Greta Again! by Marya Stones Page A

Then my mother could show off her daughter’s status even more. Status was always important to her mother. She was always very interested in what others thought and how they could be manipulated. And that was so not Greta’s world. When Greta saw the film Titanic with Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio it was as if her own mother were playing the part of Kate Winslet’s mother. It was always about keeping up appearances, following the rules, in short: position. Today Greta and her mother are more relaxed and accept one another’s routine.  In the final analysis, each had her own life. They also managed to see eye to eye and to respect one another’s individuality as adults.  At least most of the time. And when the two had trouble communicating, they opted for distance. And that was good for both of them.
                Greta lit her candle with the flame of another. Now she was really herself again.  She wanted to pack David, the young man in the article, her deep gratitude and love of life -- everything into a prayer. But she was overcome by her feelings and she couldn’t find the words. She was completely sure, however, that this Mary, at whose feet she placed the candle, knew exactly what was important to her now. Again a feeling of warmth enveloped her. She felt safe and protected. Nothing would be able to knock her down and she didn’t want the beautiful in life to be taken away only because a man went out with a chopstick-hussy and stood her up. Wrapped up in her thoughts about herself, and in her feelings of warmth, security, protection and safety, she didn’t notice the man from the front of the church moving toward the Mary altar. Greta was still kneeling in front of her candle, deep in her own thoughts, as he spoke to her:
                “You have to be an angel to be here now.”
                Startled, Greta looked up and saw Mike standing in front of her.
                This can’t be possible, can it? Am I dreaming or is this real?!”
                “W-What, it’s you?” She wasn’t able to get another word out of her mouth. She looked down again at the burning candle, then into Mary’s face, then again at Mike.  Really. He was standing in front of her. Big as life – and he offered her his hand. As in a daze, she reached out and let him pull her to her feet.
                “I had just begun to feel so well in my skin again. I had found courage and strength to face what is ahead of me and now you’re standing in front of me. I can’t grasp it. Honestly, I don’t even know if I even want to see or speak with you.”
                “Greta, it can’t be an accident that life has brought us together here again. It’s the second time this has happened to us. The first time at Olaf and Stefanie’s and now again in a church?” Mike looked around and glanced briefly across the interior of the building. “This is actually the place where I come to regain my strength. This is where I fill my tank when I feel down, when I don’t know any more . . . and then I see you in front of the statue of Mary. Honestly, even you have to admit that our being together is intended.  Do you really want to leave me standing here and not even listen to me? I didn’t do anything wrong. Believe me.”
                Greta was completely confused. She felt blown away and as if she were on remote control. Since she had too much whiskey the night before and had seen him with the chopstick-hussy, and then today had gone through an emotional roller-coaster with the story about David Rose, she didn’t know how she should behave with Mike. Here he was, in the flesh, in front of her. And now what? But he was right—it couldn’t be a coincidence to run into one another here in the church. That she couldn’t deny. What do I have to lose, she thought. He can’t hurt me; he’s already done that. If I talk to him . . .oh, what’s the