The First Wife: A Short Story Read online

  Part 4

  Even though it was bitterly cold, Mileva noticed the café was opening. She was several blocks from home, and the cold was beginning to overwhelm her, so she decided to stop and have a cup of coffee and a croissant. The warmth and pleasant aroma of the café immediately made her feel better. After ordering, Mileva took a seat in the rear of the café near the fire far from the door. She was alone in the café for the first several minutes. However, as more and more people realized the café had opened, they came in slowly. Within a few minutes the café was full of young students, mostly in groups of two or three.

  One couple in particular caught Mileva’s attention. Both were obviously students. Mileva, as she had been one of the first female students, found it encouraging that more and more females were entering University. This couple was obviously lost in love as they did not appear to notice the others in the café, they laughed and chided each other joyously. Their love and happiness was infectious, reminding Mileva of her courtship with Albert.

  Shortly after her return, Albert finished his studies and passed all of his exams without concerns. He had been right: their love compelled him to do better. Because she spent a semester abroad, Mileva was behind and unable to graduate with Albert. Subsequently, Albert returned to his home with his parents and began working. The plan was for Mileva to finish her studies, pass her exams, and then the two would be married. Mileva was caught up in the idea of the marriage and their life together, both with degrees in advanced physics, working alongside each other to great new discoveries.

  When she received the results for her exams, however, Mileva found she had fallen just short of the minimum requirements to graduate. She was crestfallen, believing her future plans were now in jeopardy.

  Albert, in true fashion, wrote and requested they meet at Lake Como for a holiday. His argument that she would benefit from a few days of rest and the relaxation would free her mind such that she would breeze through her exams was so convincing Mileya immediately agreed to the arrangement. Within a week, she found herself alone, on the train, headed toward four days with the man she loved and knew she would soon marry.

  “My darling, my love,” Albert gushed as he rushed to meet her at the train station. He had managed to arrive earlier in the day and coordinated their arrangements for adjoining rooms on the lake.

  “Albert my darling,” Mileva replied as the two embraced on the platform.

  “How was the trip? Pleasant, I hope,” Albert said as he grabbed her small bag and led her out of the station.

  “It was uneventful but an eternity as I looked forward to being with you,” Mileva said softly.

  “Yes, it has been an unusually long day. It seems our time together is so fleeting, but our time apart an eternity, but never mind that now, you’re here and our arrangements are made. We have four days to be together.”

  Albert looked at Mileva as they waited for a cab to take them to their rooms. “You have grown even more lovely since our last time together. I would have never imagined that to be possible,” Albert grasped her hand, pulling it to his lips and kissing it tenderly.

  “Oh Albert, you’re such a romantic. What would the scientific community think if it knew this side of you?” Mileva laughed.

  “Yes, well, I’m sure they won’t ever see it as I only have eyes for my darling,” Albert laughed back.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Albert changed the subject abruptly, “but I’ve made arrangements for us to return to the rooms. You will have approximately an hour to freshen up and rest before our dinner on the lake.”

  “That sounds lovely my darling.”

  The couple returned to their rooms which were situated only a few feet from the shore of Lake Como. The views were breathtaking with the lake in the foreground and the snow-capped mountains in the background. The weather was cool, so Mileva dressed warmly as Albert had explained they would be eating outside. The dinner had been light but elegant. Throughout the time, Albert continued to be exceedingly gracious and complimentary. Upon completion of the meal, Albert ordered a second bottle of wine, and the two hardly noticed the fireworks over the lake as they were lost in each other’s eyes.

  “I hope you found the meal and company to be agreeable,” Albert said.

  “Oh, most agreeable,” Mileva smiled, “I cannot recall the last time I had such a relaxing and enjoyable dinner. I knew I missed you but had not realized how much. Thank you so much for encouraging me to come here with you. However, I’m certain seeing you anywhere would have been just as refreshing.”

  “Ah, now you’re going to make me blush,” Albert laughed. “Thankfully it is too dark out for you to notice.”

  “I’m sure you’re not blushing, but if you are, I’m glad.” The two laughed as Albert rose.

  “Let us retire to the warmth of the fireplace in my room. I feel this chill could not be good for us.”

  With that, Albert aided Mileva to her feet by pulling her chair from the table. Mileva entwined her arm in the crook of Albert’s, and the two strode silently to Albert’s room.

  Mileva was surprised to see he had made a fire before they had gone to dinner. The hearth was aglow with the still burning red embers. Albert took several blankets and pillows from his bed, making a pallet on the floor near the warmth and light of the fire. After he helped Mileva to a seated position, he quickly grabbed two glasses and another bottle of wine before he too reclined on the floor next to her. He poured the glasses of wine, handing her one.

  “Here’s to time flying,” he said, as they clinked their glasses together.

  After they each took a sip, Albert leaned in and kissed Mileva passionately. The next several hours had always been a blur to Mileva as she and Albert lost themselves in passion.

  Although she could not recall the specifics of that night, her recollection brought a large smile to her face and warmed her as she stood in the café decades later, bundling herself up as she began to walk home alone through the cold streets of Zurich.