Free Heroine: California Dreamin' by Elia Mirca Page B

size of … “Stop it there and pull yourself together” , I argued with myself. Both waited patiently.
    “Robert was only my lover, I did not live together with him.” Silence. Shrugging of shoulders.
    “In reality I’ve been married with a manager in Palo Alto.”
    “At this computer joint?” Ron asked back, totally unruffled.
    “Yes. A time ago Robert crossed my ways and I had started an affair with him. My husband who I really love is often gone on business trips. I was then terribly bored at home and therefore it simply happened. Then Robert told me that he owned a small company. I convinced him to show me what he was selling there. I liked it so much that I asked him one day whether I could participate in a shoot. First he didn’t want to allow that. But then he gave in. Our shoot was the result of it.”
    “Then you are not a professional from Europe?”
    “From Europe: yes. A professional: no. More of a beginner than you can ever be.” There was silence on the front seats for a moment but then both screamed at the same time “Yippee” and gave one another high five.  Or similar to it; I had heard it once from Daniel.
    “However, the worst part comes now. I live in Roquetas, Ron. And I know your mother quite well. As you know my visa has expired. She also knows about it. If and when your mom should learn about that we filmed a porno together she will lose her mind. And if your father learns about that … Ron, do you know what I’m talking about?” He nodded slowly.
    “They will learn nothing about it. Nothing will happen. My father wouldn’t care anyway; he won’t give us any headaches. But it will cost you something.” I had taken that into consideration. I knew the price and also the currency.
    “What about me. After all, I got you out of here?” Pete protested.
    “Boys, I have gotten a job a few days ago. It wasn’t easy to get it and I must also be available for my husband. Could you arrange that all three of us let’s say meet once a week? Otherwise that might become too much for me.” Again silence from the front seats. Then they ‘high fived’ again – or whatever they call it, and yelled “Yippee” again, simultaneously.
    Sometimes it is easy to read men. Whereas I couldn’t forget to think that I might have offered too much. Once a month would probably have been sufficient. But most importantly there were no threats pending any longer in the chain between Alan, Robert, Ron and Irene. Whereas she was backed by a true official, Ron was excluded from the chain and in that way I could have my peace and quiet for a while. Three weeks ago I still wanted to stay in this country forever. Now there was the idea growing in me to ask Daniel to return to Germany. Even if the destination was Stuttgart and even if Igor was waiting at the airport.
    My car was peacefully parked in the parking lot where I had left it. The wide area had become crowded considerably, obviously most companies had already called it a day. Daniel would come home soon and I wanted to be a good wife to him.
    The boys and I said good bye to one another with kisses that took longer than I had planned.
    “Next week, will you be OK then?” Pete asked carefully.
    “Yes, I will call you guys. Think of something and where we should go and on which day you have off. I can manage my job. I will then take off for the afternoon.”
    They looked at one another and then winked at one another.
    “Done deal.” They knew exactly that I depended on their confidentiality. However, what they didn’t know how much I depended on it. But they wouldn’t use that beyond my offer. Beside that I had set my price so that I would also profit from that deal. Hookers must be able to reckon.
    On my way home I turned off the air conditioning and opened the side window. While the wonderful warm late summer wind blew into my hair I became aware that winter was pending back in Germany. Did I really want to leave from here? Just before the front