The Runaway

Seven: The Main River.

"And over and over you ask your soul
Why'd you come down to a world so cold?
And the voice inside says tonight the truth will be told..."

—

1988.

Frankfurt, West Germany

On a deserted walking track at the base of The Main River in Western Germany, the night sky was filled with fog and mist. The trees whistled a tune of their own, like quiet conversations that flowed throughout the air. No verbal words were spoken between the two individuals sitting on the concrete a few feet away from the water, but instead, their love language spoke for them in ways so talking wasn't a necessity.

There was a man who desired nothing more than to have a moment alone with the one he loved without others around. Who desired nothing more than to make memories that wouldn't be seen, and judged by thousands of individuals. He didn't want the press. He didn't want the hounding of his team.

He wanted just one night to be completely and utterly alone with her without anyone else around, something they hadn't been able to do outside of their hotel since before arriving overseas.

No other person was in sight as they sat criss-cross from one another with a deck of cards and a lantern for light separating them. "Do you have a four?" His fiancée mumbled, clearing her throat at the same time. She had no more suckers left and had to drink water as an alternative, which didn't help and made things worse.

The cool wind blew and all that was heard was Prince's fingers playfully tapping against his cards and the click of his tongue. The small waves hitting the bank of the river was calming as he watched her smirk at him. "I don't know. Do I?" He teased, finally responding.

Nobody would ever know that just hours prior to their 'secret' outing, his fiancée, who doctors considered abundantly healthy, couldn't dress herself. His fiancée, who doctors considered to be abundantly healthy with no health issues, couldn't stand up straight and cried when Prince moved her.

"She just has a low pain tolerance. Almost all pregnant women start experiencing aches and pains during this time. Alternate Tylenol and Motrin. This should pass. I would suggest getting a massage to break down the knotted areas. They should go away in no time." They all said the same.

She was brushed off, he was brushed off, and to keep from challenging the medical professionals, they did what they were told, even when she couldn't bear weight without tears filling her vision. Her playful nature however, persisted like a light switch being flickered on and off.

Licking her lips, Prince's fiancée laughed and drew a card with her eyebrows raised. Ignoring the twang of pain that coursed through her hips when she moved. "I'm assuming no." She said softly. Sarcasm left her mouth with a smile.

She knew the answer when she saw him move  towards her. Licking his lips, the one card in Prince's hand was laid down as he captured his fiancée's lips and emptied his hand.

Whispering, he exclaimed victory with their mouths connected. "Goldfish, amore mio." His fiancée's body vibrated, a silent indication that she was trying not to laugh. Her lips tickled Prince's as they kissed in the moonlight.