The Birds and the Bees? 7 May 2014

What? Somebody had gifted him a flowering sponge plant? What was a sponge plant anyway?  

Somebody else had poked him. There were three friend requests and somebody called Alicia had changed her status. What was the point of this facewhatyoumathingy? It didn’t make sense to him.

Then they’d said he should go on Twitter as well and tweet. That was for the birds wasn’t it? How would he find that? 

“Just start typing it, in Dad,” said Rex. “The computer knows.”

That’s what scared him most of the time. How much the darned machine seemed to know without him having told it.  

“I set up your account, Dad.” Rex leant over and typed something.  

George’s face appeared on the screen. Three followers. And there on the right. Who to follow. Gloria Davies. Who’d have thought it?

Damn machine! 

Bless it.    

I wrote these stories on the days when I was mainly editing. They offered a chance to do some writing on days that were full of rewriting.  There are 140 stories, each 140 words long.   

Each story was inspired by the first picture I saw when I opened my Twitter feed.

14 March 1900, Berlin: trams

“We’ve been learning about Berlin today at school,” said Leo. “Our teacher said there are lots of interesting buildings in Berlin.” 

“She did, did she?” said Clara. “And do you think she’s right?”

Leo shrugged. “Berlin is Berlin,” he said. 

“Oh it is, is it?” Clara could not believe that her son was so blinkered. This big vibrant city still fascinated her. Mecklenburg was big by some standards but Berlin. Berlin was Berlin. Leo was right there. But Berlin was a miracle and he couldn’t see that? 

Clara looked at the clock. It was not quite four. It would be light for a while yet. Imelda was busy in the kitchen. Käthe was still asleep. She could ask the maid to keep an eye on the child. They could be back in time for supper. 

“Go to the lavatory and don’t forget to wash your hands,” she said to her son. “I’m just going to have a word with Imelda. Get your coat on. We’re going out. ”

“Mutti?”

“Go on. Do as I say,” said Clara. 

“Frau Lehrs, I’m very busy today,” said Imelda. “I don’t know that I’ll have time.” 

“Look, we won’t be long. Fräulein Lehrs is still asleep. Rudi’s out with Nanny. Just look on her now and then. And if she wakes up, she’ll probably come and find you anyway.”

“Yes, ma’am. It’s just that…” 

“Yes. I know. She can be difficult. Look, we’ll give you a bonus this week. And you can have an extra hour off on Sunday. Will that do?” 

“Yes, ma’am. Very well, ma’am.” 

It was clear that the young woman would do anything for more cash. Well, good. Käthe would be fine. She liked Imelda. And so what if supper was a bit late. Ernst wouldn’t mind. Not if his son was being educated properly. 

“Why are we going out?” asked Leo.

“We’re going on an adventure,” said Clara. “And how would you like to go on one of the new electric trams? We’re going to ride the tram. We are from another planet and we’ve just arrived on Earth. And we’re going to see this beautiful city called Berlin.” 

Leo clapped his hands. He had never been on a tram before. He walked to school. They walked to most places in fact but if they ever needed to go further afield Ernst would hire a carriage. Clara felt as excited as their little boy looked. She pulled her cloak over her shoulders and they were off.

It was a short walk to the Kurfürstendamm and there was already a tram at the nearest stop.

“Here we go then,” said Clara, holding Leo’s hand as they both climbed on. 

“We want to go to the terminus,” said Clara as the conductor came for the fare. “Return, please.” 

The young man nodded and gave Clara two tickets. A middle-aged man gave her his seat and Clara sat down, pulling Leo on to her lap. 

The first thing she noticed was the smell. Unwashed bodies, she suspected. 

“Mutti, what’s that funny sm—?” Leo began to say. 

“Look,” said Clara, distracting him. She pointed to a tram going the other way. “Isn’t it amazing that these carriages go on their own with no horse to pull them? And do you know what makes them work?” 

“Lectricy,” said Leo.

“And what is that, young man?” asked Clara.

Leo shrugged. 

She wasn’t sure either. They’d just have to ask Ernst that evening. 

“Oh and look,” said Clara. She pointed up at the building they were passing. “Aren’t they tall? And look at how the glass shines in the windows. Oh, and all those elegant ladies and gentlemen walking along the streets. Look we’re going faster than the carriages pulled by horses.” 

“How old is he?” said a young woman who had sat down next to them. 

“Six. He’s just six.”

“Well he is so interested in everything, bless him. I wish my young’uns would appreciate half as much in the world. You’ve got a good’un there missus. What’s your name, young man?”

Leo shied away from the woman. 

“Leo. His name’s Leo,” said Clara. 

“Well, Master Leo,” said the woman. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your tram ride. I’ll have to love you and leave you. This is my stop coming up. Good evening to you.” 

“Say goodbye to the lady,” whispered Clara, kissing Leo’s head. 

Leo half smiled and waved shyly at the woman. She winked back. 

Gradually more and more people left the tram. Finally they were the only passengers. The tram made a last stop.

“We have to get off here,” said Clara.

“Why?” said Leo. 

“It’s the terminus.”

“What’s that?” 

“Where the rails end. Look. Watch what happens.”

The driver got out of the tram and moved to the other end. The conductor made his way along tilting the backs of the seats so that they faced the other way. 

“Oh,” said Leo. “He’s changed them round.” 

“Yes. So that people can see where they’re going. We’ll get back on in a minute and go all the way back home.”

Ten minutes later the tram was taking them back towards their home. There weren’t so many people on now and Leo had a seat all to himself. He pressed his nose up against the window. It was beginning to get dark and the windows in the buildings that lined the wide street were lit up but the shutters had not yet been put into place. They could see right into the apartments and offices.

“Can’t you see what a beautiful city we live in?” said Clara. 

Leo nodded. 

“Good,” said Clara. “You can tell your teacher all about that tomorrow.”

Ernst had already arrived home when they got back. 

“Vati, we’ve been on a tram,” said Leo. “All along the Ku’damm.” 

“A tram?” said Ernst. “All along the Ku’damm. My goodness we do have some style these days.” He raised his eyebrows and looked at Clara. But there was a twinkle in his eyes. 

Clara shrugged. “He needed to get to know the city. It was the quickest way.” 

“I should think so too. A truly splendid idea. You should make a habit of it.” 

“Why can’t I go on a tram?” Käthe was scowling at them. 

Clara laughed and bent down to kiss her little daughter on the head. “You shall, my love. Once you are six as well and you don’t need your afternoon nap.” 

“It’s not fair. Leo gets all the fun.” 

“Oh Käthe, you must be patient,” said Ernst. He bent down and picked her up. “You’ll grow up soon enough.” 

Clara's Story: 22 July 1899, The Black Forest: crucifix

Clara took a deep breath. She didn’t think she would be sick but she couldn’t be sure. She’d felt like this before – with both Leo and Käthe and all the miscarriages. She’d never actually been sick. There was this constant nausea. She needed to have some taste in her mouth all of the time. 

She was fairly certain she was expecting another child. She’d missed her monthly bleeding twice and her breasts had become tender. And yet again, she couldn’t drink tea or coffee.

She hadn’t said anything to Ernst. She didn’t want him to get his hopes up. She would wait another couple of months at least. And she ought to get out of this heat. If there was a baby it surely wouldn’t be good for him or her. 

Where, though? It was too far to walk back to the hotel. The sun would be beating down upon them all the way. All the cafés looked full. 

There was a church on the opposite side of the square. It looked quite pretty from the outside and she could see that the front door was open. 

“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go and have a look inside.” She took Leo’s hand. 

“I thought we didn’t go to church,” said Leo. “I thought we only went to the synagogue.” 

“We’re not going to pray. We’re only going to have a look at the fine building and the lovely pictures and stained glass windows. It’s a Saturday so there won’t be a service going on.” 

“So why don’t we go to the synagogue?” 

“Because we’re on holiday.” 

Ernst had thought about going but then had thought better of it. The nearest one was in the next town, some fifteen kilometres away. He’d decided to stay at the hotel and read. Then he would be there when Käthe woke up from her nap and maybe he and the nanny would set out to meet Clara and Leo.

It was gloomy inside the church. The colours on the windows were quite dark and the sunshine had been so bright outside. But Clara’s eyes soon adjusted and she became aware of the way the light streamed through the windows and created interesting patterns on the floor and the walls. “Isn’t it lovely?” she whispered. One or two people were praying. They’d better not speak too loudly.

Leo nodded. “They’re like fairy-angels,” he said. 

She couldn’t think where he’d got the idea of fairies or angels from, but she knew what he meant.

He gripped her hand more tightly, screamed loudly and buried his head in her dress. He sobbed uncontrollably. 

“What is it? What’s the matter?” She tried to push him away from her so that she could look at him. People were beginning to stare. But he clung on to her all the more tightly. She held him close until the sobbing stopped. Fortunately he had his head buried so deeply into her clothing that he probably couldn’t be heard. Then she felt him relax. “What’s the matter?” she asked. 

He turned away from her and pointed at the huge wooden cross with a life-size representation of Jesus Christ on it. The figure was well-carved, though the face was ugly. Blood appeared to trickle from beneath the crown of thorns and four huge nails pierced the man’s hands and feet. 

“Come on. Let’s go,” said Clara. “Perhaps we can find an ice-cream on the way back. As long as you promise you’ll eat all of your lunch.” What were these Christians thinking of, making such a display as that? 

As they left the church she held his hand tightly and she could feel that he was still trembling. He hiccoughed every now and then as if he was still crying but didn’t want to show it. 

As soon as they were out in the sunshine a fresh wave of nausea hit her. She felt dizzy. “I think I’m going to be sick,” she whispered to Leo. “I’m sorry darling.” She quickly walked to the side of the church and found a convenient bush behind which she vomited. 

“Mutti,” whimpered Leo, holding on to her skirts. 

A kind lady and gentleman fetched her a glass of water and offered to take her back to the hotel in their carriage. She nodded her agreement. 

“Mutti, what’s the matter? Are you poorly?” 

“No, I’m fine, sweetheart. I think you’re going to have a new brother or sister soon. This happens to ladies sometimes when they’re going to have a baby.”

Leo smiled through his tears. At least he seemed to have forgotten the horror of the crucifix. That was something. 

“You should have told me,” said Ernst later after the excitements of the day were over, the children were in bed and the nanny was off duty. 

“I didn’t want to get your hopes up again.” 

Ernst tutted. “But if it’s making you unwell I need to know. And if you do have another miscarriage I want to be there to help you through it.” He kissed her softly on the head. 

She remembered the incident with the carving. “There’s something else as well. Leo was so frightened inside the church.” 

“Oh?” 

She told Ernst all about how he had reacted to the representation of the crucifixion. 

“If it was that life-like he probably thought he was looking at a real body. Or a person still alive who was being horribly tortured. I shouldn’t worry. He’ll get over it. He’s pleased anyway about the baby. And so – he’s hoping for a brother.” 

They both laughed when they remembered what he’d said. “I hope it’s a boy. Käthe’s no good for playing with.”

Clara had a feeling that this baby might be all right after all.

Clara's Story Hanukah 1891, Mecklenburg: a phase begins

“My, that all looks fine,” said Mama. “You girls have done well. I’m sure Papa’s associates will be impressed.”

Clara smiled to herself. Yes, they had worked hard and the drawing-room sparkled. The candlelight reflected backwards and forwards in the mirrors. It was getting dark outside and the warm glow defied the winter gloom.

Käthe giggled. “Do you think Clara will find a beau?”

Clara glowered at her younger sister. “Enough, young lady. Any more of that and I won’t pin your hair up for you, nor lend you the peach silk.”

“Really, Käthe, you mustn’t tease you sister like that.” Lotte spoke quietly as usual. Her fine blonde hair was already neatly pinned up and she looked much older than her fourteen years. Thank goodness, though, there was a smile in her deep blue eyes.

“I’m glad you’ve got a friend who is sensible,” said Clara.

“Well, it’s about time,” said Käthe.

 “Clara will find someone to love when she is good and ready,” said Mama. It was obvious she was trying not to laugh.

The doorbell rang.

“Ah, that’s the first of them here. Girls, go and get ready. Then you’ll be in time to greet them all at supper after they’ve finished their business meeting.

“How do you manage to get your hair to stay so neat all of the time?” Clara asked Lotte. “It’s so fine. Our hair is much sturdier. Yet we can’t get it to stay put.”

“I guess it’s because I keep practising,” Lotte replied. “I pin it up every day now.”

Clara hugged the younger girl. “Don’t be in too much of a hurry to grow up. Enjoy being young.”

She moved back to her sister whose hair was only half done. “I do wish I could get your hair to behave,” she said as she tried to brush the knots out. “What do you do to it?”

The doorbell rang again. Käthe jumped up from her seat and ran over to the window. She peered through the drapes. “Goodness, look at that funny man,” she said. “He’s all bent.”

“Käthe!” said Clara. “It’s rude to stare at people less fortunate than ourselves.” She couldn’t help looking herself, though. Four more young men had arrived. One of them was walking up the path with a limp. She could see that although he was quite young he had a huge hump on his back and his legs were bowed. It made him look much shorter than the others.

“Come on, then,” said Käthe, rushing back to her seat. “Let’s finish getting ready and get downstairs to meet them. Some of them look quite handsome.”

Lotte sighed and raised her eyebrows.

One hour later they were downstairs. The noise of people talking came from the drawing-room. Clara opened the door and could see straight away that all her other brothers and sisters were there already as well as about ten of her father’s business associates. Papa was talking to the young man with the deformed back. He signalled to Clara that they should join him.

“Doctor Lehrs,” he said. May I present my daughters, Clara and Käthe, and their friend, Lotte. Ladies, this is my very good associate, Ernst Lehrs.”

Two smiling brown eyes looked into Clara’s and she knew that the second phase of her life had begun.