Tom

For a few days Gina's life passed ...

... back to normal. From Thursday on she did the tasks entrusted to her with a lot of commitment, as always, the guests also felt how much she enjoyed her work and she had to let one or the other rude joke slip on her. She served food and drinks, took care of the biggest orders, cleaned the tables and benches, and was available for a short chat for each of the guests. She felt so at home here, as if she'd been working here forever, even though she'd only been here a week.

The only thing that continued to bother her was her relationship with Francis. When they worked together in the evening, Francis was again inconspicuous and reserved, as she had known him on the first day. He avoided eye contact with her and silently tapped the drinks or washed the glasses. Outside of this time, she didn't see him at all and ultimately didn't know which of the two she thought was worse. She longed for the other Francis more than she wanted to admit to herself. But then, on the following weekend, chance came to her aid.

It was Saturday again and, despite her renewed protest, she had the evening free. Outside on the pier and in the streets of the city, the somewhat old-fashioned gas lanterns, which Gina loved so much because of their warm light, especially at this time of year, drove the early darkness away, and Gina had decided to take a late walk after an afternoon of reading to see them fresh air to blow your nose. She enjoyed the walk through the streets more than last time, because the first Christmas candles were already shining in some of the windows and, viewed from the pier, the whole city shone in a glittering tangle of lights. She had wrapped herself tightly in her warm coat, put on the new lined boots and pulled her hat low over her ears to enjoy the sight of a bench in the harbor across from the pub for a few minutes.

She found it amusing to watch the arriving guests. A short married couple, probably tourists, because he carried a camera bag over his left shoulder and practically crawled into their coats, hats and gloves. It arrived just in time to have another sip to warm up before dinner. The gigantic Tom with his rucksack on his back, who didn't seem to mind the cold at all, waved at her across the street and shouted: “Come over, girl! Let's get one together! "But she waved him off with a laugh and he disappeared inside the pub.

Finally two sailors came who were so engrossed in an argument that they had already walked a few meters past the front door before they came noticed where they actually wanted to go. That ended their heated discussion and sparked a new argument about which of the two was responsible for missing the place of their evening

entertainment. Gina shivered. She had to move, otherwise one would be She walked a few more meters along the pier and then continued her walk through Churchlane, which from there made its way uphill in a few bends until she would meet Main Street at the Anglican Church She met the Reverend halfway through, who was walking towards the harbor with a small black booklet in his hand. "Good evening Reverend. Mac Are you going for a walk too? ”

“ Good evening to you too. That helps clear your head if you are still working on the last words of the sermon for tomorrow. ”He smiled. "And how do you enjoy your evening off from work?"

"Oh, I'll first take a long tour and then I'll snuggle up in front of the fireplace with a good book."

"That sounds wonderful!" He rubbed his hands over it, shivering the poor. He must have smiled at his next question himself. “Will I see you in church tomorrow?”

Now she smiled too. “I don't think so, Reverend. But I wish you a nice evening! ”

“ Thank you! I wish you that too. ”He nodded his head in a friendly farewell and then strolled down the street.

Briefly she looked after the black cloaked figure. Today the Reverend looked younger and more dynamic than a few days ago. How old was he? She continued down Churchlane until she came to a small side street that turned to the left.

Somewhat grandiose this alley was called The Mall, although with the best will in the world it had nothing to show. The small houses here were built directly on the street without front gardens. Dilapidated facades, dirty and torn curtains as well as dented or overturned garbage cans and ancient cars shaped the entire picture.

There were no Christmas candles in the windows here and even the light from the dim gas lanterns looked dull and unfriendly. But since Gina didn't like to turn around and she couldn't see anything threatening, she went on with the firm intention of entering this for the last time. Almost in the middle of this alley, just behind a small curve, there were a couple of lighted windows of a somewhat larger house that warmed your heart.

As she approached, she recognized the sign of the Catholic meetinghouse on the wall and Mrs. Foster pushing open the front door from the inside and descending the steps to the street. Her eyes narrowed a little short-sightedly, she waited a moment until Gina had come closer.

"Good evening Mrs. Foster," said Gina kindly, ready to just forget the last meeting.

"Oh, it's you!" Said Mrs. Foster, who obviously didn't want to forget this meeting. "Don't work in this one today Den of vice? "

Gina sighed. The evening had started so nicely and she had absolutely no desire to be drawn into a discussion with this narrow-minded woman." You can rest assured, Mrs. Foster, it is not a den of vice, I have it exactly checked. "

" What you should also say otherwise? "shot back the unteachable.

" the truth, Mrs Foster, the truth! and you should probably wear a bit more kindness in the heart when you come out of a house of the Lord! "Gina was at the end of her patience, raised her head angrily and walked quickly past Mrs. Foster, who was open in amazement at this impertinence.

She continued her way down the alley, which was also closed at the other end ni t had no improvement in the way of life, but cut her walk short when The Mall hit the Harbourlane.

A rush of cold air hit them from the harbor, which carried the winter into the city. She drew her head deep into the turned-up collar of her coat, ducked against the rising wind and looked forward to an evening in front of the fireplace.

From a distance she saw Francis sprinkling salt on the street outside the pub. He was so absorbed in his work that he only heard her quiet footsteps behind him at the last moment.

"Hello Francis!" Gina stopped next to him. His hectic look, with which he was obviously looking for a way to avoid her, told her that his mother had actually instructed him again to avoid Gina. He fixed his gaze on the street at Gina's feet.

"Is it already so cold that you have to sprinkle?" She asked gently. She consciously put her hands deep in her coat pockets when she noticed that they had already made their own way to touch Francis. She didn't want to embarrass him any more.

For a short time there was silence between them and Gina had to force herself not to fill this pause with senseless chatter. Then Francis straightened up a little and turned his head to the sea. "It's getting winter!", He whispered in a voice that sounded as if she was not used to speaking.

And with these words it was for Gina as if she could feel the coming cold. The light seemed to get grayer and As if two images were superimposed like a defective slide, she saw the real world at the same time and, as if pushed over them, icicles that hung from gutters and threatened to break, snow-covered roofs and a frozen harbor that made the ships look like a prison This impression quickly faded, but the astonishment in Gina remained. Francis had managed to convey to her in exactly three words what he was feeling.