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As far as you knew, nobody knew the truth of the matter. You hadn’t told anybody, and you knew for sure that the mother wouldn’t have said anything beyond the note she left. Though you’d been sure that <span class="mu-i">somebody</span> would have been able to tell. Linda was a nice girl, but her mother, Panni, Frau Falkenstein, had said Linda had decided she’d take care of the little boy practically on the spot, precluding any investigations…
It wasn’t like Winnifred had told you either, you hadn’t so much as heard of her existing ever since you’d parted ways. Yet you knew her story, her circumstances, well enough to tell a story.
“Maybe his mother didn’t have a choice,” you brushed your son’s cheek with your fingers, and he stared inquisitively at you. Like even <span class="mu-i">he</span> knew. Was he a bastard? Winnifred had just as well declared him her legitimate son, that being something nobility were always able to do, affirm autonomy over their bloodline. The real question was if <span class="mu-i">you</span> would recognize him… “Maybe she wanted the kid, but for some reason, she couldn’t keep him. Who knows? He’s got a home now, doesn’t he? For the best, I think.”
Linda glared for a moment. Something was intensely disappointing about what you’d said. What part?
“Something about that piss you off?” You asked.
“No,” Linda bit her lip and clicked her tongue, “Just expected something more.”
“Like what?”
“Nothing.” Linda held out Eike to you. “Go on, he likes you, y’know. Don’t need to ask to hold him.” You took him, and he clutched up to you in wonderment. “Rein?”
“Yeah?”
“Langenachtfest is coming up,” she said carefully, even if there was every reminder already present not only in the home, but on the streets, in the very songs sung. “You’re not…accounted for?”
You shook your head. “Nah. You?”
Linda frowned. “You already know, Rein. It’s the same as every other year I’ve lived.” She didn’t find it something to joke about. “I know you’re…how you are, Rein. Just…think about it, okay?”
This again. “I’ve told you, Linda,, you can do better. You should go after the best man you can. They’d probably come to you if you gave ‘em a chance.”
“I <span class="mu-i">am</span> chasing the best man,” Linda insisted firmly, “I don’t care if you think otherwise. All I’ve done for you, everything I’m <span class="mu-i">doing</span> for you, if it were anybody else, I’d say I <span class="mu-i">deserve</span> more. But I’ve always admired how free your spirit is, Rein. How you just throw yourself forward, and the world makes way. For better or worse. When I was little, it made me want to be great like that. Today, it makes you my only equal.” She walked up and rested her hands on your shoulders, Eike between you. “I won’t bother you about it anymore. But when the long night comes, I want my answer. I’m not too good for you, Rein. It’s you who’s too good to be digging through <span class="mu-i">trash</span>.”
