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“OK, thanks,” I reply.
Ayden raises his hand in farewell. I’m acutely aware of the distance between us, and I guess we both need to get used to this new way of being with one another. At least we’re talking again – if only when absolutely necessary.
I turn back and head to the hunters’ wing. On the way there, I prepare a couple of questions to ask Charles. I’m mostly interested in what his relationship was to Frida and whether he can tell me more about her. So far, I know very little about her asa person, and I desperately want to change that.
I enter the cafeteria, and my eyes sweep the room. I see an older woman sitting alone at a table, drinking a cup of tea and reading some papers. There are several small groups drinking and talking. I look closer at them, and it doesn’t take me long to identify Charles. I go to him. He looks almost the same as in the photo I found in Frida’s room, although that must be several years old. He looks about 55, which means he’s more than ten years younger than my great aunt. There are a few gray streaks in his dark hair and faint creases around his eyes and mouth. He’s smiling broadly, and his eyes sparkle with a zest for life. Charles is gesturing expressively, presumably telling his companions about one of his deployments, and the other hunters listen intently. He peppers his story with humor, which elicits bursts of laughter.
“I wish I could have been there,” says a woman, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “His face must have been priceless.”
The group finally registers my presence. A man with brown hair gives me a disapproving look and one of the women also looks puzzled to see a student in here.
“Can we help you?” she asks.
I nod and look at Charles. “I was hoping to talk to you,” I explain. “I was told you were here today. I wanted to talk to you about my great aunt Frida. I found a photo of you among her things, and I was wondering if you knew her.”
Charles’ expression hardens a little; his eyes widen, and he looks me up and down. “You’re related to Frida?” He slaps his thigh and stands up. His expression now changes completely. Beaming with pleasure, he takes me in his arms and, to my surprise, embraces me firmly as if we’ve know each other for years. “Wow, I had no idea.” He lets go and holds me at arm’s length, scrutinizing me. “And you’re a student here?
I nod.
“She would have been pleased to know that; I’m sure. Yes, I knew Frida. Very well, in fact. We were friends and worked together for many years as hunters.
I raise my eyebrows, delighted to have found someone who was actually close to my great aunt.
“Then maybe you can tell me something about her? Unfortunately, I never met her, so know almost nothing about her life.”
“Sure. There’s a lot I can tell you about her. She was an incredible woman.” He glances around. “Let’s go and sit where we can talk undisturbed.” He winks at the hunters and says, “I’ll catch you later. I’m going to take a trip down memory lane with this lovely young lady.” He actually seems pleased as he leads me to an empty table.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asks after we sit down. “I was just about to get myself a coffee.”
“Thanks. I’ll have a coffee too, please,” I reply, and Charles goes to order our drinks. I watch him walk to the counter, lean across it, and chat with the serving staff. He seems friendly and open, almost too exuberant. I can see what Ayden meant, and he wasn’t exaggerating. But Charles seems very likeable, and I can’t wait to hear what he has to say about Frida.
He returns with two steaming cups and puts one down in front of me. “You actually look a bit like her, you know.”
I’m a little surprised because I didn’t notice any resemblance in the photos I’ve seen.
“It’s your eyes,” he says, pointing at them with his index finger. “They have this spark, this restless flicker, almost like a challenge. I can tell you’re nobody’s fool and that you like to do things your own way and you’re not easily swayed. Frida was the same.”
I gulp at his words because they remind me of what Mr. Brian said. That my aunt was stubborn, didn’t think before she acted,continuously put herself in danger, and was responsible for another person’s death.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you,” he said. “It’s just so nice to see a reminder of Frida again.”
“What was she like?” I probe. “I mean, other than being headstrong?”
“Oh, she was lovely,” says Charles. He stirs his coffee. “I had just joined the hunters. Frida had been doing it much longer, and we were sent out into the field together. It was my first deployment – nothing earth-shattering, just a patrol. But I was super excited. Frida found my enthusiasm irritating. She gave me a lecture, which I have to admit kind of annoyed me. But when she approached me afterward, she was cheerful and relaxed. She invited me out for a drink, and I got to know another side of her. We quickly became friends.” The memory brings a smile to Charles’ face. “Those were exciting times; we went through a lot together. This one time, we were out on deployment,” he began with a laugh. “I think Arthur was with us. Anyway, Frida heard this noise and – yeah, now I remember – it was Arthur; he turned around and nearly knocked over a trash can. Frida told him...”
“Sorry to interrupt,” I say, “but who’s Arthur?” I have a hunch, but I want to be sure.
“Oh, Arthur Brian. He’s a teacher at your school now. You may have crossed paths with him.”
I feel simultaneously hot and cold. I knew that he and Frida knew each other. They used to work together; he told me that. But I didn’t get the impression that they were friends or particularly close.
“You know him?” Charles asks, correctly interpreting my expression.
“Uh, yeah, he’s my history teacher.”
“That’s a coincidence! Does he know you’re related to Frida?He’d be delighted to learn that. Although...” He pauses, and his expression darkens. “Maybe that’s not such a good idea. It was all a long time ago, and sometimes it’s best to leave the past in the past.”
I hesitate, but if I want an answer, I guess I’ll have to be straight with him. “He already told me what he thinks of my great aunt... and of me. He thinks I have a similar temperament, and it wasn’t meant as a compliment.”
