a walk in the dark

At nearly midnight, Herr Schultz's store now looks like a scarred and wounded thing crouching at the side of the street.

I walk beside klaviermusik, silently. The only noise is our muffled footsteps.

The wail of a siren in the far-off distance, echoing in some stony canyon of the city.

Our footsteps quicken. A chilly breeze picks up.

She clutches her music books tighter, and huddles closer to me. Our arms brush lightly against each other.

The walk seems longer than it really is. Especially because I only concentrate on how close she is to me.

Eventually we reach Fraulein Schneider's boarding house. Klavierfrau mounts the steps, then turns to me in the dim light, and says in a voice like mist, Danke, Herman. And I say, Bitteschon.

A light appears in the window. It is Fraulein Schneider. She asks me in for some tea or something to eat, but I politely decline. Ah, she says, yes, it is late, but perhaps you can visit another time. Yes, I say, I would like that.

Klavierfrau and I eye each other in the light of the doorway. She smiles and says goodnight. I return the smile, and I say goodnight, and bid Fraulein Schneider a good evening as well.

The door closes.

I turn back down the street. The concrete feels like clouds under my feet.

The sight of Herr Schultz's store turns it solid again.

I enter the Kit Kat Klub, dark, empty...or is it...

*yawn*

I don't even care what time it is.

What with walking klaviermusik home, finding little_helga asleep on the stage (!), and running into die_klarinette in the shadows, it will be no surprise to me if I throw back my covers and find lonestardancer or is_it_bobby in my bed.

Oh. Yes. die_klarinette. She is actually in my bed.