Chapter 19

Ludwig was in the Czech Republic. He arrived a few minutes ago at his destination. Radanice, in the City of Ostrava. Driving himself, Ludwig sat in his rental car, parked in a small, eight-car, parking lot. In front of him was a little seven-sided, pink coloured shop. Across the road, a casino. Not a big casino, just like a local mid-size shop.

Ludwig needs to wait. It’s nearly dark. He will walk from here. Up Havlaskova street to a church three blocks away. A little church, sitting in the middle of the street. Yes, the church was there when they build the street. So, the street stops at the church and continue on, at the back of the church property.

The Lufthansa flight into Frankfurt had been without any surprises. Ludwig was awake the whole flight. He did not feel like sleeping. He was devising plans. He needs to get to Mister X. Okay, he may have dozed off a time or two. Blame the medication, that painkiller was strong. The Doctor gave him Flagyl as an antibiotic. Flagyl has an active ingredient, Metronidazole.

Metronidazole is sometimes used to treat, besides for infections, Alcoholism. Just sniffing at a drink will have Ludwig so sick, he will pray to die. So, on the flight to Frankfurt, he had only tea. Tea, tea, and more tea. He will kill to have a Bourbon or even a cold Warsteiner with a Schladerer Himbeergeist schnapps on the side.

Ludwig had been to this little church only once before. He remembers the church up Havlaskova street. The little cream and white church with the four balustrades up the front steps. The steps run the whole width of the church, divided into three separate walkways by the four balustrades. Written above the three Church doors was: “Bůh je láska”, in faded red paint the last “a”, faded away, lost in time. Loosely translated it means “God Is Love.”

There is a walkway in paving bricks on the left and right of the church, going around the church and converging at the back. Lush green grass separates the walkway from the church and the surrounding dwellings.

It was time. Ludwig got out of the car and locked it. He might be back and need the car to go search for accommodation. First, he needs to seek out Mister X. Ludwig started to walk. Across the opening behind the little pink shop and up the narrow street towards the church.

The moment Ludwig stepped onto the street, he left the hustle and bustle of the city and entered a semi-rural area of small to medium houses and dwellings, with old diamond-mesh fencing. Some overgrown with ivy and small trees. Around a slight kink to the right in the street, Ludwig saw the little church, just as he remembered it. He walked on. Not in a hurry, that would draw unwanted attention.

Ludwig came to the church, and he took the left stairs up to the left-hand door. He did not knock. Ludwig took the door handle and pulled. The door swung open. Ludwig entered the church. Dim light cast shadows over the interior of the church. Ludwig looked at his watch. It was approaching seven in the evening.

He then focused his attention on the confessional booth up ahead. Ludwig got to the booth and opened the curtain, he went in, closed the curtain, and sat down. The gridded window on his right slid open.

“Forgive me, Father, for I have NOT sinned!” Ludwig said.

“Then you have nothing to fear my son. The light will shine upon you.” A voice said. “What is it you seek?”

“I seek the “X-treme X-perience” you offer, Father,” Ludwig said, using code words.

“My son, you can go to the door you entered by. On the left of that door, you’ll find three keys. Take the bigger one. On the right of the door, you’ll see a little door on your right. Use the key. Lock the door as you have entered. Go down the steps. You will find that there is an apartment for your use.” The voice said.

“I’ll do as instructed Father,” Ludwig said.

“You will find that a young lady will join you for your convenience. She will attend to you until such a time when you will be called.” the voice said.

“I thank you for your understanding of the situation Father,” Ludwig said.

“Go in peace my son.” The voice said. The grill window closed. Ludwig sat for a while. He has made contact. Now it’s only a matter of time. He knows that Mister X would not let him wait long.

Ludwig got out of the confessional and walked back to the door he had entered by. He found the three keys. Ludwig took the bigger one. He looked towards his right. Hidden from normal view was a little wooden door, the same colour as the wall. Ludwig unlocked the door, opened it, and went through, bending slightly as to not bump his head.

Ludwig locked the door again and went down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, he found another door, unlocked. Ludwig opened this door and found inside a lavishly furnished apartment. Ludwig then sat down in one of the easy chairs. He sighed. He was tired after the long trek.

Ludwig must have dozed off. When he woke up, there was a petite little Vietnamese girl sitting on the sofa, across from him. She was dressed in a loose-fitting sarong type of dress. Her sleek jet-black hair, hanging long and loose over her shoulders. She had kicked off her shoes, so Ludwig suspected that she was there for quite a while.

“Hello. I’m Ludwig. What do I call you?”

“My name is Mai. It means ‘Flower’, in Vietnamese.” She said in perfect English. “You look tired. May I suggest a rub down? There is a table in the green room. I see you are also injured. I will tend to it for you, using my skills in healing, taught to me by my grandmother.”

Ludwig’s mouth opened, but no words came out. This is a jewel. He will have to watch his step with her.

“But first,” Mai said. She came over to Ludwig and kneeled in front of him. She removed his shoes and socks. Then she proceeded to give him a foot rub. Ludwig sat back and closed his eyes. This was good. This Mai was good. He could not gauge her age, but that she was young, was no mistake.

(Later the following day on the farm in North-West Province.)

The riot erupted when a minivan pulled up in the driveway. The sliding door was hardly open when a little petite ginger redhead flew out screaming:

“I’d-miss-you-lots!” Tracy all in one word, streaking up the patio stairs and jumping up on me. Arms around my neck and legs around my waist. Full kiss on the lips. Long, no little girl kiss. A full-blown, I-really-missed-you-and-love-you, kiss.” Laura looked on amused.

“What about Laura?” I asked. “Didn’t you miss her too?”

“Yeah... , I missed my sister ... BUT YOU, I missed the most!” Kiss.

“I missed you too pumpkin. Lots,” I said. Tracy reluctantly got down from around me. The other nine little girls were all standing around on the patio. Amused smiles on their faces.

“We missed you too, Unca-Don!” came a choir of voices. Then I was mobbed. Nine teenagers all competing for hugs, and my, oh my, kisses. Laura, Celia, and Andre were by this time, virtually, rolling on the ground.

“Save some for me!” Came from Suzie.

“Well now, I’m putting my foot down. He’s mine, you know!” Laura said.

“Ah! Just a little teensy, I missed you too, kiss.” Suzie said, pouting her lips.

“Okay! ONE!” Laura and Tracy said simultaneously, and Suzie gave me a little peck on the cheek. The other lady cops just shook their heads and greeted all a little more sedately.

Charley and Aubrey were in the meantime chatting to Celia and Andre. Suzie, ever the cop and ever so observant, saw a glint on Laura’s hand.

“What’s that? We missed something!” Suzie said.

“Oh, Don and I got engaged...” Laura said shyly. Blushing a bit. Tracy’s eyes got big, and she took hold of Laura’s left hand.

“Well girl! That’s a whole ROCK you’ve got there. Are you ruining old Don already? She said with a huge smile on her face. “Charley! Take note!”

“Well, I’m very happy for me sister,” Tracy said, stood up on tiptoe, and kissed Laura on the cheek. “Congrats Laura, you snagged the best guy in the world.” Then Tracy came over to me.

“Will not repeat me jumping thing. Just now I get whacked on me bum by me Mummy to be. Bent down!” I bent down, got two Tracy arms around my neck, and hauled down for another full-blown kiss on the lips.

“Ooh! Laura taught you to kiss well,” she said! “Be happy me Poppa-Don ... Mo grá!”

“Thank you, Sweetie Pie,” I said. Then there was a flood of congratulation handshakes and kisses. I had to flee to escape. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Laura also being mobbed. Well, the news shows that I have done good, at least.

The whole female contingent then went off to somewhere in the house. Aubrey, Charley, Andre, and I sat down on the patio. We chatted about the drive from KZN and how the group settled into the Sandton accommodation.

“Some spread you got there,” Charley said.

“Could live there permanent!” Aubrey said.

“Not with a group of female teens around. Chaos!” Charley added.

“And Celia and I signed on for this full time!” Andre said.

“So, you have decided?” I asked.

“Depends on today. How the girls respond to Celia and me, but yes. We talked. Celia and me. We’re gonna give it our best.” Andre said.

Chaotic chatter assaulted our ears as the female contingent re-emerged. With a quick peck on the cheek from Laura and Tracy, the two led the rest off to the stables. Some skipping, and some walking.

“See,” I said. “I should have bought more horses.”

“Can’t you sell something else to old Ludwig?” Aubrey laughed. “I mean he was good for the first time around!”

“Well, if you look at it the other way ... Old Ludwig DID supply the original shipment of Sweeties!” Charley said.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get carried away there!” Andre said.

“So, Daddy Andre. Is it a good time now to tell you that Aubrey and Amy are making goo-goo eyes at each other?” Charley said, grinning.

“There it goes already. I haven’t even started being Daddy, and already I have boyfriend problems...” Andre sighed. “Don! You don’t have a spare shotgun and a sjambok around, do you?” All laughed.

“Let’s get some refreshments, guys,” I said. “Let’s try the fridge by the pool Lapa. That’s if, Aubrey and Charley haven’t raided it yet!”

(Author’s note: Lapa = A thatch-roofed open sided covering, with or without barbecue. Used for the entertainment of guests, or family gatherings. Very popular at Wildlife Resorts throughout Africa. Not to be confused with a “Boma.“ Sjambok = a long, stiff whip, originally made of rhinoceros hide.)

(Meanwhile: In the Czech Republic.)

Ludwig woke up at seven. He slept like a log. Now he felt refreshed. The cuts on his hands and arms felt better. The pain, now gone. Mai was also absent. Nowhere in the apartment.

Ludwig remembered that last night she gave him a foot massage. Then she told him to take a shower. Then, after the shower, she gave him a full body massage. She then rubbed some evil-smelling ointment on his hands and arms.

Ludwig went to bed. Mai, nude, joined him, but nothing happened. She just hummed some soft chant or something, gently caressed him all over. Ludwig fell asleep.

Now, Ludwig feels like his old self again. He needs to speak with Mister X. Ludwig knew better than to force an appointment. He has to wait. Wait until he’s called.

Ludwig was hungry, so he looked into the fridge in the little kitchenette of the apartment. Ludwig found the fridge to be well-stocked. There was even fresh bread on the breakfast nook table. So fresh that the bread was still warm to the touch. Real butter in the fridge.

Suddenly, Ludwig had the craving for a peanut butter and apricot jam sandwich. Something he came to enjoy in Cape Town. You take the bread, spread butter, then peanut butter, and finish off with apricot jam. Same thing the Americans call a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Ludwig smiled. Jelly? Jelly is something you eat with custard or ice-cream!

Ludwig found some Thai green tea. He brewed some. Ludwig then sat down to his simple breakfast. Thai green tea and an American Peanut butter and “Jelly” sandwich. Ludwig bit into his sandwich.

Ludwig became aware of a presence. He looked up and went cold. Standing there on the other side of the breakfast nook, Mai. He didn’t hear her come in. She just appeared out of nowhere!

“You look much better this morning, Ludwig,” she said.

“I ... I feel much better, thank you.” Ludwig said.

“Don’t thank me. Be grateful to the Spirits in the Air,” she said. Ludwig could not place this creature. She seems to be some sort of spiritual being herself. Ludwig did not know what to make of Mai. He was half afraid of her, yet he felt relaxed in her presence.

Ludwig looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. Last night he was too tired. Too much pain in his arms and hands. Now he looked at her as she stood there before him. Soft Asian features. The athletic body, small, yet powerful. The power came from within her as if magic. A spirit. A succubus. Evil, yet good.

It’s her eyes that gave her away. The eyes, dark as the night, yet shining with a light from within, so as if she could read your soul. If she looked at you, she looked right on through you. See what’s within you. Ludwig shuddered.

“Finish eating!” she said and sat down on a stool across from Ludwig. Ludwig ate the last of his sandwich, drained his tea. Ludwig got up and placed his cup and plate in the sink. He was about to rinse it when Mai spoke one word:

“Come!” and she got up from the stool, walked to the door of the apartment, not looking if Ludwig was following her. She didn’t walk, to Ludwig, it looks rather like she was gliding. Floating in proximity to the ground. Her long sarong type dress covering her feet. The long jet-black hair falling like a veil across her shoulders and down her back to her waist. Ludwig shuddered again.

(Meanwhile On the farm in North-west Province.)

Tracy had apparently relayed her story, of how she met me, to the nine other sweeties. I say sweeties because you won’t believe how good-natured they were. I nearly got another impression of what a teenager is. These girls were good mannered, not the average mall rat. Andre and Cecilia will be happy.

Okay, so Tracy told them of her flight in the PC-24 and the Buccaneer. This came to a head when Amy and Louise came running up to me.

“Unca-Don! Is that a helicopter in the barn?” Louise asked, out of breath. Chests heaving.

“Nope,” I said. “It’s milking machine. I attach the cows to the five arms at the top and then spin them around to get the milk out.” I said with a straight face. Two blank faces stood there looking at me. Amy recovered first.

“You’re making fun of us! Course it’s a helicopter. I’ve seen pictures!” Amy said. I laughed.

“Yes, you’re right. It’s a helicopter” I said and then started the next riot. “You want a ride?”

“YES-YES-YES!” Louise cried, all in one word.

“Come on then,” I said, and so the funfair began. I slightly forgot about the little bird sitting there in the barn. So, let’s fly the girls around a bit, and then take the little bird back to next door, for proper hangaring.

Aubrey and Charley decided to start the festivities by dividing the girls up in three’s, so as not to overload the little bird. Laura, Suzie, and Tracy ganged up to also be included. Soon everybody was in a team of three. Besides myself, I could load four at a time, but I stuck with Aubrey and Charley’s plan. Makes it more comfortable for everybody.

The girls also took like ducks to water with Andre and Celia, playing around and generally being comfortable with the new Dad and Mum. It was soon discovered why Andre and Celia were there and that the six, not going anywhere, would be staying with Andre and Celia, in Sandton.

The three girls going home after the court case were a little dejected. They would, however, come back for visits, either over Christmas or New Year, whenever possible. Bobby, the girl that would be going back to Alabama in the United States, would consider visiting while on summer holiday. When she found out that her summer holiday would be in July, and that is winter in South Africa, she just shrugged and said: “Okay, I’ll have winter all year!” Visits to the Kruger National Park were also under discussion.