Märli and Everett

Marlene hiked up to the bench Franz had crafted for her. Although he was home for the weekend, she felt more alone than ever. He'd been so distant lately. And now Stalingrad...he was so upset. Franz had never been one to cope well with his feelings. He would rather get lost in a bottle of wine or whiskey than admit he'd been wrong or voicing feelings of shame and fear. She hated herself for thinking it, but sometimes she wished she'd never accepted his proposal. Then again, most men she knew were the same as him—and at least Franz could make her smile.

She reached the bench and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. She ran her hand over the smooth wood. To that day, she'd never figured out if there was more jealousy or care in the bench. Franz had wanted to make the "special" place she'd met the hunter at a place where she thought of him—and he'd succeeded. But most of his effort was probably due to his jealousy after her confession. Nonetheless, both his care for her well-being and his jealousy were signs of his love. Love she hadn't felt in over a year. Strassburg had changed him. And Marlene resented it.

"Märli?"

The call shook her out of her thoughts. She turned around to see who it was. 

"Everett!" Her answer was filled with surprise and joy. "What are you doing here?" She laughed and jumped up from the bench. "Why, I haven't seen you in years! How have you been?" She threw her arms around his neck, forgetting all propriety and her promise to Franz never to see him again. She'd lied that night that she and her husband had gone star-gazing together: she remembered the hunter's name and knew she'd never forget it. 

"Oh, Märli, I thought I'd never see you again!" He hugged her back, and it took them a few seconds to realize their embrace was sinful. They broke apart quickly and were left standing close—too close. Marlene's chest heaved with joy. 

"I was afraid you'd been recruited—."

"I thought Franz would never let you set foot in this clearing after building that bench—."

"Regarding you're a hunter and all, I was sure—."

"He was so possessive by making it—."

"That you'd been sent to the frontlines—."

"I was afraid I'd never see you again, Märli."

They stopped talking over each other's words and fell silent for a long moment. Everetts's sugar-brown eyes shone with affection. Marlene's cheeks were tinted a slight pink. 

"How about you join me on the bench?" She said, breaking the silence.

"That your husband crafted to keep me away?"

"Well, where else—."

"We can sit on the grass like we used to."

"Oh, but I stained so many skirts that way, Everett!"

"And I'll buy you more." He said with a laugh. 

After a seconds consideration Marlene agreed and they walked past the bench and to the spot that they'd used to sit. She picked up the edges of her skirt and sat down daintily. Everett flopped down onto the grass in the same fashion he always had. He was six years Marlene's junior and still had a boyish way about him, especially when it came to her.

"So, how have you been? How come you didn't get recruited?"

"I'm the best hunter around; they didn't want to lose me to the front."

"And your family is well? Your brothers and sisters?" 

"Both brothers fell in the war last autumn, and my sisters have been married for years."

"You're still a bachelor?"

"Of course." He said with a grin. "I couldn't imagine marrying anybody but the wonderful Fräulein sitting beside me now."

"You're such a flirt, Everett. It's going to get you killed."

"Maybe the allied soldiers will take a liking to me when they take over." He joked carelessly. "I've been told I'm quite the catch." 

"Oh, you." Marlene rolled her eyes, but her cheeks remained a satisfactory pink. 

"How's Franz?" He inquired politely.

"Well, you probably heard that he was mayor for a while. Recently, he moved to Strassburg. He's working at a university now."

"Impressive. I didn't think he'd get back into academics. I thought he was an excellent mayor, I was sad to see him leave." 

"Well, he decided that Academia is the place for him now."

"So he's gone often?"

"Don't get any ideas, young man."

"I'm not, Marlene. I promise. I'm simply worried about you. It must be hard when he's away so often. I heard you have two children."

"It is hard, and we have three. One's still just a baby." She said, filling him in on what he'd missed. "Anyhow, the position in Strassburg pays alright; it's a good thing for him. It is less dangerous than being in politics or the army, so I can't complain."

"Did he serve in this war?"

"Yes. How did you guess?"

"Your tone sank when you mentioned the army."

Marlene didn't answer. 

"We haven't seen each other in what, ten years? Maybe more?" 

"Something like that. How did you recognize me? I've gotten old." Marlene quipped with a sad smile.

"You always had dimples and wrinkles when you smiled, Märli. Those will never age." His compliment made her laugh out loud. 

"And you still don't have any grey hair; Franz would be jealous."

"He's grey already?"

"The man's in his mid-forties; it's what's to be expected."

"Well, I won't be silver for another ten years or so, I expect."

"You're also still young."

"So are you, Märli! You're not even forty yet!"

"Well, it won't be long until I am." 

They fell silent again. Everett stretched himself out on the grass. "Join me, Märli."

"I couldn't."

"I'll buy you a new skirt and a new blouse if you do."

"Well...well, alright." So she lay down next to him.