SHORT STORY
The Mystery Letter: Being Confused
Episode #6
Looking at this doctor made her confused. The strong look of this man right through her eyes felt amazing. Something Loretta needs. She is emotional in confused in her life right now. Everything she feels, everything she does, makes her not confident about her life, about her well-being, and especially not for her daughter.
The doctor and Leo gave her help to stand up her feet again. She could barely walk and walked a bit on one leg. Her foot hurt the most.
“Does this woman belong to you?”
“No, we’re not an item.”
Loretta replied very quickly before things got out of hand. She has no relationship with Leo. She might like him, but they’re not an item together. Leo was surprised she replied so quickly. They didn’t even speak about the problem yet why she and he came to the reception desk.
The Doctor went to the receptionist to ask if there is a room for someone she trusts to stay with. She needs someone that takes care of her, or she had to go home, as she can’t walk according to The Doctor. She didn’t want to go home.
Leo looked at her while they walked to the receptionist. Loretta between the two gentlemen, walking — for her hiking — towards the reception desk. She felt a little bit guilty to be like this and needed help while she always liked doing things differently.
“Sir, can you stay with her and take care of her while she stays on holiday? She needs someone she can trust to take care of her when she stays here. And I see she can trust you.”
Loretta was a little bit shocked that The Doctor said that to her while standing on one leg and at the same time leaning against Leo and The Doctor. She kind of liked it. While trying to move her body, The Doctor held her tight. At the same time, both The Doctor as Leo looked at her what is she going to do?
They all three waited for the receptionist to find out what was actually going on in their room. The receptionist found out that Leo and Loretta were placed in the same room. How that had happened she didn’t know. She decided — it seemed to her — to leave the decision with the two lovebirds. Does she?
“Sir, I think I have seen the problem with your room.”
“Oh, that is great news.”
Leo sighted for a little bit with huge relief, but he then realized that when The Doctor said she needs to be in one room with one person she can trust, and he looked at Leo, he felt responsible for her well-being. He got mixed feelings. He wanted to, but also, he wanted to be alone.
“But what is that news then?” He asked to know for sure.
Loretta looked at him, then back to The Doctor. Her eyes lit up a little bit while looking at both. Then the receptionist caught her attention and woke her up from her daydream.
“What was with your room, again, Mrs?”
“Number 302.”
“That is exactly the room number of Mr.”
“Oh, we are not an item.”
“I thought you were an item. You two look so cosy together.”
“No, we’re not an item,” Leo responded quickly. Now he felt so awful to her.
The next morning, Loretta still felt pain in her legs and barely could walk. She felt like she had a lot of lead in her legs. She had to recover from last night. It had gotten quite late with a few drinks and a great man. And that wonderful man lay next to her now. She couldn’t believe her eyes. But she had to rest for the rest of the evening.
Leo and Loretta agreed to stay in one room for at least one night. Just because Loretta needed it right now. Then, they will see what happens. But she got a headache. Probably from the alcohol last night, with all the laughter. They had fun, but did she do the wrong thing?
While Loretta woke up, she saw Leo sleeping next to her. Slowly he woke up and looked at Loretta and laughed at her. She laughed back. A sweet small laugh. She didn’t show her teeth because, after a night full of alcohol, she didn’t smell great. When turning around, Leo stood up. His smile told everything about that night.
A few minutes later, she found her pyjama bottoms crumpled to the floor. She was scared blankly. Loretta pulled the covers off her, but before she started to run out of bed, she realized she couldn’t walk properly. She walked carefully and alone to the bathroom with a grimaced face.
Leo looked at her in surprise and followed her closely. He wanted to say something, but she closed the door before he could open his mouth at all. A stab in the stomach. Especially after such a fantastic evening, like last night. He could just hold back his tears.
She saw a tired face in the mirrors. A face that wasn’t hers. A face with bags under her eyes, a face with leaked make-up. She looked like a sad clown. She didn’t want to. With her hands, she took a washcloth that was in the bathroom closet and brushed her entire face. That felt a lot better. When she started to get dressed, shaking her head and put on her make-up again.
With fierce, she walked out of the bathroom fresh. She closed the door while Leo — dressed again — looked at her with an open mouth. She looked stunning. His heart couldn’t handle this anymore. He fell for her. Not literary, but his heart bounced too fast. Faster than he actually wanted. He is not ready to fall in love, he is not ready to have a relationship.
While Cathy played with Lego at home the next day, she was downstairs already before her grandfather came dressed up. She didn’t expect that he dressed up like this. He wore his simple occasion suit. What is going on with granddad? She loved it when granddad took the time to get dressed.
“What are you going to do, granddad?”
“I just had the mood for dressing up.”
“I like it, granddad! You’re so handsome. If I was your age, I knew what to do.”
“What should you do?”
“Kiss you, of course. But I am your granddaughter, so I can’t.”
Cathy ran towards her granddad who, already, stood in front of the window with tea and the newspaper in his hands. He was surprised that he had been attacked by his granddaughter for a big hug.
“I love you granddad.” while hugging her.
“I love you too sweetheart.”
“But tell me, granddad, why are you so dressed up? Is it your new conversation partner and her grandson?”
While Tom smiled at her question, and that thought he had, then the doorbell rang. Very loud, and very long. Who could that be? Is Loretta back already? But when Tom saw Nicole and Felix, he smiled much more. His heart beat faster, but he managed to hold back and invited Nicole and Felix inside.
Nicole smiled back at Tom. She looked more in peace with herself than yesterday. When she entered the hall, she noticed him all dressed up. What is his reason? She looked surprised.
“What are you looking surprised, Nicole?
He loved calling her name. Her determination to get something done the way she wanted it. That makes him laugh. Still at this age.
“You’re so happy. Bright and shiny. How so?”
“Well, seeing you again, to be honest.”
“Wow, that is what I didn’t expect.”
She gave him a little smile. When they stood in the hall, Cathy took Felix inside to play with her Lego. She loved playing with Felix. Such a lovely boy. Nicole and Felix got breakfast, even when they already ate something. Cathy and Tom hadn't.
Loretta and Leo got some room service in the morning, still laughing about the night before. They made a plan to go to the doctor again. When the doctor said it is fine to go, they will go to the Library in Munich. That is why Leo came here for. But now Loretta barely can do something, she wanted to help anyhow. They have talked for an hour together about things life offers, and things they have been through.
With coffee in his hands, he called the doctor to make an appointment for an hour later. Loretta, on the other hand, got a smile on her face while they exchanged their look. Both standing next to each other, in front of the window, enjoying the view over the lake. Leo still on the phone to wait until he got an appointment. Luckily he was able to make that appointment.
Loretta took her tote and held Leo’s arm to not fall onto the floor again. While sitting in the taxi, she and Leo were silent. She fell asleep a little bit but stayed awake before she couldn’t wake up when they’re there. And Leo was on his laptop doing some writing for his upcoming book.
The hospital looked so big for the little Loretta with her 157 centimetres. It was a big hospital. Not just a small one, but a corporate hospital. When they entered the hospital, they were amazed at the great hall; completely pastel green, pastel blue, and pastel pink. They went to the reception to report themselves. In the waiting room, they had to wait for a few more minutes before the doctor arrived. She had been told by the family doctor to go to the hospital and to have an MRI scan. And so they ended up in the hospital here.
She could walk a little bit better, but it still hurt. She felt so nervous while sitting in the waiting room. The doctor came fast to make the scan, but actually, she doesn’t like it and felt claustrophobic. Leo held her hands before going under the scan. He talked to her courage. Leo waited outside the scan room while Loretta was under the scan.
While Nicole and Tom walked through the woods on a beautiful path, Tom got a call from the hospital in Munich. He looked very concerned. Nicole stopped for a while, and hold his hand for a bit. Looked encouraging to him to know she will be there for him.
Cathy and Felix climbed in a tree not far from the grandparents. Nicole took an eye on them, so they won’t lose them. Felix looked at Cathy and then concerned a little bit. He climbed out of the tree and he hugged his grandmother.
“What is it, granny?”
“Nothing to worry about.”
“Why is Tom on the phone?”
“He talks to his daughter.”
Felix didn’t believe her, but he went back to join Cathy in the tree. They played so nice together that they forgot to join their grandparents. But they could see them sitting on the bench, enjoying the view. Mountains everywhere, houses in the valley, and the distance a beautiful long river that excels in the big city. In the tree, you could see more beauty.
Sitting on the wooden bench, they had a conversation about what the phone call all was about. Nicole felt for him, and she understands that he doesn’t want to lose another dear to his heart. She put her hand on his upper arm to comfort him. She let him know that she will be there for him.
“The view is so beautiful.”
Tom sighted heavingly and saw the view. He couldn’t enjoy the view. He cried a little bit and got memories back from the car accident eight years ago.
“Yes, the view is beautiful. But I can’t enjoy it right now. I don’t want to lose my daughter.”
“Is it that bad?”
“She got hurt while falling on the floor at her hotel. She had to make an MRI scan. She can’t walk at the moment.”
“Well, if that is all, then I think it will be fine within a few weeks.”
They continued their walk through the woods before heading back home. It was in the late afternoon when there was a post package in front of the door. Nicole looked surprised. Did Leo send it to her? She looked at the package, but it was for Leo. She took that package inside and let it in the hallway.
When Leo and Loretta came back to the hotel the receptionist gave him a Letter. In his room, he read The Letter when Loretta didn’t look at him and was busy studying. She was peacefully sitting behind the desk. A warm feeling came through his body.
Dearest Leo,
You arrived in Munich, and hopefully, you enjoy your time here. You are the best person I know. This Letter is for you to let you know know that in The Library in Munich is a book called “The Lover”. It is about a man falling in love with someone else. A book you definitely love to read. Another recommendation for you is the museum within the Library.
I hope you will go there as soon as possible, time is ticking.
Sincerely,
The Thinker
Loretta looked curious at Leo. She loved the way he could look so seriously and be kind of a Joker at the same time. While she took a break from studying, she looked onto the street through the window.
While Leo looked up from The Letter, he became more curious. He went to his bag, picked up the other Letter, his notebook, and a pen to write everything down. He sat next to Loretta and they exchanged their hands by accident. And laughed about it.
Tom cleaned up the dishes. He laughed a little bit and looked at Cathy. She was playing happily with the dolls. In the late afternoon, an hour before dinner, Felix rang the door at Cathy’s house. He asked if Cathy and Tom would join them for dinner.
“My grandmother made her favorite oven dish. A recipe from her grandmother.”
“I have to ask my grandfather. In the meantime, come in.”
While Tom stood in the living room door opening, he watched Cathy running into him. As Tom loved spending more time with Nicole and Felix, he also needed more time for himself.
“I know you’re not going to eat healthy if you’re alone. So, you need a proper meal.”
“I know sweetheart, but I need time alone.”
“Please?”
“You may go and have fun with Felix.”
Tom had a trembling voice as he said that. He wanted nothing more than to spend time with Nicole, but he also needed to catch his breath and put everything together. A lot has happened in the past few days. He hadn’t taken time for himself. That’s what he prefers to do. Being alone.
Cathy was eager to go and play with Felix. She had to and would go to him. She did not want alone, but with grandpa. He can always make such nice jokes. And she really likes that he gets quiet with Nicole.
Cathy was already going to play with Felix because she really enjoyed doing that. And then she saw what her grandfather was doing. They closed the door behind them and ran up the sidewalk to Felix’s house.
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