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1743 Words
While his aunt handled everything regarding Johanna’s education of the legalities, Lukas sat at his grandmother’s kitchen table, his phone in hand and a steaming cup of black coffee that was gradually cooling down. He knew what he had to do, the only question was whether or not the locals would back him and Johanna over Johan and his wife.
He needed to confirm his presence in Goslar, Germany, and the thought of it made his chest tighten. Taking a deep breath, Lukas dialled the number Julian gave him a few days after they met. His mind raced as he listened to the ringing, hoping his friend would understand the importance of this request.
“Morgen,” Julian said, his jovial voice filling Lukas’s ears. “I was just on my way over. Is anything wrong?”
“Yes and no. I need your help with something important. Can you and your parents come over to my grandmother’s house this afternoon? I also need to talk to anyone who would be willing to write and sign affidavits confirming I’ve been in Goslar for a minimum of twenty-one days,” Lukas said, trying to keep his voice steady.
“No worried, freund. I got you. My parents and I will definitely assist, as will the barmaid at Emile’s Dancing Star, and Mr. Lutz. Though he’s a bit of an i***t, Walter Wielder would be a great person to have at your back at this time. I can explain the situation to him, but I guarantee he’s going to agree if only to protect his Kleiner Engel. He’s also related to the local registrar at the government office, and he adores Johanna.” His friend advised, rhyming off people they could turn to.
Julian’s eagerly-provided information gave Lukas a moment to breathe. If there were that many people willing to help Johanna escape to safety, then it stood to reason he should use the provided resources.
As the hours passed, Lukas got to work preparing the documents he needed. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the support he was about to receive as he left the house to finish off the last few feet of fencing that needed to be done. While others could have taken longer, he had been running on adrenalin and rage which gave him a strength boost as he powered through everything that required fixing. By lunch, Julian arrived with his parents, and went to seek him out.
They gathered in the cozy kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of the blooming flowers outside.
Lukas laid out the affidavits on the table, his hands slightly trembling with the weight of the situation. “I need you all to sign these affidavits confirming that I’ve been here in Goslar, working on the land and taking care of my grandmother’s house. It’s for a legal issue that requires proof of my residency.”
“Of course, Lukas. We’re happy to help,” Mr. Schneider said, offering a reassuring smile.
As each of them took turns signing the documents, Lukas felt a wave of relief wash over him. Mr. Lutz and Mr. Wielder let him know that they appreciated the effort he put into family, and the protective kindness he’d shown to one terrified local girl.
“You’ve done a wonderful job with the land, Lukas,” Lutz said, his eyes glistening with pride.
“Thank you, Mr. Lutz. It means a lot to me that you took time out of your own busy day to assist in ensuring I can cleanly escape with Johanna. I’m taking her to my home once we’re married tomorrow,” Lukas replied, his usually reserved demeanor softening with gratitude.
Walter frowned, “Poor girl. I was never strong enough to help her, but she’s such a precious child.”
Lutz nodded, his eyes filled with remorse. “There weren’t many of us men that were strong enough to take down her tormentors, young Lukas. Damn them, but you do remind me of another of Marie’s children. Such a righteous boy, he was, but he left the year his vater passed.”
Biting his lip, Lukas sighed. “You’re not the first one who’s called me by his name accidentally. You’re talking about Tracy, right? Well, he goes by Trace, and he’s my father.”
“Then little angel Anna will be safe,” Walter Wielder said softly, his hand rubbing his heart. Now knowing the boy was related to one of the only men that was ever nice to him, he motioned for the affidavits. “Come. You weren’t actually here for a month, but you deserve some good karmic return for saving that sweet, gentle child.”
“Thank you – all of you. You have no idea what this means for me and Johanna. I swear to protect her with everything I am.” With the affidavits signed, Lukas knew he was one step closer to his goal.
Heading to the local government office with his aunt once all the paperwork was filled in, Lukas sighed softly. He’d been through it all with his friends. He’d had his hands on every ounce of information he could experience first-hand when it came to relationship issues and children. Despite that, all he could really do was apply what he learned to his own situation.
“Are you alright, Lukas? Not having second thoughts, are you?” Helga asked, her voice carrying a small amount of humour amidst the tension of the task at hand.
He shook his head. “Absolutely not, Auntie. I’ve made up my mind, and my decision is final.”
“That’s good to know.” She replied, leading him into the office. Noting that he wasn’t following, she turned back to the car only to see him helping her mother and his fiancée out of the back seat. “Oh, would you look at that!”
Scowling, Marie shook her head. “It’s like having Tracy home all over again. Come, let’s get this over with so we can get her a dress and him a decent suit for tomorrow afternoon.”
Reaching the reception desk, Lukas watched with curiosity as she moved through the motions of getting everything set up. As soon as the lady at the desk started giving them trouble, he smirked. “Excuse me, I’m not very partial of the way you’re treating Attorney Roberts. I’d like to speak to your boss.”
Paling, the woman set her lips in a thin line. Before she could say anything, a door down the hall opened and two men came out. He recognized Walter Wielder, but didn’t know the other man. As they got closer, the men stopped.
Walter raised his head, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Lookie here, Gerald! This is the young man I’ve been telling you about. Such a good, hard-worker with a good heart. Poor boy took the whole month he was here to fix his granny’s farm almost entirely by himself! Lukas, this is my cousin, Gerald Muller.”
“Goodness,” Gerald whistled softly. “Come to my office. Walt told me young miss Johanna Meyer was getting married, and I couldn’t believe it at first. Mrs. Roberts, a fine day, wouldn’t you say?”
“It’d be finer if things go the way they need to, Gerry.” Marie groused.
Moving to his office, the man guided the four of them inside and shut the door. “Now, what can I do for you, Helga? I knew it had something to do with your family, but I didn’t know to expect another Elias or not.”
“Three points prior to saying anything more,” Lukas scoffed. “One, I’m the son of Tracy Adolph Roberts. Two, please don’t mention my i***t uncle in front of me. Nothing ticks me off more than a pretend Christian with an axe to grind. Three, I would like to formally invite you to our wedding tomorrow afternoon. Your time will be compensated.”
Leaning back in his chair, the man hummed for a moment. His long, thin fingers twisting the ends of his mustache. “You want me to witness your wedding?”
“There are precious few people who cared for me prior to meeting my fiancé, Mr. Muller. Walter was one of them, and he’s invited, so I don’t see why not,” Johanna stated.
Leaning forward, he slid a piece of paper across the table as he sat down. “Aunt Helga, can I have the room please? Just for a moment.”
“Lukas,” the woman began warningly, but her mother stopped her. “Mama?”
“Come, the boy said he wants a man-to-man conversation, Helga. Don’t worry until we must,” Marie declared.
Once the room was cleared, Lukas crossed his legs and sighed. “I’m a good-natured man, Mr. Muller. I can do a lot of things others only dream of, but I noticed your building seems a little… dilapidated. Perhaps we can come to an agreement regarding the speedy submission and acceptance of my marriage application.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“Go ahead and open that envelope. You’ll see what I mean,” the young man replied.
Gingerly picking up the paper, he licked his lips as he carefully opened it to look inside. His face turning ghostly white, his eyes snapped up to look at the man across from him. “Is this legitimate?”
His smile turning into a knowing grin, Lukas slid his phone across the table. “Is it not enough? As you can see, I can obviously go higher.”
Gerald’s eyes wet as wide as saucers. His mind coasting through the various scenarios, he stared at the boy across from him. “You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Roberts. So, eighty thousand Euros free and clear, and all I need to do is push your application to the front and attend your wedding?”
“The wedding is optional, but you apparently grasp the gist of it. As I understand, your salary is roughly fifty thousand Euros a year, correct?”
“Yes.” Gerald answered.
Then, knowing he had the man where he needed him, Lukas asked, “What say you?”
“Very well,” the older man replied. “It shall be done.”
- Writer
