Chapter 26

Lana sat close to me on the back seat as Boris drove us to Apeldoorn. She placed my left hand over her shoulder and down inside her bodice and blouse to caress her bare tit. My hand stayed there until it went numb.

Despite a sunny day, the scenery looked bleak. Trees were blown apart, lacking fresh leaves, bomb craters recently filled in, abandoned military, Allied and German, still littered the roadway. We passed a truck and crane lifting the burnt-out hulk of a truck onto a flatbed to be hauled away.

The first building I noticed approaching the town was the tall spires of several churches. Some roads and streets wore the scars of the battle to free the town, while others escaped unscathed.

We parked more in the city center, largely untouched by the battle to liberate the town. Lana took my hand and we walked several blocks, more or less because we could. I noticed that straat seemed to be the Dutch word for street.

Apeldoorn wasn’t unlike any street in larger city Canada, except their main street buildings, or what was left of them, were above three and four stories high.

We entered a small cafe that offered tea and biscuits. I noticed about twenty people, mostly adults, more women than men. This seemed to be the meeting place for the town folk.

Many recognized Boris and Benthe, going to them for hugs and kisses. I eyed the strangers, who looked at me, as Lana smiled, gripping my hand. She had us stand near a group of younger women, who I think eyed the outline of my cock through my pants.

Boris took off his wooden shoe, tapping it on a table for attention.

“Dank u, familie en vrienden, want het is veel te lang geleden dat we in vredestijd konden samenkomen. Ik ben een trotse man, een pround Nederlander en trots om u een dappere Canadese soldaat voor te stellen die mijn leven heeft gered, Richard Van Den Haven.”

“Thank you, family and friends, for it has been far too long since we could gather in peace time. I am a proud man, a pound Dutchman and proud to introduce to you a brave Canadian soldier who saved my life, Richard Van Den Haven.”

A few words I could figure out, then heard my name. There was applause, then a rush of people towards me, my hand shook countless times by the men and receiving a grateful hug and kiss on the cheek from many of the women. They smiled, talking to Lana, who smiled, and nodded her head.

“Benthe en ik zijn net zo trots om het aanstaande huwelijk van Lana met Richard aan te kondige.”

“Benthe and I are as equally proud to announce the forthcoming marriage of Lana to Richard!”

There was another round of congratulatory handshakes and pats on my shoulder. I received more hugs and kisses from the women, with many pressing a breast to my arm.

Lana was asked when we were getting married, and she told them 21st of July. Where was the wedding to take place, she hoped it could be at St. Mary’s Church.

As Lana spoke, she recognized a man and hurried out the door. “Vader Dekker! Vader Dekker!”

“Father Dekker! Father Dekker!”

He stopped, turning around to the calling of his name.

“Lana, Lana Van Den Muir! Het is vele jaren geleden! Hoe gaat het, mijn kind?”

“Lana, Lana Van Den Muir! It has been many years! How are you, my child?”

“Alsjeblieft, vader, je moet met mij meekomen. Ik wil je voorstellen aan de man met wie ik ga trouwen!”

“Please, Father, you have to come with me. I want to introduce you to the man I’m going to marry!”

“Trouwen, zegt u? Is het al zo lang geleden dat je bent uitgegroeid tot een jonge vrouw en nu verliefd?”