But he is not asleep.
“Elf?”
“Ja?”
“Over the last few months, I’ve seen what I could easily become if anything happened to you, and it ain’t pretty. I don’t think I’d be able to subdue the monster that lives inside me anymore. I don’t think I’d have the heart even to try.”
“Someday you may have to,” I tell him, half wishing it was not necessary to do so. “You have already lived longer than I probably vill. Who knows how long you may be able to renew yourself the vay you can now? You must be prepared to out-live me.”
He shakes his head and looks away. “I don’t think I want to.”
“But ve do not need to vorry about that just yet, do ve?” I point out. “I am not so very old, and many things can happen that are now unknown to us. No mortal can know the hour of his death until it arrives. God villing, ve have many more years to live, and many more things to do vhile ve are alive, nicht wahr?”
I take a handful of his thick black hair in each hand and turn his face back to me, ready to claim his lips. I realize I am still wearing the heavy rubber gloves and have just smeared Crisco, if nothing worse, into his tangled hair. “Ach du Scheisse!” I exclaim in dismay, pulling off the gloves and tossing them aside.
He laughs and replies to what I have said. “I sincerely hope not, darlin’, or I’m gonna make you wash it off with your tongue.”
“You and vhat navy?” I reply saucily.
“Uh – darlin’ –“
“Nein! Do not tell me. I have got it wrong again. Let me guess. ‘Marine’ does not sound right, so it must be ‘army’.”
“Got it in one, Elf.”
He pulls me down into a kiss, to which I respond with great enthusiasm. When we are finished, his mood is much brighter.
“Yer absolutely right, darlin’. We got lots more to do. But the first thing I suggest is another bath in that new tub ya bought us. You with me?”
“Ja! Jetzt und immer bin ich mit dir, mein Schatz. Jetzt und immer.”
Yes! I am with you now and always, my dearest. Now and always.
GERMAN TRANSLATION
Genug! Enough!
mein Schatz my darling/dearest/sweetheart
Zum Teufel! To the Devil!
Danke Thanks
Ja, natürlich. Yes, certainly.
Vas? What?
Verstehst du? Do you understand?
Jawohl, mein Herr Yes, Sir.
Es ist wunderbar, aber auch erschreckend.
It is wonderful, but also terrible.
Gut. Ganz gut. Good. Totally/entirely good.
Verdammt! Damn!/Damn it!
Ich liebe dich so sehr. I love you so much.
Ich dich auch. I love you too. (Literally, I you also, love being understood.)
Herrgott! Lord God!
mein Freund my friend
nicht wahr? Isn’t it?
Ach du Scheisse! Very emphatic version of Oh, shit!
STORY ARC – In Order
Something a Little Different
As the Twig is Bent
Pray for Us Sinners
With Nothing on My Tongue
You Win, Elf
Hell Hath No Fury