“Two and a half?” Rafe asked, curious.
“Yeah. You, Lion and only half of me. The other half’s a real serious dude, just like the guy who just left here.”
Rafe cocked an eyebrow. “Is that right? What’s the serious half? The part that quit his job at the snap of a finger and decided to come trekking with us?”
Khalil laughed. “Yeah, that half. That was the best decision I ever made. That Wall Street job was sucking the soul out of me. Money, money, everything money. The way those cats carry on, you’d think there was nothing more to life.” Then his face turned thoughtful. “Know what? Of the three of us I may be the biggest fool. After all, with my good job I had the most to lose but I still think it was the best thing for me to do. We’ve been talking about this since college. I’m glad I came.”
“No time like the present, right?” Lion walked over and gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder.
“Yeah, before you get stuck with wife, kids and a mortgage payment.” Rafe’s lips twisted in a cynical smile. “Almost been there, almost done that. Lucky for me it didn’t work out.”
Lion looked at him askance. “What? The wife and kids? I know you're not scared off by a lil’ ole mortgage. Where you’re concerned, who needs one?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Rafe shrugged him off then busied himself digging through his bag for his toothbrush and towel. “I’m heading for the shower. Catch you guys later.”
And as he headed down the narrow corridor of the travelers’ hostel he couldn’t help but wonder if his brothers were right. In fact, his whole family thought he was sort of crazy. After all, what other men with his kind of wealth would be hiking across Europe with only what he could fit into a rucksack? On top of that, as his oldest brother would always remind him, he was almost thirty, for God’s sake. Ransom was always hounding him, demanding to know when he was going to settle down and take his online software company seriously.
But that wasn’t Rafe. As long as there was a world to explore there was no way he was going to tie himself down to one place, to one business or, for that matter, to one woman.
He smiled as that thought crossed his mind. They’d gone through France and Spain already and were now halfway across Germany. They’d met some of Europe’s most beautiful women along the way. And the summer was still young. Who knew what beautiful Madchen would catch his eyes next?
He’d heard stories about the beautiful ladies in the next city they planned to touch and right then all he could think was, Düsseldorf, here we come.
***
“Fraulein Petersen, Fraulein Petersen, er hat es wieder getan.”
Anya turned at Becky’s wail. “In English, Becky,” she said with a gentle smile as she reached down to straighten the little girl's collar. “Remember, we only speak in English during school time, all right?”
Becky gave her a little pout but then she nodded. “All right, Fraulein P…I mean, Miss Petersen. But he did it again. Hans keeps pulling my hair.” And she folded her arms in front of her and turned to give her grinning tormentor the evilest look a five-year-old ever could.
“Hans, did you pull Becky’s ponytail?” Anya gave the child the sternest look she could manage but how tough could you be with a tiny boy who obviously had taken a liking to his petulant classmate?
“Ja, fraulein,” he said, admitting his sin without hesitation, “but only because it hit me in the eye.”
“It did not.” Becky’s retort came quick and cutting. “He’s just naughty, Miss Petersen. Punish him.”
“All right, Becky. We’ll deal with that when we get back to class. Now fall in line, you two. We have to keep up with the rest of the class.” Anya shooed them along, hurrying to catch up to the two teachers who were guiding the rest of the kindergarten class as they gazed in wonder at the Humboldt penguins waddling about on the flat rocks then diving into the shimmering pond below.
Zoo am Meer Bremerhaven was a popular venue for children of all ages and the teachers at Coleman Private English school did not hesitate to take full advantage of its proximity to the school. Today the kindergarten class was out exploring the aquarium, gazing at the underwater creatures. They oohed and aahed when the seals and the Northern gannets dove underwater and when the polar bear did the same they all clapped in glee.
Although the children were having fun the teachers knew that at that age a couple of hours of this adventure was as much as they could take. Soon it was time for a bathroom break and then they were heading back outdoors where there was ample space for the children to burn off some energy. After that they could rest at the picnic tables scattered across the lawn.
“Lunch time,” Anya called out and everyone came running, everyone except Little Miss Petulant who refused to sit anywhere near Hans Muller. “Over here, Becky. You may sit beside Peter.”
Becky seemed to consider that for a moment then, with a nonchalant shrug, she sauntered over to the towheaded boy waving at her.
“Want piece of my apple?” the little boy asked.
But Becky seemed in no mood to be friendly that morning. Not to boys, anyway. “I don’t want no apple,” she muttered then folded her little arms and began to pout.
“I have grapes.” Marisela pushed her bowl toward her classmate. “You like grapes.”
Becky perked up. “Okay.” And she slid closer to her friend, widening the distance between her and the closest boy. Obviously, after the episode with Hans, she was not taking any chances with boys.
Anya only smiled and shook her head then she sent Freda over to keep Peter’s company. Becky was wary of little boys right now but the tides would turn soon enough. The teenage years were not that far away. She would be happy for the attention then but, thankfully, that time was still another decade or so away.
Anya loved children and the kindergarteners were perfect for her, old enough to display their individual personalities but still young enough to be babied. She’d never had any interest in teaching in the high school system so she’d pursued early childhood education and when a position became available at the Coleman School she’d quickly applied. It was her first job out of college and she loved it.
She was smiling as she gathered up the stragglers and soon she had everyone seated at the table. “Fruits and vegetables first, children,” she reminded them as they unpacked their lunch kits. “If you have chips or cookies you may have them only after you’ve had your fruits.”