After his reluctant, and speedy, shower he finds Gabriel sitting upright in his chair by the window. The shades are rolled up just slightly, giving them a little glimpse onto the platform of the station. At nine in the morning there are already plenty of people mingling around.
James’ mind flashes to the plans he made to see theRathausturm in the town center and the Christmas museum he’s heard everyone talking about. They all fade away when he looks at Gabriel’s slow movements and the way he groans as he bends down to tie his shoes.
“Why don’t you stay in bed? Rest up a bit?”
“I want to see this Christmassy town you’ve told me about. Need to know if it lives up to its name, you know,” he says, swaying a little. “Now come on, I know for a fact that you’re already behind schedule.”
*
The town does feel like something straight out of a period piece, plucked from a cartoon and built right here in Germany. The photos don’t do it justice and even the crowds can’t stop James from admiring the beautiful authenticity of it all. The air is fragrant with the cold of winter, the aroma of baked goods and a mix of wet stone and something earthy.
Once again he can’t get himself to go up into the tower of the town hall, enviously looking around at the people walking high up on the platform. From his place beside him Gabriel’s taking pictures with his old-fashioned polaroid camera. No doubt trying to capture everything so he can sketch it later.
James is relieved to see that the hazy look has vanished from his friend’s eyes. The flush to his face is still a little concerning, but as long as Gabriel says he can handle it, they’ll stay out here.
James ticks off one of his boxes when they walk away from the town hall. Somewhere in town a clock strikes noon, and his stomach rumbles. His watch beeps soon after. Breakfast earlier that day consisted of just a coffee and a small bread roll they found at a tucked away bakery. He figures they can call themselves lucky that Gabriel managed to even keep that down.
“How about some lunch?” the man walking alongside him suggests, tucking away the camera into his satchel. “I could do with a cup of tea.” They find a small café, tucked away from all the hecticness of the main street, and take a minute to breathe it all in. The town does feel like Christmas, the lights impressive even in the daylight and from what he’s seen from the markets until now, he can tell it’s adorable in the way that it wraps around the entire town. Alleyways and hidden away corners participating in creating that unique holiday spirit.
After lunch they find time to visit the Christmas store and its accompanying museum. “Nowthisis Christmas,” Gabriel remarks when they step foot inside the little shop. The walls are lined with ornaments of every variety, the tree spinning in the center of it all decorated with tinsel and lights. It’s everything the Christmases of his childhood weren’t. Bright. Happy. Over the top. But most importantly, joyful and full of laughter. All around there are people mingling, oohing andawing over the displays and decorations.
“You could say that again.” James is transfixed by it all. Even if most of the things he sees are gaudy and not his taste, it’s exactly like the celebrations he’s seen in the movies. “It’s joyful alright.”
Gabriel’s answering laugh is weak, the exhaustion lining his face more prominently now. If the way he’s fidgeting is any indication, the pain is starting to worsen again. James hoped that the herbal tea would have helped to soothe it for a bit.
Just this once, he deliberately uses the line he knows will make sure they’ll return toThe Adventurer. “How about we go back? I think I’m done for the day.” He knows he should feel guilty for essentially lying to Gabriel, but for the sake of his friend’s comfort he doesn’t.
The twenty-minute walk is slower than it was this morning, erring on closer to forty minutes. But it does give James the opportunity to duck into a local supermarket to stock up on some bottles of water and stomach ache safe snacks. Gabriel will still need to eat something for however long he feels like this.
When they do eventually get back toThe Evergreen,it’s easy to change into their pajamas and settle into their beds. Gabriel’s tablet is perched on the pillow barrier between them. Not even fifteen minutes intoA Miracle On 34th StreetGabriel’s soft snoring reaches James’ ears. With a smile he too lays down further, his focus split between the glowing screen and the resting man on his right.
12 [James] Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
December 9th
The second day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber has a better start than the previous one. While James does get woken up by Gabriel rummaging around in the bathroom, there’s no sign that it’s because he’s throwing up the bits and pieces he nibbled on the evening before.
James hopes that it’s just a bathroom visit without complications and it will give them the opportunity to at least explore the city some more. No matter how amazing it was to explore Paris on his own; to keep to his own schedule and not to have to defend his choices to anyone, it’s proving to be more fun to have the opportunity to share the experiences with someone. Even if there are certain things that he knows Gabriel doesn’t enjoy, it’s nice to be able to explore the unknown together.
The exhausted air hanging around Gabriel throws thoseplans out of the window. His eyes look clearer; James figures that’s something to be relieved about. But the tired lines on his face are more prominent than the day before.
“Morning,” Gabriel says groggily. From where James is still laying on his side, he watches as Gabriel lays back down with closed eyes and a sigh.
James looks on with a wistful look on his face, knowing that he can’t take his friend out like this. “Good morning. I hope you had a good night.”
Gabriel hums, eyes still closed. “Better than the night before.”
“That’s good to hear,” he says as he gets out of bed to get ready for his morning routine. “What did you want to do today?”
“I’m sorry, James.” This time Gabriel does blink open his eyes. “I don’t think I’ll be able to go exploring. My legs feel like jelly.”
“I gathered,” James mumbles, sliding open the door to the bathroom. “I meant, do you want to watch some shows? Or do some sketching?”
Gabriel’s answer comes slowly, like he’s fighting sinking into slumber, “I’ll probably do a little of both, see what I feel like doing after I have a nap.”
James grabs the door to slide it shut. “Alright, we’ll see what you feel like.”
In an instant Gabriel’s focus sharpens. “What? No, you’re going out today. Tick off your list and all that.”
