Julia Lelieveld and the fifth element
~13~

The old man was still sitting at the bar with a large cigar between his thumb and forefinger.

"Daan, there you are again."

"Hello Bertus."

"You must have canned it, haven't you?" he asked me with a wink.

"2-0 sir", I said, winking at Daan.

"That's the spirit." The old man took a long drag on his cigar.

"Thank you, Bertus!" And Daan gave the key to the old man.

"You can always come, Daan, you know that."

"Yes I know."

"We're going to eat something, are you hungry?" Daan looked questioningly at the old man.

"No, son, you two go have a good time. I expect company soon."

"Have a nice evening Bertus."

"Good evening, sir."

"You children too, enjoy it," he said good-bye like a sailor.

We walked into the cold evening air. Fortunately it had stopped raining.

Daan glanced at his watch.

"Eva and Bas won't be back yet, can we have something to eat here in town?"

I was fine with anything as long as I could eat something. I don't know how it happened, but I was really hungry.

"I am fine with it."

I saw him smile.

"Come on, let's leave the car here."

He took my hand and I let him lead.

When I saw the direction we were heading, I knew immediately where we were going.

We went to the diner opposite the police station. On the one hand I didn't like it, being so close to my father. But it was the nearest diner in the area and I was really hungry.

Daan held the door open for me and I could already see Maria standing behind the cash register. When she saw me come in she smiled broadly. She left her work for what it was and walked over to us.

"Daan and Julia, how nice to see you. Table for two?"

"That would be nice, Maria," Daan agreed.

"Follow me."

She walked to the back of the shop and stopped at a table in a corner. It was surrounded by beautifully decorated flower boxes.

"Look." She pointed to the table and placed two menus on it.

"Would you like a drink already?"

Daan looked at me questioningly.

"Water please."

"Allright. And you Daan?" She looked at him questioningly.

"I'll have a Coke."

"I'll bring it to you in a minute."

"Thank you," we said in unison.

I was amazed that she still knew who I was. Even if it was yesterday. Waitresses saw so many people daily. But on the other side. Dad had to be a regular, so she probably recognized me for that.

"A regular here?" I looked at Daan questioningly.

"I often came here after work in the elderly center. But that doesn't matter. Maria remembers everyone who has been here. It's just scary how good her memory is."

Hence.

We both ordered our food. I went unhealthy this time and ordered a steak with chips. Daan followed my lead and soon we were enjoying a delicious meal. We talked about the school I was in now, about the teachers and crazy stories he could tell after four years there.

It was cozy. A casual atmosphere. As if we've known each other for longer than just tonight. I broached the subject of his education. I noticed that he found it difficult to talk about it. Finally the word came out.

"I was chosen to go on a mission to be trained for a special team."

He looked uneasy about it, as if he didn't like it at all.

"What kind of team?" I asked him.

He seemed to think for a moment.

"That's the question. It is not yet known to us. The five of us go there to be trained. Only when we are there we get an explanation and we can decide whether we really want to go through with it. It's top secret."

"Gosh, do you want to go there?"

He raised his shoulders.

"We signed a contract when we entered the service. We can refuse, but it's part of it. The least we can do is hear what they have to say."

I nodded. He was right, of course. I think he was someone who went for his choice, so also for this choice. My father was also extremely devoted to his work, perhaps too. But I could somewhat understand Daan's attitude.

"Where are you being sent to then?"

He thought for a moment, as if he had to search deep in his memory.

"Greece."

"Greece? What should the army do there then?"

"I don't know myself either, it's an education, of course, so we won't be in a war zone."

"And when should you go there?"

He was silent, his face doubtful.

"The plane will leave next Friday."

"What? And you just heard it now? You've only been employed for a month and a half," I said incredulously.

"I know. They probably waited until they had the right people for this training, and in their eyes I belong to that."

"So you're going to Greece on Friday?"

"I think so."

"What do your parents think?"

"I haven't told them yet. I wanted to do it tonight, but they're at the hospital with Bas and Eva, so I'll have to do it tomorrow."

He rubbed his index fingers over his temples. He was really into it.

"Can I do something for you?"

He shook his head.

"No thanks, I have to do this myself. You know there's a chance you'll be deployed, but so soon? And with so much uncertainty?"

He looked at me seriously.

"I shouldn't have even told you it's in Greece. We have a contact at our base that my parents can talk to if they want to know more. I supposedly don't know where I would go."

I didn't know what he was going to be trained in, but it was really serious. And very secret. Jesus, what was the army doing? Something the people of the Netherlands certainly did not know about.

"I won't tell anyone about Greece."

"Thank you."

"Can you keep in touch with your family while you're there?"

"I don't know, maybe I can call sometimes. But I doubt it because of the secretly. Probably the old-fashioned way, with pen and paper."

"I think it's brave of you, I really mean that."

He nodded and looked at me gratefully.

I heard a familiar voice coming towards us. I looked back and saw the colleague of dad approaching and another man. He couldn't see me because of the flower boxes. He sat down three tables away. I saw that Maria saw me looking and she gave me a wink. She probably thought I was on a date and I'd rather Dad didn't find out. I smiled back and turned around again.

"Somebody you know?"

"That man with blond hair is my father's colleague, I don't know that other man."

"Does your father work at the station opposite?"

"Yes, he's a detective."

"And he doesn't mind that you're here with me now."

I laughed a little. That would be very ironic. Always working or escaping, I still couldn't figure it out. And that I can't have fun?

"No, that seems strong to me."

"Good thing, too. I shouldn't argue with a detective." And he raised his eyebrows mischievously. He was nice when he did that. Fortunately, his dimples were visible again. I could really tell from him that he was hesitant to tell his parents.

Footsteps came our way again. This time it was Maria.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Can we pay?"

"Yes, when you're ready, you can come and pay at the cash register."

"Thanks Maria."

She nodded and walked away.

"Shall we?" Daan said.

I nodded. "Let's go."

I saw on the clock in the diner that it was already past eleven. We had been talking for a really long time.

While we walked to the cash register I took my wallet out of my bag and immediately I felt Daan's hand on my hand.

"Please put that away, I'll pay."

"Are you crazy now?"

"No, I was raised the old-fashioned way, so I pay."

I had to say, he was pretty convincing. I shrugged and put my wallet back in my bag.

Daan walked to the cash register where Maria was standing behind. At the same moment I heard the door of the diner open. Automatically I looked around and saw that dad walked in.

At first he didn't see me, but looked a little more clearly and walked towards me with a questioning look.

"Julia, what are you doing here?"

"Hi Dad. I had dinner here with Daan, the brother of Eva and Bas. Eva and Bas were unexpectedly not at home, so that's why." I shrugged innocently.

I saw my father look suspicious. Shit, if only I didn't start getting red cheeks. There was no need to feel ashamed or uncomfortable. But in the stupidest situations, I got a head like a tomato for no reason at all. Luckily I always felt that coming, and now I didn't feel anything.

"And where is that Daan then?"

He was clearly skeptical.

"He's paying, he'll be ready in a minute."

I saw my father nod and look at the cash register. I looked along with him and saw that Daan was walking towards us. Daan seemed very impressive and self-assured to me with his tall build, muscular body and beautiful face. Probably for my father too, because I heard him snort next to me. Geez, dad, don't be like that. I thought to myself.

Daan looked at me quizzically. Before something was said I didn't want to be said, I took action.

"Dad, this is Daan Rondebal. Daan, this is my father Sander Lelieveld."

"Nice to meet you, Mr Lelieveld." Daan held out his hand politely.

I saw my father shake him vigorously.

"Hello Daan."

"We just finished dinner and wanted to go home." I looked at my father for a moment.

"Home? Our house? Together?" It was as if I could hear panic in my father's voice.

"No Dad. Daan drops me off at home and then goes to his own house. Calm down."

I gave him a small squeeze on his forearm. He looked at me for a moment and then realized that I was telling the truth. Probably because I'd never lied to him before. He nodded.

"Drive carefully, the roads can be slippery after such a downpour." He looked intently at Daan.

"I certainly will, sir."

"Julia, I'll see you at home."

"Bye Dad."

And with those words, Daan and I walked out of the diner. I couldn't help but let out my laugh that had been bubbling in my throat for a moment.

Daan looked at me in disbelief for a moment and then started laughing too.

"Sorry about that, but I think he thinks I'm still his little girl."

"Ah well, look at my father when it comes to Eva." And he waved it off.

"Come on, let me take you home quickly." He took my hand and we walked back to the car.

Once in the car I wondered one more thing.

"For how long are you actually deployed?"

"I don't know, I think it depends on how the training progresses."

I thought about what it would be like to be deployed abroad. Not knowing for how long or for what. I thought it was great of Daan that he agreed. It was his job, of course, but still. So many questions. I think I would like to be a bit more clear first, and not to guess about how to proceed. He had already resigned himself to it. And the most he dreaded was telling his parents. Afraid they won't agree with him at all. It is a good thing that there is a contact person who can inform his parents, because who would let his child go when there are so many uncertainties.

I felt the car slow down. I looked out the window and saw the illuminated houses on my street. Daan parked the car along the street in front of our house and turned off the engine. He looked at me intensely.

"Thanks for the 'nice' evening," I told him, and I really meant it. I really had a good time. He nodded.

'You too, I had a great time. And thank you for listening."

"Thank you for confiding in me."

He laughed a little. Somehow I knew what he was thinking.

"It's really going to be okay. They will understand. They're your parents and they support you." I took his hand and gave him a small squeeze. I felt him squeeze back, a little more forcefully than I thought was intended, but I could take a beating.

"Let's just assume that."

"Then you should definitely do it. Tell them what you can tell them and it'll be alright."

"Thank you."

I looked at the house for a moment. I didn't want to say goodbye at all, but I had to. I'm sure dad won't be home much later than me to check on me anyway.

"Will you be careful?" I looked at him concerned.

He nodded. "Of Course."

"If it's possible, can you let us know how you're doing? I'll ask Eva and Bas for a report."

He laughed a little.

"Okay."

I leaned over to him and kissed his cheek.

"Be careful."

"You too." And he kissed my cheek too.

We looked at each other for a moment, when I reluctantly opened the door and got out.

He gave me another smile which I returned and he was gone.

I turned and walked into the house. I sat down on the couch to let it all sink in. While I was sitting there, I heard Dad's car pull into the driveway. Gosh, he really had to eat fast to be home by now. I just chuckled.

With incredible speed he reached the front door and opened it gently. He looked into the room that was only lit with one light and saw me sitting on the couch. He looked around expecting to meet Daan.

"He dropped me off neatly and then went home."

My father let out a sigh and I saw relief on his face. Then he looked at me seriously. He walked over to me and sat down next to me.

"Julia, this is hard for me to get into. But you are now of an age where your needs are likely to change."

Oh god, I knew exactly where this was going. I had this conversation with my mother a few years ago. I really didn't need sex education anymore.

Very nice that he tried.

"Dad, stop it."

He looked at me confused.

"Why, stop? Have you moved on with your friends then?"

I saw him get angry. Shit, this was going the wrong way.

"No Dad, calm down. I am still a virgin."

How uncomfortable talking about this with your father.

"I just wanted to say that I've already had this conversation with Mom."

"Oh." I saw relief, but also sadness in his eyes.

"It's okay, if there's anything I'll come to you. Okay?"

"I'd like that, Julia."

"Then I'm going to bed now if you don't mind?"

He nodded and kissed my hair.

"Sleep well."

"You too, Dad."

It was only when I lay in bed that I realized how tired I was. Luckily I fell asleep quickly.

On Sunday I slept in. I immediately thought of Daan. If he had already told his parents.

I always kept Sunday for housework, so I did my usual round the house. Fortunately, Dad was home on time that day. So I had cooked extensively and we had a nice meal together. That was a long time ago.

I noticed that he didn't like to talk about his work.

That night we watched a somewhat weird science fiction movie, but fun enough to watch together. My father had asked me if I was okay with inviting his colleagues to dinner with their wives.

They had welcomed him so much to his new job that he thought he could return it. He carefully asked if I wanted to cook, because he was very bad at it himself. I promised him I would.

With relief, Dad went upstairs and I followed suit.

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