The Swiss Escape

Lana

Alex

Kamryn took the bus home. I offered to get her a cab, but she refused. I knew she was angry at me. I would be angry if she decided to talk to her ex without me present.

I take Lana and her son, Dennis, to a park so he can play. “Why are you hear Lana?”

“I left Fritz, he never got a job. In the four years we’ve been married, he hasn’t had one job. I work, take care of Dennis, and do all the cleaning. Your mother stopped cleaning a few years ago and demanded I do it in exchange for letting us stay with them. Friedrich did nothing to help. He just sits and plays video games all day.” She lets out a sigh, “your mother blames me for how he is. She’s so critical of me, nothing I do is right.” Lana grabs my hand, “I’m sorry for what I did to you. Will you please take me back? You can adopt Dennis, and he can be our son. Please, leaving you was the worst thing I ever did.”

If she said those words to me a year ago, I might have taken her back. But not now. Pulling my hand away, “I don’t feel the same, Lana. You destroyed my life. I gave you everything I had. I bought a house, sent you money, everything you asked I did. You told me that child was mine, without a doubt. I believed you. I supported you and my brother after you had an affair and now,” I pause for a moment thinking of Kamryn, she was so hurt when Lana and I got into my car. I realized I needed to go to her. She needs to know that she and Kayla are my priority. “I won't let you ruin it a second time.” I turn to leave.

“Alex, wait. I have nowhere to go. I spent all the money I had on a train ticket here. Please, don’t make my suffer for my mistakes.”

Letting out a sigh, I turn back to her. “I will get you a hotel for tonight. Figure out what you’re going to do and stay away from me.” Lana nods, and we quickly go to my car. I drive to a hotel and pay for a room. “Here,” I hand Lana some money for food.

“Thank you, Alex. I always knew I could depend on you. You’re my safe place.”

I turn to leave, not wanting to be around her anymore. I need to go to Kamryn and apologize to her.

I get to Kamryn’s door and knock, no answer. I knock again, no response. Where are they? Pulling out my phone, I call. When she answered, I am overwhelmed with relief. “Hello,”

“Schatzi, I am at your place, where are you?” I want to tell her everything; the calls, park, everything.

“I am down at the market, picking up groceries.” She lets out a sigh, “I don’t know if I want to see you right now. You put your ex above me. I want a relationship with someone I can trust. I’m sorry, I have to go.” She hangs up, and I have a sinking feeling in my stomach.

I run downstairs and into the market outside. I pass the shops looking for Kamryn. When I finally see her, I stop. She and Kayla are picking out fruit. After their purchase, they come out of the shop. Kamryn looks at me then turns away. “Kamryn, please.” She stops and looks at me. I can see the heartbreak in her eyes. “I shouldn’t have let Lana come before you. When I realized what I did, I left as quickly as possible to come to you. I love you, Kamryn, not her.”

“I need to get home and start dinner. We can talk while I’m cooking.” I let out a sigh of relief. She is going to listen to what I have to say.

We get to her apartment, and she starts prepping to cook. “Can I help you do anything?” I ask, hoping to lessen her anger towards me.

“How many times did she try to call you?” Kamryn’s voice is soft.

“A lot. I never called back. I just threw the message away when I got it.”

Kamryn still won't look at me. “Where did you take her?”

“To the park. I let her son play so she and I could talk.”

I see the anger flash across Kamryn’s face before it goes back to emotionless. “What did she want?”

“She left my brother and wanted help. Lana told me she was sorry for what she did to me, that she hates living with my mother, and she made a mistake leaving me.” I want to be completely honest with Kamryn. I want her to know to trust me.

“What did you say?” Kamryn’s voice is shaky. I can tell how upset she is.

“That I don’t feel the same. That’s when I realized what I’d done. I got Lana a hotel room for the night and immediately came here to you.” I wrap my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, don’t be mad at me.” I move her hair to one side and begin kissing her neck, “At least wait and be angry with me after Kayla goes to bed.” I whisper in her ear, “I can run home and grab my bag. We can spend the better part of the night in your room.”

“Did you ever tie her up? The things you do with me, did you ever do them with her?”

I know she isn’t going to like my answer, “Yes, I did.” I feel her pull away.

Letting her go, I watch as she beings to cook. Kamryn puts some chopped vegetables on a baking sheet the puts them into the oven. When she finally turns to look at me, “the pet name you gave me. Did you call her that?”

“No, you are the only schatzi. You’re different than Lana. I fell in love with you so quickly. I made excuses so that I could see you. The university that typically gives the language classes offers childcare. I chose to be your teacher so that I could spend time with you. Never did I do any of that for Lana. I don’t even remember what I liked about her. I am sure there was something. Maybe she just wore me down. At least that’s what Mila and Baldrick say.” I shrugged not knowing why I loved Lana. I just know at one time I did.

“Lana liked the same things you did or at least pretended to. You like to go skiing, hiking, and all kinds of things I have never done. Plus, she’s beautiful, I understand why you liked her.”

“I would love to do all those things with you. Or do nothing but sit with you on the couch and talk.” I let out a sigh and close the distance between us. Putting my arms around her waist, I lean down and kiss her. “Want me to go home and grab some clothes?” She nods her head.

I run home to grab some clothes and a few other items I know Kamryn will enjoy.