Chapter 5: May 2018

Never ever, had I experienced such a uniquely beautiful beginning to my birthday. Luisa had already gifted me with the unique figure of a fertility priest during the night before which she had so divinely pleasured me orally. After our wonderful time together, we had slipped very quietly into our beds to be rested in the morning.

When my mobile phone woke me up at around 6 a.m., as it does every day, I was startled. Standing in front of my bed were three beauties, Esther, Zarina, and Mayari, shouting, “Happy birthday.” Of course, I was startled, but my good mood of the night was quickly restored when the three fairies kissed me. They wanted to pull me along with them, but my visit to the toilet was more important, of course.

A few splashes of water spread over my body instead of a morning shower had to suffice, because all the women of the palazzo were waiting, as Mayari pointed out. On the stairs stood the pack, nicely dressed in their recently found sports jerseys. Soon, “Happy birthday!” boomed through the hall. Lenya started a guitar solo; Luisa of all people took the mic. Now I was expecting an Inca song, but it turned out to be a big surprise. Luisa sang in English for the first time. I didn’t know the song, but Lenya later informed me it was a song by the world-famous group “One Direction”. They had recorded it on TV at Kidz Bop. Everyone in the hall clapped the rhythm, even Babette, who was sitting on a chair, her pregnant belly not allowing her to stand for any longer. Luisa sang throatily again, with a deeper, sonorous voice.

One Thing

I’ve tried playin’ it cool
But when I’m lookin’ at you
I can’t ever be brave
‘Cause you make my heart race

Shot me out of the sky
You’re my kryptonite
You keep making me weak
Yeah, frozen and can’t breathe

Something’s gotta give now
‘Cause I’m dying just to make you see
That I need you here with me now
‘Cause you’ve got that one thing

The young women held out their arms to me as they sang together:

So, get out, get out, get out of my head
And fall into my arms instead
I don’t, I don’t, don’t know what it is
But I need that one thing
And you’ve got that one thing

A rhythmic smacking accompanied Lenya’s interlude. It was already a crazy gang that shared their lives with me in the valley, yes, had to share, but I was so privileged, I didn’t want to miss a second.

Then Luisa repeated the same three verses. Esther had learned the other verses, but Luisa had asked her not to sing on this day, or maybe later in the evening. For my birthday, my current partner wanted to confess her love to me without female competition.

During the chorus, I went from woman to woman, taking each briefly in my arms and kissing each pair of lips. Lenya had the chorus repeated because I couldn’t finish my turn so quickly. Babette had tears in her eyes and whispered to me, “My present is my Felix. Too bad, I was hoping he would come today.” She winced slightly as I caressed her plump body.

Speaking of gifts. I was surrounded by the women, received crocheted coloured bracelets, an Inca hat made of sheep’s wool from three women, a pistol holster sewn from guinea pig fur from Sula and Daja, artistically painted stones, oh, it was such a joy.

But then came a special highlight. Ananda had made a charcoal drawing, this time not photolike, but abstract. The motifs were only hinted at. You had to look closely to see a larger figure surrounded by thirteen smaller people, and two symbolised women. Even Olivia with Michael and her grandma and many small babies I could make out, honestly, after it had been explained to me, but it was unique, gigantic. I had seen something so impressive once in the museum of Cologne. The painting was called ‘Mothers’. Ananda’s painting was more stylised, more abstract, but no less impressive. We immediately called it “Happy people in paradise”. By the way, I own the drawing even today, although I was offered thousands of euros for it.

That day I decided to do everything that Ananda could be trained to be an artist. It was unbelievable what a brilliant gaze she had and how she shaped this mental image into a work of art with her fingers. She enjoyed my praise and allowed herself to be kissed without resistance, lying in my arms as if enraptured by everything earthly, a wonderful woman who would give birth to a child in a few weeks.

At breakfast, Olivia came rushing to us, fell around my neck and stammered a birthday greeting. Oh, was the young mummy excited, full of anger because she was late, but her eyes shone so wonderfully, full of love, full of grace. She whispered in my ear again how much she was looking forward to our partnership.

After breakfast, I gave thanks for the meal to Luisa and Cara, thanked them for all the greetings and gifts. One thing was particularly important to me at that moment, the next birth. “An announcement, ladies. Babette is starting what is expected to be the last week of her pregnancy tomorrow. Beth, do you want to sleep in my bedroom? No more stairs, close to the doctor, all good, right?”

The heavily pregnant Romanian woman grimaced, jerked both arms first, then screamed, “Yes, I want to sleep with you, Michael.” Everyone laughed, there were very pointed remarks, but the mood got better and better. Of course, it was clear to everyone, she would only sleep near to me, not with me, but we had so much fun.

In the next few days and weeks, we wanted to focus more on teaching again. Every day we scheduled a double lesson each in mathematics, English, and science. Physical education every other afternoon also became more important again. Mayari was fully recovered after her birth, kept fit with running and sprinting and motivated the other four young mommies to join in the exercises.

In the first week of May we had two small but beautiful birthday celebrations, Mayari turned fifteen and Luisa thirty-seven. Our doctor had delayed our cook’s pregnancy test until Luisa’s birthday.

So, everyone could celebrate the two highlights together with Luisa, her birthday, and her pregnancy. Again, Ramona emphasised how different the conditions were here in the valley. She had never heard that all the women got pregnant on the first try. “Guys, we could be so lucky. Obviously, the conditions in the valley are so exceptionally good for reproduction. We have seen this with our animals too. There are no problems with the offspring. Despite increasing inbreeding, the animal children are healthy and develop normally. How long this will last, nobody knows. But that was the main reason why I wanted to have my second child here in the valley. Michael, don’t be angry, but your power of love is extraordinary, but it’s not because of you as a man, no, it is because of our conditions and the Coca tea.”

There was no reason for me to retort, raised my thumb and agreed with Ramona. Of course, I had no idea how life went under normal conditions, but surely our doctor was the only one who could judge that. From other men, I only knew their boasts about frequency and endurance during the act of love, but I had also long known from my own experience how often weaker moments regarding my own potency occurred. In Algeria, I had lived for seven days with a fiery young Spanish woman. After a short time, I could no longer cope with her demands on our love life and we had to separate, especially since the bitch was on several tracks.

When I came into the bedroom after Luisa’s birthday party, Babette was panting, then moaning. The next day, she was supposed to move into the birthing room, but she was already going into labour. As it turned out over the next few hours, Babette also had a very hard time like so many women do with their first child. Her water wouldn’t break on its own and the opening contractions dragged on for hours. At some point we moved Babette to the doctor’s room. Our doctor relieved the woman from her constant pain by breaking her water. Until early morning, contractions alternated with longer pauses.

I had sat with my strong assistant for almost eight hours, stroking her, encouraging her again and again. With the first cockcrow, the contractions stopped. Babette looked at me sadly. She wanted to get there faster, was afraid for her child. Ramona had to explain to her that a child could live for days without amniotic fluid, that it would now have to get used to its new surroundings, and that it would gain strength in the process. Babette fell asleep reassured.

School was out of the question on that Monday morning. Everyone was excited and wanted to know every detail of the birth process. But it took until after lunch. At about 1pm the contractions started again, the intervals quickly became shorter, but the contractions also became more and more painful.

Babette was certainly a fighter, but her first birth pushed her to her limits, both physically and in terms of enduring the intense pain.

The curvature of the abdomen had clearly decreased. The child was on its way. Esther supported her friend with skilful massages and careful help. A huge cry from Babette indicated the beginning of the expulsion. Inwardly I cursed myself again for having impregnated the young woman, but that didn’t help in this moment.

“It’s coming. Push, Babette, push! Yes, gather your strength and once more.” Ramona had taken charge. I dabbed at Beth’s sweat. Her next tremendous cry was replaced by a mewl. The child was there, breathing, grumbling at the unfamiliar surroundings. I kissed Babette’s forehead and congratulated her. “Well done, my love, a healthy boy”, I whispered to her lovingly while the newborn was still being cleaned and the umbilical cord treated.

Babette looked uncertain, visibly exhausted from the long fight. Then Esther was allowed to make the announcement. “Mrs Babette Manciu gave birth to a healthy baby boy today, 7^th of May 2018, at 4.45 pm. The child is in very good health, weighs 3,100 grams and is 52 centimetres tall. We congratulate the young mummy and wish her and her son all the best for the rest of their lives.”

Babette didn’t seem to want to believe it when she had her newborn son placed on her chest, still looking at me a little incredulously. “Thank you, Michael, for my child, for our child.” Shortly after, she declared his name. “My son will be called Felix Michael Manciu, Felix like my grandfather, Michael like my beloved and father of my child.” As if it were a matter of course, she accepted my kiss of recognition.

Unfortunately, there were still problems with the afterbirth. It just didn’t want to come off. “Give your Felix the breast, even if you don’t have milk yet. That helps. Your body will reject the placenta more easily that way.” Ramona also knew what to do in such cases.

Felix really sucked, still unsuccessfully for him, but our doctor was right. After a few minutes Babette gave two big groans, then the work was done. The youngest mummy in the valley had successfully survived the birth with the greatest effort, but without any visible injury. I withdrew as mother and child were prepared for sleep.

Cheers welcomed me in the hall. Dinner had already started, but everyone was waiting for my message. The news had leaked out, but they wanted it official. So, I shouted, “I’m so happy. Babette and her Felix are in perfect health.” Cheers, trampling of feet, and clapping punctuated my few words. Finally, I was able to continue. “It was very exhausting for Babette, but the team was great, successful again. Thank you for your patience and discipline. Rejoice with Babette.”

The very next day, Babette joined us for breakfast. She still looked very pale and weakened but was happy about the many congratulations and hugs. This day, I did not ensure silence at the table. Everyone had questions to the young mummy and Beth answered proudly. Before class, Babette went upstairs with me, where the four smallest children were in two beds with the bars up, and Esther’s and Zarina’s children were in a cot. The women had introduced a strict regime. At every meal, a young woman stayed with the children. There was a plan for this, and Cara made sure there was enough food for the carer.

Everything was also arranged for the lessons. In the morning, Carmen came to the Palazzo and supervised the little ones. Her twins usually played with Uma, Michi, and Bruno. Later, Florence and Leonie often joined them.

This had one advantage, the Indio women quickly got used to our hygiene standards. However, this exacerbated our nappy problem. They would only last a few months if used sparingly.

The most beautiful thing for me was the ‘potty gallery’, when the small children who could sit sat next to each other on the potties. Soon the first ones became ‘housebroken’, so to speak, meaning they no longer needed nappies during the day.

Even today, when I talk about it, the emotions overwhelm me. It was an incredibly beautiful time, how the first children developed, how great everyone took care of them. If I had any gloomy thoughts at that time, I went to the little ones and was immediately a different, a happy person.

On 10 May was another Christian holiday, “Ascension Day”. The evening before, I had announced that I would look again to see if a breakthrough could be made.

However, I had little hope. Olivia really wanted to come along and take revenge on the cacti that had caused her so much pain. It was immediately clear to me that I had to prevent that. On the other hand, assistance at my side would be helpful.

I explained long and hard why I was against it. Then Mayari spoke up. “Guys, I’m absolutely back in shape. I’ll ride up with you and help Michael. Maybe we can find a way. And I promise you, I won’t get poisoned. My Neymar still needs me.” Everyone laughed. Isabella took over the care of Mayari’s son.

Olivia was sad. “It would be nice if you could do it, Michael. But that doesn’t give me any joy at all. I’m the only woman who hasn’t had or is having your child yet. Please promise me that if it doesn’t work out, I’ll be your partner.”

“All right, Olivia. I hope I will make the breakthrough, but if I don’t and I come back healthy, you get to propose in front of everyone.”

We set off early in the morning. After the first steep five hundred metres, I could hardly keep up with my companion. Completely exhausted, we reached the blocked part of the former road. This time the speedometer showed 27 kilometres. According to the aerial photos we found in the office, there were still 17 to 18 kilometres ahead of us, then the road was free of vegetation. However, this area was at an altitude of more than three thousand metres above sea level. That made everything even more difficult.

The days before, we had tried a new technique on similar cacti on a slope in the valley. With the help of Zarina’s and Fahsai’s tools, it was easier to pierce between the plant and the root and use a wooden block to apply the lever. The first poisonous plants fell easily. It was harder to pull them out and push them down the slope. After only fifty Meters it was clear to both of us, we would need months to be able to break through.

We sat on the side of the road, drenched in sweat, in the shade of the few trees that still had leaves. Most of the crowns of the trees were burnt or charred.

Mayari said laconically, “Either they die, or we have to die, then rather the plants. Michael, make fire in front where we have come so far. It’s our only chance.”

Although I knew how dangerous it was, the young Brazilian was right. We couldn’t take nature into account. Soon a small cloud of smoke rose some distance away, widened, moved both up the mountain and towards us, but there was no danger for us.

We had our midday meal, cuddled a bit, although we were sweaty and sticky. After almost two hours, the last trees on our side were in full blaze. Further ahead we saw a fierce fire blazing, but discovered at the same moment how rain clouds were gathering, again very quickly, but not as threatening as the last big storm. We had to decide, go back immediately or endure the downpour. We wanted to know how much the fire had advanced us. Soon we were soaking wet but could approach the charred trees. It was almost child’s play to kick over the charred trunks and fall into the abyss.

My mobile phone showed 4 o’clock in the afternoon when we reached the first, only partially burnt cacti. Now everything was more tedious, but we managed about a metre in two minutes. We would have preferred to stay at the clearing site until tomorrow. But we were completely soaked and couldn’t do it without a tent. It was getting cooler during the last days. We managed another ten metres, then we took our bikes.

“Michael, I have a request. My breasts are about to burst. Will you please help me. I need to lose some milk.” We almost forgot the time during the play that followed. First, I massaged out some milk, then I played suckling, giving some to my partner too. We were both almost like children. It was a special kind of intimacy. At first, I thought Mayari was just playing the pain, but Ramona later confirmed to me that it was real pain when you had such a strong milk production as the young mother.

When it was pitch dark, we had luckily reached the part of the path where we had to push the bikes. Olivia was standing at the door of the casa, looking worriedly at Mayari, and suddenly cried out with joy when she saw me a few metres behind our sports teacher. “You’re back, Micha. That’s fine. Tomorrow I will be your partner, yes?”