Greta was helping Tina with the plants she bought for the garden. They were both barefoot, working in the mud, cleaning the dead plants. It was a hot very humid day, the air was thick and was treating a storm.

Tina, surprising herself as she didnt kow she was going to ask that, said,

You mind if I ask you something? She asked not looking up, digging.

Sure Tina Gretas voice was honest, easy, light. Her accents caressing the r, letting letters fly out of her mouth.

Why did you come to the States?

I had to Greta answered, watering the mud, letting her long thin fingers caresses the soft sand.

You had to? Were you in trouble? Tinas concern words made Greta look up, smiling.

Yeah (chuckled) but not that kind of trouble, you Americans are so melodramatics

Gretas words made Tina smile, nodding.

Too many movies she added, looking back to the mud, digging again.

I had to leave Berlin, was dying there, needed to see other people, other facesand LA is the farthest and different Id think about.


Tina was looking at her, wondering what could have happened to her but not daring to ask. Greta was feeling Tinas stare, loving her silence, her respect but noticing her curiosity in her eyes.

I fell in love, had my heart badly brokepathetic eh? Gretas usually nonchalant tone was broke by the honesty of her words.

Im sorry Garbo Tina said, caressing her arm.

Yeah, wellits okand am great now, so it was all worthy

Well, am glad you came here Tina added, getting a small plant placing it on the hole she just dug.

Yeah, me tooyou know what they say, what doesnt kill you make you stronger Greta said the words winking at Tina while standing up to walk to get a few more plants that were on the stairs near the kitchen.

Tina looking at her thought about her words, realizing that they didnt clarify if she was ***** or not. Sighing, smiling went back to her work, mudding her hands again.

But then, as Greta was walking back carrying two small plants, she suddenly jumped, sighing, limping afterwards.

What happened? Asked Tina, standing up.

I dont know, I think I trampled on something Greta said, frowning.

Let me help you, Tina was at her side, taking one of the plants from her, placing it on the floor.

Kneeling down she took Gretas feet, seeing quickly the blood.

You are bleeding, come here Placing her arm on Gretas waist, Tina helped her walked towards the kitchen. It was starting to rain. Small, tiny, light rain drops falling down their faces, wetting their hair.

No wait, if its bleeding lets stay here, or the kitchen will be a mess Greta said, limping towards the chase lounge.

Dont be sily about the kitchen, besides, its starting to rain Tina said.

Rain? This is not rain (chuckling), really, I prefer to do it here she said sitting down.

Ok, let me get the waterspout Tina was already at the end of the garden , opening the pipe.

Letting water come out of it Tina walked back to Greta who, looking at her bleeding cut under the mud feet was quietly frowning.

Does it hurt much? Tina asked, concerned.

Nah, come on, let the water clean it Greta said, pointing the pipe.

Tina, carefully moved the pipe closer, letting the water clean the mud, slowly showing the cut, which was deeper than any of them thought it could be.

Wow, you have an ugly cut there, hold this Tina said, handing Greta the pipe, kneeling on the floor, taking Gretas feet in her hands.

Carefully, as water was cleaning the blood Tina softly caress the wound, pressing it, trying to decide if they needed to go see a doctor.

I think I had some stitches inside, let the water clean it ok She said, looking up at Greta who was looking at her, nodding.


Following Tinas pace inside Greta bit her lips, feeling the cold water clean her feet. Staring away for a few seconds, hearing Tinas steps back she shook her head, looking back at her wounded feet.

Ok Garbo (Tina said, sitting on the other chase lounge, moving it closer to Gretas), this might hurt

Tina, placing Gretas feet on her lap took some cotton wetting it with some disinfected liquid from a small bottle. Looking up at Greta, who with her sad blue eyes was staring at her, said,

You ready? Tinas words were lost in the rain drops that lightly were wetting her concern face.

Greta, speechless was nodding as she was looking at Tina, not wanting to look at her feet and then frowning feeling Tina pressing the cotton on the open wound.

Shhh Greta said, complaining.

Tina, smiling, nodded, looking up at her again.

Am sorry

Its ok, doesnt hurt that much whispered Greta, shaking her head. Her accent harder as she was not so in control of her emotions.

Removing the now reddish cotton Tina nodded, looking at the cut who shyly was still bleeding a little.

Pass me the stitches and the bad aids Tina said, pointing at the boxes she placed on Gretas chase lounge.

Greta did as order while looking at Tinas hand that was tenderly caressing her feet, around the cut. Tina, without looking up, took the stitches and then the ban aids and work on Gretas cut kindly.


After a few minutes she finally looked up finding Greta looking at her. For the first time Gretas eyes were full of emotion. Her usually beautiful but quiet eyes were full of something that Tina could not guess what it was but that none the less were sparkling.

Oook, thats it Tina said, smiling, taking the feet with her two hands just before kissing the top of it.

Now, young ladynext time you will have to use some shoes okleave the wild barefoot experience to the pros She added winking at a very quiet and serious Greta.

Noticing the look on Gretas face, seeing that she was not smiling, Tina, worried, softly asked,

You ok? You want to go to er just in case?

Shaking her head Greta didnt answer, holding Tinas stare for a few seconds before looking down at her feet for the first time. Tina looking at Gretas serious face, didnt know what to think. She was use to her seriousness but always happy eyes but now there was something else there.

Caressing her arm, feeling the wet t shirt under her touch, Tina said, hoping for Greta to look up again.

Hey Garbo, you ok?

As Tinas wish, Greta looked up at Tina, nodding.

Why you always call me Garbo? She whispered, surprising Tina with the question.

Eh, well for once, and here you see how original I am, because of your name (Tina smiled, caressing Gretas ankle) and then, because the first time I met you I noticed how mysterious you are, so private, so quiet (Tina looked up from Gretas feet) and because I love your accent

Tinas words were sinking in Gretas conscience. Tina was looking at her, waiting for a reaction, hoping her honesty didnt bother her friend.