Our Chianti had barely arrived when Vivian said, “You know, I’m not interested in anything serious.” I half expected the topic to come up that evening, but I didn’t think it would be the first thing out of the gate. “That’s disappointing. I thought our children would be very handsome. Now I have to take […]
5 – Like an Argentine Tango Read More »
A week later, Vivian and I walked to the small Kleinhesseloher See at the north end of the Englischer Garten, rented a paddle boat, and floated around, mostly annoying the quacking ducks, who were offended by our presence. “We signed the Philips contract yesterday,” I said. “It looks like I have a real business now.”
8 – I’ve Never Seen a Proton Either Read More »
TW: Sexual Assault “I was eighteen, nearly finished with high school, riding the bus home from the Goethe Schule. Four years earlier, I was proud of the uniform with the large ‘G’ that meant I was growing up. Now, even after shortening the skirt just a bit more than the school allowed and tailoring it
10 – I Guess I Still Have Work to Do Read More »
In May, Vivian’s mother, Astrid, called from Buenos Aires. “Good news!” Vivian exclaimed with a smile after she hung up. “Mutti’s coming to visit at the end of the month. She’ll stay with us, of course.” “Of course,” I replied, swallowing hard. While Vivian was happy to have her mother visit, I constantly felt scrutinized.
In midsummer of 1987, I was fired. A British firm acquired ExaSoft’s home office and decided to merge my Munich operation into its London office. They gave me until September to transition the Munich operation to a new managing director. After that, I would be unemployed. When I told Vivian, she asked, “Flaco, what does