The Swiss Escape

Secrets

Alex

I let out a laugh after Kamryn’s comment. Everyone else looks annoyed.

My mother quickly changes her tone. “It just surprised me is all. It doesn’t seem to affect her and the child’s relationship.”

I look over at Kamryn, I can see that the topic is making her uncomfortable. I take her hand and she looks over at me. Kamryn gives me a small smile.

Fritz places his hand on Kamryn’s back, she tenses with his touch. “My condolence about your parents. I don’t know what I would do without mine.”

I feel anger building inside me. Kamryn gives a polite smile and tries to move away from his touch. “Thank you,”

“Do you find it hard to be a mother since you lost yours?” My mother looks at Kamryn curiously. I am starting to wonder if my mother likes Kamryn.

“At times, yes. I don’t have someone to call when I have parenting questions. But sometimes, it doesn’t bother me. I miss them and my life would be easier if they were alive. There are certain decisions I would not have made if they were alive.”

My mother looks at Kamryn and I know she is processing every word Kamryn said. To my surprise my mother seems to relax, “How old is your daughter?”

“She turned three last month,” Kamryn says with a smile.

My mother and Kamryn begin talking. When everyone finishes eating, Fritz, my father, Lana, Dennis, and I go into the main room. When Kamryn and my mother finish the dishes, they join us.

Everything seems to be going well until Lana starts talking. “Where is Kayla’s father? Why are you not with him?”

Kamryn freezes and looks at me. I can tell she doesn’t want to discuss Kayla’s father with everyone. “He isn’t involved. That’s all you need to know.” I give Lana a stern look, so she knows to drop the discussion. I place my arm around Kamryn, I can feel the tension coming off her.

“Is he still in America? You said last night you would adopt her, why haven’t you if her father is out of her life?” Lana knows she’s pushing, there is a smirk on face.

“It’s none of your business Lana.” My voice is cold. I know she is trying to make Kamryn look bad in front of my parents.

Kamryn and I sit in the same place as last night. I am in the chair and she’s on the arm. My arm is around her waist holding her close.

Fritz looks at Kamryn and smiles. Every time he looks at her, I feel rage. “Kamryn, what do you do outside of being a great cook and mother?”

Kamryn rests one of her hands on my shoulder. “I don’t really do anything. I’m pretty dull.” Kamryn responds to Fritz with hesitation.

“Alex doesn’t take you hiking or skiing? We did something almost every weekend. It’s odd he doesn’t do more this you.” Lana stares at Kamryn with a smile.

Kamryn takes a sip of her wine. I can tell she’s done with this game. “Lana, perhaps you should stop focusing on my relationship and start focusing on your own. It confuses me why you constantly show up in our lives, try to get Alex back, and then tell lies to Fritz.” Kamryn is using the same voice she uses when kids misbehave. It’s quiet and low, something about it is more freighting than yelling.

My mother has a smirk on her face. She looks amused by Kamryn. I can tell my mother respects her. “Kamryn, why did you choose to live abroad? Being a single mother, that move was not the easiest.” My mother sounds more curious than judgmental.

Kamryn nods. “It was not an easy decision. I wanted a better life for Kayla and I, nothing was tying me to America. I applied for serval jobs after looking at safety concerns. Looking at Zurich, I instantly fell in love. I applied for the position as an English emersion teacher and was hired. Everything just fell into place.”

My mother listens to Kamryn. “Did you find the transition difficult?” I am astounded at my mother’s tone. This is a side of her I rarely saw growing up. Fritz got her approval more than I did, but now it’s directed at Kamryn and I feel both proud and anxious.

“It wasn’t always easy. I had days where I was homesick, there were days I felt out of place due to the language barriers, and there were times everything felt perfect. Alex helped me a lot. The move would not be possible without him.” Kamryn struggled to explain everything. There were times I needed to help her, but she did well.

I place my other hand on Kamryn’s leg. I wish she didn’t try to make my parents like me. If they can’t do it on their own, what use are they to me? But I do like she knows that I am always there if she needs me.

Lana looks annoyed. “Why did you drag your child away from her home and her father? Was it so you could have a relationship with Alex?”

I feel Kamryn start to tense. “Why are you so interested Lana?” I ask her feeling annoyed.

“Just seems coincidental she arrived, and you started dating. She’s been here less than a year and you are already living together. According to the rumors you hired her to sleep with her. Maybe there was a relationship from the beginning, and she left Kayla’s father for you.” Lana knows she’s pushing a boundary.

“I originally hired someone else in the position. She didn’t feel as though she could do the job and chose to work somewhere else. That’s when I hired Kamryn. The reason she moved is none of your concern.”

Lana gets out her phone. “I found something interesting about your girlfriend when I searched for her. Did you know she’s a fugitive, this says she wanted for kidnapping? It looks like she just left the country without permission from the child’s father.”

Kamryn looks at me, I could see how scared she is. “Alexander, are you dating a woman on the run from the law?” My mother’s disapproving tone is back. “I thought we raised you better.” She gives Kamryn a disgusted look.

With tears in her eyes, Kamryn looks at me. In English, she says, “You can tell them.”

“Are you sure?” I place my hand on her cheek wiping away the tears. She nods. I look at everyone, I feel conflicted. Kamryn doesn’t want the world to know what happened to her, but if I don’t tell them I fear Lana might try something. I don’t care if they approve of my relationship with Kamryn. But I do care about her safety.

Before I can speak my mother begins talking. “There is no excuse to be with a woman that kidnaps a child, Alexander.” She looks at Kamryn, “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Her words cause me to lose my temper, “Was it okay that Fritz and Lana had an affair? Or when Lana came back begging me to take her back?  At what point are things okay with you, mother? Do you know why Kamryn left? Her husband became abusive, when she tried to leave, he hurt her and threatened to kill her. She went to an attorney for help and they told her to take her daughter and run. This man has enough connections to kill her and get away with it. That is why she left. She took every precaution to separate herself from that man and save her daughter. She filed for divorce in London then took trips to different countries until it was finalized. Kamryn researched where to live with her daughter to give them a better life. Now, I think it’s time for you to leave. We are done.” I stand up and open the door.

My mother and father stare at me. “Alex, we didn’t know-“

“It isn’t your concern. Instead of trusting me, you lectured me. Told Kamryn, she should feel ashamed. You didn’t ask what her reason was, you were to busy judging us. Now, get out of my house. I never want to see any of you again.”

“Alexander, let’s talk about this, there is no reason to be dramatic.”

“Mother, I said leave. Don’t come back.” Everyone finally starts gathering their things. Kamryn is still on the chair. I can tell she’s upset. I walk to her and pull her into my arms. “Don’t be upset, Schatzi. We never have to see them again.”

“I feel guilty about your parents not being apart of your life.” Kamryn’s voice is shaky, I know she’s crying.

I pull away for a moment and lift her chin so she’s looking at me. “I am gaining more from being with you, than staying in contact with them.”

“Alex,” I hear my father behind me. While I hold Kamryn close, I turn to face him. My mother is standing next to him, she’s crying. I don’t know if I have ever witnessed my mother crying. “Your mother would like to make amends with Kamryn.”

“The damage is already done,” I tell him.

Kamryn puts her hand on my chest. “It’s okay, let them speak.” I look down at her. Kamryn’s eyes are red, her cheeks have tears, and her voice is soft. Knowing how much my family hurt her is more than I can take. I shake my head at her. I am done with them. The only reason I allowed this night to happen was so I could say I tried. Now I regret that decision. “Alex, it’s okay.”

Looking at my father I give a nod. He looks relieved. My mother starts speaking, “It was wrong of me to judge you. I didn’t know your circumstances. Instead of asking, I jumped to a conclusion. There is no excuse for my actions. It’s clear you love my son and he loves you. This is the happiest I have ever seen him.”

They look at me once more, before they leave. The second their gone I let out a sigh of relief. Kamryn is still upset. She is no longer crying but I can tell she’s on edge. “Let’s go to bed.” I hold her hand and pull her to our room. I get on the bed and pull her close to me. Her head is nestled into my chest and both of my arms are wrapped around her.

I don’t know how much time passed. Kamryn finally pulls away. “Do you think Lana will contact Johnny?”

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t put it past her. But if she does, we will be ready.”