Eternally Yours

Anna and Hans Schmidt sat in the small lounge room of their flat going over the plans they had made. The news they had received a couple of weeks before had bowled them over. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. They hadn’t even thought about what to do if something like this ever came up. Anna couldn’t believe her ears when Hans had taken her in his arms and said that it was better to go now than later, that they could make a plan and if she wanted to go with him it would make it easier.
They spent all their spare time at the local library reading books and taking notes, they wanted to get it right. Anna stayed up late most nights re-reading every scrap of information over and over again.
Hans was worried that Anna might change her mind so he made extra plans without consulting her. He wanted her there, always.

“Do you really want to go through with this?” He looked deep into her eyes and saw that she knew it had to be this way. Forty-nine years they were married and had worked all their lives to save for a special holiday. They had never been able to get away before, but now that their three children were grown and they had managed to save some money, they could go.
As the years had passed them they were still as in love with each other as the day they met. Escaping from war torn Germany, they had made their home in London. She worked in a factory packing biscuits while he had a job on the local council. Their one wish was to go back to their homeland.
She smiled at him as he held her close “You know, when we get there it will be our fiftieth wedding anniversary”
“A very special event then” he replied. Again he asked her if she was sure about it all. She agreed with him although there were tears glistening in her eyes. “It can’t be any other way’
“No but I will understand if you change your mind” he lied. He had never lied to her before but this was very important to him. He wished it didn’t have to be but there was no other way out.
She shook her head and repeated, “I don’t want it any other way” She moved away from him and stood at the window. Looking out, all she could see was the busy traffic below and people rushing to get to wherever they were going. It had been the same for years, the same old view, the same old smog of the city and she was sick of it. How nice it would be to have a little house in the country and have a garden of her own, but they could never afford that. It had taken them all this time to save the money for the holiday. She started to daydream about a house with a garden full of snapdragons and pansies and maybe a garden gnome as well. She smiled to herself.
“We had better go over our plans again” he interrupted her thoughts “just to make sure we get everything right. We have never climbed a mountain before”

It was windy and wet as they loaded the car with their luggage and she locked the front door behind her. For a moment she hesitated, wondering if she would come back. She hadn’t really made her mind up. She wanted to follow their plans as they had made them, but still she packed an extra item in her suitcase just in case she changed her mind completely. Deciding to go and enjoy the holiday she climbed into the car and they headed for the airport. He parked the car in the long-term carpark and left the keys behind the tyre on the driver’s side.
“Too bad if someone finds it” he said smiling at her.
They took their luggage through customs and she was very nervous as her suitcase went through the electronic scanner. She was sure she had packed the item well and it wasn’t very big. A sigh escaped from her lips as the suitcase went through with no problems, then they went and had coffee in the cafeteria as they waited for their flight to Munich to be called.

Hans had booked a suite at the Waldorf. It was lavishly furnished and Anna loved it although she thought it too expensive. He told her not to worry so much as it didn’t really matter, they would only be at the hotel for a couple of days, then they would look up some old friends before continuing their trip.
He suggested a quick nap and as they lay side-by-side, Anna watched him as he slept. He did a lot of that these days and she would watch over him, torn between thoughts of what it had been like all these years, struggling through each day and what it was going to be like, if only she could really make up her mind. She loved him so much and she knew he loved her the same way but was it really enough for them to stick to the plans they had made. Anna weighed the pros and cons of the situation but still couldn’t come to a decision. She would have to wait until the right moment before she would finally decide.
It was midday when they left the hotel and went sightseeing. Later in the afternoon they looked up old friends and arranged to meet them for dinner. Hans suggested meeting them at the hotel and he would pay for it. Anna complained about not being able to afford it, as they didn’t have a lot of money but Hans laughed and told her to stop worrying, just enjoy it while they can.

They stayed three days in Munich then boarded the train for Zermott, Switzerland. Anna fell in love with the scenery as the train rushed to their destination. Different thoughts went through her mind, Did she want to go back to the dingy flat they lived in, living the same mundane life they were used to, or did she want to return to Germany. What if something went wrong with ‘the plan’ and it didn’t work out like they expected it to. Most of all: Did she want to go through with it. It was such a hard decision for her yet she would not say anything to Hans. She would let it work itself out and she would know then if the time was right.
Hans squeezed her hand gently as he pointed out the window like an excited child, his eyes gleaming and she felt her heart melt.
“There it is!” he exclaimed, “There is our mountain, over there in the distance. Can you see it Anna!”
She smiled at him and hugged him “Yes Hans, I see our mountain”
In the distance standing out amongst many others stood the Matterhorn

“Would you like me to pack your kit for you?” Hans offered
“NO! ..no I can do it” Anna smiled “I have to learn to pack my own remember. The guide specifically said to do your own. We are responsible for our own safety.” She packed her kit and made sure she put her extra item where she could get to it if she needed it. They decided to go half way up the mountain so they could see what it was like, then they would go back the next day and see how far they could get. The guide had given everyone all the details of the climb and told them how it was easier to climb the Matterhorn these days compared to many years ago. Now there were footholes and cables to help climbers over the most difficult parts of the mountain. They would have to watch the weather though as it could change suddenly up there and everyone was to stick together.
They met the other climbers at six the next morning and set off. Everyone was in a good mood and they all laughed and talked as if they had all known each other for years. Anna and Hans had never had so much fun as they had that day. The climb was easier than they thought and the weather had been perfect, making it all worthwhile. They all dined together that night and it was very late by the time Anna and Hans went to bed. They hadn’t laughed so much for ages, hadn’t had so much fun. All Anna’s thoughts of their flat were forgotten, she knew she would not be going back there, but still wasn’t sure of what she was going to do. Tomorrow would give her the answer.
Hans looked tired as he came out of the bathroom and climbed into bed beside her. They snuggled close to each other and fell asleep.

The group set off early. It was going to be a longer climb and the guide wanted to be sure they returned in daylight. Anna and Hans walked behind everyone else, going over and over the plan. Hans squeezed her hand “ No regrets?”
“Never” she replied “I don’t regret one day we have had together”
“I love you Anna. You’ve made my life worthwhile. We’ll be together always”
“Always” she replied as they followed the group to the base of the mountain.
The weather was kind to them and they made the climb up to the halfway point and rested for lunch before making the descent. The view was spectacular and Anna found herself wanting to see a lot more, she thought how nice it would be to see Norway and Sweden while they were here, and then maybe go back to Germany. She was starting to change her mind about everything. She wanted to tell Hans how she felt but didn’t want to upset him; this was his plan, his idea. She had gone along with it out of love and devotion for him, but she now felt there was more out there for her. She could picture her cottage and garden, and even thought it would be nice having her own place right here at the bottom of the mountain.
After lunch everyone packed up and prepared for the climb down. Hans took Anna by the hand and made his way to the back of the group. No one missed them until they had reached the base of the mountain.
“Let’s climb just a little higher,” Hans suggested. Anna was getting very nervous; she didn’t want to go through with it. She had changed her mind completely and wanted to talk him out of it also, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to do that. Once he had made up his mind nothing was going to change it. She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She would have to go with him, had to be there. It was the least she could do.

Hans stopped and sat for a rest. “This will do. I can’t go any further, here will be just fine.” He took a few deep breaths then reached into his bag, withdrawing a long leather strap.
“What’s that for?” Anna asked although she had a fair idea. Listening to him when they were making all their plans she knew he wasn’t going to let her back out. He was making sure of it and the leather strap confirmed her fears. She was glad that she had packed the extra item and she retrieved it from her pack and lay it down beside her where he couldn’t see it.
“This is so we can be tied together” he replied. “Come over here and sit beside me so I can do it.”
Anna was shaking as he tied their hands together. “I can’t do this. I don’t want this I’m not ready, you may be but I’m not”. she thought as they moved closer to the edge.
Hans kissed her, and took another step forward. Anna knew she would have to move quickly and she swung the small axe, severing his arm below the elbow as he took the step of the mountain. She fell to her knees and watched him fall and her heart broke. “Goodbye my love”, she cried as he fell out of sight. She looked down at the arm still attached to the end of the strap and screamed in anger. She untied it and threw it down after him.

Anna went back to London to get a few personal things. She opened the door to the flat and picked up the mail. She sat in the living room staring at the letter, reading it over and over and over again.

Dear Mr Schmidt

Could you please contact me as soon as possible as there has been a terrible mistake made regarding your diagnosis.

Sincerely
Dr Adams