Milena Moser on chance encounters: Strangers in the rain

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The other day I was standing at a tram stop quite late in the evening. It was dark, it was raining, and I was cold. But I was happy. Although my old homeland did not show its sunny side, it still welcomed me with open arms and showered me with beautiful moments. I almost couldn’t remember why I left. Then my thoughts were interrupted by a deep, distinctly American voice: “Hey, honey!” I looked up. Under a huge black umbrella stood one of the most handsome men I have ever seen. Looks straight out of a glossy magazine. “Look how colorful you are!” – he shouted in English. I had to laugh. I just came from a reading wearing a yellow jumpsuit, gold boots, a pink coat and a green umbrella. Parrot in the middle of gray. “You’re probably not from here,” the ghost continued. And here again is the question of my life: where is my home? Where do I belong?

“Yes,” I said. “Yes, I am. I just don’t live here anymore. It’s been a long time.” The tram came, we folded our umbrellas and sat down. We sat next to each other, our conversation was not over yet. He told me that he grew up in Oakland, bridge. We discussed the current situation in San Francisco and in general. I asked why he was not wearing socks – despite the terrible weather, he was wearing some leather slippers. Later, a fashion-conscious friend of mine explained to me that this was exactly the case people wear them today.

He asked me if I knew the Dolder Grand; he heard it was a good place to meet men. – Is that so, dear? I couldn’t say anything reliable about this, I didn’t even know exactly where he needed to get off to catch the train, and we immediately went too far. Since I felt somewhat responsible, I went out with him and waited for the tram in the opposite direction. The rain got heavier and it was already late. I couldn’t imagine going out anywhere right now, let alone meeting anyone. But at the same time, I was at least twice as old as my new acquaintance. However, he seemed to have the same doubts because he suddenly took a deep breath. He admitted that he was not looking for adventure. He is looking for a husband. “I would really like someone to belong to me, and I belong to him.”

“I understand this well. It took me three tries.” So, we stood under umbrellas, two strangers in the rain sharing their deepest desires. And then I realized again what I like so much about my new home: the people. Unexpected meetings, intimate moments. Strangers who don’t stay strangers for long.

I rode with him one stop back to Roemerhof, where the little cog train actually climbed the mountain, to the Grand Hotel with its glittering promises, possibilities and perhaps a husband for my new friend.

“Good luck,” I shouted after him.

He raised his umbrella in greeting: “I have a good feeling!”

I hope he finds happiness. I don’t even know his name. We called each other beloved.

Source: Blick