~*~ Urs & The Kissing Hand~*~ BY: Sue

Chapter 24
The Garden of Earthly Delights

Tuesday afternoon, while Susanna was organizing her permission slips for next Monday’s trip to the zoo, Urs called.

He was still feeling a little groggy, but much better after being able to stretch out in the hotel and get some proper sleep. They’d arrived in Madrid about 10:00 AM and after settling in and taking a short nap were meeting in a few minutes for an Antenna 3 interview.

A late dinner with Carlos and Gerry and on to some clubs would be a nice end to their first night in Madrid. Carlos was anxious to ‘show and tell’ about his favorite city and had already given them a list of must see and do’s before they even got off the plane.

So far their only commitment for tomorrow was an afternon soundcheck for their performance of Senza Catene at the Ondras Awards in the evening, so Urs had decided to follow at least one of Carlos suggstions and visit the Prado.

“Oh, I envy you. You’ll just love it. Be sure to see Fra Angelica’s ‘The Annunciation’, and Valazquez’s ‘Las Meninas’ and there’s some marvelous Goya’s and…” Susanna rushed on.

“OK Slow down, I get it, “ laughed Urs. “I can’t write that fast”. ‘Phew! That’s like trying to stop a runaway freight train, but at least this time she just sounded eager not nervous.’ he thought with relief.

“Carlos said to be sure to see ‘The Garden of Earthy Delights’. Do you know that one?” Urs quizzed.

“Ummm yes.” Susanna answered noncommittaly.
‘Leave it to Carlos to point out that one,’ smiled Susanna.
‘Now that I’ve heard you sing, though I can see how that would be one of your favorites,’ she realized.

It was a rather unconventional piece, sensuous, bold, and proclaiming a love of life which certainly was the embodiment of Carlos. An altar screen in three pieces with shutters, for the private enjoyment of some noble family, it told the history of the world. The story progressed from The Garden of Eden on the left to Hell on the right. Here musical instruments became instruments of torture. The Garden of Delights in the center illustrated a world enjoying earthly pleasures, complete with cavorting nudes.

‘Let’s just see if he’s tryng to impress me or really will go there’ Susanna challenged.

“Be sure to notice the musical instruments, Urs,”Susanna instructed.

‘Now why did I just do that? Why do I always need to test him?’ she chastised herself. ‘Why can’t I just believe him?’ she asked herself.
‘No, I just can’t take that chance.’ came the disappointing answer. ‘I’m not a good judge of people.’ she admitted. ‘Look what happened with Bruce!’‘ I thought he was so kind, so supportive, so considerate.’ she thought bitterly. ‘I thought he was interested in me.’‘ I thought he loved me.’ And her mouth twisted at the memory.

After talking for a few more minutes, Urs mentioned that since Madrid was only an hour behind London, he’d call again while they were there. He expected to get back very late on Thursday.

“Oh, and the best thing is we each have our own room.”

Susanna hearing a knock and a garbled conversation was not surprised when Urs returned with, “That was Seb. I’ve gotta go now. I…”

“Goodnight Bag Boy.”

“Goodnight Houdini.”

Urs did not disappoint.
Susanna was curled up in bed with her extra pillow and the newest murder mystery when the phone rang. She could hear what sounded like a huge block party in the background.

He explained there were in the Plaza Mayor, a huge square in the heart of Old Madrid, bounded by breath-taking architecture. The three amigos were at a small café relaxing before dinner.

Susanna had to listen intently but thought she heard something about taping a Christmas special ‘Nochebuena something or the other’ with muppets? Surely she’d misunderstood. Oh well, he’d be home, oops, scratch that, back soon and she’d find out. Whatever it was they all sounded like they were really enjoying themselves and the music sounded fantastic.

“By the way what did you think of the musical instruments in the altar screen?” Susanna asked innocently keeping her fingers crossed.

“I sure felt sorry for that guy caught in the harp strings.” Urs replied without hesitation.

I knew it! I just knew he would really go to the museum.
But why do I always have to keep testing him?
Why can’t I just believe what he says?
He’s a good person. I can just feel it.
That’s what you thought before, remember?
But I have to start trusting again sometime don’t I?

“It will be late when we get back tomorrow night. Do you mind if I call?” wondered Urs.

“OK…sure…yes I’d like that.” Susanna sputtered, giving him a range of answers to pick from.

“It will be good to be back.” he admitted with a soft voice.

“Yes, I know.” she reflected with a whisper.

“Goodnight Houdini.”

“Goodnight, Bag Boy.”

Chapter 25
Harry the Matchmaker

Urs, accompanied by a slightly flattened wombat, arrived home more or less intact about 2:00 AM Friday morning. As their plane left the terminal at Barajas International, an engine warning light had come on, forcing them to return to the gate and deplane while the problem was fixed. Two hours later they finally lifted off to the relief of all the tired passengers. But now it was the middle of the night and it was too late to call Susanna as he’d promised. Schieisse!

Had she waited up? Should he just try anyway?
Harry the hairy-nosed wombat, stared accusingly at Urs.
Well you just couldn’t lug around a stuffed animal for a week and not name him now could you?

Urs in a sudden moment of clarity began to realize just how far his logical, concrete, organized thinking had come, or rather gone since meeting Susanna. Surrendering to Harry’s disapproving stare, Urs picked up the phone and turned Harry towards the wall. After all this was a private conversation.

Blindly, Susanna groped for the phone and managed to pick it up by the 3rd ring.

“Hello?” she croaked.

“Hi Susanna. It’s Urs. Sorry to call so late but I just got in” apologized Urs.

Though not fully awake, Susanna’s ears still picked up the more dominant German accent in his voice.

“You must really be tired.” she responded sympathetically.

She had noticed that when he was very tired or excited or emotional his precise English slipped a bit. Personally she loved when that happened. It was as if he was caught off guard and she could see more of the original person, without the professional layer; rather like visiting a foreign city and going on guided tour vs. going out with locals.

“Just a bit” he understated.

“I’m glad you called even though it’s late.” her quiet voice confided.

“I hope you didn’t wait up.”

“Not really…well actually I fell asleep on the sofa.” she answered, embarrassed by what she had revealed.

“Can I see you tomorrow?”

“Why don’t you come over for dinner. I’m anxious to hear more about your trip. Say about 6:00?” invited Susanna.

“I’ll be there and…I’m glad to be home again.” again with more accent.

“Me too.” she echoed knowingly.

“Goodnight Bag Boy.”

“Goodnight Houdini.”

Snuggling into bed that night Susanna awarded Urs a definite A; he had remembered to call.

And although Harry was still facing the wall, he had heard Urs smiling voice, ‘She waited up for me.’

*****************

‘Urs the Early really outdid himself tonight’, Susanna grinned excitedly as she executed a 10 yard dash to the buzzer.
It was 5:30.

Throwing open the door, she boldly took his arm and the rest of him promptly followed through the doorway. Gently closing the door with his foot, helmet and wombat hastily dropped on the floor, he opened his arms and in she came.

They stood together locked in each other’s arms. Slowly they began to reacquaint themselves with the feel, the scent, and the sight of each other. Gently his hands caresssed her back and shoulders as she showed him her new and improved hugging skills.

Susanna could hear the strong, fast beat of his heart and inhaled his scent, a mixture of aftershave and pure Urs as her eyes closed in contentment. He buried his face in her hair, lost in her fragrance as his lips moved down to the sensitive spot just below her ear.

Susanna gave a little shiver and with a satisfied smile, Urs leaned back to look down at her. Running the back of his hands along her arms, holding her gaze he said, “I’ve really missed you.”

Willing herself not to look away, in a low soft voice, Susanna returned, “I have missed you.”

Her hands moved to touch his hair as he cupped her face.
Gently he began to kiss her, brief tender kisses, brushing his tongue against her lips ever so slightly. As Susanna timidly began to respond, her lips parted urging his tongue to invade. With a little sigh, she joined him in the exploration, delighted in the taste of him. Caressing her cheeks with his thumbs, he deepened the kiss as her fingers stroked his hair.

Her sweet taste and heady fragrance stirred him and his body came alive. He could not resist her tentative caress, turning him on yet filling him with an overpowering need to protect her.

Her head was spinning. She could hear her heart thumping. It was all she could do to remember to breathe.

As they ended their kiss, Urs gently sucked her bottom lip, causing another shiver and if she was completely honest a semi knee buckle…well at least a slight lean. Fortunately she disguised it well by putting her arm around his waist for one last squeeze and then in a totally unguarded moment, “Ummm you feel good” slipped out.

Not to be outdone, Urs stole a quick kiss, “And you taste good.” causing Susanna to duck her head in embarrassment.Quick to see her discomfort, Urs put his helmet behind the door, shrugged out of his jacket, picked Harry up and tried unsuccessfully to hide him behind his back.

“What’ve you got there Bag Boy?” Susanna wanted to know.

“I brought you a souvenir from Australia. Meet Harry the hairy-nosed wombat.” Urs said as he handed him to Susanna.

“Oh the children will just love him. What perfect timing for the end of our animal unit. We’re going to the zoo on Monday.”

Laughing, Susanna examined him, exclaiming over his bush hat and giving him a test squeeze while Urs told his wombat hitman joke, artfully neglecting to tell the part about Harry’s tumble in the airplane.

Susanna, sensing there was more to the story and knowing the other guys, didn’t press Urs. It would surface sooner or later.

Adjourning to the kitchen, Susanna smiled as Urs first noticed the flowers, on their last legs, but she wanted him to see them. She smiled a thank you as he moved over to the crockpot on the counter, emitting a mouth-watering smell. Lifting the lid he guessed “vegetable soup?” and was rewarded with a nod and a slight correction, ‘with beef and barley’. He patted his stomach in approval.

Taking that as her cue, Susanna ladled the soup into bowls and they sat down, Urs seating her first and handing her the napkin with a great flourish. He continued to surprise her by offering a simple ‘thank you’ for the food and even added ‘God bless the cook’ again. Susanna suspected his real sentiments were closer to ‘God bless the cookies’ but she wasn’t about to quibble.

Two bowls of soup, two rolls with butter and thick wedges of cheddar, and a beer later, Susanna was all caught up on the trip, except for Urs’ last surprise.

In the living room, with a plate of cookies and coffee he produced the disk of pictures he’d taken at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Eager to ‘show and tell’ they moved to the computer in the den. Susanna was very impressed with seeing the animals in their natural habitat and the quality of the pictures. She was sure the class would be very excited.

“I wish you could come to school and show they to the class. I’ll never remember all the details you’ve told me and the children would love it. Is there any way you could find some time next week? We’ll be at the zoo on Monday but maybe later on in the week?”

“You mean you’re not going to invite me to the zoo?” Urs pouted.

“Don’t you have to work Monday?” she reminded him.

“I’ll give Steve a call tomorrow, but I think we only have a brief wardrobe fitting early in the morning. I’ll check and see. Maybe I could meet you there.”

“Yes, please check. We’d love to have you with us. You could have your own little group of children and you won’t have to ride on the bus I promise and I’ll make you a lunch and we can eat together, and you can show your pictures and bring Harry and…”

Putting two fingers on her mouth, Urs silenced her,”OK. Now take a deep breath. I’ll,,, know,,, tomorrow.”

Without really talking about it, they just knew they’d like to spend a quiet day together tomorrow. Since they both belonged to the same health club but different locations they decided to go together to Urs first thing in the morning.

“But not until after my wake up call, Bag Boy” Susanna demanded.

“Are you starting to take me for granted, Houdini?”

Susanna just gave him her sweetest smile.

‘Would that be such a bad thing ?’ she wondered.
‘May be, maybe not.’ said her inner voice.
At least it wasn’t a definite yes.

The kiss he gave her as he shrugged into his jacket was brief, intense, and bone-melting. Even as she curled her fingers around the front of his jacket and returned his kiss she could feel her stomach coil in response. At the door, Susanna sent him off with another little hug and, with a sight wobble in her step, went to the window to wave.

Chapter 26
Beep! Beep!

Bubble gum pink gym bag by the door…check, grey track suit, trimmed in pink on the bod……check, arms in hug position…check, time to open the door.

Urs may have been ready for the gym but was the gym ready for Urs.
‘Oh my sainted Aunt Flossie’ breathed Susanna as she beheld him in all his athletic glory. He too was in a gray track suit, most certainly not trimmed in pink. A dark blue muscle shirt revealed a hint of pecs and a small amount of ‘fuzzy wuzzy’ peeked out over the top.

Susanna quickly gave him a welcoming hug, eager to hide her glazed eyes and slack jaw.
Oops, bad idea.

Warning, warning, close encounter of the bare-chested kind straight ahead. Detour immediately.

Making a sharp turn toward the north, Susanna gave Urs a hurried, but enthusiastic good morning kiss and made a quick exit into the relative safety of the kitchen, leaving Urs to close the door with his foot.

Urs, fully aware of his effect on her, followed behind with two coffees and a tiny smirk of triumph.

Over coffee they fleshed out their plans for the rest of the day. After the gym, Susanna planned to make a big batch of spaghetti sauce which of course required an assistant and official tester in the form of a certain Swiss tenor.

They decided to take Susanna’s car. On the way down stairs, Urs though forever in gentleman mode came to realize that carrying a pink gym bag would somehow cross the line of his comfort zone. Susanna agreed, to Urs immense relief.

The improvement in Susanna’s driving was dramatic. Urs noticed immediately and she beamed when he complimented her. He could tell she’d been putting in some extra time practicing and it showed. She was now able to drive and converse simultaneously and shyly confessed she was planning on getting a new car. Right now her only requirement being a good CD player and color ‘anything but pease porridge green’.

Arriving at the gym, they split up and agreed to meet in an hour and a half. Urs preferring his circuit routine and treadmill while Susanna headed to the pool.

An hour later, Susanna had managed to catch the last half of a strength and flexibility class and then finished up with laps. After the accident, the rehab for her arm and elbow had been grueling, but the end result was almost full range of motion again and she was determined to maintain that.

Relaxing in the hot tub with her eyes closed, she missed seeing Urs enter the pool area. Opening her eyes, she gradually became aware of Urs in the near lane, swimming laps. Effortlessly cutting through the water with precision, executing flipturns flawlessly, he called to mind a sleek seal relentlessly pursuing his dinner.

As he finished his laps and climbed out of the pool, Susanna’s first thought was ‘A dark curly haired Adonis rising from the waves’.
‘Medusa and her snaky locks have now taken up residence in my stomach” was her second.
‘Darn that Larry the Learned. It’s all his fault for getting me hooked on mythology’ was her third.

No other rational thoughts were forthcoming as Urs slowly sauntered toward her wearing his sexiest smile and an almost small enough to be a Speedo black swim suit. Raising his arms, he undid his ponytail and Susanna at the same time.

He shook out his hair and squeegeed the water by slicking it back behind his ears with his hands. Susanna watched in fascination as tiny water droplets leisurely made their way down his chest, slowed momentarily by the modest pattern of hair, then continued merging into a thin line ending below the black fabric.

The broad shoulders and muscles of his chest balanced the tightness of his abdomen, tapering into a narrow waist and creating a perfect inverted triangle. With his slim hips, muscular thighs, and long lean legs he was like a lithe and powerful animal.

Lowering himself cautiously into the water, Urs affirmed, “Hot.”

“Erm..yes it is.” Susanna managed to murmur.
‘And getting hotter by the second’ she observed to herself as Urs sat down next to her.

Trying to appear nonchalant, she glanced around to be sure just where she’d left her towel.

“Well I think I’m well done. I’ll see you outside.” came tumbling out as Susanna exited the tub, grabbed her towel on the run, immediately swaddled herself and hurried toward the women’s locker room.

Laughing softly, Urs performed the eye roll/head shake combination. As he watched Susanna’s hasty exit, he unsuccessfully searched his very limited cartoon inventory. He must ask David the name of that little bird with the funny tail that went ‘beep beep’. Susanna’s imitation had been flawless.

As Urs showered, he attempted to take inventory of the few glimpses Susanna had provided during her fight or flight attack. It was rather like a jigsaw puzzle, a flash of this here, a peek of that there, but all the pieces he’d managed to see were interesting to say the least.

His delicious memory of her cute little behind in that tartan kilt could definitely be confirmed and the little flash of thigh concided nicely with the legs he’d remembered in that little black dress.

He’d been very pleasantly surprised by her long slender neck, even more graceful than he recalled, and chastised himself for concentrating on her legs when she’d worn that black dress. He imagined starting at that little ticklish place right under her chin and kissing a little path down the creamy satin skin of her neck…continuing even farther.

Having felt her arms and shoulders with clothes, his fingers and hands now longed to trace their soft lines, skin on skin. Shockingly Urs realized as Susanna’s list of attributes had increased the water temperature had decreased leaving him in a stream of ice cold water. Not altogether a bad thing he observed, turning off the jets and grabbing his towel.

Dressed and walking toward her in less than five minutes he congratulated himself. He too could move as fast as that ‘beep beep’ bird.

Chapter 27
Meatballs with Malmsteen

The fact that Urs did not even offer to drive home meant more to Susanna than she could explain. That she was accepted as being a competent, creditable, independent person, had become a conscious goal every day since Bruce’s death.

Now somehow this general acceptance of her as a person paled in comparison to Urs opinion. He had become her benchmark; he was the one who counted. Susanna was tickled pink and terrified.

Arriving back at Susanna’s apartment, she offered to add Urs workout clothes to hers since she was starting a load anyway. So while their clothes mingled in the washer, they mingled in the kitchen.

Susanna had toed off her tennies and left them on the mat by the door, inviting Urs to do the same. As he followed her example he felt this simple concession signaled a shift in his status. He was no longer considered a guest, he was a friend, and that made him happy.

They were both hungry, so in keeping with their gym trip, Susanna decided to fix something quick and healthy for lunch. Urs was rather hoping for a smooshed panini; he quite like that smooshing part but that was not to be. Instead, Susanna announced strawberry/banana soy smoothies were on the menu.

Urs was crestfallen. Susanna was confident.

“Now Bag Boy have I ever steered you wrong?” she demanded to know.

“And if you’re thinking about that broccoli salad. Don’t go there. You wound up having two helpings as I recall.” She was on a roll now.

“Yes but…” Urs tried to say.

“Soy is very nutritional you know and these are delicious. I usually have one every day and I’m hardly ever sick even with being around all those children and…” she rolled on.

Urs employed his silencing technique: putting two fingers over her mouth.

“Yes, but what I wanted to say was can I have some cookies with my soy shake? Please?” followed by his best little boy grin.

“I guess it will be OK just this once, since you said the magic word: please.” Susanna laughed giving him a quick kiss and two bananas with directions to “Peel these please.”

Urs thought that magic word might come in very handy. Urs had no need to worry. The shake with bananas, strawberries dry soy protein, orange juice, water and ice was delicious and very filling, if accompanied by cookies of course.

Now to on to bigger and better things thought Urs: spaghetti, one of his favorites. Susanna handed him an apron, plain, white, manly she thought. Hers was pink-checked, cute and feminine he thought.

As Susanna started pulling packages, vegetables, and cans from the fridge and cupboard, Urs the Unclean was directed to the sink to wash his hands. Bag Boy was about to become Meatball Man.

“What about some music? We need some meatball music.” Urs decided. Digging in his gym bag on the washer, he found just what he needed. With the lightning speed riffs of ‘Rising Force’ filling the apartment, Urs meandered back into the kitchen. Tonight it would be Malmsteen with meatballs.

With three piles of ground meat in front of him Urs was ready. “Here’s the ground beef, there’s the hot sausage and that’s the mild. First you need to munge them and then just take a little bit at a time and roll them into balls. Make sure they’re all about the same size OK?” Susanna instructed, going back to chopping the celery, onions, and green peppers.

It was most certainly not OK, but Urs refused to give in to his threatened unibrow. Not even bothering to run munge through his vocabulary check he immediately decided to go by the context. Tentatively he reached for each pile and began to mix them together. He recalled watching his mother kneading bread which greatly improved his technique as his strong hands and long fingers skillfully blended the meats together.

Sneaking a glance at Susanna, she seemed engrossed in her own work and if he was munging incorrectly at least she hadn’t noticed yet.

“Looking good.” Susanna commented turning away from the stove for a minute.

“Thanks,” breathed Urs, with relief.
“Gott, hilf mir!! God help me!“ thought Urs, with alarm.
“I’m starting to understand Susannaese. What will be next?”

As Urs’ meatballs gently simmered in a pot of water, Susanna cooked the rest of the munged meat in her pan of sauteed veggies. Finally everything went into the crock pot along with the tomato ingredients for the sauce, spices and some red wine. Dinner was just a few hours away.

Kitchen duty over, Urs took off his apron. Coming up behind Susanna at the sink, he untied her apron and wrapped his arms around her. Giving her a hug, he leaned down to kiss the side of her neck, laughing as she scrunched up her shoulders, rather like a turtle trying to get inside its shell.

Susanna carried a plate of snacks and Urs grabbed the wine. Meatballs with Malmsteen became nibbles with Norah Jones as they settled on the sofa.

Urs lounged in one corner of the sofa with his arm over the back and feet propped on the coffee table. After getting a silent nod in answer to his raised eyebrow question of course. Being a friend now instead of just a guest had it’s privileges and he was a quick study. Susanna, feet tucked under, sat near him sharing the plate of snacks.

Their mood seemed to match the music, soft and relaxed, as they talked about everything, anything, nothing, or just listened. Urs absently played with her hair, and as Susanna leaned back to snuggle in the circle of his arm her eyes were drawn to his hand laying loosely in his lap.

Gently she reached for it, holding it between her two small hands, dwarfed by his larger one. Slowly she traced the outline of his fingers, over the knuckles, across the top to skim the surface, trace the veins, imagine their life blood flowing to his heart.

Turning over his hand to reveal his palm, she ran a finger down his life line, wondering what unimagined success lay in his future. Stroking his long fingers, ending at the sensitive pads, she imagined them on the strings of his guitar or holding the microphone in his unique style as if it were an injured bird, gentle, yet strong enough to keep it from harm. That was how she felt holding his hand.
Intertwining her fingers with his, she breathed a tiny sigh, snuggled deeper, and stretching her legs out on the sofa, closed her eyes and slept.

Urs sat afraid to move, almost afraid to breathe lest he break this moment, this unspoken sharing, this unexpected glimpse of what the real Susanna had been before, of what she could possibly be again with time, with patience, with him. When he could feel Susanna’s deep relaxed breathing, Urs gradually shifted sideways to stretch out on the sofa, pulled her into his side, kissed her hair and slept.

Chapter 28
Free the Limpets

Susanna woke up first. ‘Just how long had she been asleep? Ummm, this feels so good. Maybe just a few minutes more’ she decided, closing her eyes again.

The next moment her eyes flew open. ‘OMG! Just look at us. We look like limpets clinging to a rock together,’ and indeed they did. The two limpets were now completely facing each other and Urs right leg lay over Susanna’s hip while her left one lay under his. She had substituted Urs broad chest for her extra pillow.
Luckily for Urs, she was not trying to squeeze his stuffing.

She had snuggled down enough for Urs to hold her loosely in the circle of his arms while her arm was resting on his …bottom! ‘Yikes!’ Susanna removed her hand as if it were on a hot stove. Now where was she going to put it so she wouldn’t wake him?

Slowly she scooted her way toward the far end of the sofa, carefully…carefully.
There, now she was free from his arms, unfortunately the little problem of his leg remained and was becoming bigger by the minute. Susanna may have moved, but his leg hadn’t; so now it was over her shoulder and she was in close conversation with Urs belt. ‘Hurry slowly’ she prayed as she freed her leg. Now all she had to do was raise his leg up enough to slide under and…

“What are you doing?” a semi-groggy but definitely startled Urs asked, raising himself up on his elbows.

“I’m going to fix dinner?” came a tiny limpet voice, peeking out from under Urs leg.

To his credit and Susanna’s immense relief, he did not drop his leg as Susanna’s brain flashed the headline: ‘Daring Divo Headlock on Wrestlemania’. Neither did he laugh at her horrified expression as the blush crept up her face. Ever the gentleman, he swung his leg over her head and sat up, rather gingerly.

As Susanna began to scuttle off the sofa like a frightened spider, Urs gathered her into his chest for a reassuring hug.

“Next time it might be a good idea to just wake me. It will save both of us from getting too excited,” Urs said giving Susanna one of his most lethal blinkies.

Not trusting herself to answer, she nodded and navigated at warp speed to the kitchen.

Urs awarded her a head shake and eye roll.

He took his time in the bathroom washing up, giving them both an opportunity to regroup, letting the awkwardness wash away even as the soap from his hands went down the drain.

By the time he arrived back in the kitchen ready to help, Susanna had the table set and the timer had just gone off signaling the pasta was done. While Urs drained the pasta, she removed her special herb bread with thyme, marjoram, and oregano.

Tonight the cooks served themselves, ladling the sauce over large flat bowls filled of spaghetti. Susanna pulled two small bowls of salad from the fridge, put the bread basket on the table and announced, “Dinner is served.”

Susanna didn’t even have to ask Urs to light the candles sticking out of the wicker Chianti bottles on the table. Grinning, she mentally thumbed her nose at Bruce.
It was such a joy not to hear dire predictions of setting the house on fire whenever a match got within ten feet of a candle.

After a thank you for the food and a blessing for both the cooks, they dug in. Urs spicy meatballs in combination with Susanna’s flavorful sauce seemed to be a perfect match. Urs fairly preened with pleasure as Susanna complimented him on his part.

“You did so well with the meatballs that next time you get to make cookies!” she promised.

Urs was beginning to think that maybe being a sous chef wasn’t such as bad job as long as the head chef was Susanna.

As they lingered at the table finishing the wine, too full to think of dessert, Urs remembered his good news.

“I checked our schedule for Monday and it looks like I’ll be able to go to the zoo. I’ll be free by 10:00 so maybe I could just meet you there some place,” Urs suggested.

“Oh that’s great!” exclaimed Susanna with enthusiasm.

“The coaches will be at school about 9:30 to pick us up so we’ll arrive there at just about the same time. Wait for us right inside the main entrance. I’ll call when we get near. Don’t worry about lunch, I’ll pack you one. It will be in a plain brown bag so don’t worry, no pink. I wouldn’t want to spoil your image for your Ubers.”



---

Urs was learning. He knew better than to interrupt her when she was talking about school. So he ‘put his ears on’ and paid attention to the teacher. Noticing especially the way she threw around the ‘U’ word.

‘She must have been asking Gerry about Il Divo,’ he concluded, feeling very pleased.

Kitchen clean-up went as well as meatballs and sauce, as they worked side by side, talking, laughing, and teasing.

Finally it was dessert time; spumoni ice cream and Urs loved it. She admitted it had quite a while since she’d had this delicious ice cream: layers of chocolate, cherry and pistachio with candied fruit and nut layers in between. Susanna had grown up in a predominantly Italian neighborhood and this was one homemade treat she’d really missed. She had recently found this wonderful little Italian grocer who made the most authentic spumoni she’d tasted since she was a child. And of course there were cookies, always cookies. Boy was she glad she’d had that marathon baking session last weekend.

As they ate spumoni and cookies they made plans for Sunday.

“Didn’t you say you usually get home from church about 1:00?” Urs asked, licking his spoon.

‘Isn’t that sweet? He remembered,’ raved Susanna to herself.

“Yes, around 1:00 or 1:15 at the latest, depending on traffic.” ‘I’d better give myself some leeway here, I know what a clock watcher he can be.’

“How would you like to go skating tomorrow?” asked Urs straightforwardly.

“Land or sea?” Susanna gave him a choice.

Uh oh! Urs chose unibrow.

“Land means roller skating and sea means ice skating, you know sea, water, ice. Which one?”

“Oh, I get it,” Urs released his breath.

‘The scary part is I really am starting to get how she thinks,’ worried Urs.

“I meant ice skating. They’re supposed to have a really nice indoor rink at the Alexandra Palace complex. You can rent skates there. They open at 2:00 on Sundays. Why don’t I come by then?” Urs elaborated his plan.

Susanna thought that was a grand plan and of course invited him for ‘dinner and a movie’ as she put it. She had to explain it would only be sandwiches and a rental movie but popcorn would be a distinct possibility if he promised not to talk and stayed in his seat. He promised.

“So Hans Brinker, are you a good skater?” Susanna needled. “I can just see you gliding along the frozen canals, bent over in racing stance, hands behind your back whizzing past the finish line to take the prize.”

“Not likely. The only thing I glided along in Amsterdam was musical scales I’m afraid. Disappointed? But I am glad to see you care enough to look me up on the Forum or web or wherever?” was his cheeky comeback along with that ‘devil made me do it’ smile.

Two bright spots of color appeared on Susanna’s cheeks. “I um …I just wanted to know a little more about you so I’d have something to talk about,” she fibbed.

“And just when exactly was the last time you ran out of things to say?” laughed Urs, quickly gathering the dessert things and heading to the kitchen.

Finding him standing at the sink, Susanna gave his a playful swat on the arm and teasingly threatened, “Just you wait, Bag Boy. One of these days I’m going to be very quiet and…”

Urs turned around and his mouth came down on hers as he pulled her toward him. She tasted like spumoni, so sweet, so delicious. His tongue slid over her lips, tasting, teasing, nibbling. ‘So soft, how could a kiss feel that incredible, taste that good?’ he wondered. He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, gently sliding his tongue between her parted lips, inviting, searching. No longer tied up with words, she reciprocated; hesitant yet exploring.

‘How does he do that? As soon as he starts to kiss me I can’t even think? It’s like he’s asking, not demanding. He makes me want to match his kiss, to let him lead me and not be afraid.’

Then, as they broke apart, Susanna tentatively ran her tongue over Urs bottom lip and sucked gently.

Holding her arms, Urs put her away from him with a groan and a look even Susanna could understand.

‘Mein Gott! Urs, just look what your little pupil is doing. She’s turning you inside out and she doesn’t even have a clue.’

Her gentle touch had stirred something inside him, not just the obvious; he was beginning to think maybe it was his heart.

Ever the appeaser, Susanna began to apologize.

“I’m sorry Urs. I just wanted to show you…I liked …I thought… Wasn’t it…?” she ended.

“It was wonderful, Susanna. You did nothing wrong. It was perfect, in fact too perfect,” he smiled ruefully.

Raising her chin with his finger he held her gaze. “Look at me Susanna. I’m me. I’m Urs. I’m not Bruce. I’m not going to grade you or compare you or criticize you or whatever else Bruce did to make you think you were wrong all the time. And no more ‘I’m sorries’ OK?”

“OK,” Susanna promised.

“Unless of course you run out of cookies!” Urs threatened with a grin, easing the tension.

Taking the hint, Susanna dug in the freezer for a container of cookies and handed it to him.

Their goodbye kiss at the door was fleeting and gentle, warm soft mouths together and then gone.

Susanna closed the door, but then just had to be sure. Urs heard the door open as he walked toward the stairs.

“So you liked it then Bag Boy?” was Susanna’s teasing question.

“It was magical, Houdini!” was Urs grinning answer.

Chapter 29
Ally Pally

Urs arrived at the door two minutes early and was greeted with a warm hug and an even warmer but brief kiss. Having previously demonstrated her command of the stick shift, Susanna allowed herself to be chauffeured by Urs today. After a quick look at the map off they went to Ally Pally, otherwise know as Alexandra Palace.

It was set in over a hundred acres of parkland over looking London, the site used for conferences, exhibitions, and weddings. It also had a conservation area, theatre, and most importantly for Susanna and Urs, an ice rink. They both loved the beautiful Victorian style buildings and even with winter fast approaching, they were impressed with the parkland setting and extensive outdoor facilities.

After renting their skates, they stored their jackets and shoes in a locker. Urs decided he needed to make sure Susanna’s skates were correctly and tightly laced so she indulged him, secretly loving the unfamiliar pampering.

Holding onto each other and the side of the rink, they gradually got their ‘skate’ legs, as their muscles began to remember brain commands stored long ago. Thought not quite ready to venture into the inner circle of the rink where the more professional skaters gracefully twirled and jumped, doing intricate moves with and without partners, they managed to stay upright for the most part.

Susanna had worn tights under her slacks along with a heavy sweater for warmth. Urs too had on a thick sweater and his jeans.

As she had dressed for skating, Susanna had thought about Urs, suddenly imagining what he had on under his jeans. Gerry had mentioned that they’d had an off the wall offer to do an underwear ad, which of course was immediately rejected. Even with her not too vivid imagination in that department, Susanna had felt her cheeks get hot.

She remembered it again as Urs got a little braver, executing a little spin, almost. Down he went. Laughing, Susanna went over to offer him help. Grinning, he managed to get up by himself, brushing the ice off his backside.

“C’mon Hans Jr. hold my hand and maybe we can keep each other up,” Susanna invited, holding out her gloved hand.

After a few times round the rink Susanna decided to get brave. She got an idea for them to hold hands cross-wise, ‘just like in one of those old fashioned Christmas cards’. There were a few false starts, with Urs getting his hands mixed up on purpose, but finally she succeeded in taming her playful partner. They soon found their stride and did a fairly creditable job for several circuits.

“So where did you learn to skate?” Urs asked as they took a break with some hot drinks.

“There was a park near us in Chicago where I grew up, Susanna started. As soon as it got cold enough they would flood a big area with water hoses and it would freeze into a huge ‘pond’. They even brought in a little wooden shack with a heater for a warming house where you could change into your skates. Of course they also had indoor rinks but it was so much more fun outdoors with all my neighborhood friends. Sometimes my dad would come over and skate with me. I loved holding his strong hand and skating. I felt so safe and protected. I remember he taught me to skate backwards. That was such fun.”

“Well, let’s see what you remember then. I may not be your dad but I am Hans Jr. you know,” Urs urged, pulling her back onto the ice.

Holding her in dance position, Han Jr. took control. After several false starts, they got in sync, managing to stay out of the way of the faster skaters and not fall down.

Then Hans Jr. began to mutate into Hans Sr. Susanna could accommodate the increased speed, however, as Hans approached his imaginary finish line, he neglected to inform Susanna he would be executing a turn, rather like a car at the end of the race doing a wheelie in celebration.

Consequently Hans and Susanna ended up twirling and whirling down onto the ice. Unhurt except for their dignity, they lay there laughing and out of breath in a jumbled heap. Helping each other up like two rather tipsy friends, they brushed the ice off each other. Urs spent a rather inordinate amount of time on Susanna’s backside and legs while her ice removal ended deliberately at his waist.
After giving her a kiss on the temple, they left the rink arm in arm, returned their skates, and emptied their locker.

On the drive back to her apartment, Susanna wanted to know about how Urs learned to skate. By the time they arrived, he’d expanded his story into how, like most Swiss children, he could practically ski before he walked, and also a story about his Grandma driving them, or as he put it pulling them, to church in a sleigh on Christmas Eve. Susanna thought that sounded like such fun. Something she’d certainly love to do someday.

Back at Susanna’s they both deposited their shoes by the door. As Urs hung their jackets in the closet, he casually asked what she was fixing for dinner.

Giving him what she hoped was her most mysterious smile, “It’s a surprise, but it won’t take long. How about lighting a fire while I get started?” and with that she disappeared into the kitchen.

The fire had already been laid so within a few minutes, Urs had it started and two small logs burning merrily. He enjoyed warming his hands and slightly damp backside before putting on some Vivaldi and joining Susanna in the kitchen.

She was standing at the counter fitting rounds of bread and grated cheese on top of bowls of French onion soup. Leaning over her shoulder he moved her hair aside and began laying soft little kisses from her ear down the side of her neck.

As a delicious shiver ran through Susanna, she managed to ask, “What are you doing?”

“Just lighting a fire like you asked,” Urs mumbled between kisses never missing a beat.

‘I can believe that, oh and you are so good, but I can’t do this,’ Susanna reasoned, even as she leaned back into him.

Was this what her therapist had meant when he had encouraged her to let down her guard a little with men? But even he didn’t know. No one knew except Father Mike and he wouldn’t, couldn’t tell. How could she trust herself? She could not carry any more guilt than she already had. The accident was her fault. It didn’t matter how much she tried to tell herself otherwise-she had caused the death of her husband.

‘Say something, be funny, distract him.’ she ordered herself.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Fireman, but I think this fire’s been put out. I do have another little job for you though,” she said with a sneaky grin.

‘There she goes again. Why can’t she just relax? What was that bit about her fire’s been put out? I know that’s a load of crap. I can see her starting to respond to me. Then it’s like this shade comes down and she’s back on guard,’ Urs thought in frustration.

“Time to set the table,” she announced throwing him a large plaid blanket.

This only rated some raised eyebrows which quickly returned to their original place once she explained, “We’re having a fireside picnic.”

After moving the coffee table, Urs spread the blanket on the floor in front of the fireplace, careful to keep it far enough away from the firescreen, adding another log for good measure.

He found some wine and glasses and Susanna brought in the soup as they sat facing the fire, using the sofa as a backrest. In deference to their backsides, Urs had thoughtfully made soft seats for them by piling several of the extra pillows from the chairs and sofa.

Skating must have sharpened their appetites, as they finished the soup in record time, feeling it warm their insides even as they felt the warmth of the fire on their faces.

The picnic continued with crusty bread, pate, cold meats, pickles, olives, cheese, and easy conversation, interspersed with quiet enjoyment of the music and the fire.

“What about the rest, Houdini?” Urs reminded Susanna.

“Oh, the movie? I have the cutest chick flick. It’s one of my favorites. Don’t worry, you’ll like it too. Trust me.”

‘Chick flick? What is it Seb is always saying? Y a pas le feu au lac. The lake is not on fire. Relax no need to hurry. I’ll just distract her.’

“What about dessert?” Urs asked hopefully.

Chapter 30
S’Mores

“Coming right up,” as Susanna bounded into the kitchen.

She returned a few minutes later carrying a tray with a box of graham crackers, some chocolate bars, marshmallows, two glasses of milk, and plenty of napkins.

“S’mores,” she announced.

After removing and wiping two long-handled antique toasting forks hanging on the sides of the fireplace, she demonstrated the art of s’mores. First she put a marshmallow on the fork and toasted it gently over the fire. Then she quickly sandwiched it between two graham crackers and a square of chocolate, gently squishing it until the marshmallow oozed out.

Urs proved to be a natural born s’more maker and of course excelled at squishing.

“Squishing, that’s almost like smooshing, right?” he checked with Susanna just to be sure.

Having a mouthful of s’mores, she could only nod her approval.

‘At this rate I’ll soon be proficient in six languages,’ Urs joked to himself.

They cooked, squished and ate, laughing together at their cooking and eating techniques, each happening to find some marshmallow or chocolate on the other’s mouth that needed to be removed with a kiss of course. Delicious!

However chick flick time could not be postponed indefinitely so while Urs took the remnants of dessert to the kitchen, Susanna readied the movie.

“What’s the name of it?” Urs asked half heartedly, settling himself back on a floor pillow and leaning against the sofa.

“Close your eyes, and no peeking. You’ll know when to open them,” Susanna instructed.

She cued the DVD player, smiling from ear to ear, watching as his eyes suddenly flew open. Motorcycles! Her chick flick was “The Wild One” with Marlon Brando.

His mouth grinned, his eyes crinkled, and Susanna’s heart thudded.

Barely taking his eyes off the screen, he motioned for her to come sit between his legs.

As she sat down and got comfortable he teased, “You little sneak. I thought you said this was a chick flick.”

“I could have sworn I put one in my black hat. Guess I really am a Houdini. Imagine that! Anyway, this chick has a thing for Marlon Brando. Have you seen him in “On the Waterfront”? I bet I’ve seen that one at least twenty-five times.”

“Shhhhhhh!” whispered Urs, kissing the top of her head.

“Yes, Marlon,” Susanna replied meekly, reaching up behind her to find and stroke Urs sideburns.

As she snuggled down to watch the movie, she could feel his chest moving as he laughed softly. If she had turned around she would have seen his head shaking and his eyes rolling.

‘This is the best seat in the house’ sighed Susanna, sitting within the warm protective circle of Urs arms and legs. It was almost like a little cave. Then she had to grin…’bear…cave…don’t go there’ she warned herself.

Just leaning back into his broad, solid chest made her feel safe and relaxed. Occasionally Urs would drop a little kiss on her temple or her cheek, just a fleeting touch as if to say ‘I’m here, I’m in tune to you.’ It reminded Susanna of a book she once read about someone gentling a wild horse, slowly, carefully, backing off, going forward, waiting patiently so as not to frighten the animal. That Urs would do that, was doing that for her filled her with such a feeling of gratitude and amazement that she had to blink back her tears. Urs raised her hand and softly kissed the back of it, in silent acknowledgement and response. Gently she laid her cheek against his hand.

Susanna didn’t really understand why, but she felt so connected to Urs through his hands. Maybe it was the way they rested loosely on her arms, or moved expressively to point out something or punctuate a comment, especially when he was excited, like now about motorcycles from the 1950’s. Then again she just loved how relaxed they were when she held one or laced her fingers between his.

As the final credits rolled they both gave the movie two thumbs up and mutual grins. While stretching and rearranging the pillows, they went over their plans for tomorrow’s trip to the zoo. Susanna would text Urs when the coach left for the zoo. They would meet inside the main gate. If Urs was delayed, she would wait with both his and her group of students till he arrived. She would pack his lunch and he’d be free again at 2:00 when they returned to school and before he got a chance to ask, yes, he could wear jeans.

With their arms around each other, Susanna walked him out.
At the door, Urs outlined Susanna’s lips so lightly she almost imagined it, as if he were waking them to receive the soft and tender kiss that followed. With a gentle smile he left. Susanna caught his wave.
Yes, Urs had read the same book.

Chapter 31
We’re Going to the Zoo

“Good morning, everyone. Today we have a new member of the class and he’s just in time for our trip to the zoo,” announced Susanna.

Reaching from under her desk she produced the new student, Harry the hairy-nosed wombat. Harry was an instant new best friend. Everyone loved Harry. As he was passed around to examine, hug, and even get the odd kiss, Susanna explained how the special friend who had sent the postcards had brought Harry on the plane all the way from Australia to live in their class. Best of all this friend was meeting them at the zoo and would even have his own group to lead. Amid cheers, squeals, and excited questions, Harry was rescued and order restored.

“Now what do we do whenever the coach stops?” asked Miss Nelson.

Everyone in the class raised their hand and stopped talking.

“Very good class. Parents, if you would please gather your group and we’ll line up to get on the coach,” Susanna instructed.

The children could hardly contain themselves. It was the first field trip of the year. Fortunately there were several parent volunteers so the groups could remain small, allowing each child individual attention. This would make viewing the animals faster since they could split up and visit the assigned animals in any order, filling out their observation sheet as they went. Any leftover time could be spent wherever the group decided.

They would meet at a specifically designated area to eat their lunches. All the lunches had been collected and put in labeled boxes that would be waiting for them at noon. After lunch, the groups would disperse and assemble again at the coach at 2:00.

As they exited the school, Susanna sent a text to Urs, hoping he’d be on his way. A few minutes later he responded saying they’d just finished with the fittings so he should be right on time.

At the northern edge of Regent’s Park, the London Zoo or more correctly London Zoological Gardens, the world’s oldest scientific zoo, was less than half an hour from the school. Although the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos were housed at another site, they had recently opened a Gorilla Kingdom and added enclosures to recreate the animals’ natural environment. In addition to the gorillas, the children’s assignment included the blackfooted penguin, moon jellyfish, Komodo dragon, Asian lion, African hunting dog, the reticulated giraffe and of course the hairy-nosed wombat.

At the entrance, Susanna completed the paperwork and with tickets in hand the little groups passed through the gates. Just inside, sitting casually on one of the benches she saw Urs, in his jean uniform paired today with a thick, deep red sweater, leather jacket, black boots, and hair in concert mode. Susanna earned an A+ in discipline because it was all she could do not to dash over and squeeze him senseless.

As he walked over to her, she introduced him first to the parents and then he was instantly surrounded by children. As Harry’s ‘father’ he was an immediate celebrity. Susanna was so tickled as he politely tried to talk to one child at a time, soon gave up and surrendered himself to the crowd. Grinning, his eyes pleading for help, she took pity on him and played the ultimate teacher trump card: her whistle.

Giving final directions to the parents and their charges, the wild children left to conquer the even wilder animals, leaving Susanna and Urs with their combined group.

Pulling a zoo map from his pocket, Urs suggested, “Since we’re here, it would make good sense to see the birds first, then walk down this way to the reptiles, and on to the marine animals. We might even have time to see the African hunting dog and the Asian lion before we meet here for lunch. What do you think Su….Miss Nelson?”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea, Mr. Buhler. You will watch the time won’t you?” Susanna just had to rub it in.

So map in hand, watch on wrist, Urs, like the magical Pied Piper, led his merry little group skipping, jumping, hopping and chattering down the path to the bird house.

“Mr. Buhler did you see…Mr. Buhler over here…Mr. Buhler what is…”

Susanna reckoned by the end of the day Urs would be ready to change his name, need something for his splitting headache, and seriously consider a long hot bath. She could hardly wait to tease him about this being good training for how to handle all those adoring fans Il Divo would soon have.

True to his promise, they adhered religiously to their plan and by the time they approached the reptile house, Urs had the group pretty well in control, with Susanna’s able assistance of course. They dutifully answered their assigned questions and finished just in time for lunch. After a bathroom stop to wash their hands it was time to eat. Susanna was so relieved that Urs could take the boys to the restroom. It was such a pain waiting and counting to be sure all of them were out. More than once she’d had to ask some kind man coming out to check to see none of her wayward boys were playing around in there. She did notice that Urs was the last one out, a little time after the rest of them. How cute, he was shy.


As the children scattered to picnic benches and seats to eat with their friends, the parents also clustered to visit, leaving Urs and Susanna with a whole bench to themselves and their two brown paper lunch sacks.

Urs stared rather dubiously at the sack he was handed.

“We both have the same thing, Urs..., so don’t think you’ll be trading for something better. It’s my standard field trip menu. PBJ, veggies, crisps, cookies, and water,” Susanna said matter of factly.

“PBJ?” Urs asked, thankful that at least it was initials, not a completely nonsensical word.

“Peanut butter and jelly, strawberry by the way. One time I tried peanut butter and banana but that got too smushy.”

“Smushy, as in squishy?” asked Urs giving a little laugh.

Susanna gave him a thumbs up.

Susanna was interested in Urs impression of the children: Larry the Learned with his brown curls and wire rimmed glasses, she thought Urs would take to him, and he did. Then there was darling little Jessica with her dark eyes and hair and sweet smile. Mary Ann was a sweetie too, always bouncing around, red hair, freckles, and those blue eyes; destined to drive the boys wild someday. Tony, a little chubby, rather long brown hair, such a smile and those dimples, a real charmer. Sean the blond, wiry, always on the go, so artistic, and Heather with her pigtails, a prim and proper young lady.

Urs seemed to be tuned in to each child and Susanna was surprised that his take on them was very close to the mark, especially for having spent so little time with them. He was really enjoying them and the children picking up on his sincere interest had welcomed him into their world.

‘You can tell he’s used to being around children. He really loves them. What a good father he’ll make some day.’ Susanna mused. Then blushed furiously at that last thought.

“Are you alright?” Urs asked touching her arm.

“Oh, it’s nothing, these salt and vinegar crisps must be getting to me,” Susanna explained, taking a big gulp of water.

“They are kinda powerful aren’t they?” Urs commented, as his eyes started to water.

“Stop complaining, Bag Boy. I could have gotten prawn flavored you know.”

Urs stopped complaining and ate his lunch like a good boy, knowing he’d have to finish before he got to eat any cookies.

“You haven’t made this kind of cookie before.” Urs was finally ready for dessert. “What are they called?”

“It doesn’t have a name. It’s just a plain sugar cookie and thought I’d smush a chocolate kiss in the middle to make it look pretty.”

Urs couldn’t help smiling. There was ‘smush’ again. “That reminds me, I never got to give you a kiss,” he whined, munching on a cookie, “or get a hug.”

“I know. I wanted to squeeze the stuffing out of you so badly but I couldn’t, with all the parents and children watching,” she admitted, playing with his fingers.

“So does that mean I get double tonight?” he asked hopefully, giving her hand a squeeze.

“If you survive till 2:00,” she promised.

Groups reorganized, trash discarded and off they went to attack the mammals, with paper and pencil only. Urs consulted the map. First to the Gorilla Kingdom, then the wombat, and finally the giraffe enclosure, the closest to the exit.

They split up in the Gorilla Kingdom due to its size and decided to meet up to see the wombat. By 1:30 they were nearing the giraffes with time to spare, thanks to Mr. Buhler. First they decided to see what giraffes were inside but soon the children’s noses got the better of them and they hurried outdoors to view the rest of them. As they completed their last assignment, several of the girls needed to use the restroom so Susanna took them, leaving Urs with Larry, Sean, Tony, and Jessica.

“Mr. Buhler, look, it says here that giraffes have only seven bones in their neck just like the rest of the mammals. I thought they’d have more didn’t’ you?” inquired Larry the Learned.

“I’m surprised too, Larry. Why don’t you write that down. Perhaps Miss Nelson will give you extra credit for that,” Urs suggested.

“Mr. Buhler, what’s that thing?” asked Jessica, pointing to one of the adult giraffes.

“What thing, Jessica?” asked Urs, bending down to her level.

“That long skinny thing hanging down from his tummy. See? The other giraffes don’t have that,” Jessica elaborated.

Following Jessica’s pointing finger, Urs looked toward the giraffe, the adult male giraffe, and Urs unfortunately did see.

It was a stricken, ghastly pale Urs who looked frantically around for Susanna, for a zookeeper, for even a stray gorilla from the Gorilla Kingdom to come carry him off into the tall grass never to be seen again.

“Oh that’s just his male member, you know, his male part, Jessica. The others don’t have one because they’re females,” Larry the Learned intervened.

“Oh, I get. Our dog has one of those too and he’s a boy,” replied Jessica nonchalantly.

“Gott sei Dank!! Thank God!” offered up Urs under his breath.

Out of the corner of his eye, Urs spotted Susanna returning and rushed his group toward the restroom and exit faster than Larry could say male member.

Meeting back at the coach, Urs, still a little pale, said his goodbyes and offered to come by with Chinese take away at 5:00, an offer Susanna gladly accepted.

Chapter 32
True Confessions

Susanna felt like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz as she hobbled off the sofa to buzz Urs in at 4:55. She’d forgotten just how tiring field trips could be. Coupled with all that fresh air and miles of walking on hard and uneven ground and up and down hills, she was beat. She wondered if Urs was faring any better.

Well, the way Urs walked down the hall did begin with a p, but it was definitely more plod than prowl.

Susanna had the foresight to set out trays, napkins, and utensils on the coffee table as soon as she came home and before she semi-collapsed on the sofa. Relieving him of the sack of food, she set it down, and gave him a gentle hug from behind as he took off his boots with a sigh.

Holding her hand, Urs led her to the sofa and after a brief hello kiss they started opening cartons and bags and dishing out the food. The chopsticks stayed at the bottom of the bag, tonight it was K.I.S.S., Keep It Simple Stupid.

Putting the tray on her lap, Susanna stretched out on the sofa, leaning back on the armrest at one end; Urs was a mirror image at the other.

“OHHHH that feels good” Susanna grunted.

“You said it,” seconded Urs.

There were little half hearted bursts of conversation, but by and large they were content to eat, relax and just enjoy being together. Stockinged feet and legs shared the space, overlapping, touching, not in a sensual way, but simply as friendly comrades having survived the long march, resting in comfort.

Susanna smiled as she told Urs all about the children’s reaction to Harry and how eager they had been to see the person who sent those postcards. He looked so pleased, as if he’d scored the winning goal in the World Cup. She assured him he’d made a big hit with the class. When he asked “What about with the teacher?” her blush and little nod told it all.

“How are your feet?” Susanna wanted to know, slowly massaging one of her own.

“The feeling is starting to come back,” Urs exaggerated. “They are tired. Next field trip I’m wearing trainers,” he decided.

“Here let me do that,” he offered, sitting up, taking her small foot in his hands.”

“Be careful, I’m ticklish. Please don’t touch the bottom in the middle. OK?” she pleaded.

Susanna ‘oooooood’ and ‘aahhhhhhhhd’ her way through the next five minutes as Urs strong fingers and hands worked their magic on her tired foot, as she temporarily relinquished her title of Houdini. And while he massaged, he talked about the children, reliving funny or surprising things they’d said or did, how impressed he’d been with their knowledge, manners and generally how much fun he’d had. Of course little Jessica’s question had been permanently filed in his brain under ‘never to be discussed’.
Urs had oh so much to learn about children.

After Urs finished with Susanna’s right foot, she removed her sock and wiggled her toes. It was amazing how much better it felt. Now if only…

“Is that a new color on your toes? It looks different, not so …pink,” Urs noticed.

“Well, yes it’s just come out.”
‘Why did I have to take my stupid sock off anyway?’

“I like it. Does it have a name?” Urs probed.

‘How does he know about this stuff. Oh, crap he has three sisters. I’ll bet they even conned him into painting their toes sometime. Just my luck’

“The girl who does my pedicures thought I might like it because of Australia.”

“How did she know about Australia,” Urs questioned.

“Um…I dunno. Must have mentioned it in passing, you know,” Susanna mumbled lamely, attempting to put her sock back on.

“No you don’t. I like to see your pretty painted toes,” Urs bantered, grabbing her sock and putting it out of reach.

“What’s it called?” Urs badgered.

“SuzyLovesSydney,” Susanna gushed out, saying it as one long word and now wearing almost that shade on her face.

“Suits you,” declared Urs with a cheeky grin and started massaging her left foot.

‘Woo hoo! She talked about me when she got her nails done and she didn’t want to admit it. That’s a good sign. I think she really missed me.’


“What did the children do when they got back to school?” Urs asked, finger moving slightly up her ankle.

“Oh they shared what they did in their small group. Then we make a class graph of their favorite animal,” Susanna volunteered.

“I bet I know. It was the wombat right?” Urs guessed with a smile.

“That’s no fair, you and Harry cheated!” complained Susanna, leaning forward to give his arm a friendly swat.

“What was your favorite, Urs, the giraffes?”

Urs hands froze in mid-massage. “What makes you think that?”

“Larry told me about the giraffe, Urs,” grinned Susanna with a twinkle in her eye.

“What exactly did Larry tell you?” the foot massage had resumed, albeit tentatively.

“To quote him: ‘I think the giraffes surprised Mr. Buhler. They probably don’t have many in the Swiss zoos’,” she recited.

She could almost hear Urs begin to breathe again as the foot massage continued.

“Isn’t little Jessica a sweetheart? And what a good artist too! So what’s the real story about this amazing animal, Urs?”

Susanna’s left foot was now being subjected to the Heimlech maneuver as a blush crept up Urs face.

“Um…er…well... you know…he was a…” Urs was now speaking directly into her left foot as if it were his microphone. She just hoped he didn’t decide to do that throwing-it-back-and-forth–in-his-hands thing or she’d be flipped off the sofa.

“What was he doing? I didn’t quite get that. He was what?” urged Susanna earnestly, biting here lip to keep from howling.

“He was… he was exposing himself!” Urs hissed into the foot microphone, dropped his hands, and surrendered his last shred of Swiss decorum.

“Oh Urs... You are so adorable! The look on your face! You don’t know whether to scratch your watch or wind your butt!”

Susanna swung her legs to the floor, scooted over to him and gave him her very best hug. When Urs thought about it later, even he would rate it at least a 9.

Hopping up, she headed to the kitchen, calling over her shoulder.
“Time for milk and cookies!”

By the time she returned, so had Urs normal face color, at least some of his dignity, and quite a lot of his sense of humor. Grinning, he gave himself a head shake/eye roll and leaning over Susanna gave her a hug as he helped himself to another cookie.

“How would you like to come to our Thanksgiving PTA program Thursday night? We’ve been working really hard on the show and I know the children would love to see you again. So would Harry, for that matter,” wheedled Susanna in her sweetest voice.

“What time?” Urs needed to know.

“It starts at 7:00 but I’ll just stay at school to be sure everything is organized. The children are to be there at 6:00 and we’ll be out of there by 8:00 at the latest.”

“I think we have an interview or something about 2:00 but I’ll check and let you know tomorrow for sure,” Urs smiled serenely.

‘Oh yes, she definitely missed me. Australian nail polish, a field trip and now the PTA program. I’ll bet in teacher terms that’s almost as good as being invited home to meet the parents.’ Urs congratulated himself. He’d figure out what to wear later, but for sure his hair would be concert curly, just the way Susanna liked it.

With a cookies-to-go box safely tucked into his helmet they walked to the door holding hands. Turning to gaze down at her, Urs sweet smile just lit up his face.

“I think I’ll be in danger of loosing my title of Serious Swiss if I keep hanging around you, you know,” he admitted, as he reached down to kiss her, caressing her cheeks with his thumbs.

‘And would that be such a bad thing?’ they each thought as her familiar wave followed him into the night.



---

As Urs pulled his tee shirt over his head, he could smell her scent. He smiled as he inhaled deeply again. She had taken hugging almost to an art form. He couldn’t ever remember someone who liked to hug that much, even in his large close-knit family.

Suddenly he sat down on the bed as he pictured Susanna standing beside a faceless Bruce, not touching, like virtual strangers.

No, that couldn’t be it. How could any man NOT respond to this warm, caring, woman? She was so beautiful both inside and out; so deserving of embraces, of warm caresses, of sharing impassioned kisses that they could lose themselves in. Every time he had seen her, he had to fight what came naturally to everyone in his family…showing affection. He hadn’t known her long, but he knew she was a woman who was loyal, generous and patient; always seeing the good in people. Here was someone he wanted to love-but who seemed to fear loving him back. Why was she so afraid to receive the same consideration from others? Why was she so reluctant to accept a compliment, or a gift? Why was she so fearful of her passion?

He knew she had it deep within her - he had felt a tiny spark of that passion, an unmistakable response to him, but it was so deeply suppressed, he’d only ever witnessed the tiniest glimmer of it - and then almost as soon as she had sensed it, it was quickly tamped down, hidden under a blanket of guilt and self control - as if she feared its power - and it was gone.

He drew another deep breath and let the scent of her fill his senses. He had a sudden impression of a woman who feared letting the ‘Emotions’ genie out of the bottle.
‘But why?’ he puzzled - ‘Aren’t emotions valued in her family? Certainly not by Bruce!’ he suspected darkly.

He suddenly understood how far she had come to be able to even let him hug her. The image of a lonely child – not used to tender physical contact when she was growing up, came to his mind. ‘I remember her telling me about that time her father skated with her, holding her safe! The look on her face said it all!’ – he recalled…
He had no such impressions about Susanna’s mother though. ‘She never seems to say much about her. I wonder why?’ he mused, recalling his own bubbly and demonstrative mother. ‘What’s she like?’

Mein Gott! No wonder she blows hot one minute and cold the next, confident then timid, adventurous then afraid. She’s not emotionally ready for any physical relationship yet. Even if she thinks she is. Most likely she wasn’t even ready when she married Bruce.

But am I OK with this? Am I willing to wait to see where this will go? Am I in tune with her enough to give her what she needs? Am I willing to take the lead and go slowly with the physical part of our relationship? And when she’s strong enough to trust me, to trust herself, can I love her the way she needs to be loved? The way she deserves to be loved!

‘That’s the big question though, isn’t it?’ he asked himself. Is she really worth it?’ The only answer Urs could come up with was, ‘Ja.’


As Susanna lay in bed snuggling up to Bag Boy Jr., her name for her recently purchased body pillow, she imagined Urs strong arms hugging her.

‘I never knew hugging could feel so great!’ she thought happily as she wriggled closer into Bag Boy Jr. and savoured the memories of her recent hugs from Urs – at the car, on the sofa, at the door and she sighed with happiness.

She tried to decide what kind of hugs she like the most. She loved the warm hugs of greeting – when she hadn’t seen him for a day or two. The friendly, affectionate hugs they shared in the kitchen and on the sofa made her feel all warm and fuzzy, but it was the hugs they shared when they said goodbye that left her gasping with those warm tingly feelings. She’d never felt like this before.

And she hugged the pillow a little closer to her body and adjusted her legs around it.
She smiled and gave a little laugh. ‘Who would have thought I’d turn into such a hugger? I guess it depends on who the hugee was.’ she reasoned. ‘He’s a good teacher – I wonder who taught him’ she thought drowsily.

As she drifted off to sleep, other memories came to her – of the little girl who never learned to hug because ‘That’s not what our family does!’ she heard her mother’s disapproving voice.

‘It’s not that Muz didn’t care!’ she thought fuzzily. ‘She showed her love in other ways!’ But try as she might, Susanna couldn’t come up with anything other than the feel of her mother’s cool lips on her cheek, brief arm’s length embraces – to remind her of any physical closeness from her mother. There were the gifts for good grades and she would always point out my shortcomings so I could do better next time… ‘we just weren’t huggers’ she told Bag Boy Jr. And Bruce! She flinched reflexively. Her memories of his rough groping – which she mistook for passion early on in their relationship – was there ever any intimacy there? There had never been any touching after he had satisfied his needs, had there? She turned her head away for a moment – suddenly feeling dreadfully misused and a pang of self pity swept over her.

‘No!’ she thought, ‘hugging is good – it’s safe. I like it!’ There’s nothing wrong with a few nice safe, hugs, and just a friendly kiss now and then. That sounds like a good plan.’ her brain decided. ‘Yeah right.’ said her heart.

Susanna received Urs text at lunch.

“Guess who’s coming to PTA?” Susanna quizzed.

“You’ve got to be kidding! Here! OMG!” Rosemary gushed.

“Just wait till Joanne finds out!” Marissa babbled.

Fortunately they were alone at a far table in the lounge.

“Rosemary, you have to settle down. I’ll let Joanne know. In fact I’m going to introduce her to Urs so she can get his autograph. Other than that I expect you both to behave and not act all silly. Rosemary, you’ve already met him and Marissa you will not mention this to anyone, right?” ordered Susanna in her sternest teacher voice, using a finger wag to make her point. “This is really important to me and I don’t want Urs feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable.”

She knew her friends wouldn’t let her down, but it never hurt to give them a little friendly reminder. She of all people knew the devastating effect Urs could have on you even if you were fully prepared.

After school, Susanna decided she’d have time for the gym. Urs had some dinner meeting and promised to call later.

Her water class had really helped unkink all those overworked leg muscles from the field trip. Now that the weather was turning colder, she could feel it in her elbow too. Closing her eyes as she relaxed in the hot tub, she mentally reviewed her calendar for the next few weeks.

She couldn’t believe Thanksgiving was next week. What a nice break that would be. They’d be off school Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and the following Monday and Tuesday. Since they didn’t follow the traditional British school calendar many of the teachers took advantage of the break and traveled to warmer surroundings in crowd free comfort.

‘Maybe I could cook a Thanksgiving dinner Thursday night and invite Urs, or even plan something for over the weekend. I wonder if David misses being with his family at Thanksgiving. Maybe I could invite all of them. No maybe just David. They all were really nice and friendly, but I was glad Gerry was there. I don’t think my heart could handle all of them in the same room with me at once just yet.’

‘Or maybe I’ll give Andrew and Isabel a call. See what they’re doing. I could go over on Wednesday and maybe Urs could come on the weekend. I haven’t been to Paris in over a year and I’ve really missed the museums…churches…just walking…and of course the shopping. Wandering around Paris with Urs, sounds like a perfect weekend to me …I wonder what he would say if I asked him.’


Susanna was putting the last set of papers she’d graded into her bookbag when Urs called.

“Hi Houdini.”

“Hi Bag Boy.”

Susanna immediately launched into her one-two punch for Thanksgiving, not giving herself a chance to chicken out. First up was the hook delivered for the Paris weekend followed by the jab for Thanksgiving dinner.

It was Urs however who delivered the knock-out blow. “I’m sorry Susanna. I’m afraid I can’t. We have to be in Toronto that Friday for interviews and Sunday we’re doing a concert at the University of Toronto. Then Tuesday we fly to New York, for interviews and appearances and on that Friday we sing for the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center and finally fly home Saturday.”

“Oh, sounds like you’ll be very busy. Do I get any postcards?” Susanna’s attempt at light-hearted teasing fell far short of the mark.

‘Schieisse! I knew I should have stopped by. I can hear the disappointment in her voice. I should have just said I’d check my schedule. Why did I blurt it out like that? Dummkopf!’

“Of course, I’ll send some. But let’s not think about that right now. Can I see you tomorrow night?” Urs asked in his best ‘Isabel’ voice.

‘Don’t you dare give in, Susanna. Be strong.’ she ordered herself. “I’d really like that Urs, but we have PTA practice after school and then I have therapy,” she said coolly.
How she ever managed that she would never know.

‘Crap! Did I say therapy. I don’t want him to know about that. What would he think? Here’s this emotional trainwreck ready to fall apart at any minute.’

“You know my elbow still bothers me, especially in this cold weather so I really need to work on keeping it loose.” ‘Did he buy that? Well it isn’t exactly a lie. I do need to exercise my arm. ‘

“Oh, well then I guess I’ll see you Thursday. What time is the PTA Program?” Urs tried to sound enthusiastic. ‘Damn! She’s really mad now. Maybe she doesn’t even want me there.’

“If you could be here by 6:00 that would be good. You can help me keep the children settled while they wait to go on,” Susanna explained matter of factly.

“Are we still on for dinner afterward?” Urs asked hopefully.

“Sure, I guess,” was her indifferent answer.

“Goodnight Houdini.”

“Goodnight Urs.”

‘Oh yes, she’s definitely still mad. I wonder…’ Urs punched in a speed dial number and began to talk.

Susanna was snuggled in bed with her universal cure for a bad mood – a trashy novel and chocolate. Bag Boy Jr. was lying unceremoniously in a far corner in a heap, a victim of her wrath. Out of sight, out of mind seemed to be her new buzzword.
“Knock, knock,” softly at the door. ‘OMG no, he can’t have snuck in again. Please God let that be someone for the Malcolms next door.’

“Knock, knock,” a little louder at the door followed by “Susanna, it’s Urs. I know you’re in there.”

Throwing on her mantle of protection, otherwise know as the Pink Robe she hurried to the door before the neighbors were alerted. Flinging it open she grabbed a rather startled Urs by the arm, hauled him inside, and shut the door.

“Does that mean you’re glad to see me?” Urs grinned with open arms.

“It means I’m trying to keep the neighbors from having you arrested for disturbing the peace, you….you stupid nosed wombat! she barked at him.

“It’s hairy,” Urs replied smugly.

Susanna looked at him as if he’d sprouted two heads.

“Hairy-nosed wombat. Not stupid nosed,” he corrected, taking a step backward, a little less smug this time.

How could she look at him standing there with that earnest little boy expression and those curls and stay mad at him? It started with an eye roll. Then spread to a head shake and grin. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Feed me?”

“Sorry, the kitchen closes at 10:00” then seeing his hang dog expression she added, “except for milk and cookies.”

Not wanting to push his luck, Urs headed straight for the kitchen. At least milk and cookies seemed a safe topic. While he put the milk and glasses out, Susanna opened the cookie jar. Coming up behind her, Urs wrapped his arms around her, gently kissed her hair, then bent his head to kiss her neck.

“Have we just had our first fight?” he whispered in her ear.

Turning to face him, Susanna buried her head in his chest and wrapped her arms around him. “I guess so and I don’t like it. I know you have to travel a lot but I was just disappointed because I wanted to spend some of my break with you,” she revealed to the Harley emblem on his shirt.

Urs put a finger gently under her chin forcing her to look at him. “Your plan was great. I’m just sorry it won’t work for us now. I want to be with you too.”

Susanna smiled, smiled bigger, and smiled biggest. “You do?”

Urs was a firm believer that turn-around is fair play. “Of course you stupid nosed wombat!” he laughed, kissing her on the nose. “Now sit down and let’s see what we can work out,” Urs directed, pulling out her chair, throwing a leg over the one opposite and taking out a notebook from his inside pocket.

Fifteen minutes later Urs mouth and notebook were both closed, as Susanna’s head swam with plans, schedules, and details.

It seemed Il Divo had wheedled a few extra days off at the front end of their Toronto trip. They had been given Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and would meet officially at noon Friday in Toronto. The rest of their schedule would remain the
same.

David was especially happy that he’s be able to spend Thanksgiving with Sandy and his family even though he’d have to leave Thanksgiving night. Carlos was heading to Madrid, where else? and Seb was off to Paris to see his Maman and Juliana, not necessarily in that order.

When Susanna heard of the extra days off she immediately thought of Aunt Alta and Uncle Edmund, Andrew’s parents who lived in Rochester, NY. What if she could spend Thanksgiving not only with Urs, but with family as well? Remembering how her previous planning had come to naught, she kept her invitation very low key and tentative, along with her hopes. ‘What if…Do you think you would…? Maybe I could…’

“That sounds like a wonderful idea, Susanna. I’d be honored to have Thanksgiving with your family if it’s alright with them,” Urs beamed pulling her into a big, gentle bear hug.

Urs had already cleared Susanna’s trip with Steve, along with a separate hotel room. He didn’t think there would be a problem with flying into Rochester instead of Toronto, especially since it was only a 50 minute flight between the two cities. Urs and Susanna could easily fly up on Friday morning. He would make the final arrangements tomorrow after Susanna confirmed her days off and spoke with her relatives.

She could hardly believe it…not only was she going with Urs and spend Thanksgiving with family, but he had convinced her to take three extra personal days. That way she could stay for the entire Il Divo trip and also return with them. Now she had to submit her request to Beverly Adams, her principal. She had plenty of personal leave days to use so that shouldn’t be a problem.

Susanna fairly danced Urs to the door, stopping only once to retie the Pink Robe.

“So do you still think I’m a stupid nosed wombat?” asked Urs as they swayed back and forth with his arms around her waist.

“I think you’re the smartest, most organized wombat in the whole wide world. Is that better?”

Pulling her into him, he settled his mouth comfortably on hers, taking control in a slow, breath stopping kiss.
“Much better, Houdini”

“Ummm I agree, Bag Boy,” as she gave him a stuffing-testing hug.

And so did Bag Boy Jr. as he once more regained his rightful place of honor beside Susanna.

Chapter 34
Reservations for Rochester

“Tell me again why we thought volunteering to do the November PTA program was a good idea,” Susanna wailed to Rosemary, Leslie, and Marissa as she collapsed into her chair at lunch on Wednesday.

“You worry too much, Susanna. You know it will be fine on the night,” Leslie consoled, heading toward the coffee machine.

“Besides we still have practice after school and then again tomorrow morning,” came from Marissa the manager.

“We’ll have all the kinks ironed out by then. Just you wait and see,” said Rosemary optimistically.

“We’re going to need a mighty big iron,” Susanna predicted gloomily.

To say that practice for the Thanksgiving program had not gone well would be to say Noah and the flood was a slight rain delay. If Larry the Learned mentioned ‘for the sake of authenticity’ one more time, a minimum of three teachers would be brought up on charges of grievous bodily harm to a child. Then ‘Elder Brewster’, one of the most famous Pilgrim leaders, had accidentally put his foot through the side of the Mayflower and last but by no means least, the doll representing Oceanus Hopkins, the child born on the Mayflower, could not be found.

But wonder of wonders, things did improve, at least a little, at the after school practice and by the time the main cast was excused a glimmer of hope again shone down on Susanna’s world. Perhaps she wouldn’t be totally embarrassed in front of Urs tomorrow night. Especially not now.

Susanna was on the phone at the crack of dawn with Aunt Alta making Thanksgiving plans. They were thrilled to have the company since Andrew and Isabel weren’t coming. They were saving their vacation days for a trip home at Christmas when they could stay longer.

As she had hoped, there had been no problem with Susanna using three days of personal leave. Beverly had been more than happy to approve the signed paperwork. She’d texted Urs as soon as she found out, and he’d replied telling her he’d make all the arrangements and would call later tonight.

Sam Roth felt encouraged as he thought back on their session tonight. Susanna certainly seemed to be eager to catch him up on her life since they met last month, mentioning Urs several times. “Things look like they’re going well for you Susanna. Your outlook is sunnier and you’re looking poised and much more self-confident,” Sam commented.

“But why can’t I remember more of the accident? How long will it take? All I have is that same nightmare!” Susanna asked anxiously.

“When was the last time you had it?” Sam probed.
“Were you upset about anything, had you been thinking about Bruce that day?” Sam went on.

“No…not about Bruce…well I did mention him once but Urs and I were talking about what I like to do now and I kept telling him I hadn’t changed,” she said doubtfully, her uncertainty apparent in her voice.

“Change can be frightening, Susanna, but from what you’ve told me I think you’re on the right track.”

“But what if I’m not. I’m starting to have feelings for Urs and what if he turns out to be… Oh this is so confusing! I still can’t even remember the accident! So how am I supposed to know who this real me is?” Susanna covered her face and sobbed.

After several minutes of Sam’s calming words along with tissues, Susanna composed herself with a shuddering breath.

Later, as she drove home after her session, Susanna’s mind kept replaying Sam’s parting thought: We must all know who we are before we know what to do.

Susanna grinned as she heard the ‘Vroom! Vroom!’ of a motorcycle engine; what fun she’d had choosing the perfect ring tone for Urs number. Quickly flipping her phone open she heard a low, sexy voice, “Hi Houdini, are you ready for a magic carpet ride?”

“Is this the Bag Boy Travel Agency calling to confirm reservations for Rochester?” she giggled, fingers crossed.

Urs reported their flight to Rochester was booked for Tuesday night. As he shared his Il Divo plans and Susanna talked about all things Thanksgiving you could hear the excitement in their voices. They were so eager to share some of ‘their’ world with each other that it was over an hour later when they reluctantly hung up. By this time Susanna was talking practically at warp speed, Urs accent had noticeably thickened, and Bag Boy Jr. had been squeezed into an hour-glass shape.

Just as Susanna had wondered what to wear to her first Il Divo concert, Urs was trying to decide what to wear to his first PTA meeting. Unlike Susanna, Urs was making sure he was properly attired for dinner after the program. Dark Armani suit, gray shirt, black Italian leather low boots, black overcoat and gray scarf, he was dressed to impress her with a quiet, romantic dinner at one of his favorite Italian restaurants.

Susanna had brought other clothes to change into since she was planning on staying at school. She’d told Urs to come at 5:00. That way they’d have a little time together before the children arrived at 6:00. Therefore, she was changed and ready at 4:30 Urs time, just in case. He arrived at 4:35, having checked in at the office with Ann, the secretary, and successfully run the gauntlet past Rosemary, Marissa, and Leslie’s rooms without being seen.

Susanna was sitting at her desk when he came through the open door and softly closed it behind him. Looking up at him made her breath hitch. There he was leaning casually against the door in all his Armani glory, hair in concert mode, wearing a sexy smile, and holding a single red rose, waiting.

Walking slowly, due to a severe attack of wobbly knees, Susanna approached him. Accepting the rose he offered, she continued without hesitation, stopping only when she met and melted into his solid, muscular chest, reaching up to put her hands on his shoulders and receive his kiss. Several breathless moments later, they separated, except for their hands, sharing grins and ‘hi’s’.

“Thank you for the rose,” Susanna breathed, sneaking a quick kiss on his cheek.

“I thought you might like to put it on your desk,” Urs hinted hopefully.

Filling a vase from the cupboard with water, she found a spot for it near her computer, safe from small bodies that might accidentally knock it over.

“How do you feel about a mini meet and greet for one?”

“You mean right now?” Urs eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Well, it’s kind of important. It’s for Joanne. She’s the one who helped me with your postcards. I promised to get an autograph for her. I hope you don’t mind,” Susanna apologized blushing.

“Well it will cost you, Houdini,” warned Urs, choosing a pen from a jar on Susanna’s desk.

“What do I need to bake?” asked Susanna teasingly.

“Who said anything about food?” Urs said half-jokingly, performing a perfect blinky wink and an imperfect imitation of a Carlos eyebrow wiggle.

Feeling the heat rise up her face, Susanna turned him around and pointed toward the door. “Go”

“After you,” Urs chuckled.

“Now I should warn you, Joanne is an Uber. Don’t look so worried, she isn’t going to grab you. She very respectful, just don’t Il Divo her too much or whatever it is that you do. You know that look you give… and not too many blinky winks either. She says they make her have a thud attack. She’s in charge of the lights tonight. I can’t have her thudding too much or our program will have to be changed to a candlelit one. Just visit nicely, oh and she wants you to sign a CD cover.”

This time it was Urs turn to blush. Just what had Gerry been telling Susanna?

Arriving at Joanne’s office off the computer room, Susanna introduced her to Urs, and detecting no sign of an impending thud attack, excused herself to unlock the side door for the children, and get her camera to take a picture of Joanne and her UberLord as she called him. Returning to take several pictures of the Diva and her favorite Divo, Susanna could see Joanne’s silent look of thanks as Urs said goodbye.

As they rounded the corner by Susanna’s room the first few children started arriving for the Thanksgiving program.



---

Chapter 35
Buonanotte

As the children trickled in Urs was greeted with smiles and hugs and quickly became the celebrity of the night. In order to keep the children calm, Susanna had put Urs Australian animal CD in her computer so it could play on the large TV screen overhead.

So as the children sat on the floor, Harry kept Urs company while he told all about his visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park. When he was finished, the children went back to their desks to draw their favorite animal. This gave Susanna a chance to show Urs around her room.

“Miss Nelson, I don’t feel very good,” Tony the tear stained Squanto had just joined the tour.

‘Why couldn’t Tony just have been one of the regular Indians?’ Susanna lamented.

Many of the Pilgrims wouldn’t have survived that first winter without his help, so Squanto had a big part in the program, unfortunately.

A quick hand on the forehead test revealed no noticeable fever, but as Susanna took his hand and led him to a quiet corner she felt fairly certain of her diagnosis, something she was also familiar with, opening night jitters.

Larry the Learned, on ever-present alert just in case his expertise on any and all subjects was needed, stepped into the breach. Urs was in good hands now. The tour continued with stops all around the room, pointing out various spots of interest, at least to Larry.

One of his favorites was Australia. Off to one side of the room, hanging from the ceiling was a huge brown cardboard outline of Australia. Underneath it was one desk and a chair. Answering the unspoken question on Urs face, Larry launched into his explanation.

It went with a book about Alexander who had a terrible, very bad day. Every time something went wrong he would say he was going to Australia. Finally at bedtime his mother told him people have bad days even in Australia. So if someone in class was having a bad day, either not following the rules or just needed some time alone to think, they would go to Australia until they felt they were ready to have a better day and rejoin the class.

As Urs listened to Larry, his eyes wandered briefly to Susanna over in the far corner. He saw her holding Tony’s hand. Then she kissed the palm and folded his fingers over as if to hold the kiss. Next she took that same hand and placed it over Tony’s heart. She was rewarded with his beautiful, beaming smile. Squanto had recovered.

As Tony rejoined the class, Susanna began calling groups for turns to use the bathroom before they lined up to perform. Back in the room, the last of the stragglers had just been picked up by their parents. Susanna turned out the lights and gave a huge sigh of relief. The program had been a great success. No only had Squanto performed admirably, but the Mayflower hadn’t sprung a leak, the feast had gone well, everyone more or less remembered their lines and most importantly the parents loved it.

And Urs had been so cute. Sitting perfectly straight, leaning forward slightly as if to encourage each one of them, willing them to perform well, smiling, nodding his head, giving them thumbs up, leading the applause. Those were ‘his’ children up there. She wouldn’t be surprised if he’d even given a few blinky winks, although she hadn’t seen any. Then he would catch her watching, and give a ‘share the moment’ grin.

Out of the blue, she pictured him at his own child’s performance and she was sitting there too, with him, smiling, applauding.

‘Where had that come from?’ Susanna started, suddenly feeling a little warm.
‘Well he would make a wonderful father.’ came from that same unknown place.

Urs had taken a cab to school so he drove Susanna’s car to dinner. All she knew was it was Italian, one of his favorites, and nearby. As they drove Susanna noticed some very familiar streets and sure enough he pulled up and parked with a flourish at Mi Famiglia’s. Oops!

‘What should I do? Just pretend I’ve never been here? He loves to surprise me and he’ll be so disappointed if I spoil it.
I couldn’t stand it if we had an argument here too! No he’s Urs. I’ll just have to trust him; but I won’t lie either.’

“Buonasera, Susanna, Buonasera, Mr. Buhler,” Carmine beamed, kissing Susanna on both cheeks and then shaking Urs hand.

As they followed Mario to their table in a quiet corner, not near the kitchen, Susanna breathed a sigh of relief. Relaxing in her familiar surroundings she became more comfortable as Urs became more confused.

“You’ve been here before then?” he asked looking over the wine list.

Just then Anthony appeared with Susanna’s campari and soda.

“Yes I come here quite often. I’m sorry if I spoiled your surprise, Urs, but I didn’t know we were coming here. This really is my favorite restaurant, honestly. Please don’t be mad,” she appealed, reaching out to hold his hand.

“Of course I’m not angry Susanna. I’m just surprised that I haven’t run into you here, that’s all. This is just another thing that we have in common and that’s good,” Urs replied earnestly, gently caressing her hand with his thumb.

“Oh I’m so relieved. I’m sure I would have noticed, but you probably come on the weekend and I come here on Wednesdays after my therapy.” ‘Rats! I did it again. Susanna, you stupid idiot! Why don’t you just come right out and tell him about getting counseling?’

Susanna needn’t have worried because Mario arrived to take their selection for wine and appetizers. As they recalled some of the highlights of the program, Urs asked Susanna about Tony and what she’d done to relieve his jitters. She briefly retold the Kissing Hand story and how the kiss on Tony’s hand was to remind him of how much his parents loved him. If he got nervous or afraid during the program all he needed to do was put his hand over his heart and feel their love.

The meal couldn’t have gone better. The wine, food, conversation, service, and music all created the perfect ambience. They were the last patrons left as Carmine came over to wish them “Buonanotte” and Susanna headed to the ladies.

“It looks like our little Susanna has found a good man at last,” Carmine said, patting Urs on the back.

“Too bad she always came in on Wednesdays after her physical therapy for her broken arm, that’s probably why I never saw her before,” Urs replied.

“You wouldn’t have been able to see her even if you’d been looking, my friend,” laughed Carmine pointing to Susanna’s table barely visible behind a large ficus plant.

As Carmine began to walk away he turned back, “Oh and her therapy? I think you misunderstand. It is for the broken heart.”

‘Therapist? Broken heart? She had said arm or had she just hinted at it? She didn’t want him to know she was seeing a therapist to help her get over the accident! And…and now he’d accidentally found out another secret. Her table behind the plant. She may as well have hung a sign over it, Australia. Mein Gott! Why did he not see that she’d been hurt more deeply than he could imagine? What did he have to do to get her to trust him? Couldn’t she see he cared for her?

If Urs was somewhat subdued on the way home, Susanna either didn’t notice or put it down to tiredness. After parking the car, he called to order a cab and walked Susanna to her apartment and unlocked the door.

When his lips brushed hers ever so softly she shuddered. Slowly, he kissed her upper lip, then her lower lip, finally ending in a long, drugging kiss as Susanna gave a little moan into his mouth and wound her fingers even tighter in his curls. At the sound of the cab they ended the kiss, both feeling rather unsteady. With a final hug, Urs took the stairs down and out to his waiting ride, turning to wave as he got to the sidewalk.

As Urs waited for sleep to come, he thought about how his ‘aha’ moment had suddenly turned in ‘oh no’. He felt he was just now beginning to comprehend the depth of her emotional injuries. Tonight he had seen this caring, giving person totally connecting with a child, understanding his anguish, bestowing the healing power of love with this special sign, this kiss. But what about her pain…her hurt? When would she allow herself to accept this same healing comfort? When would she trust enough? When would she be ready to accept that special kiss from him?

Chapter 36
Messages

As Susanna opened the door, Urs brain transmitted two distinct scent messages to his body. The message to his heart said, 'Kiss her!’ The one to his stomach said, ’Find out what’s cooking!’ He obeyed both messages, pausing to receive an equally possessive but not so gentle hug from Susanna and an almost automatic message to his feet muscles to remove his boots. Shrugging out of his jacket, he headed to the kitchen for an immediate pot check.

“Mmmmm! Chicken!” he sniffed as he lifted the lid, releasing a fragrant cloud of steam from the pot. Picking up the nearby wooden spoon, he started stirring the meat and broth as if he were looking for something.”

“Chicken and dumplings, green beans with walnuts and pound cake,” Susanna recited the menu, smiling and shaking her head. Judging from Urs expression, dumplings must have been the Holy Grail he’d been searching for in the pot.

“What?” Urs asked.

“I’m glad you’re so predictable. I knew you’d be in here lifting the lid and ruining them. That’s why you couldn’t find them. Now go wash you hands and you can help me dump the dumplings, my little dumpling,” she ordered, turning him toward the sink with a little pat on the behind.

‘Oh brother! How silly can you get, Susanna. My little dumpling? Patting his behind? What are you thinking?’

“Knodel.” Urs grinned, turning around at the sink. “Dumplings, Knodel.” At least the ‘dumpling’ had the last word.

As Susanna held the bowl of dumpling dough Urs precisely positioned the dumplings, just far enough apart and of equal size. She was sure he’d dumped dumplings before.

Urs found some white wine for Susanna and a beer for himself in the fridge while she finished setting the table. She liked seeing him move around the kitchen comfortably, helping before she asked, remembering where things were kept. She knew he liked the food, but he also seemed to enjoy being here in a home, well an apartment anyway, some place that wasn’t a hotel room. He must miss his home and family and the fact that he liked to spend time here…spend time with her, made her happy. Yes, she was happier than she had been in a long time.

During dinner, Urs declared the dumplings to be some of the best he’d eaten. Susanna wasn’t too sure if there even was such a thing as Swiss dumplings or if they tasted like these, but accepted the compliment gracefully, giving him at least half the credit.

After dinner they made short work of the clean-up, then Urs went to light the fire. Carrying in a tray with cake and coffee through to the living room, Susanna stopped in the doorway. Fascinated, she observed him while he worked, admiring the way he crouched so comfortably layering the tinder, reaching for the logs, arranging a little nest for them to sit on the floor. Everything about the man, every movement he made was deliciously masculine.

As she came near he stood up, taking the tray along with a kiss. “So what’s the chick flick for tonight? Anything like the last one?” Urs asked hopefully.

“Sorry, last time was only to sucker you in, tonight it’s the real deal…50 First Dates.” Her voice may have apologized but the twinkle in her eye said otherwise.

“I may need to be bribed with more dessert,” Urs said with a mock groan, finishing his last bite of cake.

Joining Urs on the floor, Susanna snuggled comfortably between his raised knees and finished her cake while he drank his coffee, holding it with his arm propped on his knee. As the movie progressed, so did their need to touch, to be touched. Susanna made sure Urs beautiful hand was not lonely by intertwining it with hers. Leaning over to put his cup down, he breathed in her Angel scent, nuzzling her neck. Giving a little shiver, Susanna went into turtle mode.

“I thought only your feet were ticklish. Are there any other places you want to tell me about?”

“If you don’t behave, I’ll be forced to start the movie all over again,” Susanna giggled the threat while grabbing the remote on the floor beside her. Bending down Urs claimed her mouth in a searching kiss. As his tongue found hers all coherent thought vanished. By the time their kiss ended, Susanna would agree she’d probably lost her heart and most certainly lost the remote.

“No fair. You distracted me,” she whined as Urs pushed fast forward.

“Are you complaining?” Urs wanted to know.

Hearing no complaints, Urs pushed the play button with a satisfied grin, “I didn’t think so, my little dumpling.”

Less than ten minutes later, both Urs stomach and brain had had enough so he took a kitchen break. Returning with a ‘little more’ dessert he settled his knees around Susanna and tried to focus on the movie again.

“Do you remember your first date Susanna?”

Tilting her head back and looking up at the ceiling, Susanna closed her eyes and thought. “Yes, it was a disaster. His name was John Bartus. We were barely out of sight of my house before he brought out his Porky Pig manners and as I remember he sweated like one too, but he was ‘suitable’. We went to the movies and then for burgers. It was so awkward. I kept thinking that everyone was laughing at us behind our backs. I about died when he tried to kiss me. Yuck!”

“What about you Urs? I bet the girls were really chasing you!” Susanna asked, keeping her eyes focused straight ahead seemed to give her courage to ask such a thing.

“Obviously you haven’t seen some of my early pre Il Divo pictures. Think shorter, curlier, wire-rimmed glasses, no Armani, or before that long hair, tight leather pants, more interested in motorbikes and heavy metal music than girls. In fact I could probably count my girlfriends on one hand. Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Oh I’m not disappointed…er I mean I think it’s nice that you had only a few…oh you know what I mean.” Susanna finally gave up trying to explain and let her blushes speak for themselves.

“I hope there weren’t any more Porky Pigs in your past. He sounds dreadful. There’s just no excuse for poor manners or disrespect,” said Urs looking down from his soapbox. ‘Look at her blush, she’s dying to know more about my ex-girlfriends, but she can’t even look at me she’s so embarrassed.’

“I agree, but have you heard the expression: cut off your nose to spite your face? Well, that’s me sometimes. That’s why I didn’t even go to my Prom,” Susanna said, talking to the TV screen.

“Would you tell me?” asked Urs tentatively. ‘Tread softly here, Urs. You know how upset she got the last time you pushed her.’

“Sure why not?” came the brave answer. ‘No dark secrets here… This is part of my old past; it can’t hurt me and maybe he’ll stop bugging me about that new me stuff. I haven’t figured it out yet myself.’

“I was planning on going. I had this boyfriend, Louie Bruno, we weren’t exactly going out, but I thought of him as my boyfriend. . Muz didn’t think he was suitable, not a good college prospect, not social enough for her. Boy was he a good dancer, so smooth. I just loved to dance with him. I’d go places with a bunch of friends but when we got there I’d meet up with him. Then I’d go home again with my friends.

We were planning on going to the Prom together but she killed that idea. So I turned down two ‘suitable’ dates and stayed home. Was she ever ticked off! You should have heard her predict the dire consequences of not attending this female rite of passage! But as you can plainly see, I’ve lived to tell the tale,” she said brightly,” hesitating just a fraction too long.

“And in just four more days I’ll be accompanying a soon to be world renowned singing group half way around the world to watch them win the hearts and minds of all who are privileged to hear the,” she said, the smile not quite reaching her eyes.

End of movie. End of conversation. Determined to avoid any more unwitting disclosure. Susanna whisked the dishes onto the tray and headed for the sanctuary of the kitchen, studiously avoiding his gaze.

Urs followed, slowly, sensing her need for space. Joining her in the kitchen, he wrapped his strong arms around her in the slow, gentle, slightly swaying bear hug that had become her favorite. Still hugging he whispered, ”Thank you” into her ear.

He could feel the vibrations from her voice against his chest as she answered, “For what?”

“For sharing part of yourself with me,” he whispered into her hair.

Still hugging him, Susanna leaned back to look up into his eyes. “Do you remember what I told you on our first date?”

Urs looked puzzled for a minute then broke into a huge grin. Together they said, “It was not too bad.” And it wasn’t.

Chapter 37
Mary the Uber

‘I could get very used to this.’ smiled Susanna to herself as she sipped her Café Mocha.

“Is it a private joke or can I join in?” asked Urs the Extra Curly helping himself to his second cinnamon roll.

“I was just thinking how nice it is to wake up to you like this. I... I mean I don’t mind getting up early on Saturdays when you come over. I mean... that is... when you bring coffee,”’ she sputtered.

“I other words you’d mind getting up if I came over without your coffee is that it? And here I thought all you wanted was my body. I should have known you weren’t that shallow,” he teased mercilessly.

‘She looks so cute when her face matches her robe. Even covered up, looking like a huge, pink flower, I can still picture her fantastic curves hidden underneath.’

Leaning over the table, Urs gave her a tender kiss on the side of her mouth.

“Did I have frosting on my mouth?” Susanna asked, self-consciously wiping her mouth with a napkin.

“No. I just like being here and being able to do that,” Urs stated simply.

“Oh, um… I like that too,” she said with a soft voice and smile.

Susanna made an executive decision and put the rest of the cinnamon buns away after Urs third one.

“I’ll just save the rest of these for later, Houdini Jr. You want to be able to fit into whatever it is your wearing to the signing session at Borders this afternoon don’t you? Just think of the scandal, ‘Il Divo member admitted into rehab for cinnamon bun addiction.’ The Ubers would be so disappointed to say nothing of what Simon would do,” Susanna cried in mock horror.

“Ja, you’re probably right. But they’re so delicious it’s sinful. They’re as bad as Toblerones. Well almost. So what are you doing this afternoon while I’m getting writer’s cramp and practicing my smile?”

“I think I’ll probably go to the gym, maybe catch up on some schoolwork, sleep,” she yawned at the last idea. “Some very curly person is trying to get me addicted to early Saturdays with Café Mocha.”

“Is it working?” Urs asked as he put his dishes in the sink.

This time it was Susanna who came up behind him at the sink. Lifting his arm she ducked under to slide her hands up his chest to his shoulders. Then reaching up on tiptoes she gently brushed her parted lips over his. With a deep-throated chuckle Urs tongue found hers as he returned the kiss.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he grinned his parting shot as he picked up his helmet by the door.

“Cheeky devil!” and a laugh was the last thing he heard as he galloped down the stairs.

As Susanna dried off in the gym shower she wondered how the guys were doing at the signing. Urs wasn’t sure what time they’d be finished. It was tentatively scheduled for 2-4 but could run a little longer depending on the turnout. Urs has suggested a pub meal and promised to call just before they left.

‘I wonder what Urs would do if…’ She couldn’t remember the last time she’d made a spur of the moment decision. ‘What was this man doing to her? Where was the cautious Susanna? Probably sitting home grading papers like before, BU Before Urs.’ she giggled as she dressed quickly and headed home to change. ‘Now what do Divas wear to a meet and greet?’

Wanting to blend in, she chose dark gray slacks, a white blouse under a red crew neck sweater, a gray tweed blazer, and a long gray scarf. Surely they wouldn’t be waiting out on the street would they? Even though she really didn’t relish the idea of waiting in the cold she did hope a lot of people would show their support so she’d better wear warm boots just in case.

Oxford Street on a Saturday afternoon, what a rush. Susanna loved it. The tube…the only way to go. The crowds, the scurrying shoppers, traffic, the swoosh of the train, the smell and sounds of the tunnels, the buskers, it made you feel so alive. You were a survivor, especially when you were part of the masses of people yet could pretend nonchalance, keep up, yet seem unimpressed by the order within the chaos of the city.

By the time Susanna arrived about 3:30 if there had been crowds outside they had dwindled down enough to fit within the confines of the store. Just barely, she noted, as the crowd waited patiently for a chance to snake around the makeshift roped-off aisles, finally ending at one end of a long table where the four Divos sat, smiling, signing, shaking hands, visiting briefly. The Divos were sitting in the order she remembered they mostly stood in at the concert. She guessed their respective fans expected this. So they would get autographs from David, Carlos, Seb, and finally Urs. That would be good, she could surprise him, maybe.


Oops, what was she going to have them sign? Most of the fans were clutching pictures or CD inserts or some kind of paper for them to sign. Spying a nearby display of their CD “Il Divo” she snatched one and hurried to the cashier. She was now the proud owner of identical CDs but figured she could keep one in the car, well, one in her new car that would most certainly have a CD player.

As the line snaked around she noticed the fans chatting, surely they can’t all know each other; young, old, middle aged, some mother/daughter pairs, even a few with young children, seemed to be able to talk a common language about their chosen idols Il Divo.

“Are you a Diva too, my dear?” asked a well-dressed 40-ish woman standing behind Susanna.

“A... well I guess you could say I’m an Uber.” Susanna hoped that was the right answer. It seemed to satisfy her as they continued to talk. She was a Cutie, and had first seen them on a TV show. Susanna mentioned seeing them do a mini-concert and thought the poor woman was going to ask for her autograph too she was so excited. ‘What had they sung? What did Carlos say? What did they wear?’ Susanna answered the best she could which really wasn’t very much. The woman introduced herself as Maggie and Susanna, in an aha moment, decided to use her middle name Mary, to guard her privacy.

Gradually the line proceeded through the maze until it was almost her turn. Fortunately several of the people in front of her were taller so that would help keep her hidden at least a little she hoped. Unwrapping her new CD she removed the insert, opened it to David’s picture, took a deep breath and put her finger over her mouth in the quiet sign, hoping he would look before he spoke. He had just bent down to get another bottle of water on the floor beside him. As he looked up and recognized her, she could see a series of expressions cross his face. It was like a prize from a Cracker Jack box where you flipped the pages and the cartoon figures appeared to move…recognition…surprise…amusement. Reaching for the paper he looked expectantly as she softly whispered, “To Mary, please,” and a murmured “Thank you.” As David gave a conspiratorial wink he turned to whisper something in Carlos’ ear and passed him the insert, casually pointing to the ‘Mary’ he had signed.

Susanna prayed to every saint she could think of that Carlos would not let out a loud “Hellooooo there”. Someone up there was listening. He played his part well, except for the shaking shoulders and his eyebrows of course.

Receiving a whispered warning, Seb looked over, raised both eyebrows, gave her his most endearing Siren grin and a soft, “Enchante,” taking his time to sign, allowing both Susanna and himself time to collect themselves.

As Seb handed the booklet back to Susanna, she ‘accidentally’ dropped it on the floor. Ducking down and scrabbling to pick it up, she managed to move in front of Urs at the end of the table. So when Urs the Expectant looked up, ready to thud the next Uber victim, none was available. It was as if a trap door had opened up and poof! she was gone. Noticing that the lady in front of Seb was looking down in front of her, a slightly bewildered Urs half rose from his chair and tried to peek over the edge of the table. Perhaps some poor hapless lady had fallen or was there a child too small to be seen?

It was a good thing the table was extra wide because at that moment Susanna chose to make her appearance. A submarine with the order of ‘emergency surface’ rising up from the floor, she startled Urs as he plopped back into his chair. He had been well and truly thudded.

The Cracker Jack flipbook of emotions reappeared ending with a head shake/eye roll/ finger wag combination. Signing over his picture, Urs received Susanna’s best awe-struck “Thank you”. In return, she received her favorite bone-melting grin and a very personal autograph, “Hi Houdini, Meet me by the bathrooms in 5 minutes. Bag Boy.”

Chuckling as she checked her make-up in the bathroom mirror, she did a little air punch ‘Yes!’ He didn’t look or sound angry. A sudden thought-‘what if he thinks I’m too clingy, too needy, that I’m chasing him, he didn’t ask me to come after all. Bruce always hated it when I surprised him.’

Seeing her white-knuckled grip on the sink, Susanna gave herself a mental shake. ‘No, I won’t go back to the old me, never again.’ she promised herself. ‘Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.’ With a little smile she hurried out to meet Urs, knowing his 5 minutes really meant 3.

Sure enough here he came with that familiar graceful stride, fluid and athletic, with his shoulders leading. Pulling her into the bathroom hallway alcove, checking to see they were alone, he gave her a brief kiss, drawing her face close to his.

A grinning Urs asked, “Is something wrong? How did you get here?”

“No, I just thought it would be fun to surprise you,” Susanna answered honestly, biting her tongue to keep from adding, ’Are you mad at me?’

“ I love it. I was thinking about you and this is a great surprise. Now we can go straight from here when I’m finished. I’m not sure how much longer, maybe an hour. Will you wait?”

“Of course. I could spend days in a bookstore. Just come find me when you’re ready. I’ll be in the romance section,” she added giving her own version of a blinky wink.

With a deep musical laugh, Urs left first. Susanna wandered out a few minutes later, thinking she wouldn’t even need a book to inspire her as she sank into a comfy chair right under the sign, ’Romance.’

Chapter 38
Eye in the Sky

An hour and a bit later Urs located Susanna buried nose-deep in Switzerland. Several travel guides lay in her lap but the cover of her current selection showed a cloudless, robin’s egg blue sky and snow-covered mountains. In the foreground lined up on the snow were gaily-striped canvas sling chairs filled with Swiss sun seekers, fully clad of course.

“Are you planning another trip?” Urs asked softly, bending down and pretending to read as he inhaled her scent and gave her shoulder a little squeeze. Since there were still some autograph stragglers nearby, that was the best greeting he could manage right now.

“Actually it’s research.” Susanna looked up and smiled and he could swear they’d turned up the lights in the whole store. “I just wanted to know a little about where you come from…I mean your country…where you were born.”

There I admitted I was interested and I’m glad I did. I’ve got to stop acting like an embarrassed teenager around him and besides it looks so beautiful. I think I’d really like to visit there someday even if he wasn’t from there…but now it’s just risen nearer the top of my wish list. Ok Susanna admit it, Switzerland is now #1. So what?

She took her lead from him as he gathered up the books and helped her return them to their proper place on the shelf. Noticing as they walked together toward the door he neither held her arm nor her hand.

Just for a millisecond Susanna’s stomach started that familiar lurch of apprehension…setting off a warning signal of a shift in mood…just like…then the penny dropped.

Giving an almost audible sigh of relief and comprehension she understood now, but not without a tinge of regret. It was a passing from the innocence of youth to the responsibility of adulthood, from spontaneity to restraint, free-spiritedness to reserve, impulsiveness to control, from rashness to caution.

When Gerry had explained the relationship of the Divos and their wives or girlfriends in public, Susanna had no problem grasping the concept. The reality however was quite different, especially when it turned up on your doorstep with coffee and carrying a helmet.

Urs’ behavior was not the familiar precursor to a blow-up or tantrum she’d dealt with from Bruce. This was simply Urs the Divo in training, setting the necessary ground rules, defining boundaries, so elemental in maintaining a respectful but separate relationship between performers and their fans.

Respectful in that while the fans acknowledged the Divos partners and private lives, they expected the Divos to be focused on their craft and present their public persona at concerts and group appearances. Urs was plainly following the rules, nothing more, nothing less.

‘And I’m all right with that, I truly am. After all I’m an Uber myself.’ Susanna decided with an understanding smile.

Then Maggie the Siren leapt into her thoughts. ‘Is that why I didn’t tell her my name was Susanna? Maybe Gerry’s little talk was running around in my subconscious all along. Was I trying to protect myself or Urs or both of us? Both of us? Was Urs protecting me like I was his girlfriend? Am I? Do I want to be?’ ‘Yes, oh yes!’ was her heartfelt reply.

Urs handed her into the back seat of the waiting car, passing a note to the driver.

“Aren’t we waiting for Seb and Carlos?” she asked as they pulled smoothly into the traffic.

“Naw, they wanted to do a little shopping.” came from the front seat where David and his long legs sat beside the driver.

Turning around, a grinning David complimented, “Susanna, I’ve got to hand it to you. That was way cool, you just popping up like that today. You should have seen the look on your face buddy. Priceless!” as he gave Susanna a high five.

“She’s that alright,” Urs agreed, giving her a hug and a swift kiss.

Lowering his mouth to her ear, he whispered, ”Thank you so much for not making a fuss in the store. When we’re out in public as a group we still have to be ‘on’ for the fans, you know. I hope that didn’t bother you.”

“I asked Gerry about that because of her being married now and she explained how it works, acknowledged but invisible so to speak. I think maybe I sensed that already and that’s why I used my middle name for the autograph and when I was talking to Maggie in line. I can understand how you need to set boundaries between your personal and private lives. I’m fine with that.” Susanna told him, squeezing his hand reassuringly .

After dropping David off back at his apartment, Urs and Susanna continued toward the south bank of the river. She had been right about Urs’ public appearance behavior. They could have been going to the South Pole as far as she was concerned. She had gotten a rather nice kiss as soon as the car began to move again, and now sitting next to him with his arm around her shoulder, everything was right in her world. Until…

“A… A…Is that?” Susanna stammered.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” said Urs in an excited voice looking up into the twilight sky.

‘Oh no! The London Eye in the twilight sky makes me want to cry.’ her brain rhymed hysterically.

How in the world can I tell him I’m deathly afraid of heights? I know. I’ll remind him about when I said I didn’t do sushi. I’ll just say I forgot to mention I don’t do heights either. Yeah sure, and this is coming from a girl who thinks she might like to be the girlfriend of a guy who lives in the Alps along with Heidi and her grandfather? OK just bite the bullet. Put your money where your mouth is.

Saying a fervent prayer she wouldn’t also put her lunch there, Susanna exited the car.

While Urs went to buy the tickets, Susanna read the information plaque near the entrance: The London Eye also known as the Millenium Wheel, opened in 1999, 135 metres (443 feet).

“Are you surprised? I timed it just right. This is the sunset flight. It takes about 30 minutes to go around.” Urs explained grabbing her hand and eagerly pulling her toward their capsule.

Susanna noticed several other people already inside, standing enthusiastically and insanely, she thought, close to the glass awaiting the start. Simultaneously Urs noticed the absence of all feeling below the wrist due to Susanna’s Heimlech maneuver on his right hand. Leading her over to the bench seats, he pried her fingers from around his and attempted to restore the blood flow by massage. The bench was now in the throes of her death grip. Putting his good hand under her chin, he forced her to look at him.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re afraid of heights? Do you want to get off now?” he asked anxiously. It was at this moment however Urs the Anxious became Urs the Not Quite In Time, because the capsule was moving.

Susanna gave a shudder, Urs gave a squeeze and told her to open her eyes and look straight out at the beautiful sunset. With a leap of faith she did, focusing her hardest on the view straight out and not looking down. Gradually she relaxed enough to see the people around her, even small children she noted with chagrin, most of them standing near the curved glass pointing out landmarks, oooohing and ahhhhing.

Urs leaned in close to her ear and kept up a steady stream of encouragement, slowly urging her to stand, turn around and view the sky from different angles. Step by tiny step he painstakingly guided her to where she could experience the sights. Closer they came to the glass. Stretching out his arm to cover her much shorter one, she leaned into the safe shelter of his chest as he pointed out landmarks.

Finally, as the capsule descended slowly, she was able to look down without trembling. Seeing her smile of wonder, thankfulness, and appreciation, his heart felt as if it would burst.

You are something so special. I can’t remember ever feeling like this. Without even knowing it, you are making a forever place in my heart.

‘I have never seen so much gentleness and strength in one person. You make it so easy to feel close to you and oh how nice that feels.’ Susanna thought in amazement, as they stepped out of the capsule.

As they walked to the street to hail a taxi, Susanna leaned into Urs shoulder with her head and gave him a little hug. ”Thank you.”

“For what? Scaring you to death? Although I must admit it was a good excuse to hold you in my arms. Clever aren’t I?” Urs joked.

“No really I’m glad you were here to help me face my fear. It would have been a shame to miss that beautiful sunset just because I’m a fraidy cat. I did get better by the end of the ride didn’t’ I? Did I embarrass you?” Susanna’s voice rose with her question.

“You were great and I’m so proud of you. I want us to be able to be there for each other, especially when we’re afraid.” Urs said sincerely, flagging a taxi.

“I can’t imagine you being afraid of anything.” Susanna said over her shoulder as Urs held the door open.

“Not unless it’s a 7 year old girl asking questions about giraffes!”, Urs laughed, sliding in beside her and giving the cabbie an address on Maddox Street.

The Masons Arms was like a step back in time and Susanna was enchanted. In location quite near the book signing, in time and space removed by centuries. Well hidden at the end of a narrow side street, it’s half-timbered Tudor façade could easily have welcomed Shakespeare. Best of all, its soul mirrored the exterior. Low-ceilinged, dark, traditional, with high-backed booths and alcoves offering semi-privacy along with cozy tables and chairs, easily rearranged by the open fire.

Since it was still rather early for the usual Saturday night throng, Urs and Susanna took advantage and settled into a comfortable booth, as close to the fireplace as possible. While Urs went to the bar for their drinks, Susanna headed to the restroom. As she came out of the ladies, she almost ran into Urs coming out of the mens.

“We have to stop meeting like this.” laughed Urs, stealing a not so quick kiss and walking back to the table with his arm around her.

As she slid into the booth, Susanna was pleasantly surprised when Urs slid in beside her rather than across the table. Clinking glasses in a giggling toast to ‘highs and lows’ they rewound and played back their day. Susanna was so pleased with her surprise appearance and Urs seemed very happy that Susanna hadn’t missed the beautiful sunset.

“Just look at the depths I went to surprise you!” Susanna bragged.

“Well, I went as high as the sky to surprise you!” Urs retorted as they both laughed.

Their light-hearted exchange continued throughout their delicious pub meal. Urs had been quite surprised by the wide variety of people who had come to the signing. He had been very impressed with their patience and had tried to give each one his undivided attention if only for that moment.

Then Susanna regaled Urs with things about Switzerland that she’d put on her ever expanding list of places to go and things to see. There was Lucerne’s Festival of Music and Fasnacht celebrations, and seeing the Kappelbrucke or Chapel Bridge, and she’d fallen in love with the legend of William Tell. Urs silently gave thanks when she failed to break into the William Tell Overture.

Now came the questions.
Had he ever played the Alphorn? Could he yodel?
“You know they have a local yodelling club don’t you?”
By the time she got to “And have you ever worn…” Urs knew what was coming next. “lederhosen? No, that’s Bavaria.”

And with that he was forced to capture her mouth in a long, drugging kiss, lest it run on till her dinner was cold. At least that was his excuse and judging by Susanna’s surrender she didn’t mind at all.

After dinner, they relaxed, comfortably full, each with a brandy. There was no need for conversation now as they sat back and gazed at the fire, hands touching, fingers exploring, caressing palms, knuckles, inside wrists, sensitive fingertips, almost absently, lost in the moment and connection with each other.

Reluctantly, they broke the spell, and soon found themselves stepping out of a taxi at Susanna’s apartment. Almost by tacit agreement they planned on a stay at home day on Sunday, recharging after their busy week both together and apart. Preparing for the rush of last minute preparations, travel, Thanksgiving visiting, appearances, and interviews that would require all the reserves of strength they could muster.

Their goodnight kiss was given softly, a slow sensual tasting, a gentle ending punctuation mark as their long day together ended.

Chapter 39
Chilly Night Chili

“Brrrrr!” Susanna shivered, shaking the cold rain off her umbrella as she pushed the lobby door closed against the howling wind. “What a filthy day!” she muttered to herself.

From the far corner, Urs pushed himself away from the wall where he was leaning and made his graceful entrance, flashing a lazy grin. “Not any more.” he announced kissing Susanna’s cold, damp lips.

“Mmmmmm.’ Susannaese for ‘You are so right.’ came from beneath her lips as she threw her arms around him and gave him a hug, wet umbrella and all.

Taking her key and umbrella, Urs opened the door, followed her into the elevator, down the hall and again opened her apartment door. Leaving their wet shoes there, Susanna hung their jackets in the bathroom shower to dry. Urs offered to start a fire while Susanna changed out of her ‘Sunday’ clothes.

Returning in well-worn jeans and her favorite pink cashmere sweatshirt she beckoned Urs to the kitchen where they warmed up over coffee and the remainder of the cinnamon rolls she’d managed to hide from him yesterday. Then it was aprons on and down to work.

“One alarm, two alarm, or false alarm?” were Urs choices.

Urs mit unibrow furtively did a visual search of the kitchen for a fire extinguisher.

“How hot do you like your chili? Do you like spicy food?” Susanna inquired. “False alarm means we don’t add any extra red pepper. Maybe we should start with that and add a little at a time since you’re probably not used to it.”

Urs swallowed hard in agreement, making a mental note to have a glass of water standing by just in case.

Today he was put in charge of crumbling and cooking the ground beef while Susanna measured the spices and tomato ingredients and prepared the beans to be added later. Combining everything in her ever-present crockpot she had Urs taste it. He cautiously gave her permission to add ‘a little’ red pepper. Another taste and he had found his limit. Susanna’s taste buds decided it was probably half alarm strength but she’d add more heat to hers at the table. In about three hours the main part of dinner would be ready.

Now for the cookies. Since Urs had done so well with the meatballs, chocolate crinkles were logically the next step on his path to culinary expertise. The mixer made short work of the dough. Soon he was producing chocolate cookie balls like an automaton, then rolling them in sugar and spacing them in precise rows on the cookie sheets. In less than an hour several dozen chocolate crinkles, minus a few Urs had taste tested, sat cooling or already in containers, the kitchen was clean and the thick Sunday paper was being divided.

Acting the gentleman, Urs let Susanna have first dibs on the Arts and Entertainment section, but only after she swore up and down she had taken a speed reading course and passed with flying colors. Meanwhile he’d read the auto, sports, and funnies. He had also promised to not fill in any of the crossword unless she specifically asked for help.

Susanna plopped down onto the sofa with her feet up, leaning against the armrest and several pillows. Urs had made his usual pillow nest on the floor near her end of the sofa, each making sure they were well within touching or kissing distance. They were and they did. As Susanna handed Urs her section of the papers and started on the crossword she gave a little sigh.

Urs looked back at her, questioning.

“This is just so nice being here, together, doing nothing. I feel so relaxed…at ease. It’s the best feeling ever.” Susanna blushed at her admission.

Oops! Evidently my brain and my mouth are just a little too relaxed.

Up came the newspaper. Not soon enough. Urs turned around and kneeling, pulled the newspaper down.

“I love it when you’re perfectly natural. When I’m with you like this it somehow softens my mood. You warm my heart, Susanna.” Urs revealed, slowly, gently kissing her eyes, then her cheek, then the corner of her mouth, finally finding her lips, lingering there with an intoxicating kiss.

As he stood up, Susanna thought it the most natural thing in the world to scooch over and make room for him on the sofa. As Urs stretched out beside her enfolding her into his arms, he thought it the most natural thing to gently stroke her hair as they fell asleep ‘together, doing nothing’.

They both woke at the sound of the kitchen timer, automatically eliminating the need for any conversations with Urs belt. As they untangled themselves, Susanna found her hand had not strayed to Urs bottom. This time however, she wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed. She thought this would probably be classified as progress by her therapist but it also was a little scary for her. ‘Oh well, what did they say, no pain, no gain.’ She was pretty sure that didn’t apply to this situation though.

After taking turns washing up, the both reported for KP duty. Susanna quickly made some cornbread, insisting you couldn’t eat chili without it. Urs was given beer and bean duty, adding both, stirring and of course tasting, giving an approving nod, noting how the slow cooking had married the meat and spices into a hearty, pungent mixture he was anxious to try.

Ladling the chili into good sized bowls, adding shredded cheese or sour cream on top, or a little of both in Urs case, they feasted on thick squares of cornbread studded with kernal corn and a cool crisp salad. This time Susanna said the blessing but paused for Urs to add his contribution ‘and God bless the cooks’. Urs made sure he had a glass of water close at hand ’just in case’ and Susanna, poured herself a glass of milk.
Did she know something Urs did not?

After tasting her chili, Susanna added more red pepper until it ‘had the right amount of heat’. Urs said his was perfect thank you very much. Covering his bowl with his hand just to make his point. Susanna just giggled and ‘mmmmed and ahhhhed’ over hers. Finally he could stand it no more and just had to ask for a little taste of hers. Putting about a teaspoonful on her spoon she fed it to him across the table and waited. It didn’t take long.

His reaction led Susanna to conclude that most Swiss food was not highly spiced. It began with an immediate watering of his eyes, progressed to open-mouthed hand waving, and ended with a complexion rivaling Carlos, after a day in the sun. Rendered incapable of speech, he did manage to make some rather fish like gasps and other peculiar noises. Susanna thought perhaps some sounds had reached well above his usual tenor range.

Grabbing for the water glass, Urs looked on in horror as Susanna pulled it from him and replaced it with the milk. Being in no fit shape to argue, after all he was a man on fire, he took it and drank. Susanna noticed with a satisfied smile that his face immediately began to return to his usual color. Regular breathing patterns and speech followed closely behind as he wiped his eyes on a napkin.

“How can you eat it that hot? That will put hair on your chest!” he half croaked and whispered.

Susanna pulled the neck of her sweater and took a peek underneath. “Nope, sorry to disappoint you and no you can’t check!” she giggled playfully.

“Fair enough! Triple espresso for me and two alarm chili for you. We make a good pair don’t you think?”

Susanna agreed they did.

As they continued eating Susanna explained how milk was much more effective than water in cooling your mouth after eating spicy food. She put his experience into perspective by telling about her first time eating hot English mustard at a pub. She’d been the only American in the group and the mustard was served in a small dish. Thinking it was the milder American version she smeared a good bit on her meat and took a bite. Of course she could practically see smoke coming out of her ears and felt like her head would explode but didn’t want to let on so she’d made a hasty exit to the ladies where she’d suffered in silence until her brain returned to normal temperature.

With all this talk and taste of spicy food, ice cream seemed a perfect choice for dessert with some of Urs’ cookies of course. They both agreed the creamy yellow vanilla ice cream along with the chocolate cookies made a ‘good pair’ just like Susanna and Urs.

Even with a nap, they made it an early evening. The next two days would be jam-packed for both of them attending to last minute details, then packing for their late flight on Tuesday.

As they walked to the door, the familiar routine brought a shared smile to their faces…pulling on boots, handing him his helmet, giving and receiving the fierce, protective hug Susanna craved, the goodnight wave. It was an orderly pattern of tenderness, a foundation to build on, becoming comfortably predictable. And hovering above this groundedness was the bright shining newness of each kiss, with so much left to discover and meaning something beautifully different every time.

Chapter 40
Leaving on a Jet Plane

“Monday, Monday, so good to me.” Susanna found herself humming the old Mamas and Papas hit from the 60’s while she packed her suitcase. Today had been a good one for sure.

It had not looked or felt like a regular Monday but then when there was a school holiday coming up it never did. There was an air of expectation…staff seemed to be especially cheerful and forbearing, usual routines were replaced by what was commonly referred to as “the fun stuff” i.e. holiday activities, and the children could best be described as ‘a little hyper’.

There was the traditional Thanksgiving feast at lunch tomorrow, complete with Pilgrim hats for the boys and girls plus some Indian headdresses of course, writing stories about what you were thankful for, songs and poems about Thanksgiving and Susanna’s favorite, each child sharing their Thanksgiving writing assignment, complete with illustrations. Of course they could write anything they wanted about Thanksgiving, but inevitably they would choose from some of her ‘suggested’ titles. Each year she added a few new ones to the list. Some of the current favorites were: The Day the Turkeys Gobbled Up New York City, Tom and Teresa Turkey’s Best Thanksgiving, Grandmother’s Lonliest Thanksgiving and Mom’s Mixed-up Pumpkin Sauce and Cranberry Pie.

Then there was the prerequisite extra planning for the substitute teacher for the three extra days Susanna would be gone. Usually she dreaded this and her comment always seemed to be ‘It’s twice as much trouble planning to be absent.’, but not this time. This time it was special, a beautiful rainbow was waiting and Urs was her pot of gold at the end.

As busy as Susanna was with her planning, Urs was twice as busy with schedules, meetings, last minute changes, and generally making sure everyone’s travel plans meshed. Since each Divo was arriving in Toronto separately and meeting there with Steve and the support staff, they absolutely had to be on the same page and able to be reached at all times in case of last minute changes or delays. They would also use this mini-appearance schedule as a learning experience for the real tour starting in January.

Susanna was snuggled up in bed with Bag Bog Jr. waiting, when Urs called to go over final details about the flight. The 8-hour flight from London to New York would leave at 6:00 PM so the car would pick her up from school at 3. They’d get into New York at 9:00 PM local time, and their flight to Rochester would get them in just after 11. Aunt Alta and Uncle Edmund would meet them. As they ended their converation with what had become their signature, “Night, Bag Boy, Night, Houdini” Susanna turned off the light and burrowing deeper under the covers could almost hear the strains of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, with Urs singing of course. ‘I need to tell him what a great song that would be for Il Divo.’

Knowing Urs, Susanna was ready and waiting in the front office when the car pulled up at 2:50. Perfect timing. 15 minutes later and the parking lot would look like a football scrum in spite of Mr. Boyd, the PE teacher, standing out there directing traffic with his fluorescent orange vest and extremely loud whistle.

As she wheeled her bag toward the car, the driver got out to stow it in the back and Urs jumped out to open the door. He climbed in beside her in the back seat, closed the door with one swift motion and they were off. They exchanged a brief hello kiss in deference to the driver’s rear view mirror, leaned back into the seat, and giggled, exchanging looks like naughty children playing hooky. “We’re off to see the wizard…” Susanna sang, then seeing the driver’s smile reflected in the mirror, ended her little ditty with a self-conscious grin as Urs gave her a laughing hug.

As they talked, Susanna’s senses took a quick inventory. As usual his scent was intoxicating to her. She must work up the courage to ask him for the name. That way he could baptize Bag Boy Jr. and it would bring yet another layer of Urs closer…closer to what? Don’t go there! She warned herself. It will be distracting enough just to get throught these next several hours sitting so close. And besides nothing you bought in a bottle would match the way it mingled with his skin creating that unique Urs-ness.

He had dressed in his usual jeans, if you could call jeans that fit so perfectly, outlining those muscular thighs and his cute, rounded behind, usual. At least he was sitting on that right now so Susanna was safe from blushing, for the time being. She could barely see the neck of a blue t-shirt under a gray hoodie topped off with his jean jacket. His hair was pulled back in a neck hugging ponytail and Susanna in a fleeting bizarre moment, wondered if he might flip it up when he slept. He had chosen to wear his black and red cowboy boots for his Rochester debut. She hoped she wouldn’t have to fight off the women at the airport with a stick. Maybe an umbrella would do.

‘So this is what a young American school teacher wears when she goes home for Thanksgiving.’ Urs observed. Susanna too was dressed in layers, comfy layers, and some curvy feminine layers too he noted happily.

Underneath a light gray track suit made of some soft fabric, maybe cashmere he guessed, was a pale pink turtleneck. Her jacket was also light pink, a nylon parka type, semi-fitted, gently nipped in at the waist creating a curvy silhouette, a vast improvement over The Pink Robe, yes indeed.

A long scarf with gray, white, red, and pink stripes lay loosely around her neck like a festive ribbon on a beautiful pink and gray present his hands were just aching to open.

As their bags were unloaded Susanna noticed Urs carefully remove a guitar case and not so carefully remove a computer as his two carryon items.

After checking their bags they slowly but surely passed through the security check, removing layers as they went. Susanna was both amused and gratified by the interest Urs garnered and gave. His presence was certainly noted by the women from the looks being thrown his way, but he only seemed to notice Susanna.

Did he not realize the effect he had or did he simply choose to ignore it? Don’t think it to death. Enjoy it Susanna. He’s giving you his attention freely, honestly.

Then she had to chuckle as Urs did a little hopping, leaning dance to remove his boots. She had chosen the easy way out, running shoes, silver and pink of course. Reshod again, Susanna followed Urs lead and tried not to act surprised as they entered the VIP lounge. Traveling with a Divo definitely had more perks than the obvious one.

Relaxing in the quiet lounge atmosphere must have made the time fly because the next thing she knew they were boarding and sitting in first class no less.

Is Urs trying to impress me? No wait a minute. He’s not that kind of person. He said they flew first class to Australia so they probably book all their flights first class. Besides he already knows actions and words impress me more than material things. Doesn’t he?

She remembered Urs saying how he loved sitting by the window so she offered it to him. When he readily accepted she breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she’d have been a little embarrassed climbing over him to get to the lavatory. Offering to stow her carryon in the overhead bin, she politely declined, “ I have some things I’ll need to get to later.” Urs hoped it wasn’t The Pink Robe. He also hoped Susanna wouldn’t notice as he casually flipped up the middle arm rest and took his seat.

As the other passengers filed in to their seats, their flight attendant offered them drinks, so as the plane took off and climbed to cruising altitude, Urs and Susanna toasted with champagne “To Happy Thanksgiving and Il Divo Success”. When their toast ended Susanna wasn’t sure which was more intoxicating the champagne toast or Urs champagne kiss and thought perhaps she needed another sample to help her make up her mind. Urs the Eager was more than happy to oblige.

Dinner was served soon after, Susanna judged it very good, at least by airline standards. After their trays were cleared away, they both plugged into their iPods and leaned back.

Susanna produced a paperback mystery from her carry on and settled in for a good read before trying to sleep. Urs thumbed through a news magazine he’d grabbed from the holder on their way to their seats but was soon finished and staring out the window into the night while keeping the music beat on his knee.

Out of the corner of her eye she could see him look over at her every once in awhile to see if she was still reading. After she’d lost her place three times, she took pity on him and with a sigh and a grin, reached into her bag and with a flourish took out two motorcycle magazines.

“What do you say, Bag Boy?” she prompted.

“Thank you Houdini, you’re magical.” given with a killer smile and a blinky wink.

Heaving a contented sigh, Urs settled in to read. Susanna loved it. He was becoming so predictable.

About an hour later, Susanna closed her book, leaned over and whispered some magical words to Urs, “I have cookies.” Even Yngwie Malmsteen couldn’t have played the call button faster, as Urs with a little help from the attendant produced the milk while Susanna retrieved a small box of cookies from her bag. Urs was indeed starting to believe that bag was magic.

Munching happily away on the ‘bedtime snack’ Susanna described her aunt and uncle and gave him a crash course in Thanksgiving traditions.

Finding her toothbrush, Susanna headed to the lavatory. When she returned Urs was gone so she took the opportunity to stand awhile and stretch until he returned, bearing gifts: pillows and blankets.

Urs put one pillow on his shoulder for Susanna, lifting her chin to him for a kiss, then putting a pillow behind his head, covered them with a blanket as she slipped her arm under his and snuggled into her real Bag Boy.
“Night, Bag Boy.”
“Night, Houdini.”

Chapter 41
A Bumpy Ride and a Happy Landing

Urs was aware of the sound first, a kind of soft staccato whimpering, like a puppy when it’s sleeping. As his sleep-fogged brain cleared, the sound became louder, ending with “Oh nooooo!” as Susanna struggled frantically to untangle herself from the blanket. Urs quickly grabbed it, freed her, holding her shoulders and giving her a gentle shake to wake her.

“You’re alright, Susanna. You’re safe. It was only a bad dream. It’s Urs. I’ve got you. Shhhhh It’s OK...Shhhhh… I’m here... Shhhhh.” Urs whispered in a low, sing song cadence, gently rocking her in his arms as if he was calming an infant. Wide-eyed she looked around, disoriented, trembling. As she gradually became aware of her surroundings, she clung to his broad shoulders and sobbed quietly into his chest.

Burying his face in her hair Urs crooned softly as he rubbed her back in comforting circles, waiting for her to calm down. With a final hiccup, she took a deep breath and reached in her bag for some tissues. “I must look like something the cat dragged in.” she apologized as she blew her nose. “And now I’ve gotten you all soggy too.”

“Well, I must admit I didn’t know you were so juicy.” Urs teased gently, holding his damp t-shirt away from his chest. He was rewarded with a weak smile, but a smile never the less.“Just for future reference, do you have these nightmares very often?”

“No, the last time was after we went on our Jack the Ripper Tour.” she admitted.

“And I kept hounding you about if you’ve changed and you got upset with me.” Urs concluded.

‘C’mon Susanna be honest with him. He’s always been there for you. He’s been so patient, waiting, never demanding, he’s your friend, almost a foxhole friend. At least tell him why you’re upset. He deserves to know that much.’

Susanna decided to talk to the hand. Picking up one of Urs hands in both of hers she began to speak, gathering strength from this physical connection. “You remember when I said I couldn’t sleep because I had a nightmare about Jack the Ripper? Well it was the same one tonight. Only it’s wasn’t Jack the Ripper. It’s always the same one…the tires squealing, the crash, Bruce is gone, pain, blood everywhere. Then I can’t remember. That’s all I can remember!”

“Susanna, you’ll remember when you’re ready. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Urs said logically.

“But how do I know this new me when I can’t even remember the old one? I just wanted you to think I was strong, not some little emotional crybaby. Having a nightmare about Jack the Ripper seemed braver somehow.”

“Come here,” Urs said softly drawing her in for a gentle hug. Then tipping her chin up to face him he said simply, “I know you think it’s holding on that makes you strong; but sometimes it’s letting go.”

Giving her a minute to let this sink in, he added, “Now you might want to go fix that red nose, Rudolph.”

Susanna gratefully took the hint and her purse to the lavatory.

It was amazing what a little cold water, make up, clean teeth, a brush, and a couple of aspirin can do, Susanna decided as she quietly came back to her seat. If she was truly honest, she felt even better on the inside now that Urs knew more about her.Yes, confession was indeed good for the soul. Seeing a half naked Urs, however, positively put her heart at risk.

Since the cabin lights were on low to accommodate the sleeping passengers, Urs had taken the opportunity of Susanna’s absence to take off his rather soggy t-shirt. As she approached her seat, he was just about to put on his hoodie. His back was to her, displaying the bunching muscles of his shoulders. Raising his arms and Susanna’s temperature at the same time, he slowly turned around and began to pull the soft gray material over his wide muscled chest. Where was the health warning? At least a hazard label! As his head appeared, so did his cheeky grin as Susanna continued to stare to the tune of ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy’ playing in her brain.

Not daring to release the death grip on her head rest, she stepped back so he could get to the aisle and saunter into the lavatory with his shaving kit.

When Urs returned he was sans ponytail, clean shaven, decidedly more curly, smelled delicious and somehow the zipper on his hoodie had fallen to reveal an expanse of chest even Carlos would have been proud to claim.

‘Well at least I won’t have to worry about any more nightmares tonight’ Susanna thought. ‘Who could sleep with him sitting there looking like that?’ Somehow she didn’t think that was what Urs had planned.

“Umm I feel better now, how about you?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m good now thanks.” Susanna replied brightly, leaning back with her eyes wide open.

“Four more hours, better get some sleep,” he suggested, arranging the pillow on his shoulder for her and holding out the blanket, ready to wrap around them.

‘Now where was that darned Willpower Wizard when you needed him?’ Susanna moaned to herself. Hearing no response, she put her head on the pillow and snuggled in closer to Urs warm body, as he wrapped her tightly in the blanket and the circle of his arms.

He gently kissed her head, turned slightly to tuck her head up under his chin, and burrowed deeper into the seat. A few minutes later, her steady, even breathing told him she was asleep. The last thing Urs remembered as he drifted off to sleep was how right this felt as she shifted her weight sideways to put her leg over his, and slipped her small hand beneath his hoodie to rest gently on his bare skin. And in her dreams Susanna thanked Bag Boy Jr. for being such a good teacher.

It seemed only a few minutes but in reality they awoke four hours later to an attendant with warm towels to help them wake up, followed by fragrant coffee and juice. As they unwound themselves from the blankets and each other, Susanna was surprised and relieved by how natural and right it felt. Maybe somewhere over the Atlantic she had let go of at least a bit of her emotional baggage. Perhaps Urs was right.

After deplaning they again waited, very briefly this time, for their flight to Rochester. After Susanna called Aunt Alta to let her know they were on schedule, she breathed a sigh of relief. They were almost ‘home’.

There was barely time to have something to drink before they were landing, finally. Aunt Alta and Uncle Edmund were there waving like mad, waiting in the circular arrival section as they passed by security. ‘Oops, I think I should have clued Urs in a little about Aunt Alta. She does have a tendency to take a while to get to know you. Well it’s only for two days. He’ll survive.’

‘Two days? More like two seconds was all it took for Aunt Alta to become an uber with a capital U. The hand shake with the little bow and that smile just about did her in. And I was worrying about him surviving! If I hadn’t rescued him she’d have been pinching his cheeks in another second. Uncle Edmund wasn’t far behind, especially when he found out Urs had done some carpentry and still liked to keep his hand in so to speak when he could. Since when had Urs changed his name to ‘Son?’

Urs and Susanna collected their bags while Uncle Edmund got the car and met them outside the baggage claim exit. He insisted Urs ride up front with him which was fine with Susanna. That gave the women some time to catch up on family news.

The house was just as she had remembered it two years ago. It was almost 100 years old, a huge two story wood frame, with a full basement and attic, painted a sunny, welcoming yellow with white trim. All four bedrooms were upstairs and shared one bath, however they had added another bathroom downstairs along with a small alcove for the washer and dryer, just off the kitchen.

Uncle Edmund led each of then to their rooms with an invitation for a nightcap after they unpacked. Susanna and Urs promised they’d be down in a few minutes.

The distance between Urs and Susanna decreased in direct proportion to the sound of Uncle Edmund’s footsteps.
“Finally” sighed Urs, kissing Susanna hungrily, sending a lovely delicious shiver down her spine. As their tongues played chase back and forth, she fastened her fingers in his hair, caressing his ears gently with her thumbs.

“I’ve been wanting to do that ever since we left London.” Urs confessed, pressing his forehead to hers.
“Me too.” Susanna agreed with a smile, sneaking up to kiss the corner of his mouth. “Now we’d better get downstairs before Aunt Alta comes looking for us.”

They took turns unpacking and freshening up and arrived hand in hand in the kitchen before the ‘few minutes’ time limit had expired.

Susanna had completely forgotten this winter bedtime tradition at Aunt Alta’s house: cocoa and cookies. As she poured mugs of thick, delicious hot chocolate and put a plate of cookies on the table Susanna could almost read Urs mind. ‘’I’ve died and gone to heaven’.

He pulled out Aunt Alta’s chair even before Uncle Edmund had a chance to move, next came Susanna’s. He was taking every precaution to ensure that this particular piece of heaven stayed well within his grasp, at least until they left for Toronto, and judging from Aunt Alta’s behavior already, he had nothing to worry about.

By the time their cocoa was finished, Urs had pretty much caught them up on all things Il Divo and a goodly amount of his pre-Il Divo life too. Susanna never tired of listening to him and her aunt and uncle had several interesting questions to ask.
With drooping eyelids and a few extra cookies ‘just in case you wake up hungry’, they trudged up the stairs, pausing for a sweet, gentle, cookie crumb kiss.

Urs smiled in the mirror as he brushed his teeth. He appreciated Aunt Alta’s sentiment but he didn’t think he’d be waking up hungry for cookies. He knew it couldn’t be tomorrow, but some day had just gotten a little closer at 35,000 ft. over the Atlantic Ocean.

Chapter 42
I See The Moon

The extra few hours of sleep Susanna gained due to the time change had worked their magic. How impressed Urs would be to see her up and about and it wasn’t even 8:00 yet. Clearly, she had forgotten he was Urs the Early.

Aunt Alta and Uncle Edmund were seated at opposite ends of the table with Urs in between.
‘I really would like to eat this breakfast before it’s stone cold.’ he lamented to himself, looking down at a stack of buckwheat pancakes, and crisp bacon.

Aunt Alta was finding it extremely difficult to share her Uberlord. Not that she was selfish mind you, she just wasn’t used to having Uncle Edmund underfoot since he’d retired.

Yes, these Thanksgiving holidays were really putting a cramp in Aunt Alta’s style, to say nothing of the one in Urs neck. Usually she had little jobs to keep Uncle Edmund occupied and ‘out of her hair’ but unfortunately, even though he wasn’t an Uber, he really enjoyed visiting with Urs, or thought he would, if he could just get a word in edgewise.

Urs head snapped to the right, focusing on Aunt Alta.
“Now where is it you’re from in Switzerland?” she quizzed.

“It’s a little town called Willisau, between Bern and Lucerne, but my parents now live near Lucerne. ” Urs replied, attempting to take a sip of coffee.

“Alta., That’s a rather unusual name. Is it a family name?”

“Yes, actually Urs it is. You know Susanna’s father, John, that’s my brother, is a real history buff and into genealogy in a big way. I imagine she’s told you about Susanna of the Alamo hasn’t she?”

“Yes, and the other two Susanna’s too.” Urs grinned.

“Well, John has traced our family back to the Revolutionary War. In fact I’m a member of the D.A.R. that’s the Daughters of the Revolution. Anyway, back in the 1800’s there was an Alta and my mother decided she liked it so here I am.” Aunt Alta ended with a satisfied smile.

“ And just how did you get interested in carpentry?” Uncle Edmund wanted to know.

Putting down a forkful of pancakes half way to his mouth, Urs answered, “ My grandfather had a construction business. It was one of the many part time jobs I had when I was younger. I enjoy working with my hands. Then I starting riding motorbikes and that led naturally into taking them apart, rebuilding, and
restoring them. I find it very relaxing. Unfortunately with my busy schedule, I haven’t had much chance to do that lately. ”

“Oh my goodness! Isn’t it dangerous riding those things?” Aunt Alta gasped.

“ It’s quite safe if you’ve had the proper instruction, wear appropriate clothes, and of course use common sense.” Susanna came to the rescue. “Urs is a very careful rider and we always wear helmets and sensible clothes and boots. I feel very safe riding with him.”

As Susanna entered the warm, fragrant kitchen, Urs about knocked over his chair in the rush to greet her. She could see by the relief in his eyes that Urs the Ever Polite had been caught between the rock and the hard place.

“I’m soooo glad to see you.”
Noah ushering the last animal into the ark couldn’t have been more sincere. As he put his arm around her in a mini-hug and they exchanged a brief kiss, Susanna could almost hear a chorus of ‘Awwwww’ from both ends of the table.

“ Houdini to the rescue.” Susanna whispered back, with a chuckle.

Time for a little misdirection Houdini thought.
Giving both aunt and uncle a hug and kiss, Susanna immediately requested pancakes for herself as she placed Urs slightly cold ones into the microwave. Standing by the stove, she visited with Aunt Alta, allowing the men some time to get to know each other.

Sitting back down, both she and Urs were allowed to eat in relative peace as Susanna discussed some of the places she might take Urs today. After their long flight she was sure he’d enjoy just walking and seeing some of the scenery outside the city. Urs gallantly offered to do last minute errands, so as they went upstairs to finish getting ready, Aunt Alta added a few more things to her list. Susanna was betting at least one item was chocolate. Aunt Alta did not play fair.

Susanna played chauffeur today and since Aunt Alta’s car had automatic transmission, being tour guide was a breeze. As they drove south out of the city, Susanna could see Urs visibly relax as he sat back and enjoyed the countryside. Soon they were driving through small villages set between gentle hills.

Bush Hill was their first stop, as they parked off to the side of the road and walked through grass, stopping to look out at the gentle, sweeping view. Although the beautiful golds, reds, and oranges of autumn had given way to the dark, dull browns and grays of winter, the crisp, clean air and deep blue-gray sky gave a silent promise of more snow to add to the protective blanket already there. Nature was simply enjoying a respite, gathering strength and renewing itself for the great burst of life in a few months. Under it all, the circle of life continued, complete with little sounds of scurrying animals, birds flocking to warmer climes and the crunching underfoot as they walked hand in hand, exploring.

“Doesn’t this just make you feel alive?” she asked.

“I love it out here. It feels so good to just be away from buildings, traffic, schedules, and be in natural surroundings again. You know when I was little my father would take me walking in the woods and teach me about the animals and plants. Someday I would like a house with perhaps a little stream and some woods, quiet, where I could take space for myself.” Urs recollected, looking over at Susanna to gauge her response.

“That sounds wonderful, like a personal haven, a place where you could go just to be.” Susanna agreed, with a wistful smile.

“ I still have a few other special places I’d like to share so we’d better get going before Aunt Alta calls out the dogs.” She said, gently pulling him back towards the road and the waiting car.

”Bush Hill. It’s not exactly the Alps,” she laughed, “but it’s as close as we’ll get in this part of the world.”

“Right now I can’t think of any part of the world I’d rather be in.” Urs answered, pulling her into his arms and capturing her lips in a kiss that warmed her all the way to her toes. Standing there, holding each other, looking at the view, Susanna agreed, “Me too.” as she gave Urs an unqualified bear hug.



On the way back up toward Rochester, Susanna had her fingers crossed that they’d see some deer and sure enough they did. Venturing down toward the road from the safety of the nearby woods, several does and young bucks were feasting on the grass, taking advantage of the lack of snow cover.



A little farther along in a marshy area they also discovered several beaver huts. Susanna pulled off the road so Urs could get a better look. He was so excited his eyes were almost twinkling as he marveled at the construction of their homes, getting out and walking as close as possible to view them from every angle. Susanna’s heart was filled with such joy that she hugged herself. Seeing the little boy within this extraordinary man and realizing that she had made him happy was the best feeling in the world.



Back in town they finished the errands on Aunt Alta’s list, including picking up the fresh turkey. When they walked into the house the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen reminded them they’d forgotten about lunch and were ravenously hungry.

As they unpacked, Aunt Alta ladled out homemade mushroom soup. Along with fresh bread, cold meats and her famous homemade pickles they were soon filled to capacity. Urs did however have just enough room left over for some blueberry buckle, similar to a cobbler, that Aunt Alta guaranteed would ‘cure what ails you’. Although Urs felt absolutely fine, if this was a cure, then bring on the ailment.

During the rest of the afternoon the men and women went their separate ways. While Susanna and Aunt Alta prepared the traditional turkey stuffing, using the generations old recipe, Urs and Uncle Edmund retired to the basement workshop. Uncle Edmund’s turn had finally come for show and tell.

Both groups reassembled for a light supper and then a game of ‘Chicken Foot’. Aunt Alta got the game ready while Urs and Susanna took care of the cleaning up.

“So you weren’t teasing about this? This is a real game?” Urs asked as he helped load the last of the dishes into the dishwasher.

“As real as a heart attack, when you play with Aunt Alta. She hates to lose. But don’t worry, you’re her curly haired boy, you SRG you!” Susanna teased, giving his curls a playful tug, forcing his head down toward her waiting mouth. Urs took the hint.

It was a simple game and Urs caught on quickly, maybe too quickly. Basically it was a domino game with everyone playing off their own line or train.. When someone played a double, however, they said “chicken foot” and laid that domino sideways on their train. Then the next three players had to play a matching domino off that double. Their three dominoes resembled a chicken foot, hence the name. The only added twist was that Aunt Alta had bought a special round holder to put in the middle of the table with slots for each player to begin their train. In the middle was a plastic chicken and when you said “chicken foot” you pressed this and you heard a chicken cackling. Of course you know who loved to press the button, whether he had a chicken foot or not. Fortunately Aunt Alta won two out of three games. Her curly-headed boy won the other.

As Susanna said goodnight with a hug and a kiss, even Urs got into the act with a hand shake and arm hug from Uncle Edmund and a hug from Aunt Alta.

“I like that young man, Mother. He seems alright.” commented Uncle Edmund once Urs and Susanna had disappeared upstairs.

“You know, dear, I can’t remember Susanna giving us hugs and goodnight kisses before. She was always so reserved, rather like her mother. And then I’m sure her accident didn’t help any, the poor thing. It’s nice to see her opening up…coming out of her shell. Do you think that young man has anything to do with that?”

“I don’t know. You can tell they both care about each other, but it’s early days yet. Now Mother, I want you to promise not to meddle. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. They’ll figure it out for themselves.”

Upstairs, Susanna had taken Urs to one last special place. She unlocked the door to the attic, turned on the light, and led him up the narrow stairs opening into a full-sized attic. She and Andrew had spent many happy hours with the neighbor’s children playing hide and seek, just quietly reading, talking and giggling. How she had loved visiting here!

Taking Urs by the hand she walked to one of the high round windows overlooking the backyard. Turning to each other they kissed… delicate, feathery hummingbird kisses as if feeding from the sweetness of each others mouth. Later as they gazed out the window, just above the low hills, they could see the huge, yellow-orange moon, the hunter’s moon shining down on them. Snatches of a childhood song began to play through Susanna’s head. ‘I see the moon, the moon sees me, down through the leaves of the old oak tree, please let the moon that shines on me, shine on the one I love.’ At that moment she knew. She loved Urs. She also knew she would remember this moment forever.

Chapter 43
The Hidden Kiss

This is the video of the story of The Hidden Kiss from Peter Pan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZdBwD0qAgc

As was her custom, Susanna attended Thanksgiving Day church services; this year she felt especially blessed to have Urs in her life. ‘In my life…what does that mean? Right now just to be his friend…a special friend…his girlfriend I guess. Someday more…yes much more. But for now to hear him say I’m his girlfriend. That would be enough.

Earlier she had tried calling her parents to wish them Happy Thanksgiving, but hadn’t been able to reach them so she just left a voice message, not bothering to mention where she was. Since Muz and Dad had flown to Hawaii and were cruising around the islands for the holiday it wasn’t as if they were waiting at home for a visit from her anyway.

Susanna pulled into the driveway, waving at Urs from a morning run. In the Swiss tradition of neutrality, he’d obviously solved the dilemma of the breakfast table.

“Perfect timing! Aunt Alta told me where you were so I thought I’d get in a run and wait to eat breakfast with you.” Urs smiled as Susanna gave her best chicken foot imitation.

Noticing his sweat suit, Susanna leaned in for a rather far away kiss, teasing, “I didn’t know you were so juicy!” and bolted up the porch steps and into the house with Urs on her heels. As the door shut she stopped dead in her tracks and turned around causing Urs to bump into her. Putting her arms around her neck she gave him what could only be described as a real kiss.

“Is that you Susanna?” came from the kitchen. Fortunately only Aunt Alta’s voice appeared, not Aunt Alta.

“Yes, it’s me!” Susanna called as Urs started up the stairs for a shower.

On the way up he whispered, “I thought you said I was juicy.”

‘”I like juicy. Oh and if you bring down your juicy clothes we’ll throw them in the wash.” she called as she went into the kitchen to help with breakfast.

As Susanna and Urs ate breakfast, Aunt Alta scurried around the kitchen, finally announcing the turkey was ready for the oven and would Urs please do the honors. The rest of the dinner was in various stages of preparation, with only last minute items left to do so everyone adjourned to the large TV in the living room to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade from New York. Aunt Alta and Uncle Edmund seemed to have their favorite chairs already which left the sofa for Urs and Susanna. They didn’t need it all as Urs sat at one end with Susanna curled up beside him, enjoying the relaxing closeness.

After the parade, the football started. Susanna had previously warned Uncle Edmund that Urs was not very familiar with American football so just please give him a brief explanation. While she set the table for dinner, she also made frequent checks for signs of Urs unibrow. Things were fine until she began to hear playoffs, and Superbowl. Definitely time for an intervention.

“Sorry, but I need Urs help in the kitchen, Uncle Edmund.” she said as she grabbed Urs hand and hauled him off the couch, causing an immediate reduction in his unibrow. Urs immediately pictured the golden brown, succulent bird needing a turning, however it was some golden brown, not so succulent potatoes that needed peeling instead. Handing him an apron and a peeler similar to the one she already was holding, she challenged, “I bet I’m faster than you are.”

Dividing up the potatoes evenly, Urs called, “Vorbereiten Sie, setzen Sie, gehen Sie“, grabbed a potato and starting peeling.

“No fair!” hollered Susanna. “What happened to ready, set, go.?”

“That’s what I said, Houdini. Better grab your magic peeler and get busy!” Urs laughed triumphantly.

Finishing before her, he took pity and peeled the rest of hers while she cut them up and put them in the pot to boil. She may have lost the race, but the potatoes were done in record time. Now how magical was that?

About 4 o’clock dinner was ready. After Uncle Edmund said the blessing, Urs was treated to another tradition, cranberry sorbet. This was a family recipe handed down from the early 1900’s. The cool, tart delight was served at the beginning of the meal in tall, elegant dessert dishes and eaten throughout the meal as a refreshing accompaniment to the rest of the food. There were creamy mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas with pearl onions, bread stuffing with sausage and onions, homemade rolls, and of course the turkey. Susanna watched Urs select from the platter and then thought with a satisfied smirk, ‘You’re so predictable.’
While Aunt Alta and Susanna had chosen the white ‘vanilla’ meat, Uncle Edmund and Urs had selected the dark ‘chocolate’ meat, of course.

It was several hours and another football game later before anyone was ready to tackle dessert, pumpkin, mincemeat, and apple pies. Decisions, decisions…both the men compromised with a small bit of both pumpkin and apple. Aunt Alta settled on pumpkin with a small taste of the mincemeat. After a small taste of Susanna’s mincement Urs quickly decided it was an acquired taste, much like her choice of draft Guinness.

Susanna and Urs volunteered to clean up after dinner and were quickly taken up on their offer. The leftovers were put away and the dishwasher almost loaded when Urs discovered the turkey baster. Susanna explained how to remove the end so it could be soaked and washed by hand but Urs the Little Boy had other ideas. Did you know that if you squeezed it just so you could blow bubbles? Or even squirt your fellow dishwasher? By the time they rejoined Aunt Alta and Uncle Edmund it was almost the end of the movie. Susanna and Urs seemed more interested in just relaxing than focusing on the plot, with last bits of visiting popping up as they realized they would be leaving in a few hours.

Since their flight to Toronto would depart at 6:20, Uncle Edmund and Aunt Alta said their goodnights as the movie ended, just before the 10:00 News.

Susanna turned to look at Urs, tucking one of his errant curls back behind his ear and putting her hands on his shoulders, “Thank you for coming here with me, Urs. This has been the best Thanksgivings ever” she said sincerely.

“It was my pleasure, Susanna. I have loved getting to meet some of your family and the places you took me to today were truly magical.” a serious Urs said, holding her gaze.

Moving her hands up to hold his face, Susanna leaned toward Urs and placed a slow, gentle, kiss in the right corner of his mouth. Sitting back she smiled, “Do you know what kind of kiss that is?”

“A side kiss?” Urs guessed.

“It’s a hidden kiss, like in Peter Pan. It’s to be for the greatest adventure, for those who possess it are said to slip in and out of heaven to find the one the kiss belongs to.

Now it was Urs who caressed her cheeks as he found Susanna’s hidden kiss…and again…and as her hands disappeared in his curls they practiced slipping in and out of heaven.

Chapter 44
Surprise!

After some misty eyes, bear hugs, handshakes and kisses, Aunt Alta and Uncle Edmund reluctantly released them so they could dash into the warmth of the terminal. Today Susanna had added a striped hat to match her scarf and mittens on a long knitted cord that ran through her sleeves.
‘Yes,’ she admitted to herself, ‘they were silly and whimsical but also practical especially when you were travelling, easy to pull on and off and not worry about losing them’ . That was one of the things she really loved about being a teacher of small children. You could act like a child sometimes and get away with it. Urs had teased her about the mittens all the way to the airport, but let up a bit when she threatened to knit him a pair for Christmas.

“You are indeed a woman of talents.” Urs observed, giving her a hidden kiss.
“Care to reveal more.?”

“It’s too early.” Susanna answered.

Urs quickly got the hint. As soon as their bags were checked and passed through security they stopped for coffee. By the time they had finished their coffee and walked to the gate Susanna felt positively human again.

Their short flight was practically a touch and go, only one coffee long and by 8:00 they were in the hotel van and on their way. Steve had already arrived and there was a message waiting for Urs at the front desk. After checking in they were taken to their rooms, right next door to each other on the third floor. Susanna’s was done in muted shades running from beige to gold while Urs was duplicated in deep blues and grays and both had a charming bay window with a beautiful lakeview.

On their way to the Studio Café for breakfast Urs stopped at the front desk to see if any of the others had arrived. Carlos and Seb had checked in but no sign of David yet.

“Urs, Susanna, over here.” Carlos and Seb beckoned from the round glass table near an alcove decorated with glass shelves holding an eclectic display of glass vases and bowls.

It was like old home week, Susanna felt, even though it had only been a few days since the Borders signing. After hugs, kisses, and handshakes, they sat down and exchanged smiles all around. Susanna could just imagine their thoughts. ‘This is really the start. The next time we perform here in Toronto it will be on the North American leg of the World Tour of Il Divo.’

The next half hour was spent in animated ‘talk and tell’ and eating with periodic checks for any David sightings. Carlos and Seb were both excited. Gerry would definitely be able to join the tour for at least part of the Australian leg in March and Juliana had recently hired another travel agent to lighten her load. If this new employee worked out well, Juliana and Seb could also have some Aussie time together. Seb had fallen in love with Sydney and was anxious to take Juliana to some of the places he’d recently visited.

Susanna teased Carlos about taking Gerry surfing. He wouldn’t rise to the bait however, insisting in his deepest baritone voice, “I have much more interesting things to show my beautiful wife.” and giving his most outlandish eyebrow waggle.
As Susanna dissolved in giggles, Urs calmly threw in, “I’m hoping Susanna will be able to come for our first tour concert in Dublin before we head for the U.S.”
‘Schiesse! I didn’t mean to ask her in front of everyone. I hope I didn’t embarrass her or frighten her off. Well it’s true. It would be the most amazing thing to look down from the stage on our very first night and see her sitting there. I want to share that special moment with her. When I’m with her every moment just seems better.’

Susanna stopped in mid-laugh. ‘Did I hear him right? Did he just invite me to their first concert. Does that mean he truly wants me to be there?…especially me to share this with him? I know he cares for me, that we’re getting closer and he’s so understanding, so patient. He wants…no needs more, yet he doesn’t pressure me. I wish I could give more but I just can’t, not yet…’

“Oh Urs, Yes, yes I’d love to be there. How great to be there for the very first concert. Thank you, thank you for asking! I’ll be there with bells on!”

No one at the other tables was paying any attention to them but even if they were Susanna didn’t care as she threw her arms around him, gave him a big kiss and tested his stuffing. Carlos and Seb just watched in amused silence like two great uncles observing their over exuberant children.

As their kiss ended, Urs whispered, “Not real bells, right?”

“No, only pretend ones, Bag Boy.”

“Are you guys celebrating without me?” came a voice from on high. The last Divo had arrived.

A grinning, red-cheeked David grabbed a chair from the neighboring table, threw himself into it, stretched his never-ending legs out in front, crossed his ankles, and folded his hands over his chest.
“Spill.”

“Gerry’s meeting me in Australia.” Carlos contributed.

“Juliana’s almost sure she can get away too.” Seb added.

“And Susanna’s coming to the Dublin concert.” Urs ended with a flourish.

“That makes four for four, guys because Sandy will still be in New York when we’re there in February. Way to go!” giving high fives all around. “Now what’s good on the menu? I’m starving!”

As David waited for his order, it was his turn to share…seeing Sandy…awesome snowboarding…way too much turkey.

Luckily he was a fast eater so they all had a little time to themselves before they met with Steve at noon. Susanna relaxed and even managed a little cat nap before Urs knocked after their meeting. He was scheduled for a radio interview in French at 2:00. Would she like to go and watch?
That would be a definite yes!

At 4:30 he and Seb had another interview, also in French. By this time Susanna thought she might need to do a little retail therapy. From the brochures in the room it seemed that there were some intriguing boutiques in the Yorkville area that were just calling her name.Then they’d be free until tomorrow.Urs said he’d ask some of the local radio people about some good restaurants.

Just after 1:15 the car picked them up for the short drive to the station. Susanna was probably more excited than Urs since he was an old hand by now with all the promo work Il Divo had done. Ever polite, smiling, hopefully unflappable, personable, upbeat, enthusiastic, and divulging few personal details…the consummate professional…tirelessly answering the same questions…paving the way to Il Divo success.

As she watched him, totally focused on the interviewer, animated, fluent, expressive, using his hands and body language as an extension of his language as he always did, he spoke in fluent French. Regrettably Susanna’s French vocabulary consisted of ‘oui’, ‘enchante’, and ‘merci’. If only she knew what the word for girlfriend was, or special friend, or even friend. How she would love to hear him say one of those words and perhaps even look over at her. No that was too much to hope for.

In the presence of four stunningly handsome men, interviewers often asked about their relationships. She’d heard Carlos mention his wife or even Geraldine by name, or they might comment on his wedding. Sometimes they would say nothing, just a polite smile, a mutual silence as they waited for the next question.

As they left the studio, Susanna gushed, “I was so proud of you, Urs. You sounded wonderful even though I didn’t understand a word you said. . I love to hear you speak other languages. Why you could probably say, ‘Your feet are smelly’ and it would sound romantic.”

“Vos pieds sont odeures..” Urs said in his Isabel voice.

“Well, maybe not that romantic.” Susanna laughed, qualifying her last statement.

When they got back to the hotel, Urs wanted to catch up with Seb before the interview and promised to have some good leads for dinner when he and Seb got back.

Susanna and her credit card went on a little walking tour. After her third shop, she found a quaint cafe tucked in between two old homes now turned into fashionable shops. Just as her pot of tea and a delicious looking cranberry scone arrived, her phone rang.

Flipping it open, her first thought was that Seb and Urs interview had finished early.

“Oh, Hi Muz,” Susanna pulled a face.
“I must have… Toronto.”

‘Oh crud!’ Susanna groaned inwardly. ‘I’ll just bet Aunt Alta’s been talking to Daddy. I love her to death but sometimes I wish she’d mind her own business.’

“This morning. But… Yes, of course, you know I…”
Susanna let out her breath in exasperation and rolled her eyes.
“The Four Seasons… Motheeeerrrr! Of course not!”

‘I can’t believe she asked me that!’

“Urs. No, I’m sure I did.” Susanna’s voice rose.
“A singer. Il Divo. Muz, please. I’m a grown woman, for pity’s sake.”
Susanna could feel her hands squeezing the phone as she tried to stay calm.
“Sunday night. ….Yes but… I can’t do…”
Susanna took a deep breath and closed her eyes, willing herself to stay calm, to keep emotions under control.
“Yes I’m still here. Ok I’ll ask…”

‘Why can’t I just tell her no?’ she upbraided herself.

“When?” Susanna sighed resignedly.
“Where are you staying? I’ll call you.”
Then her voice brightened, “Say hi to Daddy. Bye.”

Susanna felt as if she been whirled in a time machine. In the space of a few minutes, Muz had reduced her to a timid ten year old again, deemed incapable of making intelligent decisions of any kind, needing guidance and managing in every area of her life. Why did she still allow her mother to have this power over her after all these years? Would she ever find the Susanna she needed to be for herself? Could she ever become the Susanna she wanted to be for Urs?

He could tell something was wrong the minute she opened the door. Her little half smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, the distracted look,,, her mind was a million miles away.

“Urs, I need to talk to you for a minute” Susanna said, leading him over to the sofa.

“It’s my parents. I thought they were going to Hawaii for Thanksgiving but I guess I misunderstood. They just got back from Key West and well…when they found out I was here ….I mean I think they….they’re coming to Toronto and they want…Muz wants to see the concert. I know you probably can’t get any tickets but I was wondering if maybe… I don’t know maybe I could give her my ticket and just stand backstage or something.”

Hugging her arms tightly to herself, she rocked gently back and forth, not looking at Urs.“Oh how I hate this. I absolutely hate this. I’m so embarrassed.”Susanna was trying to hold back her tears of frustration. If there was a poster child for mortification she was it.

Urs' heart ached for her as he imagined the other half of the conversation He gathered her up in his arms, and cradling her to his chest, let her release the soft, sad tears of her child-like frustration. ‘She’s so much stronger than she realizes. Just from the little glimpses and accidental revelations she given me I can see how much she’s grown emotionally already. It’s so painful to see her wonderful spirit be pounded, especially by people close to her.’

Pulling back from her, he took his handkerchief and gently dried her tears. Then he gave her a kiss. The kind that said, ‘I promise things will be alright, trust me.’

He bent his head, eyes level with hers and said, “ Susanna, do you remember what I said when we got off the London Eye? I said I want us to be able to be there for each other, especially when we’re afraid. I meant that. I don’t want you to be embarrassed about asking for what you want. It’s alright to do that. If you don’t tell people what you want, you can’t expect to get it.”

“Yes, but it’s hard for me to do, Urs.” Susanna sniffed.

“It will get easier, I promise.” Urs said giving her a reassuring hug as he smoothed her hair back from her face.

“Now first of all, I’m sure Steve can come up with two extra tickets so that’s one problem solved. Now tell me the rest.”

Chapter 45
Foxhole Friend

“Let’s see if I’ve got this right now,” Urs the Organized said, as his long index fingers matched up items from his planner and the latest schedule of commitments for Il Divo. Susanna ticked off notes in her day planner or ‘paper brain’ as she called it as he spoke.

“Your parents arrive late Saturday night and they’re staying at the…” Urs began.

“Met Soho” Susanna finished. ‘Thank goodness we’re at different hotels.’ “And they fly out again Monday morning.” she added, biting her lip to prevent a ‘Yahoo’ from escaping.

“So really they’ll only be here on Sunday and Sunday night for the concert right? How bad can that be? Don’t you think they’ll like our kind of music?” Urs wondered.

“Oh , it’s not that. I’m sure they’ll love it. Classical and opera are right up their alley, well at least Muz’s. It’s just that …you don’t know Muz. She can be rather…overpowering” Susanna hoped Urs was good at reading between the lines.

“ In other words they’re a little worried about their daughter and they want to check out this Il Divo person she met. I do clean up quite well, Susanna and perhaps I could get a recommendation from Aunt Alta and Uncle Edmund. Would that do?” Urs teased, seeing Susanna worried look.

“I didn’t mean…” then she caught on to his teasing. “It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s me. All Muz has to do is walk into the room and it’s like being run over by a steamroller. All of a sudden she’s the grown-up and I’m the child and I just let her get away with it.”

“Look at me Susanna. Repeat after me: If you don’t tell people what you want, you can’t expect to get it.” Susanna complied with a half-hearted mumble. “Again.” This time is was clearer and a little stronger as if she almost believed the words. “Once again.” Her last attempt satisfied Urs. “Good. Now, I’ve found a great restaurant so get your things and let’s go. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

Susanna gathered up her coat and purse along with some doubts,
“Do you really think I…”
“I know you can, Houdini. Remember you’re magical.” Urs smiled down at her as his lips found hers and began to work some irresistible magic of his own. It was several minutes before Urs remembered his stomach was hungry.

Brassaii, nestled in a tiny courtyard in downtown Toronto looked like an elegant bistro with the comfortable feel of a New York diner, a local community gathering place for good food and discussion.



Urs and Susanna found themselves warmed by the buzz of conversation from the diners even though the décor could best be described as monochromatic modern. The food was excellent and as usual Urs left room for dessert, choosing Bittersweet Chocolate Pate. Susanna’s chose simply to watch him.

Replete after their leisurely dinner, they headed back to their hotel, tired but not yet wanting to say goodnight. Settling into an oversized couch in a far corner of the Avenue Lounge, they enjoyed the romantic intimacy of the candlelit room as they ended their evening with a nightcap of hummingbird kisses and whispered conversation.

As Susanna finished her bedtime routine she imagined Urs in the room next door. What was he doing? She smiled as she imagined his bathroom, toothbrush, glass, toothbrush, and floss, sitting in perfect geometric harmony, as she heard the water turn off.

Slipping between the cool, crisp sheets, she burrowed deeper under the soft, warm blanket. As she snuggled into her makeshift Bag Boy Jr., hastily contrived from two extra pillows, she pictured introducing Urs to her parents. This time it would be different. This time she would not be the child. After all, hadn’t he said she was magical?


“Knock, knock.”
‘Yes! I knew her suitcase was too small for The Pink Robe!’ Urs congratulated himself on his powers of deduction and observation as he handed a sleep-eyed, rather disheveled Susanna her morning coffee and noted with approval the legs beneath her rather short spa robe.

He followed her into the room only long enough to give her a hurried good morning kiss and a mental slap in the face as he admired in the view. Oh well, the others were waiting downstairs for him so he’d better get moving. It wouldn’t do for him to be late. As he bounded down the stairs, he wondered if there was any way to permanently ban the wearing of pink robes

Susanna was up to her neck in bubbles and brochures as she planned their afternoon. Last night Urs announced he was taking her to a very special place for dinner so she could plan the rest of their day. Anything she wanted as long as they were back in time for their dinner reservations at 8:00.

After their group interview they were stopping by the concert hall to have a quick look and then they’d be free, probably about 1:00. Urs arrived back just after 1:00. the interview had gone well and there had even been a few fans waiting for autographs and pictures so that was very positive sign.

Susanna had found what she thought was a perfect place for lunch, St Lawrence Market in Old Town. The huge building had a Saturday farmer’s market along with gourmet food vendors and several lunch counters.
“Remember our first date, Bag Boy?” she reminisced as they strolled around the stalls hand in hand.

“You mean the one where you loaded me up like a pack horse. Houdini?” Urs shot back, grinning. Then as an afterthought he playfully grabbed her purse and pretended to rifle through it looking for her famous string bag.
“How could I forget such a magical date?” Urs stopped walking and tenderly caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, bending down to taste her mouth.

The remainder of the afternoon seemed to pass in a blur of activity. Like busy little bees they went from stall to stand, tasting, sampling, stopping finally at a lunch counter to rest and decide what else they just must taste before they moved on.
Their final stop was the Ontario Science Center. Susanna knew Urs would love some of the interactive exhibits, especially the bats and they also had a special exhibition of Titanic Artifacts that intrigued her. Wearing audio headphones, they followed the

history of that fateful voyage, respecting each other’s reflective mood on the ride back and gradually allowing it to dissipate as they reached the hotel.

Urs would ‘call for’ Susanna at 7:00 for their dinner date.

‘You look…amazing.!” he breathed, taking both her hands as she opened the door at his knock. She’d worn another one of those little black dresses he seemed to like, as least from the looks he gave her last time. It was elegant in it’s simplicity; an off the shoulder stretch silk dress with a hint of cap sleeves, showcasing her slender neck and soft, satin-smooth skin. Her only adornments were small diamond teardrops, a dressy watch and her familiar scent.

“So do you.” Susanna managed to squeak out. Suddenly words failed her.
He too had chosen a totally dark look, black suit with a thin stripe, dark shirt and matching tie. She admired the perfect tailoring, the knife edge crease in his trousers, the way the jacket molded to his body as it skimmed his broad shoulders and chest, curving inward to accentuate the shape of his lower back. Susanna pictured him standing posture-perfect, still as a marble statue for his fitting. Then as the tailor gave a satisfied nod, Urs would say, “Let’s take it in another inch…everywhere.”

The curl in his concert mode hair tonight was understated, barely hidden beneath the surface, laying in wait to tempt her eager fingers, promising before the night was over to spring free.

Holding hands progressed to a full fledged hug as they melted into each other for a long, breathtaking kiss. As it finally ended, Susanna wasn’t too sure about the crease in Urs trousers but she was very thankful her dress did not wrinkle easily.
That kiss should have had some kind of warning label on it and the look he was giving her was positively dangerous.

“I think we’d better be going. We don’t want to miss our reservation time.” Urs said , taking a deep breath.‘I’m going alright, as in going, going, gone if we don’t get out of here. C’mon Urs, think of something above your belt buckle.’

Well it wasn’t exactly in that direction but it did the trick. Smiling, Urs looked down at the pointed toes of his soft Italian leather boots. After that toe curling kiss he could visualize his boots following suit, creating a totally new and not very flattering image for his Ubers. Urs the SRG had morphed into Urs the Elf.

Let’s be frank. Most people do not come to the CN Tower for the food. The view’s the thing. Susanna, however was not most people. She figured if she focused on the food and wine, preferably the wine, she’d be fine.



But tonight she was escorted to the Tower of Terror by Urs the Understanding. Yes, this was the CN Tower they were approaching. Yes, they would be viewing beautiful Toronto from it’s lofty heights, but no she would not be subjected to standing on the glass floor, nor asked to step out onto the outdoor observation platform, nor even be forced to sit near the window.

Tonight she would experience the breathtaking, awe-inspiring panorama of Toronto from the vantage point of the 360 Revolving Restaurant as it slowly turned in the star-studded night sky high above the city. Even more awesome was the fact that this dear, wonderful man had also booked two tables, window or not, the choice was hers. How could she refuse? She chose the window; she chose Urs.



Their stuffed capon with spinach and ricotta cheese was very good, the wine was even better and the company and conversation was the best, though if asked, neither Urs nor Susanna could recall it exactly.



On the drive home, Urs asked the cab to let them out about a block from the hotel. Glad for the cold, clean, fresh air, after the warm confines of the restaurant, they walked hand in hand, arms swinging, enjoying the freedom of movement, clearing their heads, exchanging smiles, even a kiss or two.

Not really wanting or needing anything more to drink, yet reluctant to end this beautiful night, they again found themselves snuggled in the Avenue lounge in what they were beginning to think of as ‘their’ corner. Susanna sat with one arm around Urs, knees modestly tucked under, head on his shoulder, as she wound her fingers absently in the curls over his collar. Her other hand rested in his lap, as he drew tiny, feathery circles over the soft flesh of her fingers and wrist. Each was lost in their thoughts about tomorrow.

Susanna thought of her mother and wondered if Urs had heard of a foxhole friend, someone who provides strength before and during the battle. Simply knowing that someone believes in you and will fight for you was uplifting.

Urs thought of the concerts and Susanna and how each of them had changed his life.

He walked her to the door and opened it, as they shared a slow motion kiss, savoring the tenderness and drawing strength from it’s promise. With whispered ‘good nights’ they each closed their door.

Susanna stood by her window looking out at the magnificent view over the lake on this clear, cold night. She sent a silent prayer of thanks for Urs, who today had accepted parts of her that other people didn’t even know existed. Here was a man who has viewed her fears and found her worthy of his understanding and support. Someone whom she wanted for her best friend, her foxhole friend.

Chapter 46
Meet the Nelsons

“Knock, knock.”
A pair of long, lean muscular legs hidden from the knees up by a white spa robe greeted Susanna’s eyes as the door opened. Knotted loosely at the waist, the robe gapped slightly revealing way too much muscled chest and fuzzy wuzzy.

‘Now why are you here Susanna?’ her brain wanted to know. ‘Oh yes, now she remembered.’ as the nerve endings in her fingers registered the pain from the hot coffee in her hand.

“A…..um… good morning Bag Boy.” She stuttered as she thrust the coffee towards him and willed her eyes to look up at his face. Those still damp curls, the sexy dark shadow of his beard, the white foam all over his mouth as his toothbrush stuck out between his lips?… Susanna dissolved in giggles. ‘…the stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth…’ She would never think of “The Night Before Christmas” in the same way again, oh my!

“What?” mumbled a rather perplexed Urs threatening to unibrow at any second as he closed the door.

“Wait here a second.” he motioned to the sofa as he beat a hasty retreat into the bathroom and closed the door firmly.

A few minutes he returned, having exchanged the robe for jeans and a dark vee necked sweater and he was no longer frothing at the mouth.

“Sorry, for laughing, but you look so funny!” Susanna apologized as she regained control. “I thought for a minute I’d have to call the animal control unit.” she teased. “I guess I just don’t ever picture you brushing your teeth. I mean I picture you having your toothbrush and toothpaste but I… I mean you just surprised me is all.” Susanna ended lamely.

“And I suppose you just wave your magic wand and your teeth clean themselves, no muss, no fuss. Is that how you do it, Houdini?” he teased back.

“OK, OK , you got me there, now drink your coffee before it gets cold.” Susanna ordered.

“No croissants?” Urs looked crestfallen.

“No time, Bag Boy, I’m on a mission. I’m meeting Muz and Dad at church and then we’re going to brunch. At least we’ll be in public. That’s a lot better than trying to beard the lioness in her den.” Susanna explained.

“Want me to come?” Urs asked.

“That’s so sweet. I really appreciate it but no I have to do this. I’ll be fine. But…if you just happened to stop by later, say to drop off the tickets, I would be very, very happy to see you. And then you could ‘meet the dreaded parents’ before the concert tonight. How does that sound? Would it fit into your schedule?”

“I’ll make it fit, Houdini.” said Urs as he kissed her goodbye at the door.

“I’ll call you when the smoke dies down.” Susanna called back over her shoulder as she walked toward the elevator.

“Susanna”. she stopped and turned around.
“Remember what we practiced yesterday. Be strong. You can do it.” as he smiled softly and gave her a thumbs up.

Smiling, she returned the sign, reminding herself she was the gladiator today and not the Christian.

‘There they are, way up in one of the front pews, of course, where else?’ Susanna thought wryly.

Joining them, she leaned over to give Muz a tentative hug and a peck on the cheek, and took her seat next to Dad as he put his arm around her in an affectionate hug and kissed the top of her head. “How are you punkin?” he whispered.

‘I’m good Daddy.” she replied with a smile as Muz shot her a look that said, ‘No talking.’ Susanna smiled sweetly and gave a little wave.
Gladiator 1 Lioness 0

As they walked down the steps of the Cathedral, Muz went into lioness mode. “The concierge recommended an absolutely darling little place for brunch, dear. Now John we need to hurry, oh there’s a taxi over there. Here’s the address, John, be sure you give it to him.”

As the taxi pulled up to the restaurant, Susnna and her dad hopped right out, Muz however had to be practically dragged, kicking and screaming.

“But…but…this isn’t what I….It’s an Indian restaurant, for goodness sakes”, she stammered beneath her breath. She may be a snob, but she was a snob who knew how to be discreet.

“Well, it must be excellent, if your conceirge recommended it.” repeated Susanna, exchanging winks with her dad.

Susanna didn’t know exactly what Muz expected to find, perhaps Bengal tiger on the menu? Or cobras rising from the breadbasket? Whatever it was, Muz’s miraculous recovery was such that it allowed her to indulge in a gourmet omelet and several pancakes, in addition to various side dishes.

She was just warming up to the subject of the lamentable state of the airline industry that had found it impossible to arrange two first class seats with less than 24 hours notice on one of the busiest holiday weekends in North America.

In other words it was time to call for more gladiators. Susanna excused herself to the ladies and dialed Urs.

As she waited for Armani clad reinforcements, Susanna decided to attempt practicing her Urs mantra from yesterday.

“You know, Muz, you really can’t expect better seats if you insist on flitting around the world checking up on me at the last minute. All you had to do was pick up the phone and ask. Urs and I didn’t have any problem booking first class, but of course Urs always plans ahead. He’s very organized.” Susanna lectured in her best school teacher voice.

Marian Nelson sat back in her chair and looked at her daughter as if she’d grown horns and a tail.

“Urs and I? And just what is this Urs person planning, Susanna?” Muz demanded in a shocked voice.

“Did I hear my name?” Urs asked as he swept in and kissed Susanna full on the mouth. “So sorry to be late, sound check you know, please forgive me.” then turned and focused every ounce of his uber charm and charisma on Mr. and Mrs. Nelson.

John Nelson extended his hand along with a friendly smile. “John Nelson, nice to meet you.”

“Urs Buhler, it’s a pleasure sir.” given with a man killer smile. Susanna could almost imagine Urs being tempted to click his heels and bow from the waist.

‘Urs, you are soooooo good.’ Susanna thought.
He’d not only broken the ice with Daddy, but he’d very politely allowed Muz the chance to recover from her imitation of a fish gasping for it’s last breath. Her mouth had almost completely stopped that dreadful opening and closing and her eyes were no longer bugging out.

“Mrs. Nelson, what a pleasure to finally meet you. Susanna has told me so much about you.” given with a lady killer smile. This time it was Susanna’s eyes that bugged out as Urs gently and gracefully reached for Mrs. Nelson’s hand and kissed it. Her response was one that Susanna had only ever read in an historical romance: simpering.
Gladiator 2 Lioness 0

“Now about those plans of mine.” Urs continued as a waiter magically appeared with a chair. Placing it strategically between Susanna and her mother, he gracefully lowered himself into it and fixed all his emotive skills on his would be foe. Susanna could almost smell the toast burning.

“Were you referring to Il Divo’s immediate plans for the remainder of the week, our plans for the First World Tour beginning in mid-January, recording plans, or perhaps my long-range plans for returning to opera if/when Il Divo runs it’s natural course?” Susanna could see how Urs the Unwinded had won the longest note contest on their recent TRL appearance.

Muz was listening to Urs with such rapt attention that he had stopped speaking several seconds before her ears reconnected with her brain.

“I…uh…We were wondering about your plans for tonight, actually.” She managed to end on a triumphant note, as she looked pointedly over at her husband in an attempt to draw him in. Urs had neglected to mention tonight’s concert. Oops!
Gladiator 2 Lioness 1

“My dear lady, please forgive me. How rude of me, first things first of course!” Urs apologized profusely as he withdrew three tickets from his breast pocket and gave them to Mr. Nelson.

“Might I suggest you plan on arriving, say a half hour early? I would love to have someone escort you backstage to meet the other members of Il Divo. I would also deem it an honor if you would accompany Susanna and me to dinner after the show.”

‘Wonderful save, Urs.’ Susanna thought as the scoreboard changed once again.
Gladiator 3 Lioness 1

When Mrs. Nelson gave her enthusiastic approval for Urs’ plans, the only word that came to Susanna’s mind was gushed.

Begging everyone’s pardon, Urs politely excused himself a half hour later. He needed to return to the hotel to rest before tonight’s performance, after which Susanna’s mother predicted Il Divo would be declared singers par excellence.

So by the time the Nelson family had declined their last cup of coffee, Muz had embraced not only Indian restaurants but also a certain Swiss tenor.