A few months following the wedding, Ludwig had started going back to work, leaving me at home with Gilbert, the dogs, and Gilbird. It's not like I had a problem with being with them, but to be honest, I was a bit bored at home. I tried to distract myself with reading and cooking, but it felt like I could be doing something more than what I was.

As time went on, I started going to town more often, mostly to the market. Gilbert sometimes went with me to get beer but other than that I went alone. The people of the market, at first, were cold to me since I was a foreigner. However, they soon warmed up to me and greeted me with kind smiles and sometimes gave me a little extra whenever I bought something from them. It helped fill the hole a bit. Still, it was like there was something calling me to do something more. (I know, cliche.) 

I talked to Ludwig about it one night when we were laying down in bed; it had been a long day for him (he had to stay in a meeting with his boss all day and didn't get time to eat lunch) and he was somewhat asleep when I had asked him; "Ludwig, can I ask you something?"

"Ja Catherine?" he questioned, sounding like he could pass out at any moment.

"How would you feel if I got a job in Berlin?" I asked.

Ludwig did not reply. At first, I thought that he had fallen asleep.

"Ludwig?"

"Vhy do you vant to get a job?"

I leaned my head against his chest and sighed. "...With you gone all day, I feel so alone. Sure Gilbert is here, but I also would like to get to know this area a little better. If I'm going to be living here, shouldn't I get out there a bit?"

Ludwig was silent for a moment. Then he wrapped his arms around me. "I just vant to make sure your safe is all."

Is he worried about other countries coming after me? I wondered. Or is it something else entirely? "Oh Ludwig, I know you're worried, but I think it would good for me."

I felt Ludwig do a heavy sigh. I knew he was reluctant to let me do this but I knew that he would. "All right Catherine. You can go."

A smile came to my face. "Danke Ludwig."

**********

A few days later, I found myself working at a little cafe in Berlin. I stayed mostly behind the counter and served drinks to the people sitting there. My first week there, I found that I was enjoying myself. It just seemed like this was the job for me. Then came the first day of the next week.

It was late in the afternoon. Rain was falling from the sky and the clouds were hanging above, making life seem so miserable. Not many people had come into the shop and I didn't expect anymore to come in. Then a young woman walked into the cafe with her raincoat on. She had long, wavy brown hair, brown eyes, and she looked so frail and thin, like the wind could knock her over if it was strong enough. 

She walked in with her head lowered down, making sure not to make eye contact with anyone. I was very confused on what was going on but I did not ask, figuring it rude to ask at the moment. The unknown woman sat down at the counter and lowered her head onto the counter, not saying a word to me. At this point, I found that it was appropriate to speak to her; "Would you like anything ma'am?" I asked, even though she and I looked about the same age. 

"...A simple coffee please," she whispered in an Italian accent. 

"Coming right up," I got the coffee together and then turned to look back at the woman. "Would you like cream with that?" 

She looked around, as if she were pondering the idea, and then nodded. I place the coffee onto the counter and looked at her. 

"Are you from around here?" 

"No. I'm, just visiting from, Italy." 

I chuckled. "I kinda figured." Then I sat down on the stool behind the counter. I knew something was bothering this woman but I didn't know what. I did know that I was determined to find out what it was. Of course I couldn't just come out and ask her. I had to be subtle about it. "My name is Catherine. What's yours?" 

"Rosalina,"she answered, trying to sound confident. 

"Oh, that's a beautiful name." 

"Gracie..."

I sighed. Being subtle wasn't getting me very far. "Listen Rosalina, I know we just met, but I know something is wrong. Is there anything I can do to help?" 

Rosalina blinked, surprised that I could figure it out. Then tears gathered in her brown eyes as she looked at me. Before long, she busted into uncontrollable sobs. I reached into my pocket and handed her a tissue. 

"Here." 

"G-Gracie," she hiccuped before wiping her tears. "I-I, I don't know what to do. I-I can't go home!" 

"Hold on. Start from the beginning Rosalina. Tell me what's wrong." 

And so, Rosalina went into her story; her Father, who apparently was a boss in the Italian Mafia, was forcing her to marry the son of another Mafia boss so the two groups could be united. Rosalina, of course, did not like the idea, and wanted out. Her Father said no and told her she had to get married. He allowed her one last week of freedom by letting her go to Germany to visit some friends. "Maybe I should go to Switzerland," she said. "I'd be safer there." 

"If you believes that's best," I said. 

Rosalina then sighed. More tears gathered in her eyes. 

"What?" I asked. 

"...There's one thing I forgot to tell you;...If I don't go back and get married, they'll kill my Papa." 

"What?!" 

"Shhh. Please Catherine, keep it down...It's true that I do not like my Papa for what he is forcing me to do, but I do not wish him dead. I'm so conflicted." 

It was a huge, complicated mess. This is what I told Rosalina; "Rosalina, I'm not in your position. I can't make your decisions for you. What I can do is give you advice that always seems to work for me; follow what your heart says. Your heart will never steer you in the wrong direction." 

For a moment, Rosalina was quiet. Then she nodded in understanding. She stood up from her seat and smiled. "Gracie Catherine," she thanked. "I hope we will meet each other again one day." 

"Me too. You know where to look." 

Rosalina nodded and then left the cafe. A few minutes after she left, I started to feel light headed. Then I felt the urge to vomit. I ran out the back and threw up outside. It was about a few minutes before I stop. I looked at myself in confusion. I had not been feeling sick before. What was happening to me?