07-11-2025, 03:52 PM
More then words
"Say I love you, is not the words, are to hear from you." (Extreme More than words)
The same thing every day, I was always stuck in this stupid traffic jam. By now they could have finished the construction site. They have been working on this bypass since last year, but you never saw any workers on the construction site. No wonder they'll never be finished
never get finished, I thought to myself, as the car in front of me started moving again.
Apparently things were now moving a bit, albeit only at walking pace. The thought that I was now driving home and had finished work for the day calmed me. The whole day had already gone wrong today. The customers on the phone today were more than complaint-friendly.
Since I had taken over the freight distribution in our forwarding agency, I just sat in the office and was on the phone all day. Only price talks, delays and delivery bottlenecks. And since Switzerland changed its traffic regulations, it was almost impossible to arrive in Italy on time.
I was glad that I was no longer one of our truck drivers, but only sat in an office. It sounds easy, but putting together the cargo for twenty-five trucks made me angry more than once a day.
But now I was sitting in my car on my way home. The line of cars was still slowly pushing through the town. So I was all the more pleased when I finally caught sight of my street and was able to turn off.
I parked my Golf in the garage; I didn't want to go anywhere else tonight. I was just unlocking the front door when my dear neighbor, Mrs. Bierapfel, called to me from the neighboring property.
“Good evening, Mr. Vogel, celebrating already?”
“Yes, finally, and on the weekend too, what more could you want?“ I replied.
“You're right. Come over here sometime, I have a question for you.”
“What is it?” I asked when I stepped on her fence.
“It's about whether your company would do something for private individuals.”
“It's expensive, but we do that too.”
“I just wanted to ask because a friend of my son's wants to move his household to Italy. You know, my son works in TV and one of the celebrities wants to move?”
“And which celebrity is it?”
Oh, I don't know, you know, there are always so many important people running around.
There are really far too many.
I have to agree with you, I just know that he must have something to do with music.
Music. Your son should just give us a call. Here is my card from the shop.
Oh, thank you. My son will come by later, I'll give him your answer right away.
Yes, please do that. I have to go in now, but your son's friend should just give us a call.
I'll pass on the message, Mr. Vogel, and thank you again.
Thank you too, Ms. Bierapfel.
Once again, I unlocked the front door and picked up my bag from the floor. I'll never get used to this dialect, I thought. I've been living here for seven years now, but I still have trouble understanding it.
I entered my apartment and dropped my bag next to the wardrobe. I should go shopping tomorrow, I thought, when I saw the empty fridge, or maybe now, it wasn't far to the supermarket, just a few streets away. But first I took a shower.
At the supermarket, I wasn't sure what to buy because I didn't know what I should cook for myself over the weekend. So I pushed my cart through the aisles and looked around. I almost overlooked Sabine, who steered her cart right into mine.
“Hello Sabine.”
“Hello Mike.”
“And you're still running errands?”
Yes, just. Hey, are you coming to Klaus' party too?
I don't really know yet, because if Florian shows up, I really don't feel like it.
Are you still not over your breakup?
I'm doing okay, but I'm sick of his constant apologies.
He only has himself to blame, I still don't understand why he got involved with this Dieter guy, he's such a macho guy.
Where love falls Sabine.
You're right, I'm still disappointed in Florian anyway.
You're not the only one. I'll see. Maybe I'll come after all. It might be good to get out of my four walls again.
Okay, then maybe see you tomorrow. I have to go. Peter is waiting at home.
How's his knee?
He can walk quite well again. I'm glad he finally had the operation. The limping was pretty annoying.
Then it's all right, so bye then, and give Peter my regards.
Yes, I'll say goodbye.
I finally found the right things. I went to the checkout and paid. It was more than I wanted to buy, but that was always the case. I walked home with my backpack heavily laden.
When I arrived home, I stowed everything away and then made myself comfortable in the living room. Should I really go to the party tomorrow, I didn't really feel like it. But just because of Flori, hiding in the apartment all the time, I didn't see that either.
So I'll go to the party tomorrow, no matter what or who might come. I watched the boring program on TV and at some point I must have fallen asleep. Sometime during the night, I woke up. I turned off the TV and dragged myself to bed, where I fell asleep again immediately.
*-*-*
The first sunrays woke me up, they seemed to shine directly into my eyes. I had forgotten to close the blinds when I went to bed. I had to sneeze when I looked directly into the sun. I stretched and enjoyed the cozy warmth of my bed.
I could stay in bed, I didn't have to work. The party came to mind again and then all the memories of Florian were back, how I met him. I had to grin at the thought of how he ran right into my ice cream because he didn't look where he was going.
The ice cream ran down his cheek and dripped into his neck, he was so shocked at first. Unfortunately for him, he then ran backwards and fell into the fountain. I still remember how I almost peed my pants laughing.
And then the huge bouquet of red roses that he brought to my house as an apology and stumbled in front of my apartment door and fell to the ground in the middle of the roses. Florian has always been a klutz.
That was all over, but no matter, the main thing was that it didn't hurt anymore. He had been clingy anyway, which I never tolerated. Now it was time to look for something new. But it should be solid, so one-night stands were not my thing.
When I woke up again, it was already lunchtime. With a heavy heart, I got up anyway, because I finally had to make myself presentable again. What should I wear tonight, something provocative or something cool and repellent?
First I went to the bathroom and washed a little, so I wouldn't look too depressed from the bed. Since I knew that Klaus's parties started quite early, I picked out the clothes I wanted to wear. I didn't want to eat anymore, but I had to have a coffee, otherwise I would have been hanging around all evening.
Once I was done styling myself, I left my apartment. I left my car where it was, since it wasn't far to Klaus', and if I had a drink, I wouldn't have to leave it there. I enjoyed the midday breeze and walked leisurely along the avenue.
A few cars were already parked in front of Klaus's house. I couldn't see Florian's. So I went in, the front door was open.
“Hello, is anyone there?
Hi Michael, nice of you to come after all, Biene said, she wasn't so sure, said Klaus, who stormed out of the kitchen.
I only said maybe he wouldn't come, nothing more, said Sabine, who followed him immediately.
Now I'm here, where's the coffee?
Your coffee addiction will be your undoing one day,” Sabine said, and then she disappeared into the kitchen again. ‘Just come with me, there's plenty here.”
“Mmm, it smells delicious in here,’ I said, and followed the scent.
Sabine had already poured me a cup of coffee and handed it to me. Treats were spread all over the kitchen, you could feast to your heart's content.
“Would you like to try one of my love bones?“ Sabine asked me.
“Love bones?”
“Yes, these,” she said, holding a plate under my nose.
I took one and ate it, it tasted delicious.
“Oh dear, I'm afraid I'll put on a few pounds today,” I said to Sabine.
“Could you use it if you lost weight?“ came from the door.
“Ah, hello Harald, no, just wearing loose clothes,” I replied with a grin.
“Long time no see, kid, how are things?”
“Still good, that's right, we haven't seen each other in a while.”
“Yes, since the night I brought you home, drunk as a skunk.”
“You were dead drunk?“ Sabine asked me, aghast, ‘I've never seen you like that.”
“I know, I had a few too many,’ I replied.
“A few is good, I just managed to stop Mike from making the bar we were in put on a show,” Harald said, laughing.
I blushed bright red.
“Now I finally know why everyone is always grinning at me there,“ I said sheepishly.
Sabine and Harald started laughing.
“Well, you three, so happy? Don't you want to join the rest of us in the garden?” Klaus asked as he came into the kitchen.
I grabbed my coffee again and headed towards the garden.
“Hi Michael, there you are at last,“ came from Miriam, who immediately threw her arms around my neck.
“Miriam, Mike may be single, but you still won't stand a chance with him. When will you finally realize that?” asked Joe, giving me a hug of greeting.
“You should never give up hope, right Miriam?” Andrea said, also greeting me with a hug. ”And this is Georg, a friend you haven't met yet.”
I shook Georg's hand.
“Where is our great klutz?“ Joe asked loudly.
“I don't know when he's coming,” Klaus replied.
Everyone knew that Joe was talking about Florian. Somehow, all eyes remained fixed on me.
“It's okay, guys, I'm over it, don't worry about it,” I said, and everyone went back to their coffee or piece of cake.
“Hello guys, I'm here, who else?“ It came from the house.
“Susanne here,” it came from us like a choir.
Susanne came to the balcony door.
“Hello guys, for the second time. Well, are you all already filling up on calories?”
“Yes, Susanne, we're feasting to the full,” said Joe, shoving in the last piece of his cream cake.
A brief greeting from each of them followed. I sat down with Harald on the bench and continued to enjoy my coffee. Suddenly Florian was standing at the balcony door.
No one really took any notice of him, just brief greetings. I didn't think that was right. Just because he gave me the boot, it's not right to treat him like an outcast now.
So I stood up to greet Florian. I knew that all ears would be glued to us, but I didn't care.
“Hi Flori, long time no see,“ I said.
“Hello Michael, right?”
“No more Mike?”
“Um, I thought Mike was only for good friends,” he said uncertainly.
“Aren't you a friend or not?”
“Yes, but I thought...”
Don't think, just talk. Are you okay?
I can't complain, and you?
You look good, don't you? I tried to act, and I succeeded. He took it from me and scooped a pile of cream onto his plate.
Now the ice was broken somehow and everyone was talking to Florian. Somehow I still thought it was stupid, but I didn't want it to ruin the mood for the evening.
I sat back down with Harald and we chatted a little about the shipping company.
“And you really don't have to drive anymore?” Harald asked.
The boss says you don't, maybe in emergencies, but that's pretty rare,? I replied.
Then you're certainly happy about your regular working hours?
Yes, I am, although it takes a little getting used to because I'm almost home on time every evening now, but I'm sure I'll get used to it quickly.
Oh Klaus is coming with the barbecue, I'll go and help with the barbecue and make sure nothing burns like it did last time.
Do this, Harald, I don't want to eat any cabbage steaks either.
We both laughed.
The evening drew to a cozy close. I lifted my belly, apparently I had eaten too much after all, well, and drunk too. We all said goodbye to each other, and so I set off on my slightly unsteady way home.
“Wait Mike?“ I heard behind me.
I turned around and Joe came jumping after me.
“Can I walk with you for a bit, we almost have the same way home,” he asked.
“Sure Joe, I don't like being alone.”
“And everything okay?”
If you mean whether I've had enough to eat and drink, then I'd have to say yes.
No, I meant more about Florian.
Oh, I see, that's why. No, it was fine, he didn't get on my nerves and otherwise he kept his distance from me the whole evening.
Then it's okay.
Why are you all so concerned about me? The Florian issue is over and done with, water under the bridge.
We were just worried about you, we haven't seen much of you lately.
That's sweet of you, but I'm fine again. And how's love treating you?
No change. Except that the guy I love is single again.
Oh Joe, please. Why don't you finally find a decent boyfriend?
You'd be a decent friend.
Joachim, how many times do I have to tell you? For a close relationship, it's just not enough for me. I like you as a friend, but nothing more.
Joe looked sad. Oh man, did I put my foot in it again. Joe was a sweet guy, but not my type. I put my arm around him and he leaned his head on me.
“I feel very honored that you love me, but I can't be more than a friend,” I said softly, feeling his hand on my back, which strangely made me feel good in a way I hadn't felt in a long time.
The next morning I was awakened by pleasant kisses. I opened my eyes and Joe was lying in my arms. I sat up as if struck by lightning.
“Is something wrong?” Joe asked, startled.
“Oh man, how did you get into my bed?”
“Well, for one thing, you're in my bed and we're at my place. And for another thing, you voluntarily came home with me last night.”
Sorry, I knew right away what was going on.
I sank back into Joe's arms.
Don't worry, Mike, you already told me last night that this is a one-time thing and will never happen again.
And you slept with me anyway?
Don't be angry, but a long-held wish has come true, I was finally able to spend a night with you.
And you're not hurt in any way?
No, I'm not, don't worry about it. It was just a wonderful night with you, he said to me and pulled me to him for a kiss.
I finally arrived at my apartment late that afternoon. I couldn't get Joe out of my head. What was that actually, I don't go in for one-night stands. And what was it tonight?
I went to take a shower first. Every single fiber of my body seemed to smell of Joe. I didn't know why I felt nothing for him, no more than for a normal friend. I liked him a lot, and that was all.
But since tonight, that had probably changed. Not a minute went by that I didn't think about him. My body longed for him. I got out of the shower, dried myself off. Naked, I lay down on my bed and felt the hard erection between my legs.
He was a sweet guy. His dark brown curly hair emphasized his green, large eyes. He was about my height, around 185, and his body? wow, you could tell he was a swimmer, not an ounce of fat on him. Unlike me.
All that sitting in the truck and now in the office had already taken its toll. I certainly weighed at least a quarter of a stone more than he did. What also struck me was his easy-going manner. He was a pure happy nature, always with a smile on his lips, and if I remember correctly, I had never seen Joe down.
I must have fallen asleep at the thought. I woke up because I was cold, as I wasn't dressed. I got up, put on my jogging clothes, went into the kitchen and made myself a snack.
*-*-*
The next morning I was stuck in the morning traffic jam again. Meanwhile, I had gotten into the habit of leaving home earlier so as not to arrive at the store at the last second.
My boss's and my colleague's cars were already there, and employees were already loading three trucks. I locked my car and walked across the grounds towards the office.
I greeted my colleagues on the loading bay with a wave. I went into the building, clocked in and went up the stairs to my office.
“Good morning Michael, I'm glad you're here,“ said my colleague Christiane.
“What's going on?” I asked.
“Well, but the boss is expecting you urgently because of an order. And the Polish tour has been canceled because the company there has gone bankrupt.”
“Oh man, that means we have to unpack everything again and send it back to the respective companies,” I complained.
“Don't worry Michael, the warehouse is already sorting everything out.”
“Well, I'll go ask the boss what he wants.”
“See you in a minute, Michael.”
I walked down the long hallway and stopped in front of my boss's door. I straightened my clothes and knocked.
“Come in.”
I opened the door and entered.
“Good morning, bird. You're here at last. I need you urgently.”
“Good morning, boss. What's up?”
Do you have plans from Wednesday until next Friday?
No, not really.
Then take a seat. I don't know how you managed to land a client like that, but you did.
Which client, if you don't mind me asking? I said in amazement.
“A music publishing company that represents the group, what's their name?” my boss rummaged through his papers and pulled out a sheet of paper, ”oh yes, they're called Blue and they're from England, do you know them?”
“Yes, I have a few of their songs at home, but what does this have to do with me?”
It's quite simple. I'll explain it step by step. The group Blue wants to start a tour in Europe. We booked four trucks and provide the drivers (three for the tour and one for the move).
Move?
Yes, while the group is on tour, a small hut is being prepared in Tuscany where the guys can take shelter during their breaks. The music studio and equipment have to be moved down there.
Should I coordinate that?
No, Vogel, they have to drive it down there.
Why me? I didn't want to drive anymore, as you know.
Because it was specifically requested.
By whom?
Don't ask me, I was just told.
Slowly my gray cells started to work. Ms. Bierapfel had given her son Marc my card. Marc knew me well and also knew that I had separated from Florian, and Marc in particular had influence.
And why do I need so long until next week?
You should be involved in the tour planning, because the gentlemen want you to take over the leadership of the truck convoy.
Now, slowly.
Vogel, you have understood correctly. I just need your consent, I have already clarified everything else.
He handed me all the papers and shook my hand.
“Vogel, you represent our company well. It would be great if we could get more orders like this.”
“Okay, boss.”
I left his office totally beside myself and went back to mine.
“You look like the boss has made you a head shorter,” said Christiane to me.
“No, worse.”
“What's the matter? You're all white, why don't you sit down first?”
“I'm not surprised.”
“Now tell me.”
“The boss is sending me on tour.”
“What do you mean, on tour? I thought you didn't do trips anymore?”
I didn't want to, but this offer is too tempting.”
I told her in broad terms everything the boss had told me. She made a face.
“That means you won't be here all summer, even into October?”
That also means that you'll have a new colleague, because the way I see it, I need you here for coordination.
Really?
Christiane, I can't organize everything from the road, I need someone to take care of things here for me. But that also means that I should be able to reach you day and night, is that possible?
Sounds really exciting, of course Michael, you can count on me.
And I'll call this person from the music publisher first. There's only Philipp on the card.
Okay, don't let me disturb you.
I spent the whole morning on the phone and was totally exhausted when I arrived at the small canteen at our company. One of the drivers called me over.
“Hey Mike, you've drawn a unlucky number again,” he said.
“Why unlucky, because I'm going on tour again?”
“No, because the boss said you're getting our new truck.”
“Really, Herbert, he said that?”
Yes, just now, when he had the apprentice wash it.
Wow, I'm flabbergasted, I've always wanted to drive one of those.
Now you have the chance.
Yes, I do, I said, still walking, with a cup of coffee in my hand. And for a long time again.
*-*-*
In the evening, I came home late for the first time in a long time. This guy Philipp told me things on the phone that I hadn't even thought of yet. I spent the whole afternoon organizing things that I still needed for the four trucks. My boss was overjoyed and gave me a free hand.
So I just left everything in the hallway and flopped down on the couch in the living room. Slowly, I went over the past day in my mind, only slowly did I realize what this day had brought me.
The phone rang.
“Michael Vogel.”
“Hi Mike, it's Joe, finally at home.”
“Yeah, finally, I'm completely exhausted.”
“Was it so stressful today?”
What are you doing now?
I didn't really have any plans, just a cozy evening at home and then bed.
Come over for a beer, and I'll tell you the latest news.
Sounds interesting, give me half an hour, I still have to shower.
Okay, me too, see you in a bit, Joe.
Yeah, see you soon.
I hung up. Now I had really invited Joe without really thinking about it. Anyway. I quickly undressed and got into the shower. The hot water felt good on my skin.
I dried myself off, feeling really relaxed and fresh, and put on my comfy clothes. No sooner had I made myself comfortable than my doorbell rang.
“Hey Joe, great that you came over.”
“You know how curious I am, and when you tell me something like that on the phone, I'm immediately nosy.”
“Come in and make yourself comfortable, I'll get the beer out of the fridge.”
Joe ran into the living room and I went to the kitchen to get the beer.
“So, what's the exciting thing that happened?” Joe called out from the living room.
I took the beer and two glasses and went to him.
“Do you know the group Blue?”
“Do you mean the ones who just had a hit with Elton John?”
“Yes, exactly those.”
“Yes, I know them, I have one of their albums at home. Besides, I think Antony is so cute.”
I can make you really jealous then?
Why?
Because I'm going on tour with the guys.
What do you mean, on tour?
Get up, you're sitting on the line, Joe. The group Blue is doing a European tour this summer. And my company has been booked for the transportation and equipment.
You'll be close to them the whole time?
Not only that. They are getting a house set up in Tuscany for the breaks between performances, and I'll be taking all the equipment there personally and staying there for almost two weeks.
Oh man, you're a lucky guy.
Suddenly Joe's expression became sad.
What's wrong?
Then you'll be out of reach for me the whole time.
? Bad?
Yes, somehow. Yes, I know that Saturday night was unique, but somehow I can't get it together, 'Joe said.
What can't you get together?
Don't get angry with me for saying this openly, but when we made love, you were so devoted, so full of love, and now you say you don't love me...
If I'm honest, Joe, I don't know what's going on with me either. I was confused about my feelings myself on Sunday.
Does that mean I can have a little hope?
That means, if you're not in my bed in a minute, I'll throw you out, I said with a cheeky grin.
“Fine, I'll go then,” he said almost silently.
“What?..??
??tsch, I'm kidding, come on old man, or do I have to carry you to bed first??
“Wait Joe, I'll show you what an old man can do.”
It was already late.
“Do you really have to go already?”
“Yes, I want to get to work on time,“ said Joe, who was still in my arms.
“I'll wake you up tomorrow, we'll have breakfast together and I'll drive you home, then you'll be on time,” I suggested.
“Are you serious?”
Yes, I am. I feel so good when I'm close to you. I don't want to fall asleep without you.
Have I finally gotten the great Mike to come around?
In a way, yes. What are you doing to me? Have you brainwashed me? I said with a smile.
Of course I do, with all my victims. And then I screw them senseless.”
“Then go ahead,“ I said, pulling him to me for a kiss.
“Your coffee with milk?” I called into the bathroom, where Joe was taking a shower.
“Gladly, but no sugar, please.”
I sat down at the table and slurped my coffee. Joe came out of the bathroom with only a towel around his hips and sat down next to me.
“What will become of us now?” Joe suddenly asked me.
“I don't know, Joe. Can you give me a little more time?”
As much as you want, Michael. I don't want to push you into anything, that would be the last thing I wanted.
Drink up your coffee and get dressed, we have to leave soon.
He took me in his arms and gave me a long kiss.
How was that? You don't want to push me into anything?
Yes, why?
Then take your hand out of my boxer, otherwise I can't guarantee anything.”
Joe started laughing loudly.
*-*-*
“Morning Mike, did you sleep well?” Christiane asked me when I entered the office.
“Yes, just not enough. Morning Christiane.
Were you so excited about the tour?”
“No, I wasn't alone,” I meekly admitted.
“Listen, listen, who did you trap in your spider web?”
“Joe.”
“You've got the sweetest of them all. Then why do you look so bitter?”
“Quite simply, Christiane, because I'm not sure about my feelings for Joe.”
“It's always the same with you men,“ said Christiane, going back to her work. I did the same. A little later, Christiane was tearing her hair out.
“And the boss really thinks that this should now be a new branch of our company, driving pop stars around the country?”
“Yes, why not?” I asked.
If I see how complex it is now, what we are preparing, what will it be like when the tour is running?”
“You'll experience that soon enough, Christiane.”
“You should get ready slowly, you have an appointment with Philipp in a moment.”
“Oh man, I'm getting forgetful. Good thing I have you. Thanks?”
“You're welcome, and now get lost.”
I ran down the stairs and got into my car outside. In the rearview mirror, I saw Christiane running towards me, waving wildly. I rolled down my window and looked in her direction.
“How about taking your papers with you?” she asked, waving my folder.
“Oh man, where is my head today?”
“I guess about Joe,” she replied, turned around and left.
She was right, I really couldn't get Joe out of my head. I started the car and drove off the company premises. A short stretch of freeway and I was at the desired exit. I quickly found the music company in the industrial area. I parked my car in the parking lot in front of the building.
At the gate I was asked where I was going and I gave him the document that Philipp had sent me.
“Go through the main entrance, then up the stairs and then along the whole corridor, Philipp's room is on the left,” the gatekeeper said to me.
I walked the described way into the house. Inside was a wild bustle. The staircase led up exactly in the middle of the building, and so I could look into all the offices. It felt like a beehive.
Down the hall and I was standing in front of the door. Well, it was open. Inside sat a young man. On his door was a sign >Assistant Tour Manager Philipp Greif<. I knocked on the door to get his attention. Philipp waved me to a chair, he was on the phone.
>When do they arrive? >Already, man, I have to hurry to get to the airport and just today my car conks out. I'll find a solution, so see you in a moment... Bye Davide.?
He hung up the receiver.
“So, you must be Michael?”
“Yes, I am.”
“And I have to put you off right away, because I urgently need to get to the airport.”
“No problem, my car is outside, we can talk in the car.”
“You'd drive me there, that's great. You've already got something good with me. Come on, the plane lands in half an hour.”
“Who's coming?”
“Blue.”
That could be fun. I sat in the car with Philipp and drove towards the airport, where I would get to know the band Blue for the first time.
“The trucks are fine. They'll all be packed by tomorrow. Our people have been working on them all day,“ I told him.
“And you're driving the truck to Tuscany?” asked Philipp.
“Yes, I'm driving. We're leaving tomorrow at seven.”
“Great, I'm glad that all worked out so quickly.”
I steered the car to the airport parking lot.
Michael, please turn right up there.
But that's a restricted area.
We can get in with this pass, he said, holding a tour pass under my nose, I got you one made too, by the way.
Thanks.
I stopped in front of the barrier and a security guard came to my window.
“Can you identify yourself?” he asked me.
Philipp gave me my ID, and I showed it to the man.
“Okay, you can pass.”
The barrier went up and drove into the secured area. The plane seemed to have just landed. Philipp handed me another band that I could hang around my neck with my ID.
“Don't lose it. It gives you access to everything concerning our company,“ Philipp said.
He went to a woman in a black vest with the logo of >Music on Tour<, the name of the music publisher, on the back. She seemed to be waiting here too. He waved me over.
“Michael, this is Bea, our tour manager, who is also my boss,” Philipp said.
I shook Bea's hand.
“So, young man, are you a new member of our crew?” she asked. ‘You'll quickly get used to us and, above all, to the stress. But after the third or fourth tour, you'll be an old hand at this too.”
I looked at her in wonder. Third or fourth tour? What did she mean?
“Oh, Bea, he doesn't know how lucky he is,’ said Philipp.
Then I'll have to explain everything. So listen, here's the short version. Because we're tired of always having to hire a transport company when we go on tour, we just bought into your boss. We now own half of your company. Your boss continues to run the company, at least the part that has to do with delivering the goods.
And what role do I play in all this? I asked, still a little bewildered.
Well, Marc has raved to me so much about your qualities that we will now entrust you alone with the transportation and setup of our tour equipment. You're not on a par with your boss, but you have just as much say as he does.
Now I was a little taken aback. I could hardly believe what Bea had just told me.
“Let's let Michael digest that for now, Bea, and we'll take care of the boys, see they get out,” said Philipp and trotted to the jet.
As if they had been friends forever, Philipp and the boys fell around each other's necks. Even Bea got a kiss from each of them as a greeting. I stood a little way off and watched the whole scene.
(all English again in German! Note from author)
“And who is that?“ Simon asked.
“That's our new guy, Michael, in charge of transportation and construction,” said Philipp.
“Ah, the successor to Tommy, hello Mike,“ said Lee.
He said Mike to me right away, which only my close friends actually said. But it sounded kind of nice coming from him.
“Hello,” I said, a little shy.
It wasn't every day that someone famous stood in front of me. Each one shook my hand and said his first name. With Lee, it seemed as if he held my hand a little longer. But I was sure I just imagined that when he looked at me with his irresistible eyes.
“I'd say we go to the hotel first, then to the company to have the main meeting,“ Bea said.
“Are you driving with the boys?” I asked Philipp.
“Actually, yes,“ he was about to say, but Lee interrupted him.
“I'll go with Mike,” Lee said.
'Um...' I looked at Philipp, at a loss, 'I don't even have a dark-tinted car.
'Who would look for a normal car with a local license plate?' Philipp replied with a smile on his face.
'Then it's okay, I'll follow behind you with Mike,' Lee said, pointing questioningly in the direction of my Golf.
'Yours?'
'Yes,' I replied.
Wow, with all the bells and whistles. I like it.
You surely have a great car yourself.
Yes, I do, but I don't have a driver's license.
I unlocked the car and we got in.
No driver's license?
I'm already nineteen, but when was I supposed to get it, I've hardly had time for it since the store.
Yes, that's right, I can understand that.”
I started the car and slowly rolled the little tour bus behind me.
“And how long have you been at it now?” Lee asked me.
“Officially three days, since today.”
“Oh dear, so you're new to the business?”
“Yes, why 'oh'? I asked in puzzlement.
“You'll see, at the latest when the tour starts... loading... unloading... setting up... and that all along the tour. Especially the long distances?”
“I'm used to that, I'm a truck driver, or rather I was, I quit a quarter of a year ago and until now I've only worked in an office.”
We slowly approached the gate. Suddenly, there were countless people in front of the gate who hadn't been there before.
“Someone always finds out when we show up somewhere,” Lee said, taking cover in his seat.
The main focus was on the car in front of me anyway, so I was able to leave the area unhindered. Back on the highway, Lee emerged from his hiding place and sat back down normally.
“So what else do you do besides drive a truck?”
“Not much, mostly just hanging around with my friends,” I said.
“And no girlfriend?”
Should I tell him, or play along?
“No, I don't have one,” I answered curtly, hoping he would leave it at that.
“I don't understand, you must have girls chasing after you because you're so good-looking.”
He's not letting up, so I'll just be a bit more direct.
“No, you, I'm not that interested in girls.”
“Gay too?“ ‘You really don't look it, I wouldn't have thought so.”
“Have I misunderstood, or did he just say?”
“But you have a boyfriend, don't you?’ he asked further.
“Is this going to be an interrogation?” I wondered.
“No, currently single again, and you?”
Counterattack.
Where am I supposed to get a boyfriend from, how am I supposed to find the time for a boyfriend? I believe that for a friendship like that you have to be there one hundred percent, not a patchwork, here today, gone tomorrow. If I had a boyfriend, I would also want to spend the time with him that he deserves. But with my job, that's not possible anyway.
And so you prefer to do without a friend?
Yes.
His eyes had suddenly taken on a sad appearance.
You demand a lot of yourself, I think, Lee, I said.
Why?
? Listen, just giving up on love because you can't spend enough time on it. I would wither away miserably, believe me.?
I almost do that, I just take refuge in my music and try to give it my all.
You put your heart into it, as you can tell from your ballads. But it's not a long-term solution. If the love of your life comes along one day, what will you do then?
I don't know myself, that's what I'm afraid of. That one day I'll fall in love so much that I can no longer hold on to my principles.
Do the others know about you?
Within the group, yes, and some of the management team as well. No one else, because of the press, they would tear me to pieces.
I can imagine.
Mike, can I ask you a favor?
If it doesn't turn into hard labor, sure.
Can I come to you when I need someone to talk to? I've only known you a short time, but you're one of those people you can trust completely.
Thanks. Of course you can come to me anytime when I'm around.
So for the next five months? Lee grinned.
I looked at him sideways.
“So it's hard labor after all, I'll survive it.”
We had now arrived at the hotel. We had no problem driving into the hotel garage. A few security people were standing by to protect us from curious fans. We drove straight up to the suites that had been booked for the group.
I followed Lee to his room so he could change into something else.
“Man, this room is as big as my apartment,“ I said, looking around.
“One of the advantages of being famous,” Lee said, taking off his clothes.
Antony came in.
“Lee, have you seen my black sweater, the one with the white stripes?” he asked.
I thought you wanted to take it with you, so I packed it for you, Lee said and threw the sweater to him.
Our little one again, always taking care of us, thank you Lee, Antony said and then he was gone.
I sat down and watched Lee getting dressed.
And do you like it?
Startled and pulled out of my thoughts, I asked, “What do you like?”
“What you see, you're staring at me like that?”
Caught off guard, I blushed like a tomato.
“Well, say it,” he urged me.
“Yes,” I said, I wasn't capable of more right now.
“So, ready, we can go to the meeting?”
I stood up and was about to leave the room when Lee called after me.
“Haven't you forgotten something?“ he asked, waving my documents.
“Oh man, it happens to me all the time that I forget something.”
“Don't worry, I can take care of you a little,” Lee said, laughing, and handed me my folder.
My cell phone rang.
“Yes?”
Hello Mike, it's Joe, how are you?
I'm fine, I was just watching a very handsome man getting dressed.
At the shipping department?
I'm at the hotel.
One thing at a time, I don't understand a thing.
Joe, I'm sorry, I have to go to a meeting urgently, but I'll explain it to you tonight over a beer, okay?
Yes, all right.
Hey kid, don't be angry, but I just got a new job, but I'll explain everything to you tonight. At your place or mine?
We can work out the details later. See you later, big guy.
Bye Joe.
“A friend, though?” Lee, who had been walking unnoticed next to me the whole time, asked.
'In the broadest sense, I don't want to commit myself right now, I've had enough of the last one. But never mind, come in with you, the others are probably waiting.'
And so it was. The others were already sitting in a small conference room, talking excitedly.
'Hey Lee, Bea had a great idea,' said Duncan.
“What's it about?“ Lee asked and sat down with me on the two free seats.
“We wanted to try out a few things during the tour, write new songs,” said Simon.
“Yeah, so?” Lee asked again.
“Bea and Philipp have got us a house in Tuscany, where the company is building us a complete recording studio.”
“Not bad.”
Mike, I just called your boss, he said your truck is ready and you can leave on time tomorrow, “said Philipp to me.
That's fine, I'll stop by later to check the rest, ”I replied.
It seemed to me that Lee looked sad all of a sudden, but the meeting needed my full concentration, so I quickly dismissed the thought.
Bea gave a rough outline of the tour dates, what was going on, which halls had been rented, and which hotels had been booked. She went over the tight schedule with me, and I tried to contribute some ideas to make it a little less stressful.
“So Marc didn't exaggerate when he recommended you,” Bea said.
I nodded gratefully and thought that I would have to thank Marc for the great job at the next opportunity.
Philipp later gave me the basic company clothing. Now I also had a vest with the logo on the back and the cap said >Blue<. A few T-shirts were also included. I also got a second cell phone so that I could be reached better by the company at all times.
I said goodbye to everyone, because I still wanted to stop by the freight forwarder's. When I arrived there, I went straight to my boss.
“Congratulations on the new job,” my boss greeted me.
“Congratulations on the new partner.”
“Thanks, son. With the big chunk of change I got from them, I'll finally get those two semi-trucks I've been wanting to buy for a long time.”
“Then we've both benefited from this,” I replied.
“Christiane has prepared all your remaining papers, the key, then they should have everything they need, Vogel.”
“Okay, boss, I'll say goodbye then, and see you in two weeks. I have to go home and pack now.”
“Okay, Vogel, take care and drive carefully, the truck is new.”
Don't worry boss, I'll treat it as if it was mine.
Then I'm reassured, so goodbye?
I gave him my hand again in farewell and was outside. As he had said, everything was on my desk. I took the papers, organized them with the others and set off for home.
*-*-*
At home I thought of Joe, who I actually wanted to meet. So I picked up the phone and dialed his number.
“Florian here at Joe's, who's speaking?”
I pressed the off button. What was Florian doing at Joe's, I wondered. Somehow I was now confused. I didn't want to call again. So I went to my bag and packed the missing clothes in it.
What does Flo want with Joe, what's he doing there, nobody has noticed that I'm becoming closer friends with Joe. I decided not to contact anyone that evening, but to go to bed early because I wanted to leave at seven the next morning.
As arranged, Herbert was ready and waiting in the morning to take me to the transport company. Almost without a word, we drove through the morning traffic.
“You're probably not used to getting up early anymore, Michael?”
“No, I'm really not anymore.”
“But you've always been a morning grouch, haven't you?” Herbert laughed.
I just gave a yawn. On the site, everything was still dark, I realized how quickly something like that was forgotten. When I was still driving regularly, it was a habit to be one of the first to arrive and turn everything on and turn on the lights.
Now that I was almost always the last to arrive, I didn't waste any more thought on it. So I walked with Herbert through the building and switched everything to “on”. Slowly, other colleagues also arrived, who drove their trucks from the yard or still had to load them.
I went to the new track and unlocked it. Once again, I checked everything on the car and also whether the load was lashed down. I pressed the starter and a rich sound emerged from under the cab.
Suddenly there was a knock on my window. Startled, I looked in the direction of the noise. “Joe.” I rolled down the window.
“Joe, for God's sake, what are you doing here so early?“ I asked.
“I'm saying goodbye. You didn't get in touch yesterday.”
“I tried to call, but the line was busy,” I lied.
“It's a shame, I would have liked to talk to you a little longer. Here's a little something for you, so you don't forget me.”
I looked at him sadly and knew why I didn't like goodbyes. I took the package and gave Joe a kiss. He jumped down from the footboard and waved again before I stepped on the gas and rolled off the premises.
There wasn't much traffic on the A5 at that time, so I made good time. I had left Frankfurt far behind me, and the next obstacle was the Walldorfer Kreuz. Every day there were traffic reports from there.
But today I was lucky, only heavy traffic. I stopped at the Bruchsal rest stop. I stretched my legs a little and had a cup of coffee. When I came outside, my truck immediately caught my eye.
Completely white, it stood out clearly from the others. Only the black lettering “Music on Tour” on the back with contact numbers was visible. I chatted a little with other drivers and then continued my journey.
I got into the first traffic jam after Karlsruhe because of roadworks. The morning sun was quite dazzling and was already giving off its warmth weakly. I observed the people in the neighboring cars at walking speed.
A small child was trying to force a Lego brick into a box that was too small. It kept trying for a long time. Suddenly, it had a sense of achievement. The brick was in? the box was broken.
Slowly things picked up, the traffic jam dissolved. The truck in front of me was slowly getting on my nerves. It chugged along at a leisurely seventy in front of me. I looked in the rearview mirror? clear road. I started to overtake and finally realized what kind of power this machine had.
I left the slowpoke behind me and had a clear view in front of me again. Around noon I arrived at the customs office behind Weil am Rhein. I drove to the assigned parking lot and got out with the car papers.
The check went quite quickly. Today must be my lucky day. I have often been here at the border crossing and have had to wait much longer. If I hurried, I could be on the Gotthard for a coffee.
I slowly made my way through Basel on the city highway. With my long semi-trailer, I had no chance of changing lanes here anyway. It was still a good distance to Lucerne, so I didn't need to worry too much about getting through.
For three years Switzerland had been trying to expand the local highway there, but since the A1 and A2 of Switzerland ran on the same route exactly at this point, traffic collapse was inevitable every day.
In the package from Joe was a small letter with a picture of him and a CD. I assumed it was self-burned. I put it in the CD drive and listened to the music he had recorded for me.
I reached Lucerne around two o'clock and, as I had suspected in advance, I crawled through Lucerne at walking speed. But I had a beautiful view of Lake Lucerne. A few small yachts and paddle steamers made their circles on the lake.
I hoped to be through soon, because in some places it was pretty damn narrow for my truck, and I didn't have much room to move up and to the side. Finally, the Seligberg tunnel came into view. After the tunnel came the big bridge that cut through the lake. After that, my truck had work to do, because it was now constantly uphill.
At Ansteg they started to separate the traffic of us trucks. Slowly I drove a twenty-ton truck behind. About a kilometer before the Gotthard, the end of the line of trucks came into view. I braked slowly until I finally came to a stop behind the man in front of me.
I got out and talked to the other drivers who were standing in front of me. A Swiss police officer handed each of us a number. I realized that I would only be able to drive through the Gotthard with the second wave.
Since the serious accident in the Gotthard, trucks were only allowed to enter the tunnel from one side. In addition, you had to keep at least a hundred and fifty meters distance from the truck in front of you. If there were cars in between, the distance had to be even greater.
So I sat back in my truck and the convoy started to move. I got to fourth in line before another officer motioned for us to stop.
Now we had to wait for the trucks to pass through and for those coming from the south side to pass through. I made myself comfortable in my seat and reread Joe's letter.
“Hi Mike,
You're not even really gone yet, and I already miss you terribly. I know we've only been together a few evenings, but it's more than I'd ever hoped for, and I still feel very attracted to you. I appreciate your openness with me and hope that if we do end up together, you'll keep it up. I hope you have a safe trip and come back to me safely.
Your Joe.
The boy is really in love with me, and I'm being so unfair and leaving him in the dark about my feelings. Although I was still unsure myself. It's true, I've already fallen for Joachim a little, but it just hasn't clicked yet, I don't have the feeling that I want to grow old with this person.
On the other hand, there was Lee, who was very open to me. Well, it wasn't normally my style to get involved with someone nine years younger, but there was something about Lee that really appealed to me.
The last truck seemed to have driven out of the tunnel, and the official from before instructed us to start our engines. My front tires slowly rolled forward and I followed them. Seventeen kilometers through the tunnel with fifty and a large distance, that will be a long boring stretch, I thought.
It took almost half an hour until we were through, and as expected, on the Italian side, the opposite weather received us as on the German side. It poured down.
Well, I thought, that's clean. I had not wanted the rain. I wanted to make it at least to Bellinzona, where I wanted to stay overnight at the large rest area. I could continue my journey more badly than well. The spray from the cars in front of me almost reduced my visibility to zero.
I arrived at the rest area completely exhausted. I filled up with fuel first, because I didn't want to wait in line tomorrow, when the majority of my colleagues would be standing in line at the gas pump anyway. I parked my truck a little ways away.
I grabbed my shower stuff and ran to the local shower. It wasn't very busy yet; I was there quite early. So I quickly got a shower. I let the lukewarm water run down over me and enjoyed it.
From the neighboring shower, I heard soft groans, and I realized that there were two men in there. Amused, I washed myself. As I stepped out of my shower, the neighboring cubicle opened and two very young men stepped out.
Both blushed and turned away, and then they left. I shaved and then walked back to the truck. I saw the two of them get into a small bridge car and thought to myself, well, they really wouldn't have had much space there. The license plate started with >Li<. So Livorno, where I also wanted to go.
*-*-*
The next morning I was awakened by trucks starting up. I looked at my watch. 7:03. I still had time to have breakfast. I climbed out of my bunk, which was more like a king-size bed. I quickly put on my clothes, got out and headed for the rest stop.
The heavy clouds from yesterday had disappeared, and the first rays of sunshine promised a glorious day. After a hearty breakfast, I had to hurry to make my schedule.
The truck pulled strongly and I rolled back onto the A2. Not half an hour later, I reached the border with Italy. To my amazement, we were all waved through, no truck was examined.
So the next stop should be near Milan, so I put the pedal to the metal to get out of the mountains as quickly as possible. My cell phone rang.
“Vogel?”
A strange number.
“Hello Michael, this is Philipp, and we made it across the border okay?”
Hello Philipp, good morning. Yes, surprisingly well. I still have about thirty-five kilometers to Milan.
Then you've really made good progress. Listen, when you arrive in Castellina, a Mr. Rossi will be waiting for you there. He will brief you then. I'll arrive with the guys tonight.
Already? I thought it was only tomorrow.
The guys wanted to come earlier.?
Okay, I'll see you tonight then. Say hi to Bea.
I will. Bye, Michael.
Bye, Philipp.
So I'll see Lee again tonight. Interesting. The cell phone rang again. The number of the shipping company was displayed.
Vogel.
Hello Michael, it's Christiane.
“It's already all hell this morning, and you're the second caller in five minutes.”
“Well, work calls.” ”The following is about loading the three other trucks. I don't quite understand who gets what.”
“Take a look at the red folder next to the palm pot.”
“Yes, I have it.”
It shows exactly what goes into which truck. One for... just a moment, I have to overtake.
I pulled ahead of the truck and rejoined the line.
So I'm back. One truck is for the stage, the second is being loaded with the lighting system and the last one has all the entertainment electronics in it.
“Then that's fine,” said Christiane.
“But make sure you load the sensitive parts at the end so that you can secure them better.”
“Okay, I'll do that, Michael. I wish you another safe trip. Where are you now, by the way?”
“Just outside Milan.”
“Oh, how envious I am. I think I'll get my truck driver's license after all.”
Do that, I have to stop, I'm coming to the first toll station.
Okay, see you then, I'll get back to you.
Sure thing, Christiane. Ciao.
* * *
"Say I love you, is not the words, are to hear from you." (Extreme More than words)
The same thing every day, I was always stuck in this stupid traffic jam. By now they could have finished the construction site. They have been working on this bypass since last year, but you never saw any workers on the construction site. No wonder they'll never be finished
never get finished, I thought to myself, as the car in front of me started moving again.
Apparently things were now moving a bit, albeit only at walking pace. The thought that I was now driving home and had finished work for the day calmed me. The whole day had already gone wrong today. The customers on the phone today were more than complaint-friendly.
Since I had taken over the freight distribution in our forwarding agency, I just sat in the office and was on the phone all day. Only price talks, delays and delivery bottlenecks. And since Switzerland changed its traffic regulations, it was almost impossible to arrive in Italy on time.
I was glad that I was no longer one of our truck drivers, but only sat in an office. It sounds easy, but putting together the cargo for twenty-five trucks made me angry more than once a day.
But now I was sitting in my car on my way home. The line of cars was still slowly pushing through the town. So I was all the more pleased when I finally caught sight of my street and was able to turn off.
I parked my Golf in the garage; I didn't want to go anywhere else tonight. I was just unlocking the front door when my dear neighbor, Mrs. Bierapfel, called to me from the neighboring property.
“Good evening, Mr. Vogel, celebrating already?”
“Yes, finally, and on the weekend too, what more could you want?“ I replied.
“You're right. Come over here sometime, I have a question for you.”
“What is it?” I asked when I stepped on her fence.
“It's about whether your company would do something for private individuals.”
“It's expensive, but we do that too.”
“I just wanted to ask because a friend of my son's wants to move his household to Italy. You know, my son works in TV and one of the celebrities wants to move?”
“And which celebrity is it?”
Oh, I don't know, you know, there are always so many important people running around.
There are really far too many.
I have to agree with you, I just know that he must have something to do with music.
Music. Your son should just give us a call. Here is my card from the shop.
Oh, thank you. My son will come by later, I'll give him your answer right away.
Yes, please do that. I have to go in now, but your son's friend should just give us a call.
I'll pass on the message, Mr. Vogel, and thank you again.
Thank you too, Ms. Bierapfel.
Once again, I unlocked the front door and picked up my bag from the floor. I'll never get used to this dialect, I thought. I've been living here for seven years now, but I still have trouble understanding it.
I entered my apartment and dropped my bag next to the wardrobe. I should go shopping tomorrow, I thought, when I saw the empty fridge, or maybe now, it wasn't far to the supermarket, just a few streets away. But first I took a shower.
At the supermarket, I wasn't sure what to buy because I didn't know what I should cook for myself over the weekend. So I pushed my cart through the aisles and looked around. I almost overlooked Sabine, who steered her cart right into mine.
“Hello Sabine.”
“Hello Mike.”
“And you're still running errands?”
Yes, just. Hey, are you coming to Klaus' party too?
I don't really know yet, because if Florian shows up, I really don't feel like it.
Are you still not over your breakup?
I'm doing okay, but I'm sick of his constant apologies.
He only has himself to blame, I still don't understand why he got involved with this Dieter guy, he's such a macho guy.
Where love falls Sabine.
You're right, I'm still disappointed in Florian anyway.
You're not the only one. I'll see. Maybe I'll come after all. It might be good to get out of my four walls again.
Okay, then maybe see you tomorrow. I have to go. Peter is waiting at home.
How's his knee?
He can walk quite well again. I'm glad he finally had the operation. The limping was pretty annoying.
Then it's all right, so bye then, and give Peter my regards.
Yes, I'll say goodbye.
I finally found the right things. I went to the checkout and paid. It was more than I wanted to buy, but that was always the case. I walked home with my backpack heavily laden.
When I arrived home, I stowed everything away and then made myself comfortable in the living room. Should I really go to the party tomorrow, I didn't really feel like it. But just because of Flori, hiding in the apartment all the time, I didn't see that either.
So I'll go to the party tomorrow, no matter what or who might come. I watched the boring program on TV and at some point I must have fallen asleep. Sometime during the night, I woke up. I turned off the TV and dragged myself to bed, where I fell asleep again immediately.
*-*-*
The first sunrays woke me up, they seemed to shine directly into my eyes. I had forgotten to close the blinds when I went to bed. I had to sneeze when I looked directly into the sun. I stretched and enjoyed the cozy warmth of my bed.
I could stay in bed, I didn't have to work. The party came to mind again and then all the memories of Florian were back, how I met him. I had to grin at the thought of how he ran right into my ice cream because he didn't look where he was going.
The ice cream ran down his cheek and dripped into his neck, he was so shocked at first. Unfortunately for him, he then ran backwards and fell into the fountain. I still remember how I almost peed my pants laughing.
And then the huge bouquet of red roses that he brought to my house as an apology and stumbled in front of my apartment door and fell to the ground in the middle of the roses. Florian has always been a klutz.
That was all over, but no matter, the main thing was that it didn't hurt anymore. He had been clingy anyway, which I never tolerated. Now it was time to look for something new. But it should be solid, so one-night stands were not my thing.
When I woke up again, it was already lunchtime. With a heavy heart, I got up anyway, because I finally had to make myself presentable again. What should I wear tonight, something provocative or something cool and repellent?
First I went to the bathroom and washed a little, so I wouldn't look too depressed from the bed. Since I knew that Klaus's parties started quite early, I picked out the clothes I wanted to wear. I didn't want to eat anymore, but I had to have a coffee, otherwise I would have been hanging around all evening.
Once I was done styling myself, I left my apartment. I left my car where it was, since it wasn't far to Klaus', and if I had a drink, I wouldn't have to leave it there. I enjoyed the midday breeze and walked leisurely along the avenue.
A few cars were already parked in front of Klaus's house. I couldn't see Florian's. So I went in, the front door was open.
“Hello, is anyone there?
Hi Michael, nice of you to come after all, Biene said, she wasn't so sure, said Klaus, who stormed out of the kitchen.
I only said maybe he wouldn't come, nothing more, said Sabine, who followed him immediately.
Now I'm here, where's the coffee?
Your coffee addiction will be your undoing one day,” Sabine said, and then she disappeared into the kitchen again. ‘Just come with me, there's plenty here.”
“Mmm, it smells delicious in here,’ I said, and followed the scent.
Sabine had already poured me a cup of coffee and handed it to me. Treats were spread all over the kitchen, you could feast to your heart's content.
“Would you like to try one of my love bones?“ Sabine asked me.
“Love bones?”
“Yes, these,” she said, holding a plate under my nose.
I took one and ate it, it tasted delicious.
“Oh dear, I'm afraid I'll put on a few pounds today,” I said to Sabine.
“Could you use it if you lost weight?“ came from the door.
“Ah, hello Harald, no, just wearing loose clothes,” I replied with a grin.
“Long time no see, kid, how are things?”
“Still good, that's right, we haven't seen each other in a while.”
“Yes, since the night I brought you home, drunk as a skunk.”
“You were dead drunk?“ Sabine asked me, aghast, ‘I've never seen you like that.”
“I know, I had a few too many,’ I replied.
“A few is good, I just managed to stop Mike from making the bar we were in put on a show,” Harald said, laughing.
I blushed bright red.
“Now I finally know why everyone is always grinning at me there,“ I said sheepishly.
Sabine and Harald started laughing.
“Well, you three, so happy? Don't you want to join the rest of us in the garden?” Klaus asked as he came into the kitchen.
I grabbed my coffee again and headed towards the garden.
“Hi Michael, there you are at last,“ came from Miriam, who immediately threw her arms around my neck.
“Miriam, Mike may be single, but you still won't stand a chance with him. When will you finally realize that?” asked Joe, giving me a hug of greeting.
“You should never give up hope, right Miriam?” Andrea said, also greeting me with a hug. ”And this is Georg, a friend you haven't met yet.”
I shook Georg's hand.
“Where is our great klutz?“ Joe asked loudly.
“I don't know when he's coming,” Klaus replied.
Everyone knew that Joe was talking about Florian. Somehow, all eyes remained fixed on me.
“It's okay, guys, I'm over it, don't worry about it,” I said, and everyone went back to their coffee or piece of cake.
“Hello guys, I'm here, who else?“ It came from the house.
“Susanne here,” it came from us like a choir.
Susanne came to the balcony door.
“Hello guys, for the second time. Well, are you all already filling up on calories?”
“Yes, Susanne, we're feasting to the full,” said Joe, shoving in the last piece of his cream cake.
A brief greeting from each of them followed. I sat down with Harald on the bench and continued to enjoy my coffee. Suddenly Florian was standing at the balcony door.
No one really took any notice of him, just brief greetings. I didn't think that was right. Just because he gave me the boot, it's not right to treat him like an outcast now.
So I stood up to greet Florian. I knew that all ears would be glued to us, but I didn't care.
“Hi Flori, long time no see,“ I said.
“Hello Michael, right?”
“No more Mike?”
“Um, I thought Mike was only for good friends,” he said uncertainly.
“Aren't you a friend or not?”
“Yes, but I thought...”
Don't think, just talk. Are you okay?
I can't complain, and you?
You look good, don't you? I tried to act, and I succeeded. He took it from me and scooped a pile of cream onto his plate.
Now the ice was broken somehow and everyone was talking to Florian. Somehow I still thought it was stupid, but I didn't want it to ruin the mood for the evening.
I sat back down with Harald and we chatted a little about the shipping company.
“And you really don't have to drive anymore?” Harald asked.
The boss says you don't, maybe in emergencies, but that's pretty rare,? I replied.
Then you're certainly happy about your regular working hours?
Yes, I am, although it takes a little getting used to because I'm almost home on time every evening now, but I'm sure I'll get used to it quickly.
Oh Klaus is coming with the barbecue, I'll go and help with the barbecue and make sure nothing burns like it did last time.
Do this, Harald, I don't want to eat any cabbage steaks either.
We both laughed.
The evening drew to a cozy close. I lifted my belly, apparently I had eaten too much after all, well, and drunk too. We all said goodbye to each other, and so I set off on my slightly unsteady way home.
“Wait Mike?“ I heard behind me.
I turned around and Joe came jumping after me.
“Can I walk with you for a bit, we almost have the same way home,” he asked.
“Sure Joe, I don't like being alone.”
“And everything okay?”
If you mean whether I've had enough to eat and drink, then I'd have to say yes.
No, I meant more about Florian.
Oh, I see, that's why. No, it was fine, he didn't get on my nerves and otherwise he kept his distance from me the whole evening.
Then it's okay.
Why are you all so concerned about me? The Florian issue is over and done with, water under the bridge.
We were just worried about you, we haven't seen much of you lately.
That's sweet of you, but I'm fine again. And how's love treating you?
No change. Except that the guy I love is single again.
Oh Joe, please. Why don't you finally find a decent boyfriend?
You'd be a decent friend.
Joachim, how many times do I have to tell you? For a close relationship, it's just not enough for me. I like you as a friend, but nothing more.
Joe looked sad. Oh man, did I put my foot in it again. Joe was a sweet guy, but not my type. I put my arm around him and he leaned his head on me.
“I feel very honored that you love me, but I can't be more than a friend,” I said softly, feeling his hand on my back, which strangely made me feel good in a way I hadn't felt in a long time.
The next morning I was awakened by pleasant kisses. I opened my eyes and Joe was lying in my arms. I sat up as if struck by lightning.
“Is something wrong?” Joe asked, startled.
“Oh man, how did you get into my bed?”
“Well, for one thing, you're in my bed and we're at my place. And for another thing, you voluntarily came home with me last night.”
Sorry, I knew right away what was going on.
I sank back into Joe's arms.
Don't worry, Mike, you already told me last night that this is a one-time thing and will never happen again.
And you slept with me anyway?
Don't be angry, but a long-held wish has come true, I was finally able to spend a night with you.
And you're not hurt in any way?
No, I'm not, don't worry about it. It was just a wonderful night with you, he said to me and pulled me to him for a kiss.
I finally arrived at my apartment late that afternoon. I couldn't get Joe out of my head. What was that actually, I don't go in for one-night stands. And what was it tonight?
I went to take a shower first. Every single fiber of my body seemed to smell of Joe. I didn't know why I felt nothing for him, no more than for a normal friend. I liked him a lot, and that was all.
But since tonight, that had probably changed. Not a minute went by that I didn't think about him. My body longed for him. I got out of the shower, dried myself off. Naked, I lay down on my bed and felt the hard erection between my legs.
He was a sweet guy. His dark brown curly hair emphasized his green, large eyes. He was about my height, around 185, and his body? wow, you could tell he was a swimmer, not an ounce of fat on him. Unlike me.
All that sitting in the truck and now in the office had already taken its toll. I certainly weighed at least a quarter of a stone more than he did. What also struck me was his easy-going manner. He was a pure happy nature, always with a smile on his lips, and if I remember correctly, I had never seen Joe down.
I must have fallen asleep at the thought. I woke up because I was cold, as I wasn't dressed. I got up, put on my jogging clothes, went into the kitchen and made myself a snack.
*-*-*
The next morning I was stuck in the morning traffic jam again. Meanwhile, I had gotten into the habit of leaving home earlier so as not to arrive at the store at the last second.
My boss's and my colleague's cars were already there, and employees were already loading three trucks. I locked my car and walked across the grounds towards the office.
I greeted my colleagues on the loading bay with a wave. I went into the building, clocked in and went up the stairs to my office.
“Good morning Michael, I'm glad you're here,“ said my colleague Christiane.
“What's going on?” I asked.
“Well, but the boss is expecting you urgently because of an order. And the Polish tour has been canceled because the company there has gone bankrupt.”
“Oh man, that means we have to unpack everything again and send it back to the respective companies,” I complained.
“Don't worry Michael, the warehouse is already sorting everything out.”
“Well, I'll go ask the boss what he wants.”
“See you in a minute, Michael.”
I walked down the long hallway and stopped in front of my boss's door. I straightened my clothes and knocked.
“Come in.”
I opened the door and entered.
“Good morning, bird. You're here at last. I need you urgently.”
“Good morning, boss. What's up?”
Do you have plans from Wednesday until next Friday?
No, not really.
Then take a seat. I don't know how you managed to land a client like that, but you did.
Which client, if you don't mind me asking? I said in amazement.
“A music publishing company that represents the group, what's their name?” my boss rummaged through his papers and pulled out a sheet of paper, ”oh yes, they're called Blue and they're from England, do you know them?”
“Yes, I have a few of their songs at home, but what does this have to do with me?”
It's quite simple. I'll explain it step by step. The group Blue wants to start a tour in Europe. We booked four trucks and provide the drivers (three for the tour and one for the move).
Move?
Yes, while the group is on tour, a small hut is being prepared in Tuscany where the guys can take shelter during their breaks. The music studio and equipment have to be moved down there.
Should I coordinate that?
No, Vogel, they have to drive it down there.
Why me? I didn't want to drive anymore, as you know.
Because it was specifically requested.
By whom?
Don't ask me, I was just told.
Slowly my gray cells started to work. Ms. Bierapfel had given her son Marc my card. Marc knew me well and also knew that I had separated from Florian, and Marc in particular had influence.
And why do I need so long until next week?
You should be involved in the tour planning, because the gentlemen want you to take over the leadership of the truck convoy.
Now, slowly.
Vogel, you have understood correctly. I just need your consent, I have already clarified everything else.
He handed me all the papers and shook my hand.
“Vogel, you represent our company well. It would be great if we could get more orders like this.”
“Okay, boss.”
I left his office totally beside myself and went back to mine.
“You look like the boss has made you a head shorter,” said Christiane to me.
“No, worse.”
“What's the matter? You're all white, why don't you sit down first?”
“I'm not surprised.”
“Now tell me.”
“The boss is sending me on tour.”
“What do you mean, on tour? I thought you didn't do trips anymore?”
I didn't want to, but this offer is too tempting.”
I told her in broad terms everything the boss had told me. She made a face.
“That means you won't be here all summer, even into October?”
That also means that you'll have a new colleague, because the way I see it, I need you here for coordination.
Really?
Christiane, I can't organize everything from the road, I need someone to take care of things here for me. But that also means that I should be able to reach you day and night, is that possible?
Sounds really exciting, of course Michael, you can count on me.
And I'll call this person from the music publisher first. There's only Philipp on the card.
Okay, don't let me disturb you.
I spent the whole morning on the phone and was totally exhausted when I arrived at the small canteen at our company. One of the drivers called me over.
“Hey Mike, you've drawn a unlucky number again,” he said.
“Why unlucky, because I'm going on tour again?”
“No, because the boss said you're getting our new truck.”
“Really, Herbert, he said that?”
Yes, just now, when he had the apprentice wash it.
Wow, I'm flabbergasted, I've always wanted to drive one of those.
Now you have the chance.
Yes, I do, I said, still walking, with a cup of coffee in my hand. And for a long time again.
*-*-*
In the evening, I came home late for the first time in a long time. This guy Philipp told me things on the phone that I hadn't even thought of yet. I spent the whole afternoon organizing things that I still needed for the four trucks. My boss was overjoyed and gave me a free hand.
So I just left everything in the hallway and flopped down on the couch in the living room. Slowly, I went over the past day in my mind, only slowly did I realize what this day had brought me.
The phone rang.
“Michael Vogel.”
“Hi Mike, it's Joe, finally at home.”
“Yeah, finally, I'm completely exhausted.”
“Was it so stressful today?”
What are you doing now?
I didn't really have any plans, just a cozy evening at home and then bed.
Come over for a beer, and I'll tell you the latest news.
Sounds interesting, give me half an hour, I still have to shower.
Okay, me too, see you in a bit, Joe.
Yeah, see you soon.
I hung up. Now I had really invited Joe without really thinking about it. Anyway. I quickly undressed and got into the shower. The hot water felt good on my skin.
I dried myself off, feeling really relaxed and fresh, and put on my comfy clothes. No sooner had I made myself comfortable than my doorbell rang.
“Hey Joe, great that you came over.”
“You know how curious I am, and when you tell me something like that on the phone, I'm immediately nosy.”
“Come in and make yourself comfortable, I'll get the beer out of the fridge.”
Joe ran into the living room and I went to the kitchen to get the beer.
“So, what's the exciting thing that happened?” Joe called out from the living room.
I took the beer and two glasses and went to him.
“Do you know the group Blue?”
“Do you mean the ones who just had a hit with Elton John?”
“Yes, exactly those.”
“Yes, I know them, I have one of their albums at home. Besides, I think Antony is so cute.”
I can make you really jealous then?
Why?
Because I'm going on tour with the guys.
What do you mean, on tour?
Get up, you're sitting on the line, Joe. The group Blue is doing a European tour this summer. And my company has been booked for the transportation and equipment.
You'll be close to them the whole time?
Not only that. They are getting a house set up in Tuscany for the breaks between performances, and I'll be taking all the equipment there personally and staying there for almost two weeks.
Oh man, you're a lucky guy.
Suddenly Joe's expression became sad.
What's wrong?
Then you'll be out of reach for me the whole time.
? Bad?
Yes, somehow. Yes, I know that Saturday night was unique, but somehow I can't get it together, 'Joe said.
What can't you get together?
Don't get angry with me for saying this openly, but when we made love, you were so devoted, so full of love, and now you say you don't love me...
If I'm honest, Joe, I don't know what's going on with me either. I was confused about my feelings myself on Sunday.
Does that mean I can have a little hope?
That means, if you're not in my bed in a minute, I'll throw you out, I said with a cheeky grin.
“Fine, I'll go then,” he said almost silently.
“What?..??
??tsch, I'm kidding, come on old man, or do I have to carry you to bed first??
“Wait Joe, I'll show you what an old man can do.”
It was already late.
“Do you really have to go already?”
“Yes, I want to get to work on time,“ said Joe, who was still in my arms.
“I'll wake you up tomorrow, we'll have breakfast together and I'll drive you home, then you'll be on time,” I suggested.
“Are you serious?”
Yes, I am. I feel so good when I'm close to you. I don't want to fall asleep without you.
Have I finally gotten the great Mike to come around?
In a way, yes. What are you doing to me? Have you brainwashed me? I said with a smile.
Of course I do, with all my victims. And then I screw them senseless.”
“Then go ahead,“ I said, pulling him to me for a kiss.
“Your coffee with milk?” I called into the bathroom, where Joe was taking a shower.
“Gladly, but no sugar, please.”
I sat down at the table and slurped my coffee. Joe came out of the bathroom with only a towel around his hips and sat down next to me.
“What will become of us now?” Joe suddenly asked me.
“I don't know, Joe. Can you give me a little more time?”
As much as you want, Michael. I don't want to push you into anything, that would be the last thing I wanted.
Drink up your coffee and get dressed, we have to leave soon.
He took me in his arms and gave me a long kiss.
How was that? You don't want to push me into anything?
Yes, why?
Then take your hand out of my boxer, otherwise I can't guarantee anything.”
Joe started laughing loudly.
*-*-*
“Morning Mike, did you sleep well?” Christiane asked me when I entered the office.
“Yes, just not enough. Morning Christiane.
Were you so excited about the tour?”
“No, I wasn't alone,” I meekly admitted.
“Listen, listen, who did you trap in your spider web?”
“Joe.”
“You've got the sweetest of them all. Then why do you look so bitter?”
“Quite simply, Christiane, because I'm not sure about my feelings for Joe.”
“It's always the same with you men,“ said Christiane, going back to her work. I did the same. A little later, Christiane was tearing her hair out.
“And the boss really thinks that this should now be a new branch of our company, driving pop stars around the country?”
“Yes, why not?” I asked.
If I see how complex it is now, what we are preparing, what will it be like when the tour is running?”
“You'll experience that soon enough, Christiane.”
“You should get ready slowly, you have an appointment with Philipp in a moment.”
“Oh man, I'm getting forgetful. Good thing I have you. Thanks?”
“You're welcome, and now get lost.”
I ran down the stairs and got into my car outside. In the rearview mirror, I saw Christiane running towards me, waving wildly. I rolled down my window and looked in her direction.
“How about taking your papers with you?” she asked, waving my folder.
“Oh man, where is my head today?”
“I guess about Joe,” she replied, turned around and left.
She was right, I really couldn't get Joe out of my head. I started the car and drove off the company premises. A short stretch of freeway and I was at the desired exit. I quickly found the music company in the industrial area. I parked my car in the parking lot in front of the building.
At the gate I was asked where I was going and I gave him the document that Philipp had sent me.
“Go through the main entrance, then up the stairs and then along the whole corridor, Philipp's room is on the left,” the gatekeeper said to me.
I walked the described way into the house. Inside was a wild bustle. The staircase led up exactly in the middle of the building, and so I could look into all the offices. It felt like a beehive.
Down the hall and I was standing in front of the door. Well, it was open. Inside sat a young man. On his door was a sign >Assistant Tour Manager Philipp Greif<. I knocked on the door to get his attention. Philipp waved me to a chair, he was on the phone.
>When do they arrive? >Already, man, I have to hurry to get to the airport and just today my car conks out. I'll find a solution, so see you in a moment... Bye Davide.?
He hung up the receiver.
“So, you must be Michael?”
“Yes, I am.”
“And I have to put you off right away, because I urgently need to get to the airport.”
“No problem, my car is outside, we can talk in the car.”
“You'd drive me there, that's great. You've already got something good with me. Come on, the plane lands in half an hour.”
“Who's coming?”
“Blue.”
That could be fun. I sat in the car with Philipp and drove towards the airport, where I would get to know the band Blue for the first time.
“The trucks are fine. They'll all be packed by tomorrow. Our people have been working on them all day,“ I told him.
“And you're driving the truck to Tuscany?” asked Philipp.
“Yes, I'm driving. We're leaving tomorrow at seven.”
“Great, I'm glad that all worked out so quickly.”
I steered the car to the airport parking lot.
Michael, please turn right up there.
But that's a restricted area.
We can get in with this pass, he said, holding a tour pass under my nose, I got you one made too, by the way.
Thanks.
I stopped in front of the barrier and a security guard came to my window.
“Can you identify yourself?” he asked me.
Philipp gave me my ID, and I showed it to the man.
“Okay, you can pass.”
The barrier went up and drove into the secured area. The plane seemed to have just landed. Philipp handed me another band that I could hang around my neck with my ID.
“Don't lose it. It gives you access to everything concerning our company,“ Philipp said.
He went to a woman in a black vest with the logo of >Music on Tour<, the name of the music publisher, on the back. She seemed to be waiting here too. He waved me over.
“Michael, this is Bea, our tour manager, who is also my boss,” Philipp said.
I shook Bea's hand.
“So, young man, are you a new member of our crew?” she asked. ‘You'll quickly get used to us and, above all, to the stress. But after the third or fourth tour, you'll be an old hand at this too.”
I looked at her in wonder. Third or fourth tour? What did she mean?
“Oh, Bea, he doesn't know how lucky he is,’ said Philipp.
Then I'll have to explain everything. So listen, here's the short version. Because we're tired of always having to hire a transport company when we go on tour, we just bought into your boss. We now own half of your company. Your boss continues to run the company, at least the part that has to do with delivering the goods.
And what role do I play in all this? I asked, still a little bewildered.
Well, Marc has raved to me so much about your qualities that we will now entrust you alone with the transportation and setup of our tour equipment. You're not on a par with your boss, but you have just as much say as he does.
Now I was a little taken aback. I could hardly believe what Bea had just told me.
“Let's let Michael digest that for now, Bea, and we'll take care of the boys, see they get out,” said Philipp and trotted to the jet.
As if they had been friends forever, Philipp and the boys fell around each other's necks. Even Bea got a kiss from each of them as a greeting. I stood a little way off and watched the whole scene.
(all English again in German! Note from author)
“And who is that?“ Simon asked.
“That's our new guy, Michael, in charge of transportation and construction,” said Philipp.
“Ah, the successor to Tommy, hello Mike,“ said Lee.
He said Mike to me right away, which only my close friends actually said. But it sounded kind of nice coming from him.
“Hello,” I said, a little shy.
It wasn't every day that someone famous stood in front of me. Each one shook my hand and said his first name. With Lee, it seemed as if he held my hand a little longer. But I was sure I just imagined that when he looked at me with his irresistible eyes.
“I'd say we go to the hotel first, then to the company to have the main meeting,“ Bea said.
“Are you driving with the boys?” I asked Philipp.
“Actually, yes,“ he was about to say, but Lee interrupted him.
“I'll go with Mike,” Lee said.
'Um...' I looked at Philipp, at a loss, 'I don't even have a dark-tinted car.
'Who would look for a normal car with a local license plate?' Philipp replied with a smile on his face.
'Then it's okay, I'll follow behind you with Mike,' Lee said, pointing questioningly in the direction of my Golf.
'Yours?'
'Yes,' I replied.
Wow, with all the bells and whistles. I like it.
You surely have a great car yourself.
Yes, I do, but I don't have a driver's license.
I unlocked the car and we got in.
No driver's license?
I'm already nineteen, but when was I supposed to get it, I've hardly had time for it since the store.
Yes, that's right, I can understand that.”
I started the car and slowly rolled the little tour bus behind me.
“And how long have you been at it now?” Lee asked me.
“Officially three days, since today.”
“Oh dear, so you're new to the business?”
“Yes, why 'oh'? I asked in puzzlement.
“You'll see, at the latest when the tour starts... loading... unloading... setting up... and that all along the tour. Especially the long distances?”
“I'm used to that, I'm a truck driver, or rather I was, I quit a quarter of a year ago and until now I've only worked in an office.”
We slowly approached the gate. Suddenly, there were countless people in front of the gate who hadn't been there before.
“Someone always finds out when we show up somewhere,” Lee said, taking cover in his seat.
The main focus was on the car in front of me anyway, so I was able to leave the area unhindered. Back on the highway, Lee emerged from his hiding place and sat back down normally.
“So what else do you do besides drive a truck?”
“Not much, mostly just hanging around with my friends,” I said.
“And no girlfriend?”
Should I tell him, or play along?
“No, I don't have one,” I answered curtly, hoping he would leave it at that.
“I don't understand, you must have girls chasing after you because you're so good-looking.”
He's not letting up, so I'll just be a bit more direct.
“No, you, I'm not that interested in girls.”
“Gay too?“ ‘You really don't look it, I wouldn't have thought so.”
“Have I misunderstood, or did he just say?”
“But you have a boyfriend, don't you?’ he asked further.
“Is this going to be an interrogation?” I wondered.
“No, currently single again, and you?”
Counterattack.
Where am I supposed to get a boyfriend from, how am I supposed to find the time for a boyfriend? I believe that for a friendship like that you have to be there one hundred percent, not a patchwork, here today, gone tomorrow. If I had a boyfriend, I would also want to spend the time with him that he deserves. But with my job, that's not possible anyway.
And so you prefer to do without a friend?
Yes.
His eyes had suddenly taken on a sad appearance.
You demand a lot of yourself, I think, Lee, I said.
Why?
? Listen, just giving up on love because you can't spend enough time on it. I would wither away miserably, believe me.?
I almost do that, I just take refuge in my music and try to give it my all.
You put your heart into it, as you can tell from your ballads. But it's not a long-term solution. If the love of your life comes along one day, what will you do then?
I don't know myself, that's what I'm afraid of. That one day I'll fall in love so much that I can no longer hold on to my principles.
Do the others know about you?
Within the group, yes, and some of the management team as well. No one else, because of the press, they would tear me to pieces.
I can imagine.
Mike, can I ask you a favor?
If it doesn't turn into hard labor, sure.
Can I come to you when I need someone to talk to? I've only known you a short time, but you're one of those people you can trust completely.
Thanks. Of course you can come to me anytime when I'm around.
So for the next five months? Lee grinned.
I looked at him sideways.
“So it's hard labor after all, I'll survive it.”
We had now arrived at the hotel. We had no problem driving into the hotel garage. A few security people were standing by to protect us from curious fans. We drove straight up to the suites that had been booked for the group.
I followed Lee to his room so he could change into something else.
“Man, this room is as big as my apartment,“ I said, looking around.
“One of the advantages of being famous,” Lee said, taking off his clothes.
Antony came in.
“Lee, have you seen my black sweater, the one with the white stripes?” he asked.
I thought you wanted to take it with you, so I packed it for you, Lee said and threw the sweater to him.
Our little one again, always taking care of us, thank you Lee, Antony said and then he was gone.
I sat down and watched Lee getting dressed.
And do you like it?
Startled and pulled out of my thoughts, I asked, “What do you like?”
“What you see, you're staring at me like that?”
Caught off guard, I blushed like a tomato.
“Well, say it,” he urged me.
“Yes,” I said, I wasn't capable of more right now.
“So, ready, we can go to the meeting?”
I stood up and was about to leave the room when Lee called after me.
“Haven't you forgotten something?“ he asked, waving my documents.
“Oh man, it happens to me all the time that I forget something.”
“Don't worry, I can take care of you a little,” Lee said, laughing, and handed me my folder.
My cell phone rang.
“Yes?”
Hello Mike, it's Joe, how are you?
I'm fine, I was just watching a very handsome man getting dressed.
At the shipping department?
I'm at the hotel.
One thing at a time, I don't understand a thing.
Joe, I'm sorry, I have to go to a meeting urgently, but I'll explain it to you tonight over a beer, okay?
Yes, all right.
Hey kid, don't be angry, but I just got a new job, but I'll explain everything to you tonight. At your place or mine?
We can work out the details later. See you later, big guy.
Bye Joe.
“A friend, though?” Lee, who had been walking unnoticed next to me the whole time, asked.
'In the broadest sense, I don't want to commit myself right now, I've had enough of the last one. But never mind, come in with you, the others are probably waiting.'
And so it was. The others were already sitting in a small conference room, talking excitedly.
'Hey Lee, Bea had a great idea,' said Duncan.
“What's it about?“ Lee asked and sat down with me on the two free seats.
“We wanted to try out a few things during the tour, write new songs,” said Simon.
“Yeah, so?” Lee asked again.
“Bea and Philipp have got us a house in Tuscany, where the company is building us a complete recording studio.”
“Not bad.”
Mike, I just called your boss, he said your truck is ready and you can leave on time tomorrow, “said Philipp to me.
That's fine, I'll stop by later to check the rest, ”I replied.
It seemed to me that Lee looked sad all of a sudden, but the meeting needed my full concentration, so I quickly dismissed the thought.
Bea gave a rough outline of the tour dates, what was going on, which halls had been rented, and which hotels had been booked. She went over the tight schedule with me, and I tried to contribute some ideas to make it a little less stressful.
“So Marc didn't exaggerate when he recommended you,” Bea said.
I nodded gratefully and thought that I would have to thank Marc for the great job at the next opportunity.
Philipp later gave me the basic company clothing. Now I also had a vest with the logo on the back and the cap said >Blue<. A few T-shirts were also included. I also got a second cell phone so that I could be reached better by the company at all times.
I said goodbye to everyone, because I still wanted to stop by the freight forwarder's. When I arrived there, I went straight to my boss.
“Congratulations on the new job,” my boss greeted me.
“Congratulations on the new partner.”
“Thanks, son. With the big chunk of change I got from them, I'll finally get those two semi-trucks I've been wanting to buy for a long time.”
“Then we've both benefited from this,” I replied.
“Christiane has prepared all your remaining papers, the key, then they should have everything they need, Vogel.”
“Okay, boss, I'll say goodbye then, and see you in two weeks. I have to go home and pack now.”
“Okay, Vogel, take care and drive carefully, the truck is new.”
Don't worry boss, I'll treat it as if it was mine.
Then I'm reassured, so goodbye?
I gave him my hand again in farewell and was outside. As he had said, everything was on my desk. I took the papers, organized them with the others and set off for home.
*-*-*
At home I thought of Joe, who I actually wanted to meet. So I picked up the phone and dialed his number.
“Florian here at Joe's, who's speaking?”
I pressed the off button. What was Florian doing at Joe's, I wondered. Somehow I was now confused. I didn't want to call again. So I went to my bag and packed the missing clothes in it.
What does Flo want with Joe, what's he doing there, nobody has noticed that I'm becoming closer friends with Joe. I decided not to contact anyone that evening, but to go to bed early because I wanted to leave at seven the next morning.
As arranged, Herbert was ready and waiting in the morning to take me to the transport company. Almost without a word, we drove through the morning traffic.
“You're probably not used to getting up early anymore, Michael?”
“No, I'm really not anymore.”
“But you've always been a morning grouch, haven't you?” Herbert laughed.
I just gave a yawn. On the site, everything was still dark, I realized how quickly something like that was forgotten. When I was still driving regularly, it was a habit to be one of the first to arrive and turn everything on and turn on the lights.
Now that I was almost always the last to arrive, I didn't waste any more thought on it. So I walked with Herbert through the building and switched everything to “on”. Slowly, other colleagues also arrived, who drove their trucks from the yard or still had to load them.
I went to the new track and unlocked it. Once again, I checked everything on the car and also whether the load was lashed down. I pressed the starter and a rich sound emerged from under the cab.
Suddenly there was a knock on my window. Startled, I looked in the direction of the noise. “Joe.” I rolled down the window.
“Joe, for God's sake, what are you doing here so early?“ I asked.
“I'm saying goodbye. You didn't get in touch yesterday.”
“I tried to call, but the line was busy,” I lied.
“It's a shame, I would have liked to talk to you a little longer. Here's a little something for you, so you don't forget me.”
I looked at him sadly and knew why I didn't like goodbyes. I took the package and gave Joe a kiss. He jumped down from the footboard and waved again before I stepped on the gas and rolled off the premises.
There wasn't much traffic on the A5 at that time, so I made good time. I had left Frankfurt far behind me, and the next obstacle was the Walldorfer Kreuz. Every day there were traffic reports from there.
But today I was lucky, only heavy traffic. I stopped at the Bruchsal rest stop. I stretched my legs a little and had a cup of coffee. When I came outside, my truck immediately caught my eye.
Completely white, it stood out clearly from the others. Only the black lettering “Music on Tour” on the back with contact numbers was visible. I chatted a little with other drivers and then continued my journey.
I got into the first traffic jam after Karlsruhe because of roadworks. The morning sun was quite dazzling and was already giving off its warmth weakly. I observed the people in the neighboring cars at walking speed.
A small child was trying to force a Lego brick into a box that was too small. It kept trying for a long time. Suddenly, it had a sense of achievement. The brick was in? the box was broken.
Slowly things picked up, the traffic jam dissolved. The truck in front of me was slowly getting on my nerves. It chugged along at a leisurely seventy in front of me. I looked in the rearview mirror? clear road. I started to overtake and finally realized what kind of power this machine had.
I left the slowpoke behind me and had a clear view in front of me again. Around noon I arrived at the customs office behind Weil am Rhein. I drove to the assigned parking lot and got out with the car papers.
The check went quite quickly. Today must be my lucky day. I have often been here at the border crossing and have had to wait much longer. If I hurried, I could be on the Gotthard for a coffee.
I slowly made my way through Basel on the city highway. With my long semi-trailer, I had no chance of changing lanes here anyway. It was still a good distance to Lucerne, so I didn't need to worry too much about getting through.
For three years Switzerland had been trying to expand the local highway there, but since the A1 and A2 of Switzerland ran on the same route exactly at this point, traffic collapse was inevitable every day.
In the package from Joe was a small letter with a picture of him and a CD. I assumed it was self-burned. I put it in the CD drive and listened to the music he had recorded for me.
I reached Lucerne around two o'clock and, as I had suspected in advance, I crawled through Lucerne at walking speed. But I had a beautiful view of Lake Lucerne. A few small yachts and paddle steamers made their circles on the lake.
I hoped to be through soon, because in some places it was pretty damn narrow for my truck, and I didn't have much room to move up and to the side. Finally, the Seligberg tunnel came into view. After the tunnel came the big bridge that cut through the lake. After that, my truck had work to do, because it was now constantly uphill.
At Ansteg they started to separate the traffic of us trucks. Slowly I drove a twenty-ton truck behind. About a kilometer before the Gotthard, the end of the line of trucks came into view. I braked slowly until I finally came to a stop behind the man in front of me.
I got out and talked to the other drivers who were standing in front of me. A Swiss police officer handed each of us a number. I realized that I would only be able to drive through the Gotthard with the second wave.
Since the serious accident in the Gotthard, trucks were only allowed to enter the tunnel from one side. In addition, you had to keep at least a hundred and fifty meters distance from the truck in front of you. If there were cars in between, the distance had to be even greater.
So I sat back in my truck and the convoy started to move. I got to fourth in line before another officer motioned for us to stop.
Now we had to wait for the trucks to pass through and for those coming from the south side to pass through. I made myself comfortable in my seat and reread Joe's letter.
“Hi Mike,
You're not even really gone yet, and I already miss you terribly. I know we've only been together a few evenings, but it's more than I'd ever hoped for, and I still feel very attracted to you. I appreciate your openness with me and hope that if we do end up together, you'll keep it up. I hope you have a safe trip and come back to me safely.
Your Joe.
The boy is really in love with me, and I'm being so unfair and leaving him in the dark about my feelings. Although I was still unsure myself. It's true, I've already fallen for Joachim a little, but it just hasn't clicked yet, I don't have the feeling that I want to grow old with this person.
On the other hand, there was Lee, who was very open to me. Well, it wasn't normally my style to get involved with someone nine years younger, but there was something about Lee that really appealed to me.
The last truck seemed to have driven out of the tunnel, and the official from before instructed us to start our engines. My front tires slowly rolled forward and I followed them. Seventeen kilometers through the tunnel with fifty and a large distance, that will be a long boring stretch, I thought.
It took almost half an hour until we were through, and as expected, on the Italian side, the opposite weather received us as on the German side. It poured down.
Well, I thought, that's clean. I had not wanted the rain. I wanted to make it at least to Bellinzona, where I wanted to stay overnight at the large rest area. I could continue my journey more badly than well. The spray from the cars in front of me almost reduced my visibility to zero.
I arrived at the rest area completely exhausted. I filled up with fuel first, because I didn't want to wait in line tomorrow, when the majority of my colleagues would be standing in line at the gas pump anyway. I parked my truck a little ways away.
I grabbed my shower stuff and ran to the local shower. It wasn't very busy yet; I was there quite early. So I quickly got a shower. I let the lukewarm water run down over me and enjoyed it.
From the neighboring shower, I heard soft groans, and I realized that there were two men in there. Amused, I washed myself. As I stepped out of my shower, the neighboring cubicle opened and two very young men stepped out.
Both blushed and turned away, and then they left. I shaved and then walked back to the truck. I saw the two of them get into a small bridge car and thought to myself, well, they really wouldn't have had much space there. The license plate started with >Li<. So Livorno, where I also wanted to go.
*-*-*
The next morning I was awakened by trucks starting up. I looked at my watch. 7:03. I still had time to have breakfast. I climbed out of my bunk, which was more like a king-size bed. I quickly put on my clothes, got out and headed for the rest stop.
The heavy clouds from yesterday had disappeared, and the first rays of sunshine promised a glorious day. After a hearty breakfast, I had to hurry to make my schedule.
The truck pulled strongly and I rolled back onto the A2. Not half an hour later, I reached the border with Italy. To my amazement, we were all waved through, no truck was examined.
So the next stop should be near Milan, so I put the pedal to the metal to get out of the mountains as quickly as possible. My cell phone rang.
“Vogel?”
A strange number.
“Hello Michael, this is Philipp, and we made it across the border okay?”
Hello Philipp, good morning. Yes, surprisingly well. I still have about thirty-five kilometers to Milan.
Then you've really made good progress. Listen, when you arrive in Castellina, a Mr. Rossi will be waiting for you there. He will brief you then. I'll arrive with the guys tonight.
Already? I thought it was only tomorrow.
The guys wanted to come earlier.?
Okay, I'll see you tonight then. Say hi to Bea.
I will. Bye, Michael.
Bye, Philipp.
So I'll see Lee again tonight. Interesting. The cell phone rang again. The number of the shipping company was displayed.
Vogel.
Hello Michael, it's Christiane.
“It's already all hell this morning, and you're the second caller in five minutes.”
“Well, work calls.” ”The following is about loading the three other trucks. I don't quite understand who gets what.”
“Take a look at the red folder next to the palm pot.”
“Yes, I have it.”
It shows exactly what goes into which truck. One for... just a moment, I have to overtake.
I pulled ahead of the truck and rejoined the line.
So I'm back. One truck is for the stage, the second is being loaded with the lighting system and the last one has all the entertainment electronics in it.
“Then that's fine,” said Christiane.
“But make sure you load the sensitive parts at the end so that you can secure them better.”
“Okay, I'll do that, Michael. I wish you another safe trip. Where are you now, by the way?”
“Just outside Milan.”
“Oh, how envious I am. I think I'll get my truck driver's license after all.”
Do that, I have to stop, I'm coming to the first toll station.
Okay, see you then, I'll get back to you.
Sure thing, Christiane. Ciao.
* * *