Part 4
"Yasmine, come on now, hurry. I am already waiting for you for half an hour. We are going Christmas shopping.
It's freezing outside. What the hell does it matter what colour sweater you're wearing "
"Mom, you do not understand"
"I do, but what's taking you so long, Ah finally. Let's go"
"Mom, when is dad coming home?"
"This afternoon. I believe his plane lands at 5, but he will take a taxi home"
"And he will stay home for a while now?"
"Yes. At least until January 10th, so do not panic. He will be at home on your birthday "
"That's not the point. He's just too much away lately”
"That's just part if this job, let’s go"
Nearly four hours later they came back to Königsbrunn with bags full of Christmas gifts. Almost simultaneously with
Gustav, the present Count von Lahnstein.
"So ladies, Christmas shopping done?"
"Yes Uncle Gustav, but I will not tell you what I bought. Mom you won’t either, right? "
"No, Yasmine, how was it in the holding today Gustav?"
"Oh the usual bustle of the end of the year Sophia. Say who has the honour this year to persuade our dear mother to
come to Königsbrunn? "
"Mmm, I've done it last year. Our youngest, Catherine, has done it the year before, so as the oldest it is your turn this
year. Success"
"Hmmm. Well tonight I'll call her. Is Carlos home already?"
"No, he called this afternoon that it is stormy in Washington, which means he will be delayed. I can not reach him,
so he will be in the air now. Let's go inside. It's too cold out here"
Carlos called at 9:30 that he had landed and will come home as quickly as possible. Sophia was glad he was back home.
Yasmine was right. He was to often away from home, since he worked at the United Nations envoy. They had considered
moving to Washington, but she did not want it because of Yasmine. After the death of her father, she had a very difficult time.
Although Carlos had taken the role of her father since she was six years old, Yasmine had always kept in touch with
Mohammed until he died from a cardiac arrest. Mohammed, her childhood sweetheart. Hmm her mothers were not amused,
when she was pregnant at 16, but when Yasmine was born, they stood like two proud grandmothers at her crib. And now she
was already 20 years old. Unfortunately she could not benefit her grandmother's that long, because one died not long after her
birth and the other moved to New York.
At half past ten a taxi came. Sophia grabbed her coat and walked outside to welcome Carlos. In the hall she met Gustav, who
had a puzzled face.
"What's going on with you?"
"Strange, but I can not reach mother. I called Max and he said she has gone on a vacation"
"What? Our mother on a vacation? Where is she going?"
"He doesn’t know"
"Did you call her cell phone?"
"Yes, is not in use"
"How strange. That is not like her"
"No, that's what I thought. I’ll try once again tomorrow. Where are you going? "
"Carlos is coming"
"Ah well. Raphaela and I will have a drink before we go to sleep. If you like to join us, we're in the living room "
"Okay, I’ll ask him"
...
_________________ Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King
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