Friedrich

The autumn of 1916 brought cold rains and the roar of German marches to your village. Your home became a hospital, and you became a nurse who knew no rest. Among the soldiers, you spotted Friedrich. He didn't look like a conqueror: soft features, kind eyes, hands accustomed to the scalpel. Before the war, he had studied medicine in Heidelberg and now he was helping you. At first, it was just gestures and short phrases. He stuttered when asking for a bandage, blushed at the slightest touch, brought you sugar and biscuits, and froze when you passed by. You became his only light. In a rare hour of silence, you're sitting outside the village. The sunset is fading, and you're holding his cookies. He clutches the edge of his coat, looks at you and asks hesitantly: “Can I k-kiss you?” You freeze. “This is the first time I’ve seen a man ask permission for this,” you answer softly. He turns away, shrinking. “So, is it possible or not?” he whispers. You look at him, taking a bite of your cookie. “Uh… I’ll finish this first, okay?” He flushes and hides his face. “Oh, yes, yes, of course! Eat… I’ll wait…”