The Swiss Escape

Love Notes

The Christmas holiday had begun. On the third day of the break, Jen forwarded an email from Mr. Cooper, the attorney. Finally, I am divorced. Nothing is tying me to Johnny now. Kayla doesn’t seem to remember him. Since we moved, she hasn’t mentioned him once. Custody was why the divorce took so long. Johnny attempted to find me and wanted me arrested for kidnapping, but no one knows where I am. I am just glad everything is over, and I can move on with life.

A lot of coworkers have told me about a particular shopping market. It’s considered a tradition here. Kids make candles, a circus performs, and a few people try to swim across the icy cold river Limmat. It sounds like a lot of fun, but I still don’t feel confident in my ability to navigate the city.

To get a tree, we need to go to a tree farm. Kayla and I get ready. I have no idea how I will get the tree home. We don’t have a car, I don’t think I can use public transportation with a tree, and I have Kayla. My current plan is to get a small tree. One that I can easily carry. Then I don’t have to buy a lot of decorations.

As Kayla and I get on the bus headed towards the tree farm, I see Mrs. Kol and her husband. “Hello Mrs. Kol, how are you?”

“Kamryn, we are not in school. You can call me Mila. Where are you off to today?” Mrs. Kol smiled at Kayla and gave her a sticker. Mila carries stickers and all kinds of little things in her bag to give to kids.

“We are on our way to a tree farm. I am hoping to find a small one so I can carry it back.”

“You should have called Alex. He would have gladly come to help you.”

I can feel myself blushing. Mila is often trying to talk me into asking Alex out on a date. She has even offered to babysit. “He’s our boss. Don’t you think that is a little inappropriate?”

Mila looks at me and glances at Kayla to make sure she is distracted. “No, I think both of you are trying to avoid your attraction. You know he purposely finds ways to come by our classroom. Not only that, but he also has never volunteered to give language lessons. How are things with you and Kayla’s father? Were you able to get divorced?”

I froze. I have not given Johnny much of a thought since we arrived. Jen told me about him telling people I was taking care of a sick relative. She also said there is a different woman at my old house every week. “Everything is final, and he can't find me to sue for custody. But if I go somewhere that expedites people back to America, they will arrest me for kidnapping.”

Seeing the worry on my face, she continues. “Your secret is safe. Please know I don’t judge you. Before Baldrick, I was in a bad relationship, so I understand. Alex only told me a small bit, but I think you made the right decision by leaving. Keeping your daughter out of the situation was the right thing to do.”

“Sometimes I have nightmares that he’s here. He told me if I tried to leave, he would kill me. Sadly he has the means to do it. I spoke with an attorney, and she told me to run and use an attorney in another country. Jen is the only person I have contact with from my former life, she tells me he isn't looking for me, but I still fear he will. Getting involved with someone only puts them in danger. Besides, Alex and I could never have a future. He is my boss, and I just got divorced three days ago.”

Mila nods her head in understanding. “Or you get involved with someone, and they restore your faith in men. And if your ex-husband ever does come here, they will be there to protect you and Kayla.”

“I don’t need anyone to fight my battles. It would destroy me if someone got hurt on my account.”

Mila and her husband, Baldrick, get off at the next stop. Before she leaves, she says, “Don’t let your past keep you from a happy future. Life may not be easy, but life is nothing without love.”

Her words stuck with me. Pulling out my phone, I texted Jen. It is the middle of the night there, so I know she won’t respond. ‘Am I a terrible person if I date someone? It feels wrong. I just became divorced officially a few days ago. After uprooting Kayla’s whole life, adding a new man seems like a bad idea.’

We arrive at the farm, and no one speaks English. I find someone running a counter and tell him I am looking for a Christmas tree. He rattles off words so quickly that I only understood three. He hands me a hacksaw and gestures big or small with his hands. I tell him short. The man then points to an area they grow smaller trees.

Kayla pulls me while I try to figure out how I am going to cut down a tree. I have never done anything like this before. When I was growing up, all our trees were artificial, and my friends that had real trees said they just pointed, and someone cut it down, then put it on the roof of the car.

I find a small tree; it is around three feet tall. Kayla is around thirty-three inches, and the tree is just a bit taller than her. I get down on the ground and tell Kayla to stay close. I take the hacksaw and am just about to cut down the tree when I hear a voice behind me. “You don’t want that tree.”

I look over to find Alex. “Why don’t I want this tree? I can easily carry it, Kayla likes it, and it won’t take up much space.”

“It will die too soon. The branches will be bare by Christmas.”

“Oh.” I couldn’t keep the disappointment out of my voice.

“Come with me. I will help you find a better one.” He offers his hand to help me up, and I take it. “Hand me the saw so you can hold on to Kayla easier.” I give him the hacksaw since it scares me to have it so close to Kayla. “You need one to survive the next couple of weeks. Touch the branches; if the needles come off, then it isn’t a good tree.” He demonstrates on one of the trees.

We walk around looking at trees. When Alex finds several, he deems as acceptable. He asks Kayla which one she wants. Once she settles on a tree, he cut it down. Then to my surprise, picks it up and drops it. “Getting the loose needles off.” Alex grabs the tree and takes it to the front of the counter.

I pull out my wallet to pay for the tree, but Alex beats me to it. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know.” He smiles at me. I feel my heartbeat quicken. “My car is this way. I’ll take you home and carry the tree up to your flat.”

“Are you sure?” Alex has already helped me so much. I feel as though I am taking advantage of him.

“It’s something I planned on doing since I found you here.” As he ties the tree down, I help Kayla get into the back. I hold her in the back seat as he drives.

It doesn’t take long for us to reach my apartment. Alex brings the tree up and helps me put it in the pot. It is getting late, so I put Kayla to bed. When I come back into the living room, I find Alex trying to water the tree. “Here.” I grab a cardboard tube from an empty paper towel roll and use it to funnel water into the pot without dealing with the tree.

“That works well.”

“It would be better to use the tube from wrapping paper,” I tell him with a smile.

Alex gets a serious look on his face. “I was wondering if you and Kayla would like to come with me to the market. It’s the one near the river. This time of year, they have it all decorated, and Santa will be there along with his helper, Schmutzli.”

“I didn’t know Santa had one elf here.”

“No, Schmutzli takes the naughty children or hits them.” My eyes widen. “Don’t worry. They don’t do that. He may look scary, but he doesn’t say anything and just stands in the background.”

“It sounds terrifying.”

Alex let out a laugh, “I am sure it does. The American custom is a much happier one. I am sure it seems strange to you. We don’t have to see them; most kids want too so they can get candy or something.”

I shrug, “Kayla won't remember our traditions in America. if that is a tradition here, we should embrace it.”

“So, does that mean you will accompany me?” Alex’s eyes seemed hopeful.

“Sure. It will be fun to experience traditions here.”

“Great, tomorrow, I will pick you both up at around five. Don’t worry about eating beforehand; I will take you both out to dinner.” He seems excited. It is infectious. We sat together and talked awhile longer before he left.