Riding the Bull

[Arsene]

Thanks guys. Yeah AT, I just love those homemade gifts!

I went to immigration with W this morning. W was smiling when I picked her up and greeted me with "happy birthday!".

The ride there was pretty quiet, both of us were thinking I guess. Got there but the papers weren't ready so it was for nothing. W said she wanted a coffee so we stopped on the way back.

Had a pleasant chat about D8 and then the rehearsal at my home came up. I simply asked her who the friend was and when she mentioned it was her guitarist and that they could always do it in a studio if I preferred. I told her quite casually that if it was all the same, I'd prefer that, as I wasn't feeling comfortable with the rehearsal at my place and I thanked her. She stay silent, I sensed her mood changed a bit and she took her phone to change her arrangement. I stayed neutral. We then continued casually and pleasantly about a few light subjects and it felt like the mood had passed.

She didn't acknowledge or ask about the reason so I guess she understood. I felt like explaining myself but didn't want to make it an issue so I just dropped it.

We then got talking about D8 school and how we needed to move her next year. I mentioned how D8 misses the school where she was last year, in the neighbouring country. W quickly said:"Yeah, but I couldn't go back there. It was just too small for me."

I'm not sure why she would say that as I didn't say I wanted to go there or that if I was going to, that she was even invited to join us, but I let it pass.

Later, as we were riding back home, I thought about what 25 was telling me the other day so I mentioned that the touristic area would probably be the better choice anyway. W responded by asking if I was definitely thinking about moving next year and to this I said it was always a possibility but it was too early to tell, that many things might happen between now and then.

Then I asked her if she was thinking about it and she said that she had been thinking about it recently and that the touristic area would probably be the right place for her. As we were on the motorcycle, I couldn't continue this conversation and now I wish I'd asked her why she wanted to move. Maybe it's better I didn't. I can always bring it up later.

No new steps forward but at least I don't think there are any steps backwards either. All quiet on the eastern front.