Mrs Martin and Mr Blohm – Episode 21: Wisdom means asking the right question

Regina wakes up the next morning to the ringing of her phone. It is mid-March. The clouds hang low, and it is a grey morning after the exquisite four-course dinner at Mr. Blohm’s place the night before.

She looks at her phone and recognizes the number — it’s her best friend Stephan. Regina still hasn’t restored all her contacts on her phone, but back in 2005, you remembered the important numbers by heart. Stephan was important — so his number was still stored in her memory.

She answers immediately, eager to tell him everything about how the evening with Mr. Blohm went.

Stephan’s voice sounds fresh and curious.

“Good morning, Spatzl,” he says — his nickname for Regina, meaning little bird.

“So tell me, I’m dying to know — how did the evening with Mr. Blohm go? I hope you didn’t cancel the dinner like you told me the night before when we saw each other in Munich.”

Three Floors Below

Regina replies, still a little sleepy.

“Hello, Stephan. No, I didn’t cancel the dinner with Mr. Blohm — but not because I wanted to go. You won’t believe this: when I landed in Hamburg, I was completely exhausted. I had slept maybe one hour. I turned on my phone — and all my contacts were gone. You’re lucky, Stephan, that I know your number by heart because you’re so important to me; otherwise, I wouldn’t even pick up a call from an unknown number. Of course, I didn’t know Mr. Blohm’s number — so I couldn’t cancel. I went straight to the Telekom store, and the service guy said it was a short circuit. Can you believe that?”

“Wow,” Stephan says. “I’ve never heard anything like that. Seems like a sign from heaven. So what did you do?”

Regina answers, “What could I do? Not showing up didn’t feel right. And I was starving after a nine-hour day with almost no sleep. I thought to myself, Mr. Blohm will surely prepare something simple, like most men do — pasta arrabbiata. One hour — I can survive that. And at least I knew Mr. Blohm had my favorite Prosecco. Plus, Stephan, as you know — there are only three floors between us.”

Stephan, impatient now.

“And then, Spatzl?”

Regina begins to gush.

“Stephan, you won’t believe it. His door was already open. The table was beautifully set — white roses, candles. Luis Miguel was playing. The light was softly dimmed, just the way I like it. Grissini and olives were on the table. He came out of the kitchen wearing a corduroy blazer, jeans, and a light blue shirt. Then we went into the kitchen together. He said there would be a ‘red thread’ through the four-course menu: homemade bruschetta, arugula salad with raspberry dressing, linguine with homemade tomato sauce and prawns — and strawberry parfait for dessert. I was so impressed Stephan.”

Stephan grows even more impatient, his curiosity now impossible to hide.

“Spatzl, that sounds like a dream man, this Mr. Blohm! And then? Did you follow my advice?”

Regina answers firmly.

“You mean being myself — following the book The Rules of Love, telling him my goals? That when the right man comes, I want to marry quickly — I have no time to lose — ideally an Italian man — move to Miami, leave everything behind, start my own business even if I don’t yet know what it will be, and have one child with my husband. Yes, Stephan, exactly — that’s what I did.”

“And after my speech, I had a cigarette — of course, I asked Mr. Blohm first, and he said it didn’t bother him; he smokes cigars occasionally. He even collects antique ashtrays — I saw them in his condo, very nice ones. Then he had a cigar after dinner. And now comes the bombshell — do you know why he’s divorced?”

Stephan hesitates.

“No… how should I? But you’re about to tell me.”

Regina’s voice turns sad.

“His wife cheated on him — and got pregnant by her lover.”

Stephan is shocked.

“That’s brutal. But he’s divorced now, right?”

“Yes — that’s done. But the child carries his name because it was born while they were still married. I can’t even imagine how painful that must be. And now — he doesn’t want to marry again at all. He loves being free. He loves his CEO job at a Swedish uniform company, travels a lot — Sweden, Switzerland, and many other European countries — and says he’s completely happy with his life. He also loves Hamburg and doesn’t even consider ever leaving his hometown. When I asked about his life goals, Stephan — he didn’t answer. Not a word. Total silence. I’m sure the moment he realized a one-night stand wasn’t possible with me, he shut down — that’s my conclusion. After that, he only talked about the next course and offered a 375 ml Ruinart champagne bottle, which was very kind of him — so I wouldn’t feel pressured to drink a full bottle, which of course I would have refused.”

Stephan sounds doubtful.

“Do you really think that’s the reason? A man who puts that much effort into a dinner usually isn’t just after a one-night stand. Think logically, Spatzl.”

Regina answers sharply.

“Some things in life can’t be explained logically. The fact is — when I told him about the book The Rules of Love and why honesty from the start matters, he only said I should put the book in his mailbox.”

Stephan chuckles.

“Spatzl, you’re not actually going to give him that book with all your highlighted passages, are you? That would make it very easy for him to read you.”

“Stephan, it doesn’t matter anymore. Our goals don’t align. Even though — I admit — I’m a little sad. I’ve never experienced an evening like that with a man who puts in so much effort and cooks so well. His apartment is exactly my style. Even if he’s not my ideal type, I have to admit the evening was beautiful. But it’s over before it even started, Stephan. I don’t want to lose any more time. I want to live in Miami, get married, build my own company, and have one child — and he doesn’t want that. That’s very clear. And when I left, he didn’t even ask when we’d see each other again. It was too much for him — and I get it, Stephan. He’s just coming out of a terrible divorce.”

Stephan is surprised.

“Spatzl, why would he set another date? You’re neighbors — you’ll see each other again. You’re only three floors apart. He can still call you to thank you for the book. Phones still exist, as you know, Spatzl — and he has your number. I have to go now, but I’m sure this isn’t over. And remember also — you never wanted to marry a German man anyway.”

Regina laughs.

“You’re right. Why settle for the sparrow in your hand when there’s a dove on the roof? I can’t believe I even considered Mr. Blohm. Thank you for opening my eyes again, Stephan. Kisses — ciao, Stephan. Via Italia — I’m coming!”

She hangs up and rushes to the La Perla showroom. On the way, she plans to stop by the Club an der Alster tennis club to check whether her application for guest membership has been approved. Regina wants to build more connections in Hamburg — she still feels lonely there. Aside from Mr. Blohm and her landlord, Gérard, she doesn’t really know anyone in the city, even after five months of living there. The tennis coach Roland is definitely not someone she wants to see again. Maybe her Italian dream man is at the club.

Honesty After Midnight

Before leaving, she drops the book The Rules of Love into Mr. Blohm’s mailbox — noticing once again her business card still dangling from the mailbox and the doorbell. Regina thinks she really needs to fix that.

At her car window, she discovers a rolled-up letter tied with a white rose and a ribbon in red, white, and blue — the French colors. Surprised, she opens it.

“Dear Mrs Martin,

I very much enjoyed the evening with you and would love to repeat it.

Thank you for the lovely hours.

Respectfully,

Claus Blohm.”

Regina thinks, This Mr. Blohm really doesn’t give up. And that handwritten note — so beautiful, so unique. She feels flattered. Actually, she should be the one thanking him; instead, she had rather coldly tossed the book into his mailbox without a note. That alone shows how little she truly feels for Mr. Blohm.

On the drive to the tennis club, she keeps thinking about him. Why this handwritten letter now? He hadn’t said a word the night before about meeting again. Nothing about this man makes sense.

At the club, she parks in the members’ lot, almost as if she already belonged to the Club an der Alster. At reception sits the dreaded Ms. Rottenmeier — not the friendly one who once gave her the application forms. She barely remembers Regina and replies curtly that there is no update on the application yet, but that she will call as soon as she hears something.

Just one minute later — the club being so close — Regina enters the La Perla showroom. As she turns on the lights on this dark, soon-to-be rainy morning, her phone rings. Regina is sure it must be the Club an der Alster calling, since she still hasn’t re-entered all her contacts. But to her surprise, it’s Mr. Blohm.

“Hello, Mrs. Martin — this is Claus Blohm.”

His voice is soft.

“I hope you slept well and enjoyed the evening yesterday as much as I did. I’m calling to apologize, Mrs. Martin.”

Regina is surprised. What could Mr. Blohm possibly be apologizing for? she wonders. The four-course dinner had been excellent, and the wine selection impeccable.

“For what exactly are you apologizing, Mr. Blohm?”

He hesitates.

“It’s a bit embarrassing. You did receive the note I left on your windshield, Mrs. Martin — didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did,” Regina replies.

Relieved, Mr. Blohm continues.

“When I smoked the cigar, I suddenly felt very unwell — nauseous. That’s why I became so quiet. I wanted you to know it had nothing to do with you or your questions, Mrs. Martin. The cigar was simply too strong for me. Strange, right?”

Regina is speechless — which, as you know, dear reader, rarely happens. After a long pause, she finally responds,

“Thank you for telling me, Mr. Blohm. I thought my questions had made you uncomfortable and that was why you became so quiet. Are you feeling better today?”

Regina is surprised by how honest Mr. Blohm is. He didn’t have to tell her that the cigar had made him feel unwell — and yet he did. It’s very open, very sincere — exactly the kind of honesty Regina appreciates. And the fact that he wants to see her again flatters her.

A Book, A Doorbell, A Screwdriver

For a brief moment, she wonders whether he might actually be the right one for her after all. But she dismisses the thought just as quickly and replies.

Regina:

“Ah, Mr. Blohm, I’ll be back in Munich again next week. I have to organize my move, and after that I’ll be quite busy with work.”

The thought of moving day already fills Regina with dread — having to return to the apartment where she had lived with her former boyfriend Paul for more than a year, and the possibility that she might run into him again if he didn’t stick to their agreement not to be there while she picked up her belongings. And perhaps Regina might grow soft again and be unable to draw a clear line, as had happened so often before — because Paul is a good person, with all his weaknesses and strengths, and they had shared good times together.

That’s why Regina replies to Mr. Blohm,

“I’ll be quite busy with the move and traveling for work. I hope you understand, Mr. Blohm.”

Mr. Blohm:

“Oh yes of course, I understand. Is there anything I can do to support you, Mrs. Martin?”

Regina thinks how sweet it is of Mr. Blohm to ask. Immediately, she thinks of the doorbell and the mailbox where her name still hasn’t been properly attached. It’s fiddly work — nothing major — but she really doesn’t feel like doing it herself. Why not ask Mr. Blohm? she thinks. Surely, he owns a screwdriver. And besides, it could be a good test to see whether he’s a man of action, not just words.

Regina:

“Yes, Mr. Blohm, there is something you could do for me. Could you put my name on the doorbell and the mailbox? Right now, it’s just my business card hanging there.”

Mr. Blohm answers immediately.

Mr. Blohm:

“Of course, Mrs. Martin, I can do that — that’s easy for me. Is there anything else?”

Regina thinks for a moment what else there could be. It would be wonderful if Mr. Blohm could read the book while she was in Munich, and she replies immediately,

“Yes — I also put the book The Rules of Love into your mailbox this morning. It would be wonderful if you could find the time to read it.”

Mr. Blohm:

“Of course, I’d be happy to. The book sounds so interesting. But when will we see each other again Mr Martin ?”

Lunch Is for Wimps — Until It Isn’t

Regina thinks to herself, Let’s stick to the three-week tactic.

“Well, Mr. Blohm, I won’t be available again until three weeks from now — in the evening.”

Mr. Blohm:

“Why in the evening? We could also have lunch. I know a wonderful Italian restaurant.”

Dear reader, you have to know — Regina absolutely hates lunch. In her opinion, it ruins the entire day; she much prefers dinner. Besides, as Michael Douglas famously said in Wall Street: “Lunch is for wimps.”

Regina:

“I never have lunch Mr Blohm, Do you know the movie Wall Street with Michael Douglas? I’m a big Michael Douglas fan — and he says very clearly: lunch is for wimps.”

Mr. Blohm responds instantly.

Mr. Blohm:

“I know the movie — but as you know, Mrs. Martin, principles exist to be broken. How about next week?”

Regina thinks, Good move from Mr Blohm. Yes, that’s true — principles are meant to be broken sometimes. She smiles to herself at how quickly Mr. Blohm had his answer ready. He is quick-witted, after all. And the fact that he barely spoke the night before clearly hadn’t been her fault — it was the cigar. So maybe, just maybe, Mr. Blohm still has potential.

Regina:

“Yes, I see it that way too, Mr. Blohm. Alright then — let’s have lunch next week. Thursday at 12 o’clock, if you insist.”

Mr. Blohm:

“Wonderful. I’ll pick you up at your showroom, Mrs. Martin — I already have the address from the business card hanging on your mailbox and doorbell. You’ll love the Italian restaurant, you’ll see. Everything is homemade — pasta and the freshest fish you can imagine.”

Regina:

“Yes, I love Italy and everything that goes with it. You recognized that very well, Mr. Blohm.”

She almost adds, Too bad you’re not Italian — but bites her tongue and lets it go.

Mr. Blohm:

“Wonderful. Then I’ll see you next Thursday. I wish you a smooth move and hope everything goes well.”

Dear reader, curious to know what happens next? Will the Italian lunch with Mr. Blohm actually take place — or will Regina’s final move from Munich to Hamburg, and the possibility of running into her ex-boyfriend Paul, pull her back into her past four-year relationship.

Stay tuned. The holidays are just around the corner — and it’s always wise to keep enough SYLTBAR in stock, so inventory never runs low.