when I’m back,” and she angrily stabbed at her phone to hang up.

“What holiday is it?” I asked her as she came back in the open door.

“Thanksgiving was Thursday.” she said.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“It’s the four day long American holiday of fighting with family, football, overeating, and shopping,” she tried smiling at her joke, but her face went back to scowling.

“I understand that in the old days you could slam the headset down in a very satisfactory manner. If you need to, you can throw your phone from the balcony, if it breaks I’ll buy you a new one.”

She laughed, came around the table I was sitting at, and gave me a hug when I stood. “Was your run good?”

“Very good.”

“Good,” she replied, snuggling into the hug.

“How is my father?” I asked.

“Unchanged, the hospital is asking that we consider a long term care facility if there is no change in the next week.”

We moved together onto the couch, as the hug continued. I was enjoying the silence, when Nora slipped in on the other side of Rebecca, hugging her between us. “Your father would want us to enjoy life. I think we should go somewhere next week.” Nora suggested.

“I’ve been working seven days a week for the last ten years,” I said, “a trip sounds wonderful. Where and what should we do?”

“There are day trips we can take to the Alps, I’ve asked security and they said that they can arrange a private day trip, so should we need to return we can. It also gives us the option of staying overnight somewhere should things take longer, or weather turn bad.”

“Well you do have the experience as my father’s personal assistant. What do you think Rebecca, want to get out of here?”

“Yes, I’ve decided I’m going to stay to see Uncle Adam cared for properly, so I might as well make the best of it.”

“Just remember the presents you are taking back for Adam when you go,” Nora said.

“What presents?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Nora said, “they are in the big safe.”

“Do you know the combination?” Rebecca asked.

“No, let’s ask Christian,” Nora said hopping up.

She dialed the phone, and spoke to someone, asking if they knew the combination to the big safe. She hung up, looking dejected.

“You can always try it.” I suggested. “Maybe his birthday?”

Rebecca went to the safe and hit 3333, but it beeped. Nora suggested, “Try juniors birthday.”

Rebecca looked at me, so I told her, “3993, it’s a palindrome.”

She tried it and it beeped. Nora asked, “What’s your birthday Adam?”

“Third September, nineteen ninety three.”

“Uncle Adam wouldn’t have done it that way. He’s American.” Rebecca said, and typed in 9393. It beeped and unlocked.

“Congratulations Rebecca, you cracked the safe!” Nora said.

“Wait a minute, why would he get my birthday wrong?” I asked.

“He’s American, like I said. We do month, day, year, not day, month, year like Europeans.”

“But that makes no sense!” I said, playing it up. “What useful purpose does it serve to do it out of order? Day, month, year makes logical sense, bigger to smaller.”

“It’s America, it doesn’t have to make sense, everybody just has to agree to it,” Rebecca replied, pulling open the safe. Nora looked over her shoulder. “When did he do that?” Rebecca asked, pointing at the three wrapped boxes.

“I don’t know, it was after the old safes were stolen though.” Nora said, then added, “Oh, this one says ‘happy birthday son!’”

She grabbed the present and put it in my hands. “Here, open it,” she demanded.

“Shouldn’t he be here to see this?” I asked.

“No, you don’t delay late birthday presents,” Nora said, “plus I know he wanted you to have your present as soon as you arrived, I just didn’t know what or where it was.”

“Go ahead Adam, I’m sure it’s ok,” Rebecca added.

I sat down on the couch, and Rebecca closed the safe, then the two girls bookended me as I held the present. They excitedly watched as I pulled out the card, and opened it. I had forgotten for a moment what I had written, and for that moment I became Junior, completely.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I read the note, “My dear son, there is never enough time to make up what has been lost. Love, Adam.”

The two simultaneous hugs from both sides brought me to reality. Nora handed me a napkin, and I wiped my eyes. I carefully set the card down on the coffee table. Then I started carefully unwrapping the present.

“No! Who taught to you to open presents?” Nora scolded