“’It’s a letter from Dorien’, says Han. “She is in Spain””

Thursday

The envelope is addressed to Han and has a Spanish stamp on it. I turn it over, no sender. I’m curious, but Han is with a client. I walk into the garden and breathe in the fresh spring breeze. It’s as if the world starts anew every spring in good spirits. I felt that winter was definitely over when I saw the first snowdrops. That is of course not always the case, but this time the winter was very mild. While I’m glad it hasn’t snowed and barely frozen, Han is grumpy about it. “No real winter again.” A real winter for him means long skating trips on natural ice. I pause for a moment near the rose bushes, which already started to sprout at the end of December. Very carefully still, I couldn’t believe my eyes and couldn’t remember it ever happening before. Then Han enters the garden. He puts an arm around me. As we walk in together, I say, “Honey, there’s a letter for you. From Spain.” He opens the envelope, takes out the letter and slowly lowers himself onto a kitchen chair. “From Dorien,” he says.

Friday

Since Dorien left with Otto, destination unknown, Han has hardly talked about her. I know he’s getting more and more concerned. When should you start tracking someone down? The police will only act if there are indications of a crime. Adult people have the right to settle anywhere without telling their family where. In their last conversation, Dorien said that they ‘want to find themselves somewhere’. Away from everything known and familiar. “We’ll see where we end up. And Han, maybe I’ll let you hear from me. Maybe not. But don’t worry, neither do we.”

Now there is the letter. Han reads it. He reads it again. And again. Then he looks at me. “They are in Spain,” he says. “Somewhere on the coast in a small town, more like a settlement really, along with some people they met there. A kind of community. People who, like them, don’t want to live a civilian life like you and I do.” I have to process that. What’s wrong with civilian life as I lead it? Do you therefore have to live on a far beach in a commune? “And why this letter all of a sudden?” I ask. “I have no idea,” says Han. “She just tells me not to worry. They feel happy. “We have reached our destination,” she wrote. “No address?” I ask. Han shakes his head. “No address,” he repeats.

Want to read more from Anne-Wil? That’s possible here!